GARSTANG ARTS CENTRE
Garstang Arts Centre are looking for volunteers to help during Garstang’s FREE Summer Celebration of Arts and Music… and beyond.
We are looking for help in our lovely little cafe during events and would love to hear from you.
Please pop in on Tuesdays or Thursdays, email garstangartscentre@gmail.com or call 01995 606648. Looking forward to chatting and hope to see you soon!
Artisan Craft Fair
‘Events by All Occasions‘ are delivering an AMAZING Artisan Craft Fair on Saturday 12th August, 11-4pm.
There will be live music, homemade cakes and both indoor and outdoor stalls. Artisan wares from craftsmen and women across the Northwest selling Art, Jewellery, Homeware, Clothes, Accessories, Glassware and Carpentry- there will be something for everyone. Come and say hello and enjoy.
Pop in to get your FREE copy of the summer programme of events or check out the schedule on our website: www.garstangartssociety.org.uk/garstang-celebration-of-art-and-music
Don’t forget to get your ‘Garstang & district’ calendar for 2024, being launched at Garstang Show on Saturday 5th August. A special thanks to the Arts Centre’s Camera Club for the fantastic photos and all the local businesses who sponsored. Come and find our stand to grab your copy. After then, available at the Arts Centre.
Exhibition
The next exhibition at the Arts Centre – 1st August – 24th August will feature work by the five winners of the Open Exhibition/Competition which was held in January.
They are Taysha Manifold, Simon Blackley, Diane Burrow, George Horsfield and Patricia Leontieff.
The exhibition showcases the different styles and subjects of these talented artists and affords the opportunity to see and purchase original work created by prize-winning artists.
Sheila Tearle 01995 603816
‘PAINT GARSTANG ‘
Following the success of last year and by public demand, we are delighted once again to host the 2nd ‘En Plein Air’ competition to take place in and around Garstang on Sat. 2nd September.
We welcome artists both professional and amateur to take part with the chance to win cash prizes.
Visitors can enjoy watching original pieces of art being created on the day with judging by professional artist Graham Berry taking place at 4-30 pm in the Arts Centre.
The closing date for PAINT GARSTANG is the 12th August.
Entry forms and further details may be obtained from Garstang Arts Centre website or from Sheila Tearle 01995 603816 – sheila@tearle.plus.com.
We extend a very warm welcome and hope you will support us in this popular event for Garstang.
Garstang Painting Group
In July we were entertaining Garstang by painting outside in the courtyard and members were serving light refreshments with handmade cakes. Thank you to the people who have come through.
In August on our Wednesday meetings, 1.30pm to 3.30pm, we will be continuing with our success of painting outside in the picturesque courtyard of the Arts Centre with an accordionist entertaining us.
The coffee shop (cafe) will be open during the event, serving light refreshments and delicious cakes. Everyone is welcome to come along, bring your family and friends.
Come and watch us paint outside in the courtyard or inside when it’s raining or bring your paints and join in.
Whilst visiting us, come inside and view our exhibition in the music room, and treat yourselves.
Throughout August, follow the art trail around Garstang shops and buy a one-off treat painted by one of our members. Pay the shopkeeper and take it away with you on the same day!
Tel Liz 01995 606470 / Carolyn 01253 812270
Lunchtime Concerts will be performed from 1- 2pm, free, donations welcome.
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)
200 Club
The next draw of the 200 Club cash prizes is due in September, on Saturday 23rd. The evening will be shared by a staging of Call My Bluff, a local version of the hilarious TV panel game from the 1960s / 70s.
More details of this in the September issue of Focus, but in the meantime “you have to be in it to win it” so if you haven’t got your 200 Club ticket yet or maybe would like a few extra chances at winning the £400 top prize, tax free.
Please contact Carolyn Worthington on 07504148568, by text or whatsapp, by email worthington70@outlook.com, or through the Arts Centre coffee shop.
Numbers are £6.50 each and there are approx only 20 numbers left. More details are on the Arts Centre notice board.
This is open to anyone – you do not have to be a member of the Arts Centre to buy a ticket.
50% of all proceeds go straight to support our wonderful Arts Centre – please help by supporting the 200 Club.
Garstang Ukulele Group
While June has been “bustin’ out all over” and Garstang is looking its fragrant and flowerful best, things have also been blossoming for Garstang Ukulele Group.
The fine weather has seen us perform several impromptu “concerts” in the courtyard of the Art Centre. On sunny, Sunday afternoons, during our regular practice time, many passers-by have stopped to listen and enjoy our playing.
Like much of the country the ukulele group has been gripped by festival fever! We have played at All Saints Church, Barnacre’s Flower Festival as well the Scarecrow Festival to very appreciative audiences.
As ever we enjoy being part of local, community events and supporting charities. This was best evidenced when a small but talented group of GUG members played at Burey Court Retirement Home, raising over £400 which was donated to the Rosemere Cancer Foundation, a charity very close to our hearts.
As you may have noticed our website is back and flourishing thanks to the hard work of Ron Freeland. Our membership is growing so we are able to keep in touch with our friends and keep you better informed about what we are up to and how we are evolving.
If you have seen any of our most recent performances then you will have met “MC Gilly” our new front man, introducing our songs and adding some fun to our gigs.
It was both our pleasure and privilege to help the Art Centre launch its extensive programme of Summer concerts and events and you can hear us playing every Tuesday from 11.30 – 12.30 before the lunchtime concert. We always play better with an audience!
New members have joined our group this month and well respected “old” friends have rejoined us. This reinvigorates us and gives us the chance to try out new ideas musically and instrumentally so that we can better entertain our audiences.
Whether you are an experienced player, a relative “ newbie” or just someone who has never played the ukulele before but thinks they might like to try, know that you will always be welcome. We practise every Sunday in the Art Centre from 2.00 – 4.00pm.
If you want to know anything more about us or are interested in booking us to play for you, then please contact Trevor Phillips at mail@trevorphillips.co.uk or by phone on 01995600378
Garstang Poetry Appreciation Group
The Poetry Appreciation Group’s August meeting will be held on Friday 25 August at the Arts Centre. At this month’s meeting we have, as guest reader, Norman Hadley. Norman is a local poet who has published five poetry collections, children’s fiction and short stories.
There is no cover charge although donations are welcome.
The meeting takes place between 2 – 4 pm. Cheese and wine will be served at the meeting.
Non-members are always given a friendly welcome. Come along and enjoy an afternoon of poetry as part of the ‘Garstang Summer Arts and Music Celebration’.
If you require further information please contact Gary Walmsley 01772 785693
Garstang Musical Productions
Our wonderful rehearsals are in full swing for our Autumn show Oliver!
We rehearse every Thursday at Garstang Arts Centre, and as we get closer to “show week” we add a Sunday evening to our rehearsal schedule, and this has already begun.
Our scenery is now being created, props being gathered and waistlines being measured for our costume department!
Although our cast is full, there are still many opportunities to be involved in this community event, and we would be keen to meet anybody who could join us to help with hair or makeup during show week (October 9th-15th) at Garstang Community Academy. Please get in touch if this is something you’re interested in.
We had a wonderful morning at Bowgreave Rise singing for some of their lovely residents, and it was fabulous to hear them singing along with us, they were in great voice!
Oliver Tickets are on sale.
Show dates:
Wednesday 11th October 7.30pm
Thursday 12th October 7.30pm
Friday 13th October 7.30pm
Saturday 14th October 2pm
Saturday 14th October 7.30pm
Please check our Facebook page for the Box Office to book online. If you want any help booking please contact myself on the number below.
This is proving to be a very popular show and we can’t guarantee tickets will be available “on the door”
Emily Hanson 07803786895
Ukulele Soup in August
We have two outside bookings in August, a wedding celebration party at Whitechapel on the 5th and the Summer Fete at Oaklands Cheshire Home on the 20th. In addition we will be playing in the courtyard of the Arts Centre in the mornings of the 3rd and 17th, weather permitting.
In addition, as part of the celebration of arts and music this summer, we are having an open morning on Sunday 27th August. If you’ve never played the ukulele before and you are interested to find out more about it, please pop in to the Arts Centre between 9.30-12 and we will be pleased to talk with you and give you the opportunity to play a few chords.
Ukulele Soup are a 7 piece musical group consisting of Andy Stewart, Anne Kelsall and Clare Honeysett on concert ukulele, Andrew Rothwell on tenor ukulele, Peter Thornton on concert and baritone ukulele, Paul King on baritone ukulele and Bob Sapey on u-bass.
The band (originally called The Caretaker) formed in the autumn of 2021. We combine humour and music to entertain and amuse our audiences.
If you would like to book us please contact Bob Sapey on 07985 713961 or by email, bobsapey@gmail.com.
Tuesday Bridge Club
We meet on Tuesday afternoons at the Arts Centre Garstang. Play starts at 1.30pm. We are a very sociable and friendly group of players and would welcome any new members who can play bridge. If you are interested please come along on a Tuesday afternoon for further details.
There is also a separate Bridge Club on Monday evenings starting at 7pm in the Arts Centre Garstang. Any new bridge players would be very welcome. Please come along for further details if interested or telephone me at 07910046651.
Jenny Gower
The John Towers Big Band
As part of the Garstang Festival of Arts & Music The John Towers Big Band will be performing two concerts at the Garstang Arts Centre.
The first one will be on Friday August 28th when along with our vocalist Chris Hewitt we will be playing an evening of Big Band classics.
The second concert on Friday September 8th again with Chris Hewitt will have more of a Latin American feel to it.
Both of these concerts are free but we would appreciate a donation to Arts Centre funds.
Don’t forget we perform at The Arts Centre every Friday night from 8 ’til 10 but please note we won’ t be there on Friday 4th August.
For all enquiries please contact Tony Berry (07850 061659)
Garstang Chess Club
As part of the Summer Arts and Music Celebration we will be holding a special Speed/Blitz Chess hour on Thursday 10th August 2.30 – 3.30pm. Meet the group and join in or spectate, fun & exciting 5 minute time controlled games
We meet at Garstang Art Centre on Thursday afternoons 1:30pm – 3:30pm. New members welcome, any level.
The Book Club
We shall be reading our second library loan book this month, “The Children Act” by Ian McEwan, this means we shall all be able to read the same book.
Our two other book selections are “The Marriage Portrait “ by Maggie O’Farrell and
“A Gathering Light” by Jennifer Donnelly.
Our next meeting is on Tuesday 1st August at 10.30am, new members welcome.
For further information contact: Linda 07795064266 or Sandra 01995603436
Songbirds
Songbirds have now taken a break for the summer however we will resume our weekly session on September 18th at 1.30 -3.30 pm. September always seems to be the time of year when you want to get involved with hobbies etc which helps the winter months become more enjoyable. Why not add singing to your list, it truly makes you feel happy and good for your mental health.
“Songbirds” are not a choir we just love singing and we welcome any ladies out there to join us. Don’t be put off with the fear of auditions because we don’t do any of that, we just simply sing, have a cuppa and enjoy time for friendship and conversation meeting new friends. We look forward to seeing you in September don’t be shy you will be assured a very warm welcome. In the meantime we wish you a happy summer with hopefully some lovely warm days.
Tel. Avril on 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
Folk Dancers, Tuesday evenings 7.30 to 9.30pm, September to May
Garstang Paintng Group, every Wednesday, 1.00pm
Sounds Right, 1st & 3rd Monday in the month, mornings
Watercolour Workshop, Monday mornings
Paint & Chatter, Fridays, 10am to 12noon
w: www.garstangartssociety.org.uk
facebook: artcentre.garstang
Judy Osborne (01995) 600996
Garstang Arts Centre 