Morning All

Brockholes:
Thanks to all for making the journey down the motorway to the Brockholes Nature Reserve. 18 of us assembled there and, despite the cloudy conditions, we had no rain.
Please, don’t forget to show your photos (well the non-blurry ones!), on the ‘Show-and-Tell’ evening on 20^th August – our last meeting before the ‘season’ begins!

Notices:

Summer Outings:
Wednesday 30^th July – Club outing to Morecambe promenade; 17 miles, about 30 mins.
Car sharing? Please chat to each other via our ‘WhatsApp’ – ‘Garstang Camera Club.’ If you are not a member, just email me and I’ll get you registered – cheers.
I suggest we meet at the car park (details below) at 7pm.
Parking: MAP ATTACHED: Opposite Morecambe Sailing Club Race Office – ‘Car Park’ LA4 5HY OR if this is full, Marine Road 6 Morecambe Bay car park (no post code!), just past Morecambe Sailing Club Race Office on the right hand side.
The sun sets at 21.13
Tide times: High tide: 15.46, Low tide: 22.20
Weather: At the time of writing this the BBC weather app says ‘sunny intervals and a gentle breeze’ 19 degrees – 66 degrees in ‘old’ money!
Chances of a glorious sunset – answers on a postcard! I’m very optimistic though!!

Wednesday 6^th August – Club outing to the Brock River. This has been cancelled, sorry! Another outing destination will be in next week’s newsletter.

Events Cup – 5^th and final destination – Downham Village and Clitheroe.
Clitheroe – 20 miles, 44 mins
Downham Village – A further 11 miles, 8 mins
2 maps attached showing the boundary for each destination.
Please don’t forget: the 2 dates possible for photographs are Tuesday 12th August OR Saturday 16th August.
Plenty of info on each destination on the internet.

Calendar 2026:
Finally, I have, listed below, the photographs that have be chosen for the 2026 calendar. Congrats to those selected!

	Name	Image title
Front cover	Ian Taylor	Calm before the storm
January	Lewis Thompson	Early morning winters walk
February	Lewis Thompson	Dolphinholme
March	Robin Shorrock	Crocus & bumblebee
April	Elaine Addison	Cherry Trees at Calder Vale
May	Stan Pearson	Mrs Mallard and brood
June	Mike Jenner	Time to chat
July	Stan Pearson	The Brock River
August	Robin Shorrock	Judging the Charolais
September	Ian Taylor	Shepherd’s warning
October	Lewis Thompson	Abbeystead Reservoir
November	Robin Shorrock	High Street on Remembrance Day
December	Brenda Wait	Royal Oak at Christmas
Back cover	Mike Jenner	Let’s get ahead

The calendars are on sale now for £7.50.

Liverpool
One for your diary and definite consideration! Many thanks to Stan!Stan has put together a club outing to Liverpool when the planned visit will be in September on any Saturday after Saturday 6^th Sept, and when the forecast is for no rain.
There will be, in theory, 3 visits planned, below is the first visit. The other 2 will probably be in November and then in January 2026.
Please bring your mobile and please note, no tripods – not allowed in many indoor areas.
A standard lens 15-50mm (approx.) is good. A wide-angle lens would also be very useful. I have a 10-18mm that anyone can borrow – it will fit Canon DSLR, A-PSC cameras.
If you take a photograph of anyone and they object, offer to either email them the photograph or delete

Itinerary
Visit any Saturday after Saturday 6th Sept when the forecast is for no rain.
Train times:
Depart Preston    9.28  Arrive Liverpool 10.20
Depart Liverpool  16.12  Arrive Preston 16.58
Train times to be confirmed closer to departure date.
Approx durations
St Johns Beacon 5 mins
Liverpool 1 shopping centre + pipes 45 mins
Liverpool 1 underground car park   45 mins
Outside Liverpool 1 + John Lewis   30 mins
Lunch 45 mins
Inside museum of Liverpool  45 mins
Liverpool Docks area 45 mins

Total: 5 hrs approx.

Security guards inside Liverpool 1 shopping and car park may politely object to you taking photographs. So, we need to look inconspicuous. Take a small camera case. I have 3 without the words ‘Canon’ etc written on the bag and strap! Anyone can borrow. When not taking a photograph keep your camera in the bag. Split into 2 groups. Take photographs either by yourself or in pairs. If in pairs it should be preferably one male and one female.
Outside Liverpool 1 + John Lewis. Split into 2 groups
Museum of Liverpool/ Docks area. Split into 2 groups.

Up and coming programme of events:
Wednesday 30^th July – Club outing to Morecambe promenade.
Wednesday 6^th August – Club outing to be announced.
Tuesday 12^th August – Events Cup 5^th destination, possible trip to Downham Village and Clitheroe – see above
Wednesday 13^th August – No meeting (Committee meeting).
Saturday 16^th August – Events Cup 5th destination, possible trip to Downham Village and Clitheroe
Wednesday 20^th August – ‘Show-and-Tell’ from the above 3 club outings.
Wednesday 27^th August – No meeting

Phew!
That’s all folks!

Mike

Morning All
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s 4 week camera course a success!  
We couldn’t have zoomed, panned, or focused without you so, thanks for helping us keep things in frame, in focus, and (mostly) in control!
We even managed without electric power last Wednesday, though cake and water at the end sounded a bit hollow! – better than bread and water though!
For the record, out of the 20 ‘guests’ we started with only one went missing without trace!
If anyone has any reflections, thoughts or suggestions about the course please email in or chat to me, Stan, Elaine or Freda over the next few weeks; any ideas gratefully received.

Notices:
Summer Outings:
Following on from the camera course we have on:

Wednesday 23^rd July – A visit to Brockholes Nature Reserve:
Just off Junction 31 of the M6, Preston, Lancashire, PR5 OAG
Weather forecast: looking a bit ‘iffy’ at the moment, coat maybe required!
Sunset at 21.23.
Car park – open daily 6am to 9pm; The actual Nature Reserve is free but there is a charge of £5 per car.
Car sharing? Please meet at Kirkland Memorial Hall (The Avenue, Churchtown, Preston PR3 0HS) at 6pm.
We then leave at 6.05pm to arrive at Brockholes about 6.30pm – A6 road works etc permitting, of course!
As you can see from the above info the car park shuts at 9pm but that gives us a good 2 hrs 15 mins there.
However, you can park ‘outside’ the reserve – map attached, thanks Stan – and then walk into the reserve, so no possibility of getting shut in, your choice!

Events Cup:
Reminder!
The last Events Cup destination is Downham Village and Clitheroe, 31 miles – 52 minutes. The 2 visits are on Tuesday 12^th August OR Saturday 16^th August.
Details for this destination will be in a future newsletter.

Challenges:
Just another reminder!
Alphabet challenge – On-going throughout the summer/autumn; here we are looking for, in theory, 26 images representing the letters of the alphabet. You may get some from the above club outings!

Very early notice:

The Opening Night Competition; 3rd September.
Best Projected Digital Image (PDI); Open, any subject, colour or monochrome.
One only PDI from any member taken in the last 12 months.
Image sent to me (Mike) by Monday 1st September on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk
All presented, anonymously, in a PowerPoint presentation.
On the night, each person present will vote, anonymously, on each one; maximum score of 20 points for each image, and a minimum of 12 points.
The winner is the image with the most points!
Brownie points only though I might have a bottle of wine/chocolates for the winner.
Winner announced the following Wednesday. 10^th September.

Up and coming programme of events:
Wednesday 23^rd July – Club outing to Brockholes Nature Reserve.

Wednesday 30^th July – Club outing to Morecambe promenade.

Wednesday 6^th August – Club outing to the Brock River.

Tuesday 12^th August – Events Cup 5^th destination, possible trip to Downham Village and Clitheroe – see above

Wednesday 13^th August – No meeting (Committee meeting). 

Saturday 16^th August – Events Cup 5th destination, possible trip to Downham Village and Clitheroe

Wednesday 20^th August – ‘Show-and-Tell’ from the above 3 club outings.

That’s all folks!

Mike

Morning All

Well, another good turnout for the camera course, week 3 of 4.
A quick count would suggest we had 40 people at the Arts Centre, roughly 50/50 – members to guests. And, I think a good and successful time was had by all!
Big thanks to Stan for his 3^rd (of three) talks, to Edith for her all action heroics down by the river and to Paul, his daughter and to Amber for equally important all-action stunts!
Edith is very keen to view any images! So, Stan asks if anyone has photographs of her PLEASE forward them to him directly to stanley.pearson@talktalk.net cheers.
If you didn’t manage to get to Wednesday’s meeting/Camera Course, you are very welcome and come and help our guests!
For the last week, this Wednesday, we have ‘A Basic introduction to editing software with demonstrations using Lightroom Classic and Photoshop, and an overview of camera equipment.’
We also have 4 maybe 5 models for portrait photography. Also, I think it would be a good idea to experiment with some monochrome photography; just a thought!
Reminder – we start at the earlier time of 7pm!

Notices:
Attached is a poster for the: PAGB Inter-Federation Print Exhibition.
Dates and times are on the attached.

Summer Outings:
Following on from the camera course the next 3 outings are:

Wednesday 23^rd July – Brockholes Nature Reserve

Wednesday 30^th July – Morecambe Promenade

Wednesday 6^th August – Brock River.

For the Brockholes Nature Reserve I’ll put details in next week’s newsletter.

Up and coming programme of events:

Sunday 13^th July – Events Cup 4^th destination, possible trip to RHS Garden Bridgewater.

Wednesday July 16^th – Camera Course, – ‘Your camera, Learn it, Love it’ Our 4^th and final week of 4 that we are running. 

Wednesday 23^rd July – Club outing to Brockholes Nature Reserve.

Wednesday 3oth July – Club outing to Morecambe promenade.

That’s all folks!

Mike

Morning All

A great turnout for the first week of our Camera Course and many thanks to all members who helped out and assisted our ‘guests.’ I thought it went really well and there was a great ‘social’ atmosphere, generated by all who were there so thanks! And, the weather held up!
I had a lot of great feedback when they were leaving and had a phone call from one on Thursday morning giving good feedback!
Well, we had 15 in all, but of course, the ‘proof of the pudding’ will be how many return on Wednesday!
If you didn’t manage to get to Wednesday’s meeting/Camera Course, you are very welcome and come and help our guests!
Reminder – we start at the earlier time of 7pm!

Notices:
Events Cup:
Our 4^th destination is to:
RHS Garden Bridgewater, Monday 7th OR Sunday 13^th July and it’s 40 miles and takes about 55 mins.
Price? RHS members go free, otherwise it is £14.50 per person for the day.
Opening hours? 10am – 6pm, Monday and Sunday.
Going by car? RHS Bridgewater is located off Leigh Road (A572), Worsley, Salford and for Sat Nav users the postcode is M28 2LJ. Car parking is free.
I’m going on Sunday so will have 2 seats available; if you are thinking of going on Monday, I would suggest you chat to other similarly minded members on Wednesday to organise car sharing, just a thought!

Summer Outings:
The first 3 summer outings have now finished and we are proposing 3 more later on in the summer, these dates and destinations are:

Wednesday 23^rd July – Brockholes Nature Reserve

Wednesday 30^th July – Morecambe Promenade

5^th August, a Tuesday – Preston Docks. This outing has been cancelled, for several reasons, but we are thinking of re-scheduling it sometime in December, possibly between Christmas and the New Year! It will help walk off all that turkey and mince pies!

Wednesday 6^th August – Brock River. We’ll park at Barton Grange and Stan will guide the group and show them the best places to take photographs.

For all the above 3 outings I’ll put further details in the newsletters nearer the time.

Smardale Gill Nature Reserve:
In case you missed it, Robin, Shelly and I are going to Smardale Gill Nature Reserve tomorrow (Monday) for the day. We are leaving at 8.30am and will be back mid to late afternoon. It’s free but a donation (£5) is recommended!
If you want to join us, PLEASE contact me ASAP or by tea time today, Sunday!
It’s about 50 miles and will take just over an hour to get there and the weather looks great!
About – from the website:
Smardale Nature Reserve comprises three separate nature reserves that collectively occupy a 8km/5mile section of the disused railway line that once ran from Tebay to Darlington.
Stunning scenery provides a backdrop to this wonderfully varied nature reserve that stretches from Newbiggin-on-Lune almost as far as Kirkby Stephen.
The species-rich grassland attracts a variety of pollinating insects and the industrial archaeology of the railway line adds constant interest.
The steep wooded slopes of Smardale Gill and the enclosed cuttings along the Waitby Link and Waitby Greenriggs contrast with the views of open rolling countryside experienced along the route.

Wildlife highlights
Smardale Gill is one of the only two sites in England that’s home to the Scotch argus butterfly. The tiny northern brown argus can also be seen here
Discover a range of unusual plants: bloody crane’s-bill, rock-rose, horseshoe vetch, frog, fragrant and greater butterfly orchid can all be seen in the grassland
Redstart and pied flycatcher can be seen in summer, whilst green woodpecker, treecreeper, raven and sparrowhawk are resident year round
In spring – bluebells, primrose and early purple orchid.
In summer – orchids, bird’s eye primrose, melancholy thistle, bloody cranesbill and butterflies. In summer, bird species include redstart, wood warbler and pied flycatcher whilst buzzard, treecreeper and sparrowhawk may be seen all year round.
In autumn – find fellwort, devil’s bit scabious, scotch argus butterflies. Later in autumn and through the winter flocks of birds such as goldfinch, field fare and redwing feeding on the berries.
At any time look out for red squirrels and roe deer or explore the archaeology and geology.
In spring you will find bluebells, primroses, wild garlic and many fern species on the woodland floor. Many of the trees are multi stemmed, evidence that coppicing has occurred in the past.
Limestone grassland
The grassland, which has colonised the railway cuttings and embankments, is also very rich in species due to the underlying limestone rock. Unusual plants to look for here include bloody cranesbill, fragrant and butterfly orchid.
Smardale Gill is one of only two sites in England where the Scotch argus butterfly can be seen. Other butterflies include dark green fritillary, common blue, northern brown argus and dingy skipper.

Holiday:
I’m away on a short hols from Thursday, 3^rd July and back Tuesday 8^th July. I’ll keep my eye on the emails but contact Freda if anything requires immediate attention – ta!

Up and coming programme of events:

Wednesday July 2^nd – Camera Course, – ‘Your camera, Learn it, Love it’ Our 2^nd week of 4 that we are running.

Monday July 7^th – Events Cup 4^th destination, possible trip to RHS Garden Bridgewater.

Wednesday July 9^th – Camera Course, – ‘Your camera, Learn it, Love it’ Our 3^rd week of 4 that we are running.

Sunday 13^th July – Events Cup 4^th destination, possible trip to RHS Garden Bridgewater.

Wednesday July 16^th – Camera Course, – ‘Your camera, Learn it, Love it’ Our 4^th and final week of 4 that we are running. 

Wednesday 23^rd July – Club outing to Brockholes Nature Reserve.

That’s all folks!

Mike

Morning All

Many thanks to everyone who managed to get to the Arts Centre on Wednesday and who ‘Showed and told!’
I think we were all agreed; same locations, but very different views and compositions!

Notices:
Camera Course:
The next 4 Wednesdays are dedicated to the above. We have, at the time of writing this newsletter, 14 people, some though not for the full 4 weeks as hols intervene!
Also, many thanks to all members who have contacted me to offer their services to help with the course – ta!
Reminder – we start at the earlier time of 7pm!

Summer Outings:
The first 3 summer outings have now finished and we are proposing 3 more later on in the summer, these dates and destinations are:

23^rd July – Brockholes Nature Reserve

30^th July – Morecambe Promenade

5^th August, a Tuesday – Preston Docks. Stan has very kindly organised this trip. Tuesday? Preston Dragons is a Dragon Boat Racing club based in Preston and will be ‘using’ the docks for practise sessions – very photogenic! Well, it’s something different!

Directions and times will be in future newsletters, so keep an eye out!

Events Cup:
Our 4^th destination is to:
RHS Garden Bridgewater, Monday 7th OR Sunday 13^th July and it’s 40 miles and takes about 55 mins.
Directions and times will be in next week’s newsletter. 

Up and coming programme of events:
Wednesday June 25^th – Camera Course, – ‘Your camera, Learn it, Love it’ Our 1^st week of 4 that we are running.

Wednesday July 2^nd – Camera Course, – ‘Your camera, Learn it, Love it’ Our 2^nd week of 4 that we are running.

Monday July 7^th – Events Cup 4^th destination, possible trip to RHS Garden Bridgewater.

Wednesday July 9^th – Camera Course, – ‘Your camera, Learn it, Love it’ Our 3^rd week of 4 that we are running.

Sunday 13^th July – Events Cup 4^th destination, possible trip to RHS Garden Bridgewater.

Wednesday July 16^th – Camera Course, – ‘Your camera, Learn it, Love it’ Our 4^th and final week of 4 that we are running.

Wednesday 23^rd July – Club outing to Brockholes Nature Reserve.

That’s all folks!

Mike

Morning All
Many thanks to all who managed to get to Kirkby Lonsdale last Wednesday. No glorious sunset again, though it didn’t rain, well, not much!

Notices:
Club outing: This Wednesday – 11^th June
Sunderland Point:
Meet: At 7.15pm on the car park opposite The Globe at Overton – 54 Main St, Overton, Morecambe LA3 3HF
19 miles – 31 minutes
From there we will cross the causeway to Sunderland Point.
Attached is a map of Sunderland Point and various ‘Points of interest.’
Vehicle access to the Point is via tidal causeway, on the days of very high tides the road can be covered by several feet of water for over four hours or even longer when there are exceptionally high tides and adverse weather conditions.
Generally, tides below eight metres are unlikely to cover the causeway, those above will cover the road for a time dependent on the height of tide. However, there is no hard and fast guide. The weather can and does strongly affect the behaviour of the tide.
Freda is organising this trip (Mike’s on hols).
Freda’s contact details: email: taylor_f2@sky.com Mob: 07742 925228
Tide Times for Overton: Wednesday 11 June 2025
High Tide: 12.10am: 5.58 metres
Low Tide: 8.52am: 0 metres
High Tide: 12.30pm: 5.36 metres
Low Tide: 9.10pm: 0 metres

Camera Course:
As a reminder we are running our Camera Course, ‘Your camera, Learn it, Love it’ from June 25^th until July 16^th starting at 7pm NOT 7.30.
I need to emphasis that the camera course is open to ALL MEMBERS, not just those who have asked to join the course.
We have, to date, 11 people who have asked to join this course and they have a range of cameras: Samsung, Canon, Kodak, Lumix, Panasonic and Olympus, so far! We are still open for more to come along!
So, I’m asking, very kindly, of course, if any member would be willing to help up to 2/3 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 want 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.
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 have sent to all the people.

Up and coming programme of events:

Wednesday June 11^th – Club outing to Sunderland Point. See details above.

Wednesday June 18^th – back in the Arts Centre – ‘Show-and-Tell’ from the 3 outings we have been on; For your ‘Show-and-Tell’ images PLEASE bring them in on a USB ‘stick.’ Cheers!

Wednesday June 25^th – Camera Course, – ‘Your camera, Learn it, Love it’ Our 1^st week of 4 that we are running. 

Wednesday July 2^nd – Camera Course, – ‘Your camera, Learn it, Love it’ Our 2^nd week of 4 that we are running. 

Wednesday July 9^th – camera course, – ‘Your camera, Learn it, Love it’ Our 3^rd week of 4 that we are running. 

Wednesday July 16^th – camera course, – ‘Your camera, Learn it, Love it’ Our 4^th week of 4 that we are running. 

That’s all folks!

Mike

Morning All
Very nice evening outing to Heysham last Wednesday; 14 of us meet up at the Heysham Village car park and, I’m sure, took some great photos on the circular route! No rain though but, unfortunately, no sunset, despite my confident predictions – another time perhaps!

Apology! Club outing!
I have had to swop Sunderland Point and Kirkby Lonsdale around, thanks to Paul’s diligent checking!
Why? Well, my excuse? I blame ‘Siri,’ when asked when the low tide was at Sunderland Point ‘it’ gave the wrong answer – well, that’s my excuse! Mind you wrong question perhaps!
So, next Wednesday – 4^th June – the club outing is to Kirkby Lonsdale. Sunderland Point will be on Wednesday 11^th June.

Notices:
Club outing: This Wednesday – 4^th June
Kirkby Lonsdale:
Parking:
New Road Car Park, Kirkby Lonsdale, Carnforth LA6 2AB Or
Dodgson Croft Car Park, Dodgson Croft Car Park, Kirkby Lonsdale, Carnforth LA6 2AB. As you can see by the postcode these 2 car parks are next door to each other.
Meet at the car parks at 7.15 ready for the ‘off’ at 7.30.
These car parks are at the ‘top’ of the town. From here we can explore various areas finishing up at ‘Ruskin’s View. We could then take the ‘Radical Steps’ down to the River Lune and then walk along to Devil’s Bridge. Then re-trace our foot-steps back to the car parks.
Alternatively: After ‘Ruskin’s View’ we could return to the car park and drive to Devil’s Bridge parking on Bridge Brow. Open for discussion on the evening!
Weather: BBC weather says, ‘light rain showers and a moderate breeze – 11 degrees; sunset, quite possibly not!

Club outing: Next Wednesday – 11^th June to Sunderland Point; details to follow in next week’s newsletter.

Events Cup:
Our 3^rd destination is to:
Pennington Flash Nature Reserve.
Distance: 37 miles – 58 mins.
Dates: Thursday 5^th June OR Saturday 7^th June. Just a gentle reminder only one date is allowed.
Information:
Pennington Flash Nature Reserve
Address: St Helens Road, Leigh, WN7 3PA.
Directions:
Signposted from the A580 East Lancs Road. Follow the signs and turn onto the A579 Atherleigh Way then left onto the A572 St Helens Road. The main entrance is situated on St Helens Road opposite Leigh Fire Station.
Please note: Sat Nav users should use the postcode is WN7 3PA.
Parking:
Opening times: 6.30am – 7.30pm
Parking: Parking Charge: £2.50 all day pay and display.
The car park has 300+ spaces and 12 x 7kW electric vehicle chargepoints, installed in collaboration with Charge My Street.
The circular walk around Pennington Flash is approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) long, taking around 1 to 1.5 hours to complete. Some sources suggest a slightly longer distance of 3.5 miles (5.7 km), with a suggested time of 2.5 hours for the walk. The walk is generally considered easy!
There are in fact eight good hides and also viewpoints, and there is a feeding station at bunting hide.

Refreshments? There is ‘The Hide Coffee House and Café’
The lakeside café is the perfect hide-out for nature lovers (so it says), – serving fresh coffee, breakfast, lunch, cakes and snacks. Dog friendly, with indoor and outdoor seating offering views over the water.
Open 7 days a week:
All images to be taken within Pennington Flash County Park; map attached.
Getting there.
I’m going on Thursday 5^th June.
I suggest, to those who may want to go on the same day, we meet up at Kirkland & Catterall Memorial Hall, PR3 0HS at 8.45am to car share if necessary and set off at 9am.
Please email me on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk if you are going on Thursday or ring me on 07340 314408 or use the message me on the Garstang Camera Club WhatsApp Group then I can expect you!

L&CPU Annual Exhibition and Awards 2025:
Info attached.

Up and coming programme of events:
Wednesday June 4^th – Club outing to Kirkby Lonsdale – see above for details.

Thursday June 5^th – Events Cup 3^rd destination, possible trip to Pennington Flash Nature Reserve – see above

Saturday June 7th – Events Cup 3rd destination, possible trip to Pennington Flash Nature Reserve – see above

Wednesday June 11^th – Club outing to Sunderland Point.

Wednesday June 18^th – back in the Arts Centre – ‘Show-and-Tell’ from the 3 outings listed above; NOT the Events Cup! For your ‘Show-and-Tell’ images PLEASE bring them in on a USB ‘stick.’ Cheers!

Wednesday June 25^th – Camera Course, – ‘Your camera, Learn it, Love it’ Our 1^st week of 4 that we are running. Details next week. 

That’s all folks!

Mike

Morning All

Inclement weather, eh? Photographing flowers in the rain!

Presentation evening:
Many thanks to all members who managed to come to the presentation evening last Wednesday and big congratulations to all our winners, well deserved! 
I thought Mike did a great job of presenting the trophies with a bit of banter thrown in and, all in all, in my opinion, the evening was a great success!

Big thanks to:
Maurice, for taking the photographs; these will be on our Facebook soon.
Freda, for organising Betty and her team.
Lewis, for coordinating the presentation and the trophies and the winning images displayed at the appropriate same time!

Note from John:
I have been delighted to have won the Photographer of the Year for three out of the last four seasons.
I have decided not to enter the Club competitions next season as I wish to concentrate on other photographic challenges.
Having said that, I might still enter the Anything Goes competition and will submit images for the inter club competitions.
Also, I would like to offer to help and guide any other member with their photography particularly if they wish to enter club competitions.
Obviously, I cannot take the photographs or actually process them but I can offer guidance and advice.
If any member is interested, please email me at john@johnmoxham.co.uk

Notices:
2026 Calendar:
Many thanks to all members who voted on the 72 photographs submitted for the calendar.
I’ve averaged out all of the votes and sent in, to the Arts Centre committee, the top 40 images for their consideration.
From these 40 images they will choose the 12 needed, or maybe 14 including for the front and back of the calendar. As soon as these are chosen, I will let everyone know.
In the meantime, I have attached a list of the 40 images and their respective authors.
Many thanks to all members who managed to submit photographs!

Poster:
I’ve attached a poster for your perusal!
It is for the camera course – Your camera, Learn it, Love it – that we are running for 4 weeks from June 25^th. It is for info and, perhaps, for you to tell family, friends, neighbours or any other groups that may be interested!

Summer Season:
First outing – Heysham, Wednesday 28^th May. The post code for the car park is LA3 2RW – Heysham Village Car Park. Basically, it’s a round walk of about a mile and a half.
I suggest we meet there (at the car park) at 7.15pm and ‘move-off’ at 7.30pm.
According to the BBC weather map we might be lucky! Light rain showers/sunny intervals and a moderate breeze, sunset at 21.28, 15 degrees – in ‘old’ money 59 Fahrenheit.

A reminder: there will be no actual meetings in the Arts Centre until Wednesday June 18^th.

Second outing – Sunderland Point, Wednesday June 4^th. I’ll put full details in next week’s newsletter.

Up and coming programme of events:

Wednesday May 28^th – Summer programme starts – club outing to Heysham; see above.

Wednesday June 4^th – Club outing to Sunderland Point.

Wednesday June 11^th – Club outing to Kirkby Lonsdale.

Wednesday June 18^th – back in the Arts Centre – ‘Show-and-Tell’ from the 3 outings listed above.

That’s all folks!

Mike

Morning All

Thanks to:

• Terry for his introduction and his DVD presentation on ‘Nature Watch,’ some great images there, Terry.
• Stan for his short talk on Liverpool and his thoughts on guiding a trip there, probably on a Saturday. As Stan explained he is going on a ‘recky’ with his grand-daughters and will explore the ideal photographic opportunities – no pressure there Stan!
• All members who managed to submit their monochrome images – really appreciate all efforts!
• All members who took their time to vote on the 72 photographs sent in for the 2026 calendar – results soon!

Notices:

Summer Season:

First outing – Heysham, Wednesday 28^th May. I’ve attached a map for our trip to Heysham and the post code for the car park is LA3 2RW – Heysham Village Car Park. Basically, it’s a round walk of about a mile and a half and possible photo opportunities are highlighted on the attachment.
I suggest we meet there (at the car park) at 7.15pm and ‘move-off’ at 7.30pm.
A reminder: there will be no actual meetings in the Arts Centre.

The following 2 weeks we will be going to Sunderland Point and Kirkby Lonsdale.
The whole idea is to get out and about, take photos, socialise, have fun and, importantly, it will also be a great opportunity for the ‘Alphabet Challenge!’
You will see, that on the 18th June we will gather again in the Arts Centre and share our images.

Our second camera course.
This is over 4 consecutive Wednesdays starting 25^th June. I would like to stress this course is open to all members as well as any people we may attract through our advertising, mainly on local Facebook pages and via posters around Garstang and local areas.
Thia first session, presented by Stan, is to help members and guests with the fundamental aspects of how a camera works and how to use ‘aperture,’ ‘shutter speed’ and ‘ISO.’ To produce that ‘perfect’ exposure!
You will need to bring a camera, so that, following Stan’s talk you can practice in various areas organised within Garstang.
The whole idea is to help members and guests to get to know photography, socialise, put the camera club ‘on-the-map,’ have some fun and, possibly, attract future members.
It would be great if as many members as possible could attend and, where possible, help each other and our guests.
The evening will start at 7pm, NOT 7.30, and probably draw to a close around 9.30/45ish!
The following weeks will be on different aspects of photography, all followed by at least an hour and 15 minutes practical.

Very, very early notice:
The Opening Night Competition; 3rd September.
Best Projected Digital Image (PDI); Open, any subject, colour or monochrome.
One only PDI from any member taken in the last 12 months.
Image sent to me (Mike) by Monday 1st September on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk
All presented, anonymously, in a PowerPoint presentation.
On the night, each person present will vote, anonymously, on each one; maximum score of 20 points for each image, and a minimum of 12 points.
The winner is the image with the most points!
Brownie points only though I might have a bottle of wine/chocolates for the winner.
Winner announced the following Wednesday. 10^th September.

Up and coming programme of events:
Sunday May 18^th Possible Events Cup visit to Coniston and Coniston Water. 
Wednesday May 21^st Members Presentation Evening of Certificates and Trophies.
Wednesday May 28^th Summer programme starts – club outing to Heysham; see above.
Wednesday June 4^th Club outing to Sunderland Point.
Wednesday June 11^th Club outing to Kirkby Lonsdale.
Wednesday June 18^th – back in the Arts Centre – Show-and-Tell from the 3 outings listed above.

That’s all folks!

Mike