Afternoon All

Following on from the AGM the other week I have attached the minutes for you to read. Thanks Freda!

Notices:
Summer Season:
I’ve attached the programme for the summer season. As you will see the first 3 weeks, following on from the presentation evening, are club outings. Therefore, there will be no actual meetings in the Arts Centre.
The first, on 28^th May, is to Heysham; the 21.28 is the sunset time.  
We would meet up at Heysham Village Car Park and then follow the coastal path taking in The Ship Sculpture, Heysham Coastline to the Pre-Conquest Rock-Cut Graves, St. Patrick’s Chapel and finally to St Peter’s Church. It’s about one and a half miles and with a bit of luck we may get a sunset!
The following 2 weeks we will be going to Sunderland Point and then Kirkby Lonsdale. 
The whole idea is to get out and about, take photos and socialise!
You will see, that on the 18^th June we will gather again in the Arts Centre and share our images. It will also be a great opportunity for the ‘Alphabet Challenge!’
In a future newsletter I will give out exact details, times and where we will actually meet up.
You will also see that the following 4 weeks are dedicated to our second camera course – more details to follow in future newsletters.

Challenge:
Please don’t forget the latest challenge – monochrome images. You can bring your photos in on a USB ‘stick’ or email them to me on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk and I will attach them to my PowerPoint.
It is an ‘open’ challenge – that is any subject, – and the date for the ‘Show-and-Tell’ is this Wednesday, 14th May.

A message from a Michael Thompson:
I Have a Panasonic GH3 with auto-focus lens.
Is there anyone in Garstang Camera Club prepared to help me make use of the auto focus possibilities of my camera, especially with the video possibilities and how to download etc. I’m happy to cover the costs of such help.
Thank you, Michael

If anyone is willing to help, please email me on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk and I will pass on Michael’s email address – thanks.

Events Cup:
The destination is Coniston and Coniston Water and the 2 dates to choose from are Monday 12^th May (tomorrow) OR Sunday 18^th May.
Just to reiterate, you must choose only one date to take photographs.

Raffle:
As usual we will be running a raffle on Wednesday 21^st (presentation evening) so, if anyone would like to donate a prize, it would be very appreciative! Please bring along anytime, not necessarily on the evening.

Up and coming programme of events:
Monday May 12th: Possible Events Cup visit to Coniston and Coniston Water

Wednesday May 14th: Members Evening: Voting on the calendar photographs for the 2026 Garstang Calendar. A DVD presentation and the results of the challenge – ‘Show-and-Tell’ monochrome photographs and something from Stan!

Sunday 18th May: Possible Events Cup visit to Coniston and Coniston Water

Wednesday May 21st: Members Presentation Evening of Certificates and Trophies. Mike Halford, Garstang Mayor, will be presenting the certificates and trophies. 

Wednesday May 28^th: Summer programme starts – club outing – see above.

That’s all folks!

Mike

Morning All

Many thanks to all members who managed to attend last Wednesday for the AGM and thanks Sue for the cakes!
Particular thanks to:
Robin for the treasurer’s report and to remind members that we are increasing all the membership fees by £2; so, a full membership fee from £58 to £60, Long service to £50 and Student and half year to £42. These increases are from 1^st September 2025.

Lewis for showing the competition data and the report highlighting, in particular, the number of prints entered into the 5 internal competitions (the total prints fell from 115 to 64, a drop of 44%) – certainly food for thought.

Stan for his feedback on all the Battle scores showing the average score members gave, the average score the judges gave and the individual scores the images received from the 3 Battles; pointing out that there was quite a wide range of scores across many photographs. Subjective, eh?

Chair – that’s me! – the programme for 2025/26 is complete and I have attached a copy. Also attached are the destinations for the Events Cup 2025, which will run during the summer months, and the Competition programme for 2025/26. These are also on our website. 

Timely reminder to give many thanks to Tim for his efforts in keeping the website up to date and his website organisation and management!

I would also like to thank to all the committee, that is, the already mentioned above, plus Claire, Elaine, Freda, Rhona, Sue and Maurice and members for their invaluable contribution throughout the ‘season’ so far, without which, the club would surely not run. All the committee were re-elected, see below.

At this point I would like to say that we have still got a vacancy for the Programme Secretary, if any member would like to join our committee ‘team’ and take on this responsibility PLEASE email me. In the time-honoured phrase, training will be given, and I would anticipate that help would be given and a small team organised to complete this important part of the club’s itinerary.

Committee elected as follows:
Chair – Mike
Vice chair – Freda
Competition Secretary – Lewis
Treasurer – Robin
Secretary – Freda
Programme Secretary – vacant
Publicity – Maurice
Facebook – Rhona
Committee members – Sue, Claire and Elaine

Finally, I would like to say that the current committee has been in post for several years and over the coming next year, or certainly two, new members will have to come forward to take some responsibility. The present incumbents will need replacing eventually and I’m sure we would all agree that the club will need new blood to help establish the camera club for the future. This isn’t the tidings of bad news but just to state the obvious! Cheers!

Notices:
2026 Calendar:
Just to reminder everyone the deadline to submit images is Monday May 12th, just under 2 weeks away and voting will take place on Wednesday 14th May.
Many thanks to members who have already submitted their photographs. Need help? Just email in, it’s no problem!

Challenge:
Just a gentle reminder about the latest challenge – monochrome images.
It is an ‘open’ challenge – that is any subject, – and the date for the ‘Show-and-Tell’ is Wednesday 14th May;

Events Cup:
The second Events Cup ‘round’ is upon us! Already I hear you cry!
The destination is Coniston and Coniston Water and the 2 dates to choose from are Monday 12^th May OR Sunday 18^th May.
Just to reiterate, you must choose only one date to take photographs. Attached is a map showing the boundaries for the visit.

Raffle:
As usual we will be running a raffle on Wednesday 21^st (presentation evening) so, if anyone would like to donate a prize, it would be very appreciative! Please bring along anytime, not necessarily on the evening.

Up and coming programme of events:

Wednesday May 7th: Steve Proctor EPAGB, BPE5* PPSA ‘Live.’ Presentation called ‘The Wildside.’
Steve writes: I share where I shoot nature images, including commercial hides, local patches, nature reserves and a safari in Kruger Park, South Africa. Along the way I will share my thinking and planning methods plus some simple techniques including how I post-process my nature images. Contains a number of A/V sequences.

Monday May 12th: Possible Events Cup visit to Coniston and Coniston Water

Wednesday May 14th: Members Evening: Voting on the calendar photographs for the 2026 Garstang Calendar. A DVD presentation and the results of the challenge – ‘Show-and-Tell’ monochrome photographs.

Sunday 18th May: Possible Events Cup visit to Coniston and Coniston Water

Wednesday May 21st: Members Presentation Evening of Certificates and Trophies.

That’s all folks!

Mike

Afternoon All

Well, our 2 teams took part in the Charles Flatt Intergroup quiz last night and I can report that unfortunately we didn’t trouble the eventual winners, (the Poets), as we ended up amongst the also-rans! The silver lining is, of course, we don’t have to run it next year!
The 200 club draw was also held and you will be very pleased to learn that we won a prize! This bonus, of the evening, was, the winning of £50 in this draw – half a speaker’s fees! Robin seemed particularly pleased!

The Events Cup: I hope that some of you managed to get to Marton Mere and/or Stanley Park last Tuesday or Saturday and got the appropriate high quality photos! Anyone claiming a winning image? The weather was really in our favour, though I must admit, I was a little disappointed in Marton Mere; getting anywhere near the Mere proved difficult, but hey-ho!

Talks: Many thanks go to Stan and Lewis for their 2 presentations last week – Stan’s ‘My journey to plant photography’ and Lewis’s, after the break, ‘A tale of 3 Countries.’
I know that a lot of time and trouble goes into these presentations and it’s not easy getting the timing right and commentating! So, thanks again, it was very much appreciated by us all.

Notices:

AGM
I’ve attached the agenda for the AGM – please have a quick read so you are up to speed! Other things are happening – see, Up and coming programme of events.

2026 Calendar
Just to reminder everyone the deadline to submit images is Monday May 12^th, just over 2 weeks away and voting will take place on Wednesday 14^th May.
Many thanks to members who have already submitted their photographs. Need help? Just email in.

Challenge:
Just a gentle reminder about the latest challenge – monochrome images.
It is an ‘open’ challenge – that is any subject, – and the date for the ‘Show-and-Tell’ is Wednesday 14th May; don’t delay, dust off that camera, get out and about now the weather is improving, especially next week.

Last Chance! Wednesday 21st May – Members Presentation Evening.
Presentation of certificates and trophies. We are rapidly approaching ‘last-orders’ for booking a place! Please speak to Freda this coming Wednesday as the ‘reservation book’ will close.
Many thanks to all members who have reserved a place or places; now is the time to pay please. Again, please see Freda this coming Wednesday – cheers!

Up and coming programme of events:

Wednesday 30th April: The clubs AGM and, following on from the break, a breakdown of the judge’s marks following this season’s Battles from Stan; plus ‘other’ things!’

Wednesday 7th May: Steve Proctor: ‘Live.’ Talk titled: The Wildside.
A digital presentation of images of natural life taken over the last 8 years in both the UK and abroad. Subjects range from invertebrates through to the largest of land mammals and many in between.

Monday May 12^th: Events Cup; Possible visit to Coniston and Coniston Water.

Wednesday 14th May: Members Evening: Voting on the calendar photographs for the 2026 Garstang Calendar. A DVD presentation and the results of the challenge – ‘Show-and-Tell’ monochrome photographs.

Sunday May 18^th: Events Cup; Possible visit to Coniston and Coniston Water.

Wednesday 21^st May: Member’s Presentation Evening with the Presentation of Certificates and Trophies. Please don’t forget to book a place! The cost this year is £17 per member. Please book with Freda as soon as poss – cheers. LAST chance!

That’s all folks….

Cheers

Mike

Morning All
Many thanks to all members who managed to submit prints and/or DPIs for the Anything Goes Cup Competition for last Wednesday’s judging; I thought Simon gave an excellent commentary on each image and, together with the positives, pointed out where and how they could be improved.
Congrats to Paul for getting ‘best-on-the-night.’

Events Cup
The first Events Cup ‘round’ is next week!
The destination is Stanley Park and Marton Mere and the 2 dates to choose from are Tuesday 22^nd April OR Saturday 26^th April. Just to reiterate, you must choose only one date to take photographs. I have attached 2 maps showing the boundaries for the visit.

AGM
Hopefully you will have noticed that the AGM is to be held soon! This gives you, the members, an opportunity to put forward any ideas or thoughts you may have with regard to the running of your club.
If you have any suggestions please email in (info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk) and we can put it on the agenda. This is your chance to influence the direction of our club to hopefully change and/or improve what we offer!
I have attached the minutes from last year’s AGM.

Challenges!
Calendar – Please send your images to me at info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk by Monday 12^th May, midnight, as the voting will take place on Wednesday 14^th May. So, please, get out and about with that camera! Don’t forget 5 – 10 mile radius of Garstang is permissible this year!

PLUS: Don’t forget!

Monochrome Challenge: It is an ‘open’ challenge – that is any subject – and the date for the ‘Show-and-Tell’ is Wednesday 14^th May; don’t delay, get out and about now the weather is improving especially next week, so the BBC weather tells me!

Reminder!
Wednesday 21^st May – Members Presentation Evening. Presentation of certificates and trophies. We are approaching ‘last-orders’ for booking a place! Please speak to Freda for reservations!
The cost this year is £17 per member.
This is our end of season social and presentation get together
Many thanks to members who have already put their names down!
If you won a cup last year, could you please bring it back in soon ‘cos we will need to present cups to this year’s winners – cheers!

Quiz Teams:
We have 2 teams competing for the Charles Flatt Intergroup Quiz on next Saturday evening April 26^th starting at 7pm.
We would really like 3 more members to ‘fill’ our teams. So, if you would like to be part of the team, PLEASE let me know on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk or chat to me next Wednesday. It’s a bit of fun and a great evening.

Lee Metcalf:
Lee has offered to do another Lancaster evening/night walk open to 8 members. It will be taking in, amongst others, Lancaster Castle, The Priory Church and St. Mary’s Gate.
The proposed day/date is late April. Lee is charging £10 per person, cash!
I’ve sent a text and awaiting a reply for an exact date.
If you are interested, please let me know ASAP so that I can organise. Like I’ve mentioned, it will be only available to 8 members on a first-come first served basis.

L&CPU
A reminder: Annual Individual Print & Projected Image Competition 10th & 11th May 2025.
I attached the Rules and Guidelines for you just in case you want to have a go!
The final date for entries for L&CPU individuals’ competition is Saturday April 26th.

Coffee Duty: 
Coffee and tea duty for this coming Wednesday 16^th April is Rhona and Elaine. Many thanks in advance!

Up and coming programme of events:
Wednesday 23rd April: Members Evening; a talk by Stan ‘My journey to plant photography’ and a talk by Lewis, after the break, titled ‘A tale of 3 Countries.’

Wednesday 30th April: The clubs AGM. See above

Wednesday 7^th May: Steve Proctor: ‘Live.’ Talk titled: “The Wildside.”
A digital presentation of images of natural life taken over the last 8 years in both the UK and abroad. Subjects range from invertebrates through to the largest of land mammals and many in between.

Wednesday 14^th May: Members Evening: Voting on the calendar photographs for the 2026 Garstang Calendar. A DVD presentation and the results of the challenge – ‘Show-and-Tell’ monochrome photographs.

That’s all folks….
Cheers

Mike

Morning All
Quite a busy coffee morning yesterday, we managed to take £86.90 – that’s half a speaker!!
Many thanks to all those who managed to contribute some lovely cakes and those who had the time and opportunity to pop in and spend some money!
Also, thanks to Sue, Elaine and Robin for giving up their Saturday morning to help out – ta!

Notices:
Events Cup.
The first Events Cup ‘round’ is upon us, what already!
The destination is Stanley Park and Marton Mere and the 2 dates to choose from are Tuesday 22^nd April OR Saturday 26^th April. Just to reiterate, you must choose only one date to take photographs. In next week’s newsletter I will attach a map showing the boundaries for the visit.

AGM
Hopefully you will have noticed that the AGM is to be held soon! This gives you, the members, an opportunity to put forward any ideas or thoughts you may have with regard to the running of your club.
If you have any suggestions please email in (info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk) and we can put it on the agenda. This is your chance to influence the direction of our club to hopefully change and/or improve what we offer!

Challenge!
Just a quick 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.
This is our end of season social and presentation get together
Many thanks to members who have already put their names down!

Gardens
Below is from the Art Centre group. This is open to all non-members.
Full day coach trip: Eggleston Hall Nursery and Garden, Barnard Castle: “The secret garden of the north.”
Plus: Winton Park Gardens, on the banks of the river Eden and although less than 30 years old this garden is a “must see” stunning example of a garden created from scratch.
The above is planned for Thursday 29th May 2025 and is priced at a very competitive price of only £42.50pp, including lunch.
It is an 8am pick up at Windsor Road (Library).
Not only does it sound an interesting trip, it may inspire the photographer in you! Well, it’s just a thought and it is something different.
If you are interested, please contact: Janet Sharp 01524 793225, by Tuesday 22^nd April

Lee Metcalf:
Lee has offered to do another Lancaster evening/night walk open to 8 members. It will be taking in, amongst others, Lancaster Castle, The Priory Church and St. Mary’s Gate.
The proposed day/date is late April, certainly after Easter. Lee is charging £10 per person, cash!
If you are interested, please let me know ASAP so that I can organise. Like I’ve mentioned, it will be only available to 8 members on a first-come first served basis.

Wildlife photos:
If you have any wildlife, fauna or flower images of the Millennium Green area in Garstang or nearby surrounding area, Mike (Hollinate) would be interested ‘cos they are up-dating the advertising. If so, please send them to me on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk and I will forward them on – thanks.

Message from a Louise Jackson:
I have a Praktica LB2, 3 lenses and a flash. I wondered if any of your members would be interested at no charge or maybe a donation to the Camera Club?
I have attached some images from Louise, if you are interested; if so please contact me and I will pass on her contact details to you.

Coffee Duty:
Coffee and tea duty for this coming Wednesday 16^th April is Barry and Ian. Many thanks in advance!

Up and coming programme of events:

Wednesday 16th April: Anything Goes Cup, judging is by Simon Ray.

Wednesday 23rd April: Members Evening; a talk by Stan ‘My journey to plant photography’ and a talk by Lewis, after the break, titled ‘A tale of 3 Countries.’

Wednesday 30th April: The clubs AGM. See above

Wednesday 7^th May: Steve Proctor: ‘Live.’ Talk titled: The Wildside.

A digital presentation of images of natural life taken over the last 8 years in both the UK and abroad. Subjects range from invertebrates through to the largest of land mammals and many in between.

That’s all folks….
Cheers

Mike

Morning All

The exhibition is up!
First of all, many thanks to Maurice for organising everything including the ‘descriptions’ for each image and secondly thanks to Elaine and Robin for all their help in sticking the drawing pins in and making sure all photographs were straight!

Notices:
Badgers:
I still have a space for the badger shoot on this coming Thursday leaving at 5.45pm and arriving back about 11pm ish. If anyone is interested, please email me on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk – ta.

PDI’s:
Last chance to send me some PDI’s (x3 max) to be included in Wednesday’s Paul Dunmall’s ‘Interactive critic night.’ Please send to me on the email address above – ta.

Kas Stone:
I thought a very interesting and excellent talk last Wednesday from Kas and I still can’t get over the fact that we can, almost casually, chat to someone ‘live’ from Nova Scotia! Technology eh! I have attached a PDF summary of her talk’s most important points that Kas has sent.

Coffee Morning – Saturday April 12th.
As you know, we are running the coffee morning next Saturday and 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! If you are contributing, I would really appreciate it if you could let me know so I know what to expect! – Cheers!

Challenges!
Just a quick reminder!

Calendar – I’ll be asking for images to be sent soon, please get out and about with that camera! Don’t forget a 5 – 10 mile radius of Garstang is permissible this year!

Monochrome challenge – ‘Show and Tell’ is on 14^th May.

Alphabet challenge – On-going throughout the summer, here we are looking for, in theory, 26 images representing the letters of the alphabet. You may get some from the above to points!

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.
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!

Coffee Duty:
Coffee and tea duty for this coming Wednesday 12^th, is Freda and Brenda. Many thanks in advance!

Up and coming programme of events:
Wednesday 9^th April: Paul Dunmall CPAGB QCP: ‘Live.’ ‘Interactive critic night.’ – see above.

Wednesday 16th April: Anything Goes Cup, judging is by Simon Ray.

Wednesday 23^rd April: Members Evening; a talk by Stan ‘My journey to plant photography’ and a talk by Lewis, after the break, titled ‘A tale of 3 Countries.’

Wednesday 30^th April: The club’s AGM.

That’s all folks….
Cheers

Mike

Morning All

Notices:
Events Cup:
The votes have been counted and the Events Cup schedule is attached.
As you will see, hopefully, under the right-hand column is ‘Dates’ and there are 2. You are only allowed to attend ONE of those dates, not both!
The committee made every effort to please the members and give everyone the chance to photograph different categories, wildlife, landscapes, street etc.

Competition Schedule:
Also attached is the competition schedule for our 5 internal competitions for 2025/26. If you have any questions please email or ring me, it’s no problem!

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!

Wednesday April 9^th: Paul Dunmall is our speaker; ‘Interactive critic night’
As per earlier newsletters I’m still needing PDI’s for Paul to judge and then giving you a right of reply!
I’m therefore repeating my invitation 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!

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!

Coffee Duty:
Coffee and tea duty for this coming Wednesday 12^th, is Claire and Elaine. Many thanks in advance!

L&CPU:
Please find attached the minutes of the L&CPU AGM held on Sunday 23rd February.

Up and coming programme of events:
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
With today’s sophisticated cameras and countless resources available for helping us learn how to use them, making beautiful photographs has never been easier. But is “beautiful” enough? In a world where 3.2 billion images are shared on social media every day, what makes your images worth stopping for? Do they tug at a viewer’s heartstrings? Do they tell an interesting story? Can they make people laugh or think or wonder? Have they anything important to say? In short, do they mean anything?
In this presentation, Kas challenges you to explore these meaning-of-life questions as part of your image-making process, and will inspire you to make more meaningful photographs as you discover the answers.

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.
Wednesday 23^rd April: Members Evening; a talk by Stan ‘My journey to plant photography’ and a talk by Lewis.

That’s all folks….
Cheers

Mike

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

Morning All

Many thanks to all members who managed to submit prints and/or DPIs for the Humanity Cup Competition for last Wednesday’s judging; I thought Nicki gave an excellent commentary on each image and, together with the positives, pointed out where and how they could be improved.
Congrats to Tim for getting ‘best-on-the-night’ with ‘Guarding the Train.’

Notices:
Coffee Morning – Saturday April 12^th. 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!

This Wednesday – the 19^th March:
The challenge – Above and Below – Please bring your images in on a USB ‘stick’ or alternatively, send them to me and I’ll show them on a PowerPoint slide-show – use info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk.
Stan is giving a talk on Monochrome photography, then we will have a vote on the Events Cup Destinations for April, May, June, July and August 2025.
Plus, the viewing of the New Zealand ‘Battle’ via their AV – will we win this time? Also, other items in the process of being devised!

L&CPU – (Lancashire and Cheshire Photographic Union) ANNUAL INDIVIDUALS COMPETITION
Annual Individual Print & Projected Image Competition: 10th & 11th May 2025
I have attached the Rules and Guidelines for the competition above. Under ‘Guidelines’ you will see how to enter; bullet points 2 and 3 are the relevant ones. Members are asked to enter ‘under your own steam!’ If you need any advice, just email in and I’ll do my best to help!

April Exhibition:
I have attached, from Maurice, thanks, a complete list of all of the prints that we need for this exhibition. This list is a reminder for you! If you have other prints that you would like to include, please bring them along as well – we do need about 60 prints in all!
The deadline for prints to be brought in is this Wednesday, 19th March
The ‘hanging’ of the prints will be on Saturday 5th April and the exhibition will be open from Tuesday 8th April until Thursday 1st May.
Maurice is co-ordinating all of this and he has asked that all prints have on the back your name and a title for the print.
Many thanks to Maurice for his co-ordination.

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!

Anything Goes Cup – our 5^th and final internal competition:
This is a reminder that the last date for entry is Wednesday 19^th March – that is, this coming Wednesday!

Very Early Reminder!
Wednesday 21^st May – Members Presentation Evening. Presentation of certificates and trophies.
This did prove very successful last year so please support the club (partners of any persuasion all welcome!); so, please speak to Freda! 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. If you are interested, please speak to Freda who is taking reservations.

Coffee Duty:
Coffee and tea duty for this coming Wednesday 12^th, Robin and Freda. Many thanks in advance!

Up and coming programme of events:
Wednesday 19th March: Members Evening: A talk by Stan titled, Monochrome photography. Plus, voting on destinations for the Events Cup, the viewing of the New Zealand ‘Battle’ via their AV and member’s challenge; show & tell – ‘Above and Below.’ See above!

Wednesday 26^th March: there will be no meeting as there is a committee meeting on in the evening – sorry!

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.

That’s all folks….
Cheers

Mike