Exhibition
Rachel Crawshaw is a Mixed Media artist and illustrator. She has a BA Hons Degree in Art History from Lancaster University and has been living and creating art in Lancashire since 2007.
She was awarded 2nd prize at the first Paint Garstang event last year and received a highly commended award at Painting Padiham the same year.
As a Blackburn Artists’ Society member and an independent artist, she has exhibited in various locations across Lancashire.
Last year she became the official book illustrator for Lancashire Stories project in conjunction with Lancashire Library Services and the arts council England. 12,000 copies of this illustrated Anthology of short stories have been published and distributed around Lancashire since November 2022 for free.
Rachel’s exhibition will run from Tuesday 6th June to Saturday 1st July.
Sheila Tearle 01995 603816
FREE LUNCHTIME CONCERTS
1pm -2pm Every Thursday afternoon July 6th – September 14th
THURSDAY JULY 6TH- ECLECTIC MIX
Light Classical music performed by members of Preston Concert Band
THURSDAY JULY 13TH- UKELELE SOUP
(A Ukelele Band playing a warm blend of music with a little roll on the side
THURSDAY JULY 20TH –KELL WIND TRIO
(Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon)
‘A musical trio with a reputation for performing fast moving, wide ranging and entertaining concerts’
THURSDAY JULY 27TH-SARAH GARRISH
Piano – (All the wrong notes in the right order)
THURSDAY AUGUST 3RD- MARTON SINGERS
(songs from Musical Theatre/ Gilbert and Sullivan)
THURSDAY AUGUST 10TH – SIMON HALLIDAY’S LEGATO MUSIC SCHOOL
(Garstang’s own Music School)
THURSDAY AUGUST 17TH- SOUNDS RIGHT
7 piece Band playing music for all occasions. ‘Sounds Right’, sounds right for all occasions
THURSDAY AUGUST 24TH- IAN WHALLEY
(Piano)
THURSDAY AUGUST 31ST- THE DUNELM DUO
Lynne Williams (Woodwind multi-instrumentalist) ,Rob Rainford (Piano)
MARIE RATCLIFFE SEPTEMBER 7TH
(Piano)
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14TH – ELSWICK 8
(Vocal /Instrumental Group from Elswick Singers)
Craft Fair
Saturday 8th July, 10.00am to 3.00pm
An opportunity to buy unique, local handmade items. Light refreshments available.
For more information please contact Trish (01995) 602908
Garstang Ukulele Group
May has been a very busy month commencing with three Coronation themed events starting at Knott End for the Ladies of Over Wyre WI when Andy Stewart had the ladies strutting their stuff on the dance floor. We then played at The Cornmill and Laurel Bank Care Homes over the Bank Holiday. Four more gigs completed the month including a private party, the Salvation Army at Blackpool, Bleasdale Tower Gardens and a Ruby Wedding Celebration.
The Group meet on Sundays between 2.00pm and 4.00pm and welcome anyone who can play the ukulele or anyone who is interested in learning to play. We are available for bookings. For information please contact Trevor Phillips 01995 600378 or kilnway54@btinternet.com
Garstang Poetry Appreciation Group
The Poetry Appreciation Group’s June meeting will be held on Friday 23 June at the Arts Centre. The subject will be ‘20th Century English Poets’ The meeting will be led by Liz Hewison.
Non-members are always welcome. You can bring a poem or two to share with the group or just come along and listen to members reciting a selection of poetry around the subject of the month.
There is a cover charge of £1, refreshments are provided at the end of each meeting.
If you require further information please contact Gary Walmsley 01772 785693
Garstang Musical Productions
In December last year, we suddenly, and sadly lost our dear friend and member Simon Yaxley. Simon was a renowned radio presenter on BBC Radio Cumbria and a major part of local theatre, well know for playing roles for many of the local amateur dramatic societies around the area, most recently in our production of Calendar Girls. Simon was the ultimate professional without the ego! A team player who always had time for everyone with advice or a kind word of support to help us deliver our best. GMP were proud to take part in a memorial concert for Simon at Lancaster Grand Theatre, which saw the many local groups he was involved with come together to put on a memorial concert for a very special man. It really was a night to remember, we all miss him dearly.
We continue with our rehearsals for our Autumn show Oliver! These times are full of fun and energy- the children’s ensemble are certainly keeping us busy! This show is going to be spectacular, and tickets are now on sale and selling quickly!
Please check our Facebook page for the box office, or contact a member for information.
Emily Hanson 07803786895
Ukulele Soup
‘
A blend of music to warm your evening with a roll on the side’
Ukulele Soup are an 8 piece group. Our performances are a mix of choral and solo singing backed by concert, baritone, tenor and bass ukuleles, giving a different and distinct sound.
Ukulele Soup includes all the humour and fun of our riotous frontman, Andy Stewart.
In May we had a great time playing for the Winmarleigh Coronation celebrations and at Bushell House. In June we shall be playing for the URC Friends Together at Forton and for the Salvation Army at Blackpool.
If you would like to book Ukulele Soup, contact Bob Sapey
bobsapey@gmail.com
07985 713961
http://www.ukulelesoup.uk
Garstang Painting Group
The painting group continues to flourish with a slowly growing membership joining in on the weekly activities.
In April we where relaxing and loading our paint brushes with a rainbow of colours in a still life challenge ‘Shades of Spring’
In May we have an exciting mix of demonstrations from visiting artists and artists in the membership group sharing different techniques of using acrylics in our paintings. We will also be creating inspirational pictures with an additional lino mixed media workshop at the end of the month with an artistic twist! one not to be missed!
We believe there is an artist in everyone of us to be exploited!, so call in and find out yours!
We meet on Wednesday afternoon 1.00pm to 4.00pm, if you are into your art, at any stage, beginners to advanced, you are most welcome to come along anytime.
Contact Liz 01995 606470/ Carolyn 01253 812270
Garstang Chess Club
We meet at Garstang Art Centre on Thursday afternoons 1:30pm – 3:30pm. New members welcome, any level.
The Book Club
Again, an interesting discussion about our chosen books and related issues! As some of our book choices are proving difficult to obtain we are going to borrow sets of books from the library service, which will start after the next meeting. In the meantime we have some shorter books suggested for this month.
‘Small Things Like These’ by Claire Keegan is a novel set in Irish town in 1985. Shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2022, it’s the story of Bill, a coal merchant and is a social history of his life, his family and the Church at this time.
‘My Phantom’ by Gwendoline Riley- a slim book dealing with a mother and daughter relationship that has gone awry.
We didn’t choose a third book although the recently published ‘Chums’ by Simon Kuper was recommended as a good read. From Eton to Oxford and you’ve got it made!
As the holiday season approaches we thought that it would be a good time for members to recommend a holiday read which they could then share with everybody.
The next meeting is on Tuesday 6th June at 10.30
For further information contact: Linda 07795064266 or Sandra 01995603436
Songbirds
Over 30 ladies have joined us for our singing for pleasure. If you enjoy singing please join us on Monday afternoons at 1.30 to 3.30pm in the Arts Centre you will be made most welcome, meet new friends, new conversation and a cuppa.
Tel. 01995 602904
Woolcraft Group
Do you like all things woolly? We could be just the group for you to join. We are knitters/crocheters/felters and inspire and learn from each other, working on our own things and also taking part in local projects. We are very friendly and informal. We meet on Tuesday 7-9pm and/or Friday 1:30-3:30 pm. Contact Sue Lowe 01995 601831
Scrabble Group
Are you fascinated by letters and words? Do you play Wordle? Come along on Tuesday afternoons, 1.30pm till 4pm to play two or three games of Scrabble. Whilst It is frustrating to receive lots of vowels it does stretch your brain cells. Occasional bursts of brilliance when an extra 50 points are awarded for using all your letter in one turn, does happen sometimes! The more you play the better you get. Call: Jean Mavin 07501704385
Needlework Group
We meet in the Arts Centre on Wednesday mornings from 10am to 12 noon. If you enjoy knitting, crochet, embroidery, patchwork, applique or would like to learn, do come and join this friendly, helpful group
Other Groups that meet at the Arts Centre are:
Creative Card Making, 4th Monday in the month 10am to 12noon
Songbirds, Meet every Monday 1.30 to 3.30pm
Folk Dancers, Tuesday evenings 7.30 to 9.30pm, September to May
Garstang Paintng Group, every Wednesday, 1.00pm
John Towers Big Band, every Friday, 7.45pm
Sounds Right, 1st & 3rd Monday in the month, mornings
Watercolour Workshop, Monday mornings
Paint & Chatter, Fridays, 10am to 12noon
w: http://www.garstangartssociety.org.uk
facebook: artcentre.garstang
twitter: ArtsGarstang
Judy Osborne (01995) 600996
Garstang Arts Centre 