Exhibitions/Competitions
The ever popular annual Open Art Competition/Exhibition is in full swing with many original pieces of art on display until Thursday 5th February. The prizes will be awarded to the winning artists at 11-00 am on Saturday 24th January. All welcome.
Sheila Tearle Tel: 01995603816

Talking Café: Dates for January are Thursday 8th and 22nd at 1:30pm. Come along for a brew.

200 CLUB
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all the 200 Clubbers and to all who would like to be “in it to win it” – the 200 Club list is open and running for 2026.
The first 10 new names I receive by email text WhatsApp, or by post to our little post box at the Arts Centre, will get the option of choice of the 10 numbers made available by non-renewing subscribers.
The cost – £13.00 will cover both the draws, in Spring and Autumn
The prizes – a minimum of 8 money prizes (usually 10 prizes if all the numbers are sold) awarded at each draw, all guaranteeing to be at least double what you will be paying for the whole year.
If you usually pay by standing order – thank you. Please will you check that your date of payment will be some time during January if possible. If you usually pay by BACS that’s great – please put it through for any time in January. If you usually renew by cash or cheque – now is your moment. In an envelope with your name on it and addressed to The 200 Club and pop it into the post box at the Arts Centre.
If you would prefer to pay by BACS and haven’t got the bank details please email or text me and I will send the details.
If you do not know about the 200 Club fund raiser but would like to find out about it please text phone or whatsapp and I will send you all the details. Please note you do not have to be a member of the Arts Centre to participate.
As the Spring Draw will be on 11th April please ensure if you are a renewing subscriber that I receive your renewal before the end of February.
Thank you all for your support in 2025. It was a sell out on both draws which meant the Arts Centre received £1300, the full 50% of the Sales income, plus additional donations totalling £96.
I wish you all a happy and prosperous 2026 – and maybe you will be one of the 20 lucky prizewinners during 2026.
Carolyn Worthington
worthington70@outlook.com 07504148568

Garstang Ukulele Group
It’s definitely beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. Everywhere we have played over the past three weeks has been festive and ready for fun. At heart our group is grounded in raising money for local charities; if we bring joy and happiness along with it then we are doubly blessed. The run up to Christmas has been a particularly busy time. A quiet November allowed us to create our Christmas Show which we launched with a bang in December. A mixture of traditional Christmas Carols, popular Christmas songs and a smattering of our own favourite songs creates a very enjoyable set list. The choice of songs, featuring the strength and depth of the group, from very talented musicians and wonderful soloists, combined to create a joyful exuberance, only achieved when a group of like-minded individuals get together and have fun. We have taken our show to a number of Care Homes in and around Garstang, as well as playing both nights at our wonderful Victorian Christmas Festival. Thank you so much, everybody, for the warmth of your welcome and your appreciation of what we do. We look forward to meeting you again in 2026 but for now have a very Happy Christmas from us all.
Ruth McBride

Garstang Poetry Appreciation Group
The Poetry Appreciation Group’s January meeting will be held on Friday 23rd at 2.00 pm in The Garstang Arts Centre. The theme this month will be ‘Poets with Surnames Beginning J,K,L. The meeting will be led by Gary Walmsley.
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 contact Gary Walmsley 01772 785693

The Book Club
We had our Christmas meeting with mulled wine and mince pies, delicious.
Our last book “And the Mountains Echoed” had a unanimous thumbs-up.
The next book is “The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared” by Jonas Jonasson..
Allan is in a care home waiting for a party he doesn’t want to begin, he will be 100. He escapes through his bedroom window and makes his getaway, and so begins his adventurous journey. As his escapades unfold Allan’s earlier life is revealed.
Our next meeting is on Tuesday 6th January 10.30
Contact: Linda 07795 064266 or Sandra 07823 501716

Ukulele Soup
Meet the band #34 – Paul ‘8 pints please’ King
After a long and relaxing career, Paul retired from the civil service to concentrate on sampling ales. He is an accomplished baritone ukulele player and enjoys exploring music, performing and finds joy in the mellow, resonant tones of his instrument.
Retirement has given Paul the freedom to blend a lifelong commitment to relaxation with a growing passion for music—proving it’s never too late to take life easy.
Together, Ukulele Soup create a musical recipe laced with comedy; perfect to warm your heart, please your ear and make you smile.
Influenced by jazz, soft rock and blues classics, and frequently described as “bringing joy”.
Suitable for all your community and private events.
For bookings contact Anne Kelsall annekelsall@hotmail.com 07790 013679

Bridge: Monday 7.00pm. We welcome
any experienced players preferably with a partner.
Tuesdays 1.30pm. This is a very friendly group who welcome players with some experience. Help is at hand to improve play and you do not need a partner as there is a host.
For further information contact Jenny Gower on 07910046651

Garstang Beginners Jewellery Workshops
Everyone Welcome. Contact for prices
With local Jewellery Designer and tutor of 25yrs
Every Wednesday evenings 7-9pm & a Saturday afternoon 1.30-4pm
Dates:-
•Wed 7th January 7pm Felt brooch
•Wed 14th January 7pm Silver Ring
•Wed 21st January 7pm Resin Jewellery Making
•Wed 28th January 7pm Beading Jewellery making
•Sat 17th Jan 1.30pm Silver Jewellery Making
Wishing you a Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year. We re-open on Wed 7th January 7pm
Book on to secure your place or pay on the side door
07791146675 Email lizjewellery@aol.com

Love painting Lancashire Garstang
Beginners Art Workshops limited places
Everyone Welcome• Contact for prices
With local Artist and Tutor
•Friday 16th January 7pm
Beginners winter Workshop
With Floral and Seasonal Themes,
Everything is included
More info and Book on 07857329805
or pay on the side door
We wish you a Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year.
lovepaintinglancashire@gmail.com

Garstang Art Club meet on Friday evenings Friday 23rd Jan 7pm Cumbrian Artist Greg Demonstration Pastel Lake District mountains and landscape
Costs:- £18 for visitors and £16 for members
Pay on the door or ring up or email details at the bottom

• Friday 30th Jan 7pm ‘ Paint and Try us out!’
• Everyone welcome to try us out for £5, for all levels of art. Your most welcome to borrow our art materials or bring your own
  Join us as a new member
  Cafe serving Fresh beans coffees and hot chocolates £3, Pot of Tea
  Contact garstangartclub@gmail.com or 07857329805

Wednesday Painting Group.
Our last meeting for the year was a Jacob’s Join, a lovely buffet and quiz was enjoyed by all. Our first meeting in the new year is Wednesday January 7th, 1pm to 4pm. All new members will be very welcome. After joining the art centre it is just £5 for the year to join the painting group, an absolute bargain. Our first guest artist is Graham Lowe giving an acrylic workshop on February 4th. Happy New Year to all.
For more information contact Carolyn 01253 812270 or Sandra 07823 501716

The John Towers Big Band
The John Towers Big Band had an excellent Christmas concert at Winmarleigh Village Hall in December. The audience as usual were very enthusiastic and showed their appreciation for our Christmas themed programme.
The Band will be having a well deserved rest in January so there won’t be a concert at Winmarleigh this month. However we will be back at Winmarleigh on Friday 20th February.
Don’t forget as usual there is a bar and hot food is available.
We rehearse every Friday (except for Concert days) at Garstang Arts Centre at 8pm and you are welcome to attend.
On behalf of everybody in The John Towers Big Band we hope you have a very Happy and Healthy New Year.
Contact :- Tony Berry (07850 061659)

Garstang Wine Circle – Monday 19th January 2026 @ 7.30pm. A new speaker – Alberto from Kendal is excited to bring us a selection of his wines to try. Visitors welcome. Anne Marie Whitehead 01995 603311

Tai Chi – Dates for January
Fridays 9th, 16th & 30th 1pm – 1:50pm and 2pm – 2:50pm
Taught by amateur practitioner Qimei Li, classes are aimed at beginners so everyone is welcome to come along and improve circulation, flexibility and de-stress. There’s a £3 teachers fee per session.

Songbirds
Well here we are January 2026 and many of us will be saying where did 2025 go!!!. Once a new year begins we are always full of resolutions etc the winter is still with us but we need to keep positive and engaged with all the many activities open to us here in Garstang. One such activity is singing and the joy we get from music. SONGBIRDS are now into their 15th year and still going strong, we probably started a trend, so come along to the Art Centre on Monday 12th January sing for pleasure (no auditions) meet new friends in a relaxing environment, you will be made very welcome. We meet on Mondays 1.30 – 3.15pm
May we wish you all the best of good health, peace and happiness for 2026. Remember KEEP SINGING!

Other Groups that meet at the Arts Centre
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 + 2nd & 4th Mondays 7-9pm
Paint & Chatter: Fri 10.00am – 12noon
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
w: http://www.garstangartssociety.org.uk
facebook: artcentre.garstang

Judy Osborne (07581 078888)