Paint Garstang
It is not too late to enter the 4th annual en plein air event on Saturday 6th September. Full details click here Paint Garstang 2025

The winners of the 2025 Open Competition namely, Taysha Manifold, Patricia Roberts, Anne Cade & Nancy Blackburn, are having a joint exhibition from Tues 29th July to Thursday 21st August. Come and see – and perhaps buy – the latest work of these talented artists

Lunchtime Concerts
Thurs Aug 7th – Garstang Ukulele Group (Garstang Goes Country)
Thurs Aug 14th – Dunelm Duo (Lynne Williams, woodwind multi-instrumentalist and Rob Rainford, Piano)
Thurs Aug 21st – Martin Singers (Songs from musical theatre/Gilbert & Sullivan)
Thurs Aug 28th – Ian Whalley (Piano)

Garstang Summer Arts and Music Celebration 2025  17th July – 6th September
Join us in our Summer Arts and Music Celebration! There’s something for everyone to join in with and to make the most of the gorgeous summer sun! Extra to our usual activities are:
Sat Aug 2nd 2pm – Greg Anderton of Leafy Lytham Garden Hub –Entertaining talk/demo on Container Gardening, Plants for sale, Tickets £5.
Tues 12th Aug – Susan Whitaker – entertaining talk about the Great Tapestry of Scotland. Tickets £5, including light refreshments.
Sat Aug 16th – Live Band – The Music of Bob Dylan performed by The Zimmermen. Bring your own drinks. Tickets £10 available on Ticketsource and The Arts Centre.
http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/zimmermen/themusic-of-bob-dylan-performed-by-the-zimmermen/2025-08-16/19:15/t-dvzeaeo
Tues Aug 19th Carrs Jewellers – Talk by Laura & Caitlin on the History of Carrs jewellery the Business, Jewellery, metals, diamonds and more. Tickets £5 including light refreshments.
Tues 26 Aug – Murder, Mystery and Mischief at Kirkland, Catterall and Claughton – talk by Susan Douglas. Tickets £5 including refreshmens.

Talking Café: Dates for August are Thursday 7th and 21st at 1:30pm. Come along for a brew and a chinwag after the lunchtime concerts.

Garstang Ukulele Group
As a group we are never happier than when we can bring our own unique blend of music to as wide an audience as possible. This was much in evidence this past month when the three gigs we played turned into something of a uke-athon.
On Saturday 29th we played at Kirkby Lonsdale for the Fairbanks Society’s Garden Party. The two varied sets we played were very warmly received by our audiences who sang along enthusiastically.
Sunday 30th saw us much closer to home at All Saints Church, Barnacre’s annual flower show and exhibition. This year’s theme was musicals. We were delighted to perform our own Musical tribute for a very appreciative audience.
A very busy few days was rounded off by a visit to the Salvation Army in Blackpool. Everywhere we go we are met with friendship and good fellowship but the people of Salvation Army Blackpool are something special. The warmth of their welcome and their love of our music is like a warm hug that lets us know just how much we are appreciated.
You can now see us playing every Thursday lunchtime in the courtyard of the Art Centre as the resident warm up band for this seasons’s Summer Concerts. Our own concert is coming up soon. But more of that next time.
As ever, you can contact us on our Facebook page, email Trevor Philips at mail@trevorphillips.co.uk or call 01995600378 .
Ruth McBride

200 CLUB AUTUMN DRAW
As previously reported the AUTUMN DRAW will be made on FRIDAY 5th SEPTEMBER at the JOHN TOWERS BIG BAND CONCERT in the ARTS CENTRE as part of the Arts Festival.
Any subscribers who have not yet paid for their Autumn Draw ticket and who wish to renew their “lucky number” please contact me (see below) asap as your number will be up for resale from 1st August.
Anyone who does not have a draw number and would like to be “In it to win it” please contact me a.s.a.p. as I now have around 12 numbers up for resale.
There are 10 prizes ranging from £200 to £20, and as it only costs £6.50 to enter the draw it is a pretty good return for your money – and for every £6.50 received £3.25 is donated direct to the Arts Centre under the terms of the charitable draw.
The Big Band concert is to be a free Festival concert so Arts Centre tickets will not be required. However I believe tables could be reservable so get your booking in soon. For further details of the concert please contact the Arts Centre.
For further details of the 200 Club draw please contact Carolyn 07504148568 or email worthington70@outlook.com

Garstang Poetry Appreciation Group
The Poetry Appreciation Group’s August meeting will be held on Friday 22nd at 2.00 pm in The Garstang Arts Centre. The theme this month will be ‘Poems About Birds’. The meeting will be led by Graciela Lemos.
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 theme 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.

The Book Club
Last month’s book had mixed reviews but was thought to be a good holiday read. This month we are reading “Isa and May” by Margaret Forster. Isamay’s unusual name comes from her two grandmothers, Isa and May who were present at her birth and have formed and influenced her life. Now thirty, she is writing a thesis on grandmothers in history which reveals startling secrets about her own family and forces Isamay to examine her own certainties.
Next meeting is on Tuesday August 5th at 10.30
Linda 07795 064266 or Sandra 07823 501716

Ukulele Soup: A blend of music to warm your evening, with a roll on the side…
Ukulele Soup is led by stand up comedian, Andy Stewart and also features the vocals of Anne Kelsall, Clare Honeysett, Peter Thomas and Paul King, all supported by Bob Sapey on his fretless u-bass.
The group has developed a style that brings out the excellence of individual voices and particular instrumental skills. They play a mix of jazz, rock and blues.
If you would like to book Ukulele Soup for a community event or a private function please contact Bob Sapey, 07985 713961 or bobsapey@gmail.com
For details of our upcoming performances see http://www.ukulelesoup.uk

Bridge Club
Monday at 7pm. New playing members are always welcome.
Tuesday at 1.30pm. This is a friendly group and would welcome anyone who has not played for sometime. Absolute beginners can come and be given advice concerning lessons and the best book to obtain and study.
Jenny Gower 07910046651

Garstang Beginners Jewellery Classes & Workshops everything is include.
Classes and workshops with a local Jewellery Designer Tutor
•Wednesday 6th August 6.30-8.30pm Make a Bracelet
•Wednesday 13th August 6.30-8.30pm Make earrings

• Wednesday 20th August 6.30-8.30pm Make Resin pendant
• Wednesday 27th August 7pm Make Silver Jewellery
• Saturday 30th August 1.30pm Make Silver Jewellery
  Everything is included. Please book on through email for a place. Pay on the side door.
  FREE Wine/Refreshments
  Contact:-07791146675 or email lizjewellery@aol.com

Love Painting Lancashire of Garstang Workshop and classes at Garstang Arts Centre
Friday 15th August 7-9pm Beginners Summer Flowers in watercolours. Costs:- £15 for visitors and £14 for members, everything is included except your pinny. Book on through email garstangartclub@gmail.com

Garstang Art Club, we meet most Fridays Evenings 7-9pm at Garstang Arts Centre.
•If you would like to join us our next get together is on Friday 1st & 29th August 7-9pm Paint a Landscape with the Club, costs £5 Visitors, £4 Members
•Saturday 9th August 2-4.30pm:-
Summer Flowers in Brusho Workshop with Professional Artist Tutor Christine Stansford. Costs £15 Visitors and £14 for members. Please book on through email for a place garstangartclub@gmail.com

• Member are taking part in The walk of Art around Garstang Shops windows with Quiz more info on sheets pick up from the Newsagent High Street and Garstang Arts Centre • Small prize for the best, Winners will be contacted
  •Get in touch garstangartclub@gmail.com or ring 07857329805

Garstang Painting Group

• Every Wednesday afternoon during August Weather permitting 1.30pm -3.30pm Montmartre, members are painting in the courtyard, with outside entertainment by Garstang Ukulele (weather permitting)
  Cafe will be open by members selling handmade cakes and refreshments
• Vote for your favourite painting of Garstang Painting Group Members voting exhibition 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize money donation in memory of Jean Colclough a member we sadly lost this year.
  Quiz sheets for the walk of Art will be available to pick up every Wednesday afternoon in August from 1.30-3.30pm at Garstang Arts Centre Members cafe
  Contact Liz 01995 606470/ Carolyn 01253 812270

The John Towers Big Band
The Band had a break in June from our monthly gig at Winmarleigh Village Hall however we came roaring back in July and played a varied set of Big Band music to a very enthusiastic audience.
Our August concert will be on Friday 15th starting at 8pm. Don’t forget there is a bar and hot food is available
We are also getting more people coming along to our Friday night rehearsals at Garstang Arts Centre. You ‘re very welcome to join them once again starting at 8pm.
Contact :- Tony Berry 07850 061659

Songbirds
The summer is now upon us and so Songbirds will be giving their voices a rest as our last meeting is on the 29th July. We will resume again on the 15th September at the Art Centre every Monday 1.30 to 3.30 p.m. This will see the beginning of Autumn so ladies come along and enjoy singing for pleasure, make new friends and a chat along with a cuppa. There are no auditions simply join in, everyone has a voice and it is good to use it. We look forward to meeting you a warm welcome awaits.
Avril Bevan

Other Groups that meet at the Arts Centre, more details on the website.
Creative Card Making: Fourth Mon, 10.00am -12noon
Watercolour Workshop: Monday mornings
Sounds Right: First & third Mon in the month, mornings
Scrabble Group: Tues 1.30pm – 4.00pm
Folk Dancers: Tues 7.30 to 9.30pm (September to May)
Woolcraft Group: Tues 7.00 – 9.00pm & Friday 1.30 – 3.30pm
Needlework Group: Wed 10.00am – 12 noon
Garstang Chess Club: Thurs 1:30pm – 3:30pm.
Paint & Chatter: Fri 10.00am – 12noon
Tai Chi: Fri 12.15 – 1.00pm
The cafe is open Tuesdays and Thursday 10-4pm, Saturdays 10-12:30pm for a brew and a chat.

Curator : Vanessa Bracewell Assistant Curator : Madeline McLean
Arts Centre Tel No: 01995 606648

facebook: artcentre.garstang
twitter: ArtsGarstang
Judy Osborne (07581 078888)