EXHIBITIONS
The five winning artists of the Open Competition in January, namely Emma Field, Pat Richardson, Clive Sayer, John Mole and Ruth Matthews will be holding a joint exhibition of their work from Tues. 28th July – Thurs. 20th Aug. An opportunity to purchase an original piece of art by a prizewinning artist.
PAINT GARSTANG 2026
Entry forms & information for the Paint Garstang 2026 plein air competition can now be found on our website. Our judge will be Garstang artist Glynn Ward. Closing date for entry is Fri. 7th Aug. when the registration form together with a £10 entry fee plus a declaration of your painting location must be with the organisers.
We very much hope you will take part in this popular event.
Sheila Tearle – 01995 603816
Garstang Summer Arts and Music Celebration 2026 – 6th August – 5th September
Join us in our Summer Arts and Music Celebration!
The Arts Centre will be host to a range of events across the festival, from Exhibitions, Talks, Live Concerts & Bands, Chinese People’s culture, History Walk and much much more.
There’s something for everyone to join in with and to make the most of the gorgeous summer sun!
For more information please visit our website: https://garstangartssociety.org.uk/garstang-celebration-of-art-and-music/
Or pick up a programme from the Arts Centre
Lunchtime Concerts – Thursdays 1.00 – 2.00pm July to September
August 6th Garstang Ululele Group
August 13th Sarah Garrish (Piano)
August 20th Ukulele Soup
August 27th Marton Singers
Sept 3rd Simon Halliday’s Legato Music School
Sept 10th Sounds Right (a seven piece swing band)
For more information go to www.garstangartssociety.org.uk
200 CLUB AUTUMN DRAW
Thank you to everyone who paid up for the whole year for their 200 Club draw numbers either in one payment before Easter or in two payments completed before the end of July. It makes the task so much easier, and enables the Art Centre management team to receive their benefit of 50% of the collected subs so much earlier.
The draw will be towards the end of the Arts Festival in September, exact date and venue to be decided. So please watch out for the Green Book entry next month and also the Arts Centre facebook notices.
At the time of writing there are still 12 numbers available for sale £6.50 each. So if you would like to be “in it to win it” please contact me as soon as possible. There are 10 prizes to be won between £200 and £20 – a very good return for £6.50.
Carolyn 07504148568 or email worthington70@outlook.com
Garstang Poetry Appreciation Group
The Poetry Appreciation Group’s August meeting will be held on Friday 28th at 2.00 pm in The Garstang Arts Centre. The theme this month will be ‘Poems About Fruit and Vegetables’. The meeting will be led by Eddie Potter.
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. Who knows, you may rekindle an old interest or discover a new one.
There is a cover charge of £1, refreshments are provided at the end of each meeting.
If you require further information contact Gary Walmsley on 07375657474.
Garstang Ukulele Group
Are you ready for Summer? We are! The past month has seen our ukulele group entertain a large number of enthusiastic spectators. Our first gig was at St Michael’s Gala. We were delighted to add a playlist of rock and roll tunes to the wonderful atmosphere that abounds when the heritage and culture of our community come together in our local galas.
The following week saw us returning to another of our favourite Summer venues, All Saints Church, Barnacre. The church itself is majestic, but bedecked in flower displays it was magnificent. We are always genuinely overwhelmed by the warmth of the welcome we receive and the willingness of our audiences to join in with our performances.
July also signals the start of the wonderful Summer Season of free lunchtime concerts every Thursday from 3rd July until 20th September at Garstang Art Centre. You will find us each Thursday from 11.15 to 12.30 playing in or around the Art Centre as the resident house band entertaining visitors in the build up to each concert.
We love keeping busy so alongside our busy gig schedule, we are also well into rehearsals for our own performance as part of the Summer Concert programme on August 6th. In the past we have delivered a Rock ‘n’ Roll Show and a Country and Western Extravaganza but this year promises to be something even more special. Come along and join us for our Simply the Best concert and enjoy a great selection of some of the best songs by simply the best artists.
Hope to see you there.
As ever, you can contact any member of our group, message us on our Facebook page, email Trevor Philips at mail@trevorphillips.co.uk or call 01995600378 – Ruth McBride
The Book Club
Our last book “Unsettled Ground” by Claire Fuller was given a unanimous thumbs up from the group, and although very sad it is well worth reading.
Our next book is “The Trader of Saigon” by Lucy Cruickshanks. Three desperate people whose lives collide in 1980’s Vietnam. Alexander, a US army deserter who trades women, Hanh, a girl trapped in poverty who thinks Alexander is the answer to her prayers and Phuc, a businessman who has gambled away everything to save his family and must now pay his debts.
Contact: Linda 07795 064266 or Sandra 07823 501716
Ukulele Soup
Influenced by jazz, soft rock and blues, and frequently described as “bringing joy”, Ukulele Soup are a musical treat laced with comedy – perfect to warm your heart, please your ear and make you smile.
Suitable for all your community and private events.
For bookings contact Anne Kelsall annekelsall@hotmail.com 07790 013679
Songbirds
We are now on our summer break and will resume on 14th September. We 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 –Avril Bevan
Wednesday Painting Group: The group meets at the Arts centre every Wednesday 1:00 -4:00pm and costs £5 annually on top of the Arts Centre subscription. In August the group will be painting in the courtyard and serving teas as part of the Summer Festival. Please come and see what we are up to, have a chat and a cup of tea. Carolyn- 01253812270/Sandra- 07823501716
The John Towers Big Band
Once more an enthusiastic audience enjoyed The John Towers Big Band’s performance at Winmarleigh Village Hall on Friday 17th July.
We will be at this award winning venue again on Friday 21st August with more Big Band favourites and we will be joined once again by our vocalist Lynn Kennedy.
The bar opens at 7pm and we “Strike Up The Band” at 8pm and don’t forget hot food is also available. Entrance as usual is free and there is a raffle and donations bucket
If you can’t make this performance we are also In concert at Garstang Arts Centre on the following Friday (28th) as part of Garstang Arts Festival..
This concert starts at 7.30pm and it is suggested that you book a table as space is limited
All proceeds will go to the Arts Centre.
Contact….Tony Berry (07850 061659)
Other Groups that meet at the Arts Centre, more details on the website.
Sounds Right: First & third Mon in the month, mornings
Scrabble Group: Tues 1.30pm – 4.00pm
Woolcraft Group: Tues 7.00 – 9.00pm & Friday 1.30 – 3.30pm
Needlework Group: Wed 10.00am – 12 noon
Garstang Chess Club: Tuesdays 7.00 – 9.30pm & Thurs 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Paint & Chatter: Fri 10.00am – 12noon
Creative Art: Fri 7.00pm – 9.00pm
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
w: www.garstangartssociety.org.uk
facebook: artcentre.garstang
twitter: ArtsGarstang
Judy Osborne (07581 078888)
Garstang Arts Centre 