Morning All

Fleetwood Wrecks? More Like Fleetwood Success!
Well, this outing turned out to be a considerable improvement on Lytham – although, to be fair, the bar wasn’t exactly set at Olympic high-jump level! It really couldn’t have gone much worse than last time.
The weather was surprisingly well-behaved for a change. No rain, which in itself felt like a minor miracle, although it was a bit chilly with occasional sunny spells thrown in to keep us guessing.
A hardy band of 13 photographers spent the evening tramping around with cameras at the ready, photographing wildlife and, of course, the five famous wrecks. The only disappointment was the tide. I’d been dreaming of artistic long-exposure shots with seawater swirling dramatically around the wrecks. Unfortunately, while it was high tide, it was also a ‘low’ high tide – if that makes any sense at all. The sea clearly hadn’t read the script.
Still, you can’t have everything. If photographers had perfect conditions every week, we’d have nothing to moan about!
Next week we’re off to Skippool Creek. More details will follow later in the newsletter – assuming the tide, weather, and general laws of nature decide to cooperate.

Notices:

Holiday:
I’m away on hols from Tuesday 16^th June until Wednesday 24^th June inclusive. Freda is the contact point on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk if you need any info.
So, therefore, there will be no newsletter on Sunday 21^st June!
I know you will be really disappointed but don’t get withdrawal symptoms ‘cos it will resume again on the following Sunday, 28^th June!

Summer outing:
Skippool Creek next Wednesday 17^th June.
Wyre Road, Thornton-Cleveleys FY5 5LG; 10 miles and about 17 minutes.
I suggest you meet at Kirkland Memorial Hall, The Avenue, Churchtown, Garstang, PR3 0HR at 6.30pm and car share where appropriate.
If we leave at, say 6.40pm, we’ll be there for 7pm.
If you can’t make this time, you can obviously make your own way there and meet up with us.
It could well be muddy/wet so I suggest suitable footwear!

Camera Course details:
As a reminder we are running our Camera Course,
‘From Auto to Awesome: A 4 – week Camera Course.’
from July 1^st until July 22^nd inclusive, starting at 7pm NOT 7.30.
I need to emphasise that the camera course is open to ALL MEMBERS, not just those who have asked to join the course.
Last year we had a range of cameras that our ‘guests’ brought in, these included, in no particular order, Nikon, Samsung, Canon, Kodak, Lumix, Panasonic, Olympus and of course, iPhones!
So, I’m asking, very kindly, of course, if any member would be willing to help up to 2/3/4 people with their camera during the ‘practical sessions.’
These practical sessions will last up to about an hour to an hour and a quarter. Obviously, I would like to match their camera make to a member who has a similar camera make.
By help I don’t mean a ‘deep dive’ into their camera! However, I think it is really important that the people go away with a new skill and a slightly better understanding of their camera – even if it is a few images taken in ‘auto!’
Also, it would be great to show the social and the companionship side of our club and you never know they may join! Joining, though, isn’t the ‘end-product’ it is getting our name out there in the local area and helping folk.
If you are able to help with the above, please email me on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk so that I can begin to coordinate members to people and remind me what make of camera you have, thanks.
If on the other hand you want to help out in any other way still email in, please, ‘cos you may have some great ideas that we haven’t thought of!
Thanks for reading the above and I know it may be a big ask but any assistance will support a smoother operation!
I’ve attached a basic ‘course content’ for you confirming dates and times; this I will send to all the people who contact me.

Wednesday 24^th June:
As mentioned below, this evening at the Arts Centre, is for members to SAT (Show and Tell), their images from the 4 previous summers ‘outings’ that is, Brockholes, Lytham (!), Fleetwood and Skippool Creek. Please be free, also, to SAT any other images that you may have taken over the previous 4 weeks. There is no set plan for this Wednesday’s get together – it is an open type meeting.

Up and coming programme of events:

Wednesday 17th June – Club outing to Skippool Creek

Wednesday 24th June – Show and Tell. An opportunity for members to show their images taken from the 4 outings since Wednesday 27th May.

Sunday 28^th June – An invitation to attend a preview of an exhibition shown by Peter Frankish who, if you remember, raises money for St. Catherines Hospice This is on from 2pm – 4pm at the Arts Centre. All members are cordially invited to pop along and see this exhibition.

Wednesday 1^st July – Camera course: the first of 4 weeks.

Wednesday 8^th July – Camera course: the second of 4 weeks.

That’s all folks!

Mike