Hello to all our readers, and may I begin by wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Since the submission date for this magazine is earlier than usual, some happenings in December will have to be held back for a later issue.  During December, the Club has been involved in photographing Garstang Christmas lights and the two Victorian Evenings. We will have had our Christmas Party, “a reet good do” with thanks to all involved in it’s organisation. Our diary for January is as follows :

Jan. 4^th.   Carmen Norman  will give us   LAKE DISTRICT MOODS .  This is by way of ZOOM.

  ..   11^th.   Anthony Zacharias      on       LONG EXPOSURE PHOTOGRAPHY  also by ZOOM.

  ..   18^th.  Judging of our     CREATURES OF THE WORLD  competition  by  Paul King CPAGB.

  ..   25^th.  Member’s Evening with various activities.

Feb. 1^st.    Workshop for club members.

Also , we have two “Battles” , the first on Jan. 26^th. with Morecambe Photographic Society. The second one, an International Battle with Rangiora Photographic Society on Feb.8^th.  We are looking forward to welcoming two new opponents. These battles are judged  between the two clubs involved , each of which has entered a stipulated number of images.

As I am writing this, snow is being forecast and so some good opportunities to battle with the white stuff ( as a Canadian friend of mine always described it, having lived with it each year for 5 months! ) may appear. Good luck, but wrap up well !

That’s all folks.

Maurice Barker

www.garstangcameraclub.co.uk

Hello to everyone. It seems only minutes since I was drafting the last copy for November’s Issue and here I am almost in the festive season ! We are now nearing the half way mark in our 2022/’23 year. Where does the time disappear to ?

About the time you may be reading this,we will have had two of our internal competitions judged ie. Events Cup and Environment Cup , the latter taking place on Dec. 7^th.  November gave us a very interesting presentation by Justin Garner on Macro Photography. We were also involved in the Annual 5 Way Battle between the clubs of Bispham/ Lytham/ North Fylde and Poulton le Fylde in which we came a creditable 4th. Although winning is quite prestigious, it is also about taking part……how often do we repeat this to our littlies in school ? However I think that this is true, and  as an ex marathon runner of many years, I always held on to that adage …….there is always that chance !  Looking forward, we have our Christmas Party on December 14^th. which should be a good night ! Our Environment Cup will be judged on Wed. Dec 7^th by Ken Geddes LRPS.  January 4^th. gives us Carmen Norman who will talk to us on Lake District Moods, this will be by ZOOM.

It remains only for me to wish all readers a very Happy Christmas and all best wishes for 2023 and with grateful thanks to the producers of these magazines, Focus and In Focus. You do a splendid job !

Maurice Barker

www.garstangcameraclub.co.uk

Hello to everyone.   Shorter days bring a profusion of colours to capture through the lens. Colder days do bring a trade off compared to summer for the camera people and in this area, we can be surrounded by these colours within a short distance. September gave us the last of our Summer Outings at Blackpool Zoo and two members of the Club were asked to attend the Longridge Soap Box Derby to “photograph the day “ which, for the public was an exciting day out, and all for free !

We held a successful coffee morning in early October, accompanied alongside our exhibition of winner’s prints for the past year.  Also, thanks to Sarah, some members attended a BMX training session at the Fishwick Recreation Ground. All in all ,quite a busy month.

Meetings in November bring us :

Nov.  2nd.     Keith Snell…………………POLE TO POLE  ( Zoom )

  ..     9th.        Justin Garner…………..MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY

  ..     16th.      Christine Widdall…….PHOTOGRAPHING INSECTS IN THE FIELD (Zoom )     

  ..     30th.      Member’s Evening……Various Activities.

 

Dec.  7th.        ENVIRONMENT CUP JUDGING.  By  Ken Geddass LRPS.

We have welcomed a number of new faces to the Club since the start of our new year, BUT…….there is always room for more. Why not come along one evening and test the water ? You will be made most welcome.

Good shooting !

Maurice Barker

http://www.garstangcameraclub.co.uk

Hello to everyone.  I was reminded a little earlier by our Chairman of a quote by Harold Wilson in which he said  “a week is a long time in politics “…….and just so in life.  As I was putting this report together, I heard on my radio that Her Majesty , the Queen had passed away. So much has happened in the past three days . I am sure that I speak for the Club when I say that our sincere condolences and prayers are with the Queen’s family at this sad time.  I am now of an age when I well remember singing the now “new words” of our National Anthem as the norm.

Now ,down to business. I hope that you have all had a good summer and reflect on where has this year gone ?  The Club had a display at the Garstang Show in August along with another at Oaklands Residential Home late in August. Both were successful events with much interest shown. Thanks to all involved in setting up these two events. 

Our first meeting of the year was on Wed. Sept 7th. This was very well attended with some new members and a very comprehensive programme enjoyed by all  (personally, I can’t wait for next year’s first meeting).

I now list our upcoming meetings for October. Some meetings  will be “live” in the Arts Centre and others will be by ZOOM.

Oct. 5th………..Jane Lazenby on Working with Textures………..ZOOM

Oct. 12th………Workshop……….to be advised.

Oct. 19th………Events Cup Competition  to be judged by Daryl Giles

Oct. 26th……..Member’s Evening……various activities.

Nov. 2nd…….Keith Snell  on Pole to Pole,,,,,,,,,,ZOOM

On Friday September 8th. I noticed a second flourish of flowers on a rosebush to which I submit the enclosed image which I will title  Another Queen Elizabeth.

Maurice Barker

http://www.garstangcameraclub.co.uk

Hello to all readers. Unbelievably, here we are in September. The last time I looked at the calendar I’m sure it was February ! The club has continued to flourish throughout the summer with members regular meetings, slightly less informal than our usual ones. We have used the boundaries of Garstang to get out shooting and keep up and even practice new skills, very enjoyable and thanks to the members who took part in the organizing.

Here is a list of our programme up to early October. If you wish to see further afield just look at our website given at the end of this letter.

Wednesday Sept.7^th.    Welcome meeting to both old and new members. This will involve varied presentations.

                  Sept 14^th    Adrian Almond    A Live session……..A photographer in Transition.

                  Sept. 21^st   Alan and Julie  Walker    Live……..Bulgaria….and beyond.

                  Sept.28^th   Member’s Evening………….Various Activities.

                  Oct. 5^th.     Jane Lazenby….ZOOM….Working with Textures.      ALL MEETINGS BEGIN AT 7.30PM PROMPT.  COFFEE BREAK AROUND 8.30.

Our outings this year have been blessed with good weather  ( too hot ? ) and so we should look forward to some good competition  entries.  Let’s hope that we get an Indian Summer.

MAURICE  BARKER.

garstangcameraclub.co.uk

Hello to everyone, club members and general readers as well.  As I write this we are in the middle of the type of summer I well remember as a child ( or is it a wishful memory ? ) long, sunny ,dry periods of late night sunsets giving superb opportunities for camera folk.

Even though we are in the Club’s closed season, we have held a number of members nights over the past two months. We have used Garstang as our focal point. The River Wyre gave us our first hour’s outing following a Canoe Club session from the weir down to the car park even practicing eskimo rolls. Our second gave us old pictures of Garstang and we had to first, find the feature and then try to replicate it in 2022. Finally, Stan ley Pearson showed us the art of panning ( not for gold nuggets) but on moving objects, which would be projected at the next meeting. These “members evenings “ are proving very interesting indeed………….so, when other organisations grind to a halt between May to September,  we beaver on!

Our first meeting of our new season, will be on Wed. Sept 7^th at 7.30 in the Arts Centre. and so if you have a modicum of interest in cameras and taking photographs, come and give us a “coat of looking at“. We are a most friendly group and there is no need to commit yourself to membership . A £5 fee per visit(s) is required which will be deducted from the annual fee should you wish to join us OR, come along and visit our stall at the Garstang Show on August 6^th.

May I wish you good shooting and a good rest of the summer.

Maurice  Barker

garstangcameraclub.co.uk

We are now well into our summer “recess” although not completely shut down ! Members having full access to our Summer Events Cup outings , two of which have already taken place, one to Skippool Creek and a visit through Brock Bottoms. To come on July 17th is a day out to Holker Hall.

In May, we held a very successful Annual Presentation Evening to end off a successful ’21-’22 season thanks to our Chairmen, the Committee and all members for their input. The presentations were made by the outgoing Mayor of Garstang,  Councillor Alec Allan who told us that this was his last official duty……what a way to end his year !  It was an excellent evening with a superb buffet along with a well put together quiz. The award of Photographer of the Year 2021-2022, went to John Moxham, taking with him quite an amount of silverware. More power to his elbow, especially when he is using the metal polish. Congratulations John.

As photographers, living in this area gives us many opportunities to use our “craft skills”. We have the surrounding countryside and within a good hour or so, can be in the Lakes or the Yorkshire dales. Events come thick and fast with local Church/Children’s Festivals, Agricultural Shows in Gt. Eccleston and Garstang,  Steam Rallies and Cycle Racing…………the list goes on.

Enjoy the summer and,  good shooting.

MAURICE BARKER

garstangcameraclub.co.uk

Hello to everyone. By the time you read this , our ’21-’22 season will have come to an end and on reflection , it has been quite successful. Although we lost a few members, their spaces have been filled with new members and to those , we bid a warm welcome and hope that they have enjoyed their time with us. We have had two well attended coffee mornings along with the first of our two exhibitions, the next one will be in September. We will also have had our Annual Presentation Evening when the awards , which are still under wraps as I write this, will have been given out.

I will give a reminder of two of our Summer Outings yet to come. The first one is on Tuesday June 14^th. and is to Lunt Meadows. July’s outing is on Sunday 17^th. when we visit Holker Hall so mark these down in your diary.

My apologies for such a brief report but we are now into the closed season but I will continue to write each month with information regarding progress on the Summer Outings.

Maurice  Barker.

garstangcameraclub.co.uk

I have to announce the sad news that one of our long standing members, Ken Harrison has passed away. Ken was a life member of our club with a long service record of working on the committee, acting as treasurer and club chairman. Ken was a keen wildlife photographer who travelled extensively to follow his area of interest. He was a regular volunteer at Leighton Moss Reserve and always willing to advise others, and pass on his wide knowledge base. He will be sadly missed. RIP Ken.

We are now at the end of our ’21-’22 session. Our last club meeting will be on May 4^th when  George Franks will present Flash Photography. The following week ,we hold our AGM hoping that as many as possible of the membership will attend.  The week following this is our Annual Presentation Evening in which our Guest of Honour, the Mayor of Garstang, Cllr. Alec Allan will present the awards. The deadline for applications for this event is/was May 1^st. and so …….!  It should be a splendid evening and I hope it will be well supported.

I can now list the destinations and dates of our Events Cup Details for “22-’23. These are outings from which images taken on the days (midnight to midnight ) can be entered into our competitions next year. It is not necessary to attend every outing.

The list is as follows :  Sat.  April 23^rd.   SKIPPOOL CREEK

                                   Thurs. May 19^th   BROCK BOTTOMS

                                   Tue.   June 14^th   LUNT MEADOWS

                                   Sun.   July  17^th   HOLKER HALL

                                   Sat. or Sun. Aug 13^th /14^th  THREE SISTERS RACE CIRCUIT

                                   Sat. Sept 10^th     KENDAL

                                   Sun  Sept 25^th    BLACKPOOL ZOO

A good and varied selection of venues; let’s hope the weather is kind to us.  These reports will continue throughout the “closed season” although there will not be as much to report.

We wish you all a good summer and hope that the bug— covid reads this .

Maurice Barker

garstangcameraclub.co.uk

Hello to all our readers. We have now only two months remaining of our 2021/2022 programme, where has the time gone ?  Our last competition of the session, Anything Goes, was judged on March 2nd, and so we now have a list of all winners for the year, these can be found on our website, along with the their images.

Since my last report, we were subjected to some horrendous weather with winds and incessant rain, certainly not the best conditions to be out with your brownie !

Our first meeting in April is on the 6^th when we will have a presentation (s) by Stan Pearson/Mike Jenner/Lewis Thompson (who are club members) either one or all. We will surprise you !

This is followed on April 13^th. with a presentation by Peter Smith on  Wildlife- Sea shore to Mountain top. Our last one of the month is Talk to me  by Steve Proctor on April 20^th.  Advance notice of May 7^th. when we explore Flash Photography with George Franks.

Our first Exhibition of 2022 opens on April 9^th.  in the Arts Centre and runs through May 7^th. It consists of member’s prints which did not gain a 1^st/2nd/3^rd. in this year’s competitions. When you view these you will be left champing at the bit, so to speak, to see this year’s winners at our next Exhibition in September ! Do take the opportunity of visiting the Arts Centre whilst it’s on and avail yourselves of a coffee and light refreshments.

As I write this, the venues for our next Events 2022 season are being chosen and I might add, a varied selection which should suit everyone. I will publish the complete list of venues and dates in the next issue.

Also, the harbingers of Spring are becoming more and more evident, with the local A6 giving us it’s usual lovely show of daffodils.  I hope this augurs well for a good summer.

Maurice Barker

garstangcameraclub.co.uk