Morning All

Well, well, another win, our first over the Rangiora Photographic Society of New Zealand!
The final scores were: Garstang: 462 Rangiora: 459 – so only 3 points in it – phew!
I emailed our contact in NZ, Allan, thanking them for taking part and how there were some cracking images from both clubs; I also mentioned a return ‘fixture’ next year, he replied:
Awesome. You took the win and well deserved. As for next year, why not. So that’s sorted for 2026!
Many thanks also to all members who managed to get out and about and tackle the challenge ‘Above and Below.’ Some great images were included in the ‘Show-and Tell.’

Notices:
Committee:
Would you like to join the committee? We are always looking for members to help out with the running of the club, so you would be most welcome!
You don’t have to take an active role, but come along to the meetings and have a voice! We don’t bite, honest!
This coming Wednesday, 26^th March, we are having a committee meeting in the Arts Centre from 7pm – if you are interested either email me on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk or just pop in – it’s no problem!

Challenges:
Thank you, Stan, for your excellent talk last Wednesday on monochrome photography. 
So, following Stan’s talk, the next challenge is, as you may have guessed, is monochrome images.
It is an ‘open’ challenge – that is any subject – and the date for the ‘Show-and -Tell’ will be Wednesday 14^th May, so plenty of time, but don’t delay, get out and about now the weather is improving and clocks go forward next weekend!
While I’m typing about this challenge, please don’t forget the ‘Alphabet’ challenge – combine 2 challenges in one?

Artificial Intelligence: (AI)
Last Wednesday I did a small talk on AI and demonstrated this by using one of my images and getting it critiqued by AI. A couple of members have asked for the website I used, so it was:
https://chatgpt.com it is free and very fast! As I mentioned I’m not sure how many images you can ask for the AI to critique before it ‘times-you-out’ but it’s a bit of fun, well, at the moment, who knows how it will develop!

Calendar:
Just a gentle reminder about images for the 2026 calendar. Time is ticking on!
Just to repeat:
The calendar used to be Garstang only; however, following on with conversations with Muriel she has now stated that images could not only encompass Garstang but now the surrounding areas to a radius of 5 to 10 miles, maximum; so, this means that the scope has now widened!
Please get out and about, in the fullness of time, so that we can offer her a great selection towards the end of April/ beginning of May.
As mentioned on Wednesday Sue will find out the exact date the Arts Centre committee will require our images. Thanks, Sue.

Events Destinations:
Last Wednesday all members at the club meeting voted on the list of destinations for the 2025 Events Cup – cheers!
However, it’s not too late to vote – so if you missed last Wednesday’s meeting, I have attached the list again. Deadline is mid-night on this coming Tuesday. Just email in on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk
Please pick the top 10 destinations. Please put a 1 on the destination you would most like to visit and a 10 on your tenth choice.
Why 10? It gives the committee a better range of ideas and the chance not to repeat similar destinations. Also, destinations possibilities for the summer programme.
The final choice will be made by the committee next Wednesday together with dates and days for the 5 months of April, May, June, July and August.

Coffee Morning – Saturday April 12th.
We are running this coffee morning and this is the last coffee morning until September. As usual, I’m asking members to please bring along anything edible for us to sell nearer the time – it all helps to add funds to our coffers!

April Exhibition:
Many thanks to all members who have brought in their prints ready for the coming exhibition.
Maurice has said if anyone still wishes to show any prints please bring them along this Wednesday – although it is a committee meeting, that’s fine.

Early Notice! Wednesday April 9^th!
Paul Dunmall is our speaker; ‘Interactive critic night’ A lecture of 2 very different parts.
Part one is part lecture about judging and a competitions part facilitated discussion with the audience, where you have the chance to ask the judge, a chance to air your views on the judging community to a current judge.
Part 2 is about a right to reply; with about 20 PDI’s submitted, he will “judge” them like a competition night, but after his comments, will invite the photographer to ask him about the comments made. The images can be of any type, already been in competitions with bad comments, new images that are bit edgy and not sure if to put them or even just want a comment on pictures.
So: in part 2 I will need about 20 PDI’s for Paul to judge and then giving you a right of reply!
I’m therefore inviting members to submit to me (via info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk) a maximum of 3 PDI’s for Paul to judge.
Please indicate to me the order of preference i.e. 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd.
I will endeavour to ensure that at least one PDI from each member is ‘judged.’
Many thanks to those members who have already submitted their ‘3.’ – cheers!

Very Early Reminder!
Wednesday 21^st May – Members Presentation Evening. Presentation of certificates and trophies.
Please speak to Freda for reservations! The cost this year is £17 per member; just £1 more than last year.
This is our end of season social and presentation get together with catering from ‘Betty’ and her team.
Menu: two cold meats, quiches, Coleslaw and salads, rolls and butter and hot new potatoes plus a choice of 3 desserts; meringue nests, fruit salad and café Renoir.
Many thanks to members who have already put their names down!

Up and coming programme of events:
Wednesday 26^th March: there will be no meeting as there is a committee meeting on in the evening.
Wednesday 2^nd April: Kas Stone, via zoom; Kas Stone is a professional photographer based in Nova Scotia, Canada. Talk is titled – Making Meaningful Photographs.
Wednesday 9^th April: Paul Dunmall CPAGB QCP: ‘Live.’ ‘Interactive critic night.’ – see above for details.
Wednesday 16th April: Anything Goes Cup, judging is by Simon Ray.

That’s all folks….
Cheers
Mike