Morning All
Bank Holiday Monday and a heat wave in the same sentence? I genuinely thought one of those was a typo! Usually, Bank Holidays come with a complimentary yellow weather warning and at least one barbecue sheltering under a gazebo.
Naturally, the cynic in me now assumes we’re approximately 2 weeks away from a nationwide hosepipe ban and headlines about reservoirs running dry.
Ah well… enjoy the sunshine while Britain still permits it!
Presentation Evening!
The Garstang Camera Club Presentation Evening at the Arts Centre proved once again that photographers can, in fact, emerge from behind their cameras long enough to eat buffet food and applaud each other enthusiastically.
Congratulations to all members who bravely submitted images for judging in our five competitions and scored sufficient marks to be included. Entering your work for public scrutiny takes courage, strong nerves, and occasionally a large cup of tea. Hats off to all the worthy winners who proudly collected certificates, trophies, and, most importantly, bragging rights for the next twelve months.
Special congratulations go to Stan, who walked away with the hard-fought and highly prestigious title of *Photographer of the Year*. Stan has spent the season quietly hoovering up competition wins with alarming consistency, so nobody was entirely surprised — although several members are now reportedly studying his camera settings in secret.
A huge thank you to Freda and Robin for their sterling assistance to Betty and her excellent catering crew. The buffet on Wednesday evening was nothing short of a military operation in efficiency. By all accounts, the food was superb, the puddings vanished at record speed, and second helpings were pursued with the determination usually reserved for wildlife photographers stalking rare birds.
The evening was not only about trophies and certificates but also highlighted the wonderfully social side of the club. Thanks to the 35 members who managed to prise themselves away from busy schedules, television remotes, and editing software to attend. Everyone was warmly welcomed — even the very late arrivals. Ian, we accept your excuse… this time.
The atmosphere throughout the evening was lively and cheerful, helped in no small part by the occasional appearance of certain alcoholic refreshments. It is remarkable how much more artistic everyone becomes after half a glass of wine.
Many thanks to our distinguished guests, the Lady Mayor and Tony, for attending, with the Lady Mayor kindly presenting the awards to our delighted winners. Rumour has it some members practiced their “surprised winner” faces in advance.
Finally, enormous thanks to Lewis, our indefatigable Competition Secretary, whose meticulous record-keeping throughout the season ensured the evening ran smoother than a freshly cleaned camera lens. Organising photographers is no small achievement and deserves a medal in itself.
Don’t forget to check the club website to see Maurice’s photographs from the evening — proof that photographers do occasionally allow themselves to be photographed.
And last but certainly not least, the raffle raised an excellent £120 thanks to the wonderfully generous prizes donated by members and the enthusiastic purchasing of raffle tickets. This welcome boost to club funds may even stretch to booking a speaker or two… though perhaps not David Bailey just yet.
Stan:
Huge congratulations to Stan on winning Photographer of the Year on Wednesday at the camera club’s annual presentation evening.
Stan, now a proud nine-time POTY champion, has announced he is retiring at the very top of his game, and while he’s still ahead — and quite right too, or at least before the trophy starts asking for membership fees.
He’s decided to hang up his metaphorical trophy cabinet and pour all his energy into supporting the club. Very gracious, very modest, and just so legendary.
As the 41-year-old tennis player Stan Wawrinka reportedly said this morning, perhaps referring to Stan? “I have squeezed the last drop from the lemon.”
Notices:
Calendar Photographs:
Many thanks to all members you managed to submit images for the voting that took place after the AGM.
The scores are in!
From the 73 entered I’ve sent, to the Arts Centre committee, 38 which were the highest scoring – see attached for the titles.
The Arts Centre committee will now meet and reduce this number to either 12 (one for each month) or maybe 14, to include a front and back page to the calendar.
As soon as I know the picked images I’ll let you all know via a regular newsletter.
Peter Frankish:
Just to remind: Peter raises money for St. Catherine’s Hospice and we gave him 20 prints for him to mount and frame and sell to raise these much-needed funds.
I’ve attached a ‘flyer’ which he has sent me which explains the context in which they will be shown.
If you read the flyer, you will see there is an invitation to attend a preview on Sunday 28th June from 2pm – 4pm. All members are cordially invited to pop along and see the exhibition.
Summer Programme
Just to confirm: as per the ‘Summer’ programme we are out and about for the next 4 weeks, this means we are NOT meeting at the Arts Centre.
Any images taken on these next 4 outings can be shown on the 24th June in the Arts centre.
Brockholes Nature Reserve. This Wednesday. Map of reserve attached.
I suggest we meet at Kirkland Memorial Hall, The Avenue, Churchtown, Garstang, PR3 0HR at 6.30 and car share where appropriate. If we leave soon after, say 6.35 it is a 25 mins drive so we should be there by 7pm.
If you can’t make this time, you can obviously make your own way there and meet up with us.
As you can see below the car park shuts at 9pm SHARP! So that will give us 2 hours.
If you park ‘outside’ the car park entrance you can stay in the reserve as long as you want – sunset is at 21.25.
You can see where to park ‘outside’ ‘cos as you approach the entrance there will be quite a few cars parked. It takes about 15 mins to walk to the reserve.
Reserve opening hours:
Car Park: Open 6am – 9pm: £6 per car
Up and coming programme of events:
Wednesday 27th May – Club outing to Brockholes Nature Reserve.
Wednesday 3rd June – Club outing to the Fleetwood wrecks
Wednesday 10th June – Club outing to Lytham
Thursday 11th June – Possible Events Cup visit to Appleby
Saturday 13th June – Possible Events Cup visit to Appleby
Wednesday 17th June – Club outing to Skippool Creek
That’s all folks and see you Wednesday at Brockholes Nature Reserve!
Mike
Garstang Camera Club 