Garstang Focus Magazine - January 2019 by Focus Magazines

Garstang FOCUS Your Free Monthly Magazine

Scorton - Cabus - Garstang - Bonds - Bowgreave Catterall - Churchtown - St Michaels January 2019

Issue 220

What’s on in Garstang

Wednesday

2nd

Meat Bingo - Winmarleigh Village Hall

Needlework Group - Garstang Arts Centre (weekly)

Thursday

Charity Coffee Morning - Garstang URC - Millenium Green

3rd

9 32 4

Garstang Stamp Club - ‘Australia’

Clay Modelling - Garstang Library

Time to Unwind - Garstang Library

IT Thursday Tablet Course - Garstang Library

Junior Coding Club - Garstang Library (6 week course)

Friday

Meat Bingo - Caldervale Country Club (also18th)

4th

Baby Bounce & Rhyme - Garstang Library (also Mons - weekly) 29

Storytime for the Under 5s - Garstang Library (weekly)

Saturday

Charity Coffee Morning - Caldervale Methodist Church

5th

Phoenix Dance Group - Barton Village Hall (weekly)

Garstang Town Council Surgery - Gartsnag Library

Share a Story - Garstang Library

Sunday

Bingo - Caldervale Country Club (weekly)

6th

Garstang Ukulele Group - Garstang Arts Centre (weekly)

Monday

Scottish Country Dance Group - Garstang URC (weekly)

7th

Bridge Group - Garstang Arts Centre (weekly)

Garstang Recorded Music Society - Garstang Arts Centre

Tuesday

8th

Forget-Me-Nots - Wesley’s Coffee Lounge (weekly)

Garstang Folk Dance Group - Garstang Arts Centre

Scorton WI - Scorton Methodist Chapel

‘Has Science Buried God?’ - Catterall Village Hall

Coffee Stop - Inglewhite Church (also 22nd)

Toddler Rhyme Time - Garstang Library (weeky)

Open Art Exhibition - Garstang Arts Centre

Bridge Group - Garstang Arts Centre (also 22nd & 29th)

Woolcraft - Garstang Arts Centre (also Fri)

Garstang Ladies Speaker’s Club - Garstang Golf Club (also 15th) 33

Wednesday 9th ‘Women’s Refuges’ - Garstang Phoenix WI Over Wyre & Garstang Focus Magazines www.focusmags.co.uk | (01253) 813433 | www.facebook.com/focusmags Event Advertising & Editorial: sue@focusmags.co.uk Business & Commercial Advertising: helen@focusmags.co.uk Postal submissions: Focus Magazine, 132 Highfield Rd, Blackpool, FY4 2HH Cover design by Phil S Clarkson | Printed by Moulton Printing | © Focus Magazines 2019

What’s on in Garstang

Wednesday

9th

Kirkland WI - Kirkland & Catterall Memorial Hall

South Lancaster Speaker’s Club - Methodist Church, Forton

6 18

‘Ferry Tales’ - Garstang Historical Society

Galloways Social Club - St Helen’s Church Hall

‘Get to Know Your French Cheeses’ - Garstang Library

Thursday

St Michael’s Ladies Social Club - Grapes Inn

Family History Group - Garstang Library

Saturday

12th

Garstang Fairtrade Meeting - Wesley’s Coffee Lounge

Sunday

13th

Sequence Dancing - Kirkland Memorial Hall (also 27th)

Monday

14th

Garstang Gardening Club - The Crofters

Tuesday

15th

Claughton Sequence Dance - Memorial Hall (also 29th)

10th

Coffee Stop - Catterall Village Hall

Floral Art Group - Garstang Arts Centre

Thursday

Garstang Stamp Club - Postcard Evening

17th

Soup & Sandwich Lunch - Inner Wheel

Monday

Garstang Town Council Meeting

Garstang Wine Circle - Garstang Arts Centre

Wednesday 23rd

Cherestanc WI - St Thomas’ Hall

South Lancaster Speaker’s Club - Methodist Church, Forton

Thursday

AGM - Cabus - Village Hall & Institute

21st

24th

Scottish Evening - Inner Wheel

Friday

Time to Chat - Garstang Library

25th

Poetry Appreciation Group - Garstang Arts Centre

Sunday

27th ‘Christianity Explored’ - St Helen’s Cafe, Churchtown

Thursday

31st

Garstang Stamp Club - Auction

6 18 9 10 8 30 14 5

FEBRUARY Friday

1st Beer Fest - Cockerham Village Hall

Sunday

3rd

Haffner Orchestra

February 2019 deadline for editorial and adverts is Monday 14th January February deliveries commence Thursday 24th January While every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine to ensure accuracy, Focus Magazines cannot be held responsible for editorial content supplied by contributors. Our acceptance of an editorial item or an advertisement does not necessarily indicate our endorsement of the products, services or views contained within it.

GARSTANG URC COFFEE MORNING

GARSTANG 3L’s

Garstang URC, Croston Rd, Garstang

Life Long Learning

Garstang URC Charity Coffee Mornings on the first Thursday of each month 10:00am – 12 noon at Garstang United Reformed Church, Croston Road.

There will be no meeting in January as members will be enjoying a meal together.

Thurs 3rd Jan Garstang Millenium Green (Presentation of Cheque). Thurs 7th Feb Rosemere Cancer Foundation (Preston). Hilary Ralphs (01995) 603056 Email: ralphs@garstang.eclipse.co.uk

CALDER VALE METHODIST CHURCH Monthly Coffee Mornings Sat 5th Jan 10:00am - 12 noon. Coffee Morning. Usual stalls, tea cakes etc. Sat 2nd Feb from 10:00am - 12 noon. Edith Gorst (01995) 602078

We start our meetings again on Fri 1st Feb with our A.G.M. Ruth Rendell (01995) 602006

ST JOHN’S CHURCH CALDER VALE A most enjoyable Holly Wreath and Card making night was held on Tues 27th Nov in Calder Vale Village Hall. Andrew Thompson helped us create a wonderful Holly Wreath and Rosemary Wainwright assisted us in making our own bespoke Christmas Cards. The event raised a fantastic £500 for St John’s Church Funds. Thanks to all who supported. Janet Simpson

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FORGET-ME-NOTS

GARSTANG STAMP CLUB

Wesley’s Coffee Lounge Garstang Methodist Church

Meetings are in the Meeting Room of Garstang Library from 7:30pm - 9:30pm on Thursdays unless otherwise shown.

Every Tuesday afternoon 1:00pm - 2:30pm. A lighthearted social group for friendship and chat, for people missing loved ones in any situation. Come and go as you please. Rev Keith available if needed.

Thurs 3rd Jan - ‘Australia’ - Justin McCall & Bob Sim Thurs 17th Jan - Postcard Evening Thurs 31st Jan - Auction

PHOENIX DANCE GROUP

Beginners and enquirers welcome to attend before joining. Subscriptions Adults £10 Under 18 £1.

Barton Village Hall

D. Jones (01995) 602665

We meet every Saturday from 7:45pm to 11:15pm. Come and join us and enjoy Sequence Dancing with music by Alan Cookson on the Key Board. Admission £4.00 including refreshments. Contact Christine (01995) 679264 or Hazel (01524) 791177.

GARSTANG FOLK DANCE GROUP

Bill Cowan

Alan & Joan Anderson (01524) 61483

Ruth Rendle

We meet on Tuesday evenings 7:30pm 9:30pm from September to May. We offer a varied programme of old and new English country dances. Beginners welcome.

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GARSTANG PHOENIX WI

KIRKLAND WI

Wed 9th Jan 2:00pm Garstang United Reformed Church Hall

Kirkland & Catterall Memorial Hall

We will be welcoming Diane Hawkins as our speaker at the January meeting. She will be giving us an insight into life in a Women’s Refuge. Any donations of bedding, towels or tinned food would welcome. If you are interested in this subject, you will be very welcome. We meet on the second Wednesday of each month. Visitors and new members are always welcome and members of the committee are always on hand to greet guests and introduce them to fellow members. May I take this opportunity on behalf of the committee, to wish all members both past and present, best wishes for the coming year. Lesley Wilson (01995) 605274

Kirkland WI meets on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 7:30pm at Kirkland and Catterall Memorial Hall, The Avenue, Churchtown, Nr. Garstang. Visitors always welcome. Dorothy Walmsley (01995) 602558

CHERESTANC WI Wed 23rd Jan 7:30pm St Thomas’ Hall, Church Street, Garstang PR3 1PA This first meeting of Cherestanc WI in 2019 will be a quiz and games night. We have an interesting and varied programme for the year ahead. Please feel free to come along and join us. It is a great way of getting to know local people. We meet on the 4th Wednesday of each month. New members and visitors always welcome. For further details, or to arrange for a current member to greet you at the door, please contact Eileen Berry (01995) 603005. Linda Bark

SCORTON WI Tues 8th Jan 7:30pm Scorton Methodist Chapel To welcome 2019, members of Scorton WI will bring their signature dish together with its recipe to be tasted and voted on. Scorton’s very own Great British Bake-off! New members are made very welcome. Why not make it your New Year resolution to try the WI? Mary Hodges (01995) 604755

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CLAUGHTON ON BROCK WI Christmas Party The party was held on Tue 4th Dec and it was a great start to the Christmas season. It was a glorious evening, with good food, lovely company and fabulous entertainment, with even an early visit from Father Christmas and the Golden Goose! The WI ladies provided a wonderful array of sweet and savoury dishes, so thank you everyone for your contributions. Entertainment was provided by The Butterfly Ladies, who not only sang interactive festive songs, but included a Christmas play which was a joy! Thank you Butterfly Ladies. The next meeting will be on Tues 5th Feb 7:30pm at Claughton Village Hall. Do join us. Maureen Collinson (01995) 640519

CABUS WI Wed 2nd Jan 7:30pm Cabus Village Hall Why not make a New Year’s resolution to join our group, you will be made very welcome. Margaret Swift (01995) 606676

GARSTANG GARDENING CLUB Mon 14th Jan 7:30pm The Crofters, A6, Cabus Club members will be taking a break from their usual monthly lecture in January to enjoy their annual dinner at The Crofters. The following month’s meeting will take place at the same venue on Mon 11th Feb when the speaker will be Michelle Unsworth of So Plants garden centre, near Longridge. Her topic will be ‘How to Create a Garden Centre From Scratch’. More details in the February issue of Focus. Roger Broadbelt (01253) 700878

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SEQUENCE DANCING Sun 13th & 27th Jan 8:00pm Kirkland Memorial Hall Held fortnightly. Dancing to John Lancaster. Betty Singleton (01995) 603253.

TIME TO CHAT Fri 25th Jan 10:30am - 12:30pm Garstang Library Would you like to come for a chat and make new friends in a friendly, informal group? Jenny and Netta would like to invite you to come down and join them at Time to Chat on the last Friday of every month at Garstang Library. For details contact Jenny 07905 903 955 or myself. Netta Blundell (01995) 604131

CALDERVALE COUNTRY CLUB What’s On Fri 4th & 18th Jan - Meat Bingo. Eyes down 7.30pm. Every Saturday night - Live entertainment, bingo and dancing. Every Sunday - Social Bingo - Eyes down 8:00pm. 2019 memberships available £12. Come and join this friendly, lively club. Ros Ashworth (01995) 603776

GARSTANG QUAKERS Quaker Meeting House Calder House Lane, PR3 1ZE. Garstang Quaker Meeting for Worship. Sundays 10:30am - 11:30am. All are welcome. Tea, coffee and talking after the Meeting! In addition, the Meeting House has rooms available for hire. Daphne Sanders (01995) 641284 www.lancsquakers.org.uk/garstang.php

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CLAUGHTON SEQUENCE DANCES Tues 15th Jan - Alan Cookson Tues 29th Jan - John Lancaster Claughton Memorial Hall Claughton Sequence Dancing for your enjoyment.with pleasant company, gentle exercise and good music. Beginners welcome. Price Â£3.50 including tea and biscuits. Contacts: Hazel (01524) 791177 or Christine (01995) 679264. Bill Cowan

CABUS VILLAGE HALL & INSTITUTE Registered Charity No. 22272 The Annual General Meeting of the Cabus Village Hall Management Committee will be held on Thurs 24th Jan at 7:30pm at the Hall. Ruth Bruce brucemr@btinternet.com

ROSEMERE CANCER FOUNDATION Supporting Cancer Treatment in Lancashire and South Cumbria Coffee Morning Thurs 7th Feb 10:00am - 12 noon. Come along and join us for some coffee and cake, as well as for a Rosemere raffle and our famous tombola! We would love to see you there so why not bring along your friends and pop in to see us for a brew. Rebecca Hall (01772) 523598

MEAT BINGO Wed 2nd Jan, 7:30pm Winmarleigh Village Hall Every 1st Wednesday of the month from September to May inclusive. Eyes Down 7:30pm. Refreshments Included. Hilary Fryer

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SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE GROUP We meet on Monday evenings at 7:30pm from September to May in the United Reformed Church Hall, Croston Road, Garstang. Our programme includes a range of dances to suit all abilities. New members are always welcome - no previous dancing experience required. Just come along and have a go!

Sandwich lunch in a member’s house to raise funds for one of our charities. Then on Thurs 24th Jan we are to have a Scottish evening. We meet at the Best Western Golf hotel 7:00pm for 7:30pm.

INNER WHEEL

A date for your new diary is our annual Charity Quiz to be held in the Garstang United Reformed Church Hall on Sat 16th Feb. Further details of this will be in the February edition of Focus Magazine. For any further information please contact me.

We wish you all a Happy New Year.

Christine Holland (01995) 606579

For any further information, contact Pam (01995) 603536 or Ian (01995) 603998 Marlene Towns

We have many things planned for 2019. Our first meeting on Thurs 10th Jan is a dinner meeting when we welcome our District Chairman. On Thurs 17th Jan we will have a Soup and

GARSTANG TOWN COUNCIL Moss Lane Following some successful funding bids the Town Council will be looking to carry out consultations on equipment. It is planned to do this by setting up an exhibition in the Library, putting details on the Town Council’s website and using Facebook. We also would like to involve our local primary schools. Feedback from this will be used to draw up a specification and obtain quotes. Council Surgery The next Town Council surgery will be Sat 5th Jan at Garstang Library, between 10:00am and 12 noon. Two Councillors will be available during our surgery to discuss questions or concerns regarding the Garstang ward. Council Meeting The next Council meeting will be held at 7:30pm on Mon 21st Jan. Don’t forget to check our Facebook page or website at www.garstangtowncouncil.org for regular updates. Mrs Edwina Parry - Town Clerk 07592 792 801

Did you know that you can read the “Green Book” on line?

See our website : www.focusmags.co.uk

HEALTH ADVICE Happy New Year to you all. Here we go again! As the year begins to race away from us and the festive season recedes I thought I’d offer up a rather sobering thought to help recovery from over indulgence. Did you know that the third highest cause of death in America is correctly prescribed drugs? Approximately 100,000 people a year die in the US from this! Now I don’t know about you but when I look at that it fills me with horror. I work as an osteopath and I can assure you right now that if just one person died from an osteopathic treatment it would be headline news and there would be accusations of quackery and that we should be banned. How can it be that the medical profession can allow this kind of figure to continue? Doctors are dedicated, hard working and determined to do their best for their patients.

Are we beginning to over rely on symptom management? For example if you have high blood pressure walking for half an hour a day for two months can be more effective at lowering blood pressure and even helping diabetes and arthritis than any drugs available. Doctors make these suggestions but human beings are lazy and it can be easier to prescribe a drug. So we pop a pill as a magic fix without any thought as to the long term consequences of doing this. Underlying this we have powerful pharmaceutical companies whose very existence depends on illness and prescribing magic fixes rather than our population being taught how to be healthy. Prevention is not as profitable. Yes folks there is a deep cynicism that exists for profit that underpins much of our health system. Our front line health professionals rely upon information from these drug companies regarding what they should be offering patients. So I advise you all to take great care this year with your medication and be aware - your body wants to be healthy and if you give it the right conditions - exercise, socially connected to other people, real food, laughter and fresh air it will begin to find good health. Be suspicious of quick fixes! Nick Tofalos

SEQUENCE STEPPERS Charity Dance Group We meet on alternate Thursdays at Barton Village Hall. Dancing from 7:45pm to 11:15pm with various music groups. Home made refreshments. Admission £3. We donate all our profits to local charities. Barbara Holden (01995) 601348

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CHRISTIANITY EXPLORED Sun 27th Jan 7:30pm St. Helen’s Café, Churchtown In this New Year, how about a new outlook on life? St. Helen’s Church, Churchtown is hosting a seven-week ‘Christianity Explored’ course in its Parish Rooms, behind the church (otherwise known as the St. Helen’s Café). It will take place every Sunday evening at 7:30pm beginning on Sun 27th Jan. It is a relaxed and informal course and it’s for anyone who wants to think about the meaning of life. The format will be as follows: 7:30pm 8:00pm free tea/coffee and sweet/savoury snacks.

around the café tables. 8:45pm invitation to the local pub. Everybody welcome! Cost is free. Mark Rivers-Bland 07956 520 242

CHURCH BUT NOT ON A SUNDAY Church but not on a Sunday invites you to join this New Year Event ‘Has Science Buried God?’ How does Science fit with Christianity? An exploration of the evidence with Dr. John Lockley who currently works at UCLAN. Starting Tues 8th Jan at 7:30pm then on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month for six sessions, meeting in Catterall Village Hall. All Welcome. Cost £2 to include light refreshments.

8:00pm - 8:15pm a short video presentation on the gospel of Mark.

For more information call me or visit the Inglewhite Church website.

8:15pm - 8:45pm small group discussion time

Lesley Hardman 07980 070 349

GARSTANG PAINTING GROUP The Garstang Painting Group starts off in 2019 by wishing everybody a really bright and colourful New Year. January sees the start of the annual Open Exhibition at the Garstang Arts Centre, so - get out all the new paints and brushes and prepare your palettes for a year of exciting meetings, including a wonderful variety of workshops and demonstrations by professional artists already planned. But sorry, first it is subscription time! A mere detail but very important as only members can join in the activities that lie ahead this year and are not to be missed! So, for more information just pop in and meet us on Wednesday afternoons at the Garstang Arts Centre between 1:00pm and 4:00pm or contact Carolyn Wood (01253) 812270. Bill Barnes

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• • • • • • •

FULL & PARTIAL DENTURES

Do you have problems with your full or partial dentures? Do you want dentures that fit well, are comfortable and look fabulous? Are you prevented from choosing the foods you like? Do you get food underneath your dentures? Would you like dentures that look just like natural, healthy teeth? Do you want well fitting dentures without needing implants? Do you want dentures that no one knows are dentures?

Dr Finlay Sutton

If the answer to any of the above is yes then Dr Finlay Sutton (Dentist who is a specialist in replacing missing teeth - Prosthodontics) along with his in-house dental technician, Mr Rowan Garstang are here to help you, in Garstang. Finlay says: “I love making dentures and love changing peoples’ lives. I am fortunate in having one of the worlds best dental technicians working with me in the practice. When it comes to dentures the key to success is for them to be incredibly comfortable and look as natural as possible, mirroring original teeth characteristics as closely as possible, so that no one knows they are dentures.” Dr John Besford, world famous former specialist in prosthodontics said of Finlay: “Together with Rowan Garstang, his accomplished laboratory technician, Finlay is now producing some of the finest denture work - both functionally and aesthetically, in the world. The difference that this is making to his patient’s lives is obvious from the improved contours of their faces and the enhanced sparkle in their eyes by the end of treatment. It is as if Brenda Before their souls have been refreshed.” Finlay is renowned for his work with dentures and has patients travelling to see him from far and wide, throughout the UK and abroad – he is recognised as one of the country’s leading specialists in removable prosthodontics and regularly teaches other dentists and technicians on the art of making dentures.

Brenda’s Testimonial

Since having my dentures done I have been delighted with the results – and I know how much of a diﬀerence they have made because of the comments from all my friends and family who say my smile and face is totally transformed. My only regret is not having this done sooner. I can’t believe how natural they look and how comfortable they are - they have reshaped my jaw and face - it was more than worth doing.

Brenda After

www.garstangdrp.co.uk Garstang Dental Referral Practice Weind House, Park Hill Road, Garstang PR3 1EL 01995 606091 | office@garstangdrp.co.uk

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GARSTANG WINE CIRCLE At the meeting on Mon 19th Nov Mick Gould presented an interesting and varied selection of wines from North America. His entertaining presentation and interesting selection of wines made for a very enjoyable evening. The Circle held its Christmas Social on the Sat 15th Dec at the Arts Centre. A very windy and wet evening did not deter the hardy members of the Circle from attending the proceedings. The theme for the evening was ‘Garstang goes to the Movies’. Some of the members did attend in costume and the evening’s entertainment reflected the theme.

‘race track’. We had a fiendishly difficult film quiz set by Brian Heaton, which had us all trying to remember the films, stars and theme tunes seen and heard over many years. Ann Wicks delivered a hilarious monologue about the making of a Christmas cake. However the person making the cake imbibes most of the booze intended to go in the cake, and by the end of the monologue is incapable of reading or following the instructions in the recipe!

There was a game that our chairman Alan Jefferson set up, based on the car race in the film ‘Grease’.

Tables were also set the challenge of producing a film script in a game of consequences. Then there was an excellent buffet, prepared by Anne Whitehead and the catering team.

Representatives of the two gangs, the T-Birds (Rosemary Stokes) and the Pink Ladies (Lynne Ridings) battled for supremacy on the

The wines for the evening, of which there was an ample sufficiency, including fizz, white, pink and red, were selected by Guy Pugh.

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GARSTANG WINE CIRCLE (cont) The musical and video entertainment was compiled and overseen by Steve Ridings.

local communities are there to serve tea and coffee as well as cake or a toasted tea cake.

The group rolled home after an excellent evening, cheered by good food, wine and Christmas Spirit!

Our aim is to provide a safe and friendly place for us to get together and make new connections.

The next circle meeting will be held on Mon 21st Jan at 7:30pm in the Arts Centre when Mike Harwood from Waitrose will be presenting a selection of wines from South Africa.

If you’re new to the area or if you’ve previously considered coming along it would be great to welcome you as we begin 2019.

Details of the meeting can be obtained from Alan Jefferson (01995) 601842. Mervyn Stokes

We open at 10:00am and close around 12 noon. Why not call in for any part of the morning that suits you? Free parking, cycle space and disabled access are available at both venues.

Coffee Stop opens as a community cafe on most Tuesday mornings.

We look forward to welcoming you during January at Inglewhite Church on Tues 8th & 22nd Jan, Catterall Village Hall on Tues 15th Jan.

Volunteers from Inglewhite Church and the

Lesley Hardman 07980 070 349

COFFEE STOP

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ST MICHAEL’S LADIES SOCIAL CLUB Christmas party time!

to all, after a very enjoyable evening.

Birthday wishes were sang to Lis Isles and Hilda Johnson and members thanked for their support over the last year. Next year will be the Club’s 11th year.

On Thurs 10th Jan at 7.30 we will be meeting for a social evening at the Grapes Inn when we can welcome the New Year!

Many thanks go to Jeanette Martin for her diligent help as Treasurer and to Julie Carter as backup. Also thanks to members who have found speakers. I have enjoyed chairing the Social Club and before that arranging the programme for the old W.I. However Lis Isles has agreed to take the chair for 2019. I wish her well with the endeavour. Members then enjoyed the Christmas party at the Grapes Inn. The delicious food was beautifully presented, the conversations convivial, plus table prizes! A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year was wished

Judith Hunter

SOUTH LANCASTER SPEAKERS CLUB Hollins Lane, Forton

A New Year. A new hobby for you. Give it a try. Why not? ‘I love it’, ‘Amazing’, ‘I wish I had joined years ago’. Just a few comments the new members have made. The new South Lancaster Speakers Club (for both men and women) is up and running. Friendly and welcoming with no pressure. People join us to help themselves become more confident in work and everyday life situations. People join us to socialise. People

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SOUTH LANCASTER SPEAKERS (cont)

GARSTANG HISTORICAL SOCIETY

join us for a variety of reasons. There are no bounds.

Garstang United Reformed Church Wed 9th Jan 7:30pm

The Club meets most 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from September to May at Hollins Lane Methodist Church Schoolroom, Hollins Lane, Forton, PR3 0AB, (½ mile east off A6). 7:30 pm.

Over Wyre-based author Angela Norris is our guest speaker for the January meeting.

Pop these dates in your diary and come to Forton on Wed 9th & 23rd Jan and then on Wed 13th & 27th Feb. No obligation and all welcome.

The talk covers not just the various ferryboats, but also tales told by former passengers about their adventures on the often choppy waters of the River Wyre estuary getting to school and work. Some passengers even found romance on the ferry!

For more details contact David Knox (01524) 805554; Email: davidknox49@hotmail. co.uk Become a better speaker, better presenter and better leader or just make new friends! www.speakersclubs.uk Diana Douglas (01995) 602560 dianamdickinson@gmail.com

The former Garstang Courier journalist will be talking about ‘Ferry Tales’ – a history of the Knott End to Fleetwood ferry service.

Much of the talk and presentation will be based on Angela’s research on both sides of the River Wyre for her recent book ‘Ferry Tales’ Refreshments will be available in the church hall following the meeting. Members: free. Visitor fee £3. Peter Burrell (01995) 601054

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GARSTANG FAIRTRADE The date of our next meeting is Sat 12th Jan at Wesleys Coffee Lounge (attached to Garstang Methodist Church – Park Hill Road) at 10:00am. We will be discussing how we can get involved with Fairtrade Fortnight which this year will feature Fairtrade cocoa and chocolate. If you have any suggestions or thoughts or just want to show your support, then come along for a chat. Everyone will be given a warm welcome. As it is the season of good will, the group would like to wish all our followers a very Happy Christmas and a Happy 2019 and please continue to give Fairtrade your support. We would also like to say a big thank you to all of you who visited the Group at the Victorian Evenings. We hope you enjoyed the Human

Fruit Machine and the winner of the Fairtrade Hamper was Hilary McGrath, the Town Crier. Enjoy your goodies Hilary. Peter Ryder

GARSTANG ST THOMAS’ CHURCH 2nd Sunday - 10:30am - Sunday for Everyone, an informal, contemporary service for all. 4th Sunday - 7:00pm - Café Church, an informal service in the Parish Hall with tea and cake! Sunday Club for young people aged 4 - 14. A fun way to learn and grow with Jesus. Meets in church at 10:25am every Sunday. Friday Youth for young people aged 10 - 16. A term time only programme of films, sports, crafts and games. £1:50 a week. 7:30pm 9:00pm on Friday night in the Parish Hall next to St Thomas’ church. For more info on either contact tsperring@ gmail.com or message our Facebook page. Judy Osborne (01995) 600966

CATTERALL IN BLOOM As the New Year begins, the Catterall in Bloom team reflect on what has been an extraordinary 2018, when the RHS honoured us with Gold and also the MVS trophy for the Best Large Village in the North West. We are a new team, which only started four years ago, and to receive these accolades which other villages work years to achieve, is amazing. The members of the Bloom team

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CATTERALL IN BLOOM (cont) have been brilliant and each has a skill which has shone out over the last twelve months. Who knew that so many talented people lived in Catterall? The team painted railings and gates, watered and weeded in the scorching summer, helped plan the flower beds, made crochet daisies, went litter picking, scrubbed pots and containers, mowed grass verges, made scones for the judges, and a million other vital jobs which all tied up magically to make the Gold happen. These heroes are the reason for our success. Thank you all. Well done to Beaconsfield Terrace for their Neighbourhood Thriving award, which reflects their amazing transformation in this, their first year of entering. Lodge Park and Stones Lane received Outstanding for their Neighbourhoods. Well done everyone. Your front gardens were astoundingly beautiful

and much admired by the judges. Catterall is looking fabulous all year round, and it is thanks not only to the Bloom team, but to everyone who supported us with funding and kind words of encouragement. The Parish Council has already pledged to fund us again in 2019, when we will be judged not only as part of North West in Bloom but also nationally alongside Garstang, in the Britain in Bloom competition. If Gerry Dagger can win Best Private Front Garden in the North West at the age of 89, then there is hope for us all! Well done Gerry you are an inspiration to us all. It is also a wonderful testimony to the many years of hard work from Tim Hoyles, our Parish Lengthsman, that we received a Gold in the final year before his retirement. He deserves a huge thank you for keeping Catterall looking the best it has ever been.

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CATTERALL IN BLOOM (cont) Would you like to join our winning team in 2019? We would welcome you, even if you can only spare an hour here and there. Bring your trowel and we’ll provide the laughter and companionship! Thank you to everyone who has supported Catterall in Bloom. We couldn’t have done it without you. Happy New Year to you all. Netta Parker (01995) 605385 / 07508 144 181

GALLOWAYS SOCIAL CLUB A very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year to you all. We meet once again after our Christmas break at St Helen’s Church Hall, Churchtown at 2:00pm on Wed 9th Jan. Our meetings, which are open to anyone who suffers from eye problems, are held every

fortnight, so why not come along and join us, have a natter over a cup of tea with others with similar problems, and on a regular basis be entertained by speakers or musicians? For those people who live in the Garstang/ Catterall areas we may be able to provide free transport to and from the meetings. For more information please do not hesitate to contact me. Lorna Musgrave (01995) 471319

PILLING HISTORICAL SOCIETY Tues 8th Jan 7:30pm Methodist Church Meeting Room ‘My Work as a Local History Detective’ - Steve Halliwell. We meet on the first Tuesday in the month from September to March. Annual subscription £10. Visitors £2. Everyone welcome. Mary Shepherd (01253) 790306

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GARSTANG’S GREAT WAR PROJECT 2014 - 2018 Four years ago, with the backing of Garstang Historical Society, an appeal was launched for financial sponsorship for the proposed book ‘Garstang’s Great War Heroes’ about the life and sad deaths of the 19 servicemen from Garstang, Bonds and Bowgreave, whose names are listed on Garstang’s war memorial. Through the generosity of local people

£3,800 was raised. Publication went ahead in autumn 2015. In November 2015 copies were given to pupils of Garstang Community Primary, St Thomas’s CE, SS Mary and Michael Catholic Primary schools and Garstang Academy. Every Remembrancetide from November 2016 the first year intake of pupils at the three primary schools have been given copies. Sales between November 2015 and October 2018 raised around £2,000, all of which has been given to Garstang Poppy Appeal. Between 2014 and 2018 Paul G Smith gave many lectures in the area on Great War topics, including one to a packed audience at St Thomas’s Parish Hall on the evening of Sun 11th Nov (ticket sales from that event raised £480 which was donated to the 2018

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GREAT WAR PROJECT (cont) poppy appeal). Displays of old photos and local historical material linked to the Great War have been held throughout Garstang and district. In addition to those who initially helped (whose names are listed in the book) we would also like to thank: Garstang Town Trust (use of the Market House display window), Maureen Spiers (treasurer of Garstang Historical Society), Market Place News (book sales), Liz Cripps (tourist office, book sales), Garstang Arts Centre, KwikKutz, Dewlay, Towers & Gornall (book sales), Garstang CP, Garstang St Thomas’s CE and SS Mary and Michael Catholic schools (for enthusiasm and support), several Town Councillors and recent Town Mayors including Cllr Leah Hynes (for support), Joe Gilmour (loan of display boards) and Garstang residents who have thanked us for our efforts.

Free copies of ‘Garstang’s Great War Heroes’ will continue to be donated to the first year intake of the three Garstang primary schools every November, and the book will remain on sale (£5) at Market Place News and the Visit Garstang tourist bureau until the print run is exhausted, which will probably be in the early to mid-2020s. Proceeds from sales of the book will continue to be donated to Garstang Poppy Appeal. * Any young person living within the boundaries of township/civil parish of Garstang or the Bonds/Bowgreave area (the area of Barnacre west of the railway line) who has, for whatever reason, not yet received a free copy of the book, should ask their parent or guardian to contact us via the number below. Paul G Smith, Winmarleigh Anthony Coppin (01995) 605824

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that this is kept updated and switched on. Remember that smartphones and tablets can get compromised as much as computers. Always install operating system, program and app updates when prompted, as these frequently contain security fixes and improvements. If possible, get them to update automatically. Wi-Fi hotspots in places like cafes, bars and hotel rooms are NOT secure, so never use them when you’re doing anything confidential online. Instead, use 3G or 4G or consider using a VPN (virtual private network). Never reveal too much personal or financial information in emails, on social networking and dating sites and in person. You never know who might see it or use it. Whether online or on the phone, people aren’t always who they claim to be. Fake emails and phone calls are a favourite way for fraudsters to approach their victims. Don’t click on links in emails , posts, tweets or texts – and don’t open attachments – if the source isn’t 100% known and trustworthy, or it seems strange that you’d be receiving them. Never pay for anything by direct bank transfer – including goods, services, tickets, travel and holidays – unless it’s to someone you know personally and is reputable. Take your time and think twice, because everything may not be as it seems. Remember that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

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For further information on any of these points, you can check out the Get Safe Online website, or for these or any questions and concerns about computer security etc then please do get in touch with me. Joan Bailey 07528 173 891

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GARSTANG LIBRARY Special Events Garstang Library is always looking for events for the local community. If you think you have something that would be of interest or would like to discuss using the Library as a venue for an event please contact us at garstang. library@lancashire.gov.uk Share a Story - Every Saturday 10:00am - 11:00am. Come along with your family to our fun, informal and friendly sessions which support families to read and share stories together. Ideal for those who want to build their confidence in reading whilst having fun. Family History Thursday 10:30am - 12 noon noon beginning Thurs 10th Jan. Ever wondered about your Family History? Don’t know where to start? Then why not sign up for a free course designed to help you navigate and research your family history online using our free Library resources, with our new

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Family History Volunteer. Discover your roots and fill in the branches on your family tree! Booking is essential. Clay Modelling Thurs 3rd Jan 10:00am 12 noon. Join Eryl Fryer once again for a fun clay modelling session. £3.00 per child. Lancashire Adult Learning Courses Look out for details of courses being held by Lancashire Adult Learning at Garstang Library, but please note some courses are subject to a charge. Get to know your French Cheeses Wed 9th Jan 10:00-12:00 noon. This is a free event but to enrol contact the Library or visit www.lal.ac.uk Time to Unwind Join us in the Library every Thursday afternoon from 2:30pm - 4:00pm for adult colouring, jigsaws and a friendly chat over a cup of tea or coffee. This is a free event. Tablet Course - Thurs 10:00am - 11:00am. Did Santa bring you a tablet? Have you purchased a tablet device? Would you like to learn how to use your tablet and find out about the Library’s digital resources? This four week Beginner’s Course is designed to help you feel more confident using your tablet. Booking essential. Borrow Box E Books Please note - If you require any help with our E Book Service please don’t hesitate to ask a member of staff who will be happy to help or show you the service on your chosen device. Junior Coding Club - Are you aged 9-11? Join our free Coding Club Thursdays 5:45pm - 6:45pm for 6 weeks of learning and fun about the world of programming with our experts. Please contact the Library for further details on how to book a place on the next available course.

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GARSTANG LIBRARY (cont) Children’s Activities Baby Bounce and Rhyme - Mon and Fri at 10:00am - 10:30am. Toddler Rhyme Time - Tues at 2:00pm 2:30pm. Storytime for the Under 5’s - Fri at 2:00pm 2:30pm.

Ducketts Lane, Claughton-on-Brock 9:20am - 9:30am. Please note, routes and dates can be subject to change. Garstang Library 03001 236 703

For more information or to book a place at any of the above events, please telephone 03001 236 703 or search online at: www.eventbrite.co.uk garstang.library@lancashire.gov.uk www.lancashire.gov.uk/libraries www.lancashire.gov.uk Alternativley, you can just pop into the Library and speak to a member of staff. Mobile Libraries The Mobile Library routes for January will be as follows: Scorton Wed 9th & 30th Jan Mytten Hall, Scorton 9:15am - 9:40am. Brook Ave, Scorton 9:45am -10:05am. Near Scorton C of E School 10:10am 10:40am.

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GARSTANG ARTS CENTRE January Exhibition The entries for the Open Art Competition and Exhibition may be viewed at the Arts Centre from Tues 8th Jan. We are delighted to welcome professional artist Peter Threlfall as our judge this year and he will present the prizes to the five winners on Sat 12th Jan at 11:00am in the Arts Centre.

of scope and it’s not too taxing after the New Year’s festivities! Enjoy choosing the answers. As usual it will be a very interesting session. Visitors are always very welcome. Come and sit and listen or join in if you wish. Marie Whalley (01995) 603605 Craft & Collectors’ Fair

All paintings are for sale, an opportunity to purchase an original piece of art.

The first of this year’s Craft & Collectors’ Fairs is on Sat 16th Feb and they then run every two months in April, June and August. If you are interested in having a stall please contact Marie Whalley (01995) 603605.

Sheila Tearle (01995) 603816

Garstang Floral Art Group

Poetry Appreciation Group

The first meeting in the New Year for the Garstang Floral Art Group will be held in the Arts Centre on Tues 15th Jan at 2:00pm.

Everyone is welcome to attend this presentation when Peter will give a short critique of the artists’ work.

Fri 25th Jan 2:00pm - 4:00pm. This month’s topic, in which we can all take part, is ‘Poets who begin with R ,S or T ’, so there is plenty

The meeting will open with a quick AGM followed by speaker Susan Coyne, who will demonstrate how we can produce lovely floral arrangements using a bunch of flowers from the supermarket. Susan will also show us how to upcycle unwanted items in a creative way. This is Susan’s first visit to the Group and promises to be something quite different. Arrangements will be raffled after the demonstration. Visitors are always very welcome at this friendly group and light refreshments will be served after the presentation. Contact June (01995) 602505 or Mary (01995) 605210. The Ukulele Part 3 As children, many rock and pop stars in the 20th Century learned to play their first chords on a ukulele. But the ukulele was increasingly seen as a toy rather than a serious instrument and the electric guitar can make a very different sound! Where would Jimi Hendrix

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GARSTANG ARTS CENTRE (cont) be if he’d stuck to his ukulele? In the 1960s Tiny Tim did manage to make the charts while playing his ukulele, but in many ways, he was playing its (near) death march. However, by the mid-1980s a new breed of ukulele player was emerging as the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain began to combine humour and great musicality into an act that is still touring the world. And in 2002 we had that iconic moment when Joe Brown played the final song at the Concert for George on his ukulele – ‘I’ll see you in my dreams’. Elsewhere in the USA many ukulele professionals were emerging and the phenomena of community ukulele groups was beginning. People were discovering that the ukulele was relatively easy to learn and could be used to play a wide range of popular music. What’s more, because of the low sustain of the ukulele, large groups could play together and sound better, something that is not so easy with guitars. This community musical movement quickly spread to the UK and to Europe and most towns now support several ukulele groups in pubs, clubs and community centres as well as U3As. While many of these groups are dominated by retired people, the ukulele has also begun to replace the recorder as the primary instrument in junior schools. Garstang is part of that movement. Our group has been running for just over three years now and while people come and go our membership remains strong at between 40 - 50. Many of the people in our group also belong to other groups – Lancaster U3A, Preston Strummers, Woodplumpton, Morecambe,

Halton. We also have several individuals and small groups who will perform in concerts and open mic events. In October 2015, most of those who first joined the group had not played a ukulele or guitar before, yet by Easter of 2016 we played our first performance to the Parkinson’s Disease Society in Preston and have been invited back ever since. If you fancy joining us, do please come along to Garstang Arts Centre on any Sunday afternoon. We are there from 1:00pm and play between 2:00pm - 4:00pm. Bob Sapey www.garstangukulelegroup.co.uk Bridge Group This month the Arts Centre Bridge Group will meet on Mon 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th Jan at 7:00pm and Tues 8th, 22nd & 29th at 1:30pm.

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GARSTANG ARTS CENTRE (cont)

An Introduction to Bridge

usually on the first Monday at 7:30pm. David Greenwood will open our 2019 season on Mon 7th Jan with a programme titled ‘Absolute Beginners’. He won’t say what that means, so you will have to come along to find out!

We will soon be running a series of lessons. No prior knowledge is required as we will be starting at the very beginning. It’s a golden opportunity to learn a bit about the game that’s enjoyed by millions of people. You will be assured of a warm welcome with a coffee/ tea and premium biscuit after the lesson. Bridge is never boring. If you are not trying to make a contract you are doing your best to stop one. If you are at all interested and you would like to know more please don’t hesitate to contact me. Full details, times and dates will be published in the next issue of Focus. Contact Bob at burns147@btinternet.com or on (01995) 603524. Recorded Music Group The group meets monthly in the Arts Centre,

JC Country

Visitors are always welcome. We ask members for £1, visitors £2. Refreshments are available at the interval at no further charge. For more information, find us on the Arts Society web site, or phone Gordon Semple (01995) 602337 or David Greenwood (01995) 602875 - or just come along! Folk Dance Group We meet on Tuesday evenings 7:30pm 9:30pm from September to May. We offer a varied programme of old and new English country dances. Beginners welcome. This month’s dates are Tues 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th Jan. Contact Alan & Joan Anderson (01524) 61483. Needlework Group

Lifestyle Clothing & We meet in the Arts Centre on Wednesday Wellie Specialists mornings from 10:00am to 12 noon. If

you enjoy knitting, crochet, embroidery, patchwork, applique or would like to learn, do come and join this friendly, helpful group.

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Contact Ann Kelsall (01995) 606408 or just turn up! Woolcraft If you are interested in woolcrafts (knitting, crochet, maybe felting) or would like to know what we do, please come along to the Arts Centre in Garstang at 7:00pm on Tuesday evenings (except the first of the month) or Friday afternoons at 2:00pm, where we will make you very welcome. We work on individual and group projects, often raising money for charities. Everyone is welcome, experienced or beginner. We would like to thank everyone who bought

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GARSTANG ARTS CENTRE (cont) our handicrafts or donated money to our cause. We are thrilled that we could raise so much especially as we are a very small team, but we love what we do! Contact Kate Crook 07759 659 004. Judy Osborne (01995) 600996

GARSTANG LADIES SPEAKERS Make A New Year Resolution Have you decided that this year you will do something different? Do you want to feel more confident? Do you have to speak at business meetings? Do you have a special occasion coming up at which you will have to speak to an audience? Or maybe it’s that all important job interview? If you would like the opportunity to improve your speaking and listening skills and build your confidence, come along to Garstang Ladies Speakers Club, put your resolution to work and see what can be achieved in this friendly supportive environment. At our first meeting of 2019 the title for our talks is ‘Old Wives’ Tales’. Our members will have many different takes on this title but all will be interesting, entertaining and very often funny. The Club meets in the comfortable surroundings of the Garstang Country Hotel & Golf Club on the first and third Tuesday of each month from September to May with the first meeting of the New Year being on the Tues 8th Jan at 7:30pm, and then on Tues 15th Jan. Visitors are always very welcome. Come along and see what it’s all about. For more information visit www. garstangladiesspeakersclub.org or find us on Facebook. To contact a club member phone Pat Goodenough (01995) 238315. Sue Hubbard barleyfold@madasafish.com

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CAT SMITH MP First of all, I hope you had an enjoyable Christmas and I’d like to wish you all a very happy New Year. The early part of this year will obviously be dominated by Brexit but as ever the needs and concerns of my constituents will continue to be my greatest priority as I prepare to return to Westminster. If I can be of any help to you then please email me or call my constituency office. There’s been concern in Over Wyre about ambulance response times. Some weeks ago I wrote to the North West Ambulance Service requesting details about how long it takes for paramedics to attend rural constituents in Knott End, Preesall and Pilling. The service has replied with average response times calculated between September 2017 and September 2018.

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For serious life threatening emergencies like cardiac arrest or allergic reaction it took an ambulance on average 37 minutes to reach Pilling, 29 minutes to reach Preesall and 25 minutes to get to Knott End. Regionally these calls will be responded to in an average time of 7 minutes and at least 9 out of 10 times within 15 minutes. For emergency calls to illnesses like strokes, burns or epilepsy the average ambulance time to Preesall was 1 hour and 3 minutes, 53 minutes to Pilling and 51 minutes to Knott End. Regionally these calls will be responded to in an average time of 18 minutes and at least 9 out of 10 times within 40 minutes. For urgent calls which include late stages of labour, non-severe burns and diabetes it took ambulances on average 2 hours and 33 minutes to reach Pilling, 2 hours and 29 minutes to get to Knott End and 2 hours and 27 minutes to reach Preesall. Regionally

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CAT SMITH MP (cont) these types of calls will be responded to at least 9 out of 10 times within 120 minutes. For less urgent calls like vomiting and urinary infections it took paramedics 2 hours and 18 minutes to get to Knott End and 1 hour and 44 minutes to get to Preesall – there were no recorded figures for Pilling. Regionally these less urgent calls will be responded to at least 9 out of 10 times within 180 minutes. Rural areas are already at a disadvantage when it comes to the provision of services and public transport but I’m particularly concerned that response times are so poor for emergency and urgent calls. I’ll be asking what can be done to improve these times. If you have observations or concerns then please get in touch with me. Staying with health, November 2018 saw the worst A&E November performance on record. Just 87.6 per cent of patients were seen within o We als ton s in g lo ly supp logs & ets of bags, n ﬁregrates g, kindlin h more m & uc

4 hours, against the target of 95 per cent. There are still 4.3 million people on the NHS waiting list. 1,940 people were stuck in the back of an ambulances for over 60 minutes during the week commencing 3rd December and bed occupancy in December was 94.2%, nearly 10% above the recommended level deemed as safe for patients. Winter is only just beginning for our NHS and these are hugely concerning figures that don’t bode well for the difficult months ahead. Ministers must start prioritising patients’ interests by outlining proposals for the NHS this winter. It would be totally unforgivable if patients suffered another winter crisis like the ones we’ve seen in recent years. Constituents in Preesall have expressed concerns over road safety on the Burned House Lane junction following a collision in November when a driver failed to negotiate a bend and crashed into a barn. I’m still waiting

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CAT SMITH MP (cont) to hear back from Lancashire County Council regarding measures they may take to improve safety. The police however have got back to me having sent their traffic management officer out to look at the junction. They agree a lower speed limit would help to reduce collisions. If you have any further observations to make about this junction please get in touch. I’ll let you know when I hear back from the county council. Make sure you take your Christmas trees, cardboard and old wrapping paper to the waste recycle centre before mid-January. Fleetwood Household Waste Recycling Centre will be closed from Fri 18th Jan for approximately 6 weeks while they undertake some site improvements. The nearest county council Household Waste Recycling Centres will be at Saltcoates Road,

Lytham and Tom Benson Way, Preston. From the 18th you can also use Blackpool Recycling Centre at Bispham as long as you are not in a van or a car towing a trailer. If you require a permit for your vehicle or you’re doing a household DIY project and need to dispose of any inert waste use the Lytham and Preston sites only and ensure you have a permit in advance of your visit. As always, if I can be of any help to you or if you’d like me to attend a community event then please do get in touch. Email me on cat. smith.mp@parliament.uk or call my office on (01253) 490 440. If you’d like to attend one of my advice surgeries then please call my office to make an appointment. I hope 2019 brings you all good health and happiness and I look forward to representing you in the year to come. Cat Smith MP

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ROTARY Rotary raises £530 in Charity December ‘200 Club Draw’ The Rotary Club of Garstang and Over Wyre held their December ‘200 Club Draw’ on Wed 19th Dec. The event was marked with an excellent Seasonal meal at the Best Western Garstang Country Hotel & Golf Club. The guest of honour for the evening was Past President Mike Bamber of the Preston Rotary Club, who made the draw on behalf of the 200 Club. Ticket number 030 was the winning number for the first prize of £500. There were two prizes of £25 and a further 15 prizes of £10. In a secondary draw, for the introduction of new members to the 200 Club, bottles of wine were won by Roger Weatherell. The proceeds of the draw will go towards the Rotary Charity Account to assist us with a number Rotary local charities which include support for young people and international charities which includes the world-wide elimination of polio. The Rotary Club of Garstang and Over Wyre meets most Wednesday evenings at the Best Western Garstang Country Hotel & Golf Club, 7:00 pm for 7:30 pm. If you are interested in community activities or wish to help others please come along to any meeting. We can offer you a sense of purpose along with friendship and fun for men and women who are interested in supporting the needs of others. Further information and full details of all the winning numbers are available from the Rotary Club. Don Goodier (01995) 603720

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BEN WALLACE MP I hope you have all had a great holiday. I enjoyed the break, spending time with my family and friends here in Lancashire, recharging the batteries. I am looking forward to meeting more constituents, local businesses and services over the course of 2019 and my office is already busy scheduling visits and meetings on a wide range of issues. Even when events in Westminster seem to dominate the news, it is extremely important to me to keep in touch with my constituents and to hear their views. So, as always, please do not hesitate to contact me to give me your opinions about any issue, local or national. Just before Christmas, I was delighted to see the Lancashire Football Association announce a two-year partnership with the

Garstang based charity, The Adam Appeal. The Adam Appeal was set up by Adam Swanwick’s family, following the 28-yearold’s tragic death from an acute heart attack in 2012. Had there been a working defibrillator nearby at the time, medical professionals say Adam could very well still be here today. This has spurred Adam’s family on to increase the awareness and urgent need for access to defibrillators across the region. With the help of the Lancashire Football Association, the Adam Appeal will facilitate more defibrillators in football clubs and indeed in the wider community. Working with the North-West Ambulance Service, the aim is to establish a network of defibrillator’s throughout local communities. Mental health issues are often misunderstood and there continues to be a great deal of

CROSSWORD (ans page 55) Across 3 Tall building (5) 6 Musical instrument (4) 8 Expose; show (6) 9 Money; coins (4) 10 Lowest place (6) 11 Metal alloy (6) 12 South Pacific bird and fruit (4) 13 Eight notes (6) 14 Molten rock (4) 15 Deal, exchange (5) Down 1 NW resort famous for its 3a (9) 2 Type of fish e.g trout (10) 4 Means of getting into tins (6) 5 Powered by battery (10) 7 Hellenic; type of music (9) 10 Investigated; probed(6)

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BEN WALLACE MP (cont) stigma about these conditions. I recently met constituent, David Scarfe who is the Founder and Director of the Enduring Mental Health Organisation.

groups who attend Wyre’s Flood Forum.

I would encourage anyone suffering from Mental Health issues, including anxiety and depression, to view the Organisation’s Facebook Page. The aim of the group is for members to support each other and provide understanding during difficult times as well as promote awareness of mental health issues.

I am sure that many Hambleton residents will have attended the community drop-in sessions held by the Environment Agency in November to publicise the work the Agency is undertaking to explore how flood risk in Hambleton can be reduced. The Agency is proposing a scheme of linear defences which should reduce flood risk in Hambleton to 0.5%.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ enduringmentalhealth/?fref=nf

It is very important for all agencies and local authorities to continue to work together to highlight issues and minimise risk.

As the weather continues to be unpredictable, I continue to highlight the risk of flooding in many areas and I have a meeting scheduled with the Head of the Environment Agency early this year.

I understand that during the drop-in sessions a number of residents expressed concern about privacy, views and security and I am pleased to report that the Agency is looking to make alterations to the proposed designs in the light of the comments received.

I do think flood awareness has improved and this is down to the hard work of many local

I seem to have met with Lancashire County Council (LCC) Highways quite often over

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BEN WALLACE MP (cont) the last year passing on the concerns and views of constituents in connection with the condition and safety of roads. I do have to report that I believe that highways are improving with LCC investing an additional ÂŁ5m in 18/19 which I am pleased to say was matched by Government. On top of this most of you will remember that the A588 will benefit from additional funding from the Governments Safer Roads Fund. LCC have also been awarded Band 3 which is connected with self-assessment and is due to improving good practice. This comes with an additional investment of ÂŁ3m into the highway infrastructure. While I am not saying the local highway infrastructure is perfect, I do believe it is improving. If there are any sections of road which you feel need attention you can report them to the County Council here: www. lancashire.gov.uk/roads-parking-andtravel/fault-search/ You may recall from my previous articles that I have been seeking to highlight to the Fylde and Wyre Clinical Commissioning Group that Over Wyre residents are disadvantaged when it comes to the out-of-hours GP service which they can access.

Please remember if you would like to attend one the most effective way to contact me is by e-mail, with a brief description of the issues you wish to raise and your contact details. It is worth bearing in mind that I can often offer assistance without the need for a meeting. If I can be of any assistance to you please ring my Office at the House of Commons on 0207 219 5804 or my Constituency Office on 01995 672977, email me at wallaceb@ parliament.uk or write to me at the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA. Ben Wallace MP

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I am pleased to advise that the Clinical Commissioning Group has now acknowledged the issues faced by Over Wyre residents who have previously been required to travel to Fleetwood or Freckleton to access out-of-hours medical services. The Clinical Commissioning Group is now looking to provide another service location which will be more accessible to Over Wyre residents. I would like to thank Malcolm Worsley, who has recently retired as Vice-Chair of the Patient Participation Group at the Over Wyre Medical Centre, for his efforts in raising awareness of this issue. I continue to meet residents at my advice surgeries covering a wide range of issues.

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HOW TO BE A FIT & HEALTHY MUM I don’t have the time! I can’t be bothered! I can’t stay motivated! I can’t afford it! I get bored easily... all common excuses about why we don’t take better care of ourselves.

I hate going to the gym, or doing fitness classes. Seemingly the only way I can workout with any enjoyment is at home in my own comfy surroundings.

I’ve used every excuse myself. Personally,

Not everything works or feels right, so its a case of finding small things that you can implement into your lifestyle, making fitness quick and easy, so it can fit into your day without feeling like a total pain the ass. Making snacks and mealtimes easy and relatively quick to create is the way forward. Feeling worthy that a little time spent on ourselves will make us fitter mentally as well as physically. Its a tricky combo to get it all right, but with a bit of trial and error, you can definitely get on the right track to becoming a fitter and healthier Mum. I can honestly say I am a typical Mum: snacking, not drinking enough water, drinking a glass of wine whilst I cook the evening meal and I’ve definitely decided that whenever I make a cup of tea it MUST be paired with a biscuit of some sort! In my defence, I do eat pretty healthily, I cook nice roast dinners, soups, curries, pasta dishes, I opt for vegetarian based meals sometimes, I don’t eat fatty or fried foods, and I love fish and all the things that are good for you (nuts, fruits, green vegetables, avocados etc etc).

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With me its all about balance. I have definitely improved my diet in my 30s compared to my 20s, and of course I am very mindful of having a healthy, balanced and quick to cook diet now that we have a Daughter (she is almost 9, but enjoys big portions the same size as Daddy) – Daddy will contest this point, and say that his portions are too small and the same size as our Daughter. Here are my Top Tips for Fitness & Nutrition as a Mum •

Never feel guilty for making your fitness a priority. As a Mum, we always feel like we are needed somewhere else, with

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HOW TO BE A HEALTHY MUM (cont) if you are anything like me, who likes to get home from the school run, throw on a pair of leggings and oversized top, empty the dishwasher whilst I have a crumpet, then put on a home workout DVD in my lounge on the shaggy rug, then we have a lot in common. • chores to be done. If you are happy, healthy and confident, it will positively impact your home life and parenting, It will also inspire your children to be a fit and healthy person. You are a role model to your child, and what better life tip to teach them. •

•

Don’t be so hard on yourself. If you want to eat out and have an indulgent meal, or you have the odd takeaway, then just make sensible choices. Don’t say no to treats, just have them in moderation. Enjoy a little cheeky drink for special occasions, nights out, or the odd glass of wine or a beer with a weekend movie. Again, everything in moderation. Water! Drink as much water in the day as you can. I’ve been a nightmare with this one. Get a water bottle if it helps you. It was the only way I seem to stick at drinking enough water. Don’t compare yourself to all those InstaCelebs, with their personal trainers, chefs, time on their hands, and most of the time, no children. In fact don’t compare yourself to anybody other than yourself. Aim to improve on yourself as an individual. Its good to be inspired and motivated by positive role models. Take all of their knowledge and tips and see what works for you. Ditch what doesn’t. Don’t waste money on silly fitness gadgets, expensive gym memberships or expensive clothing. If you are the kind of person who stays motivated best in a gym environment then go for it, but

Finally the old lack of energy and don’t have the time situation – Improving your diet and doing regular exercise will give you the energy you are lacking and improve your mood. If you take out the travelling time to and from the gym, or change the type of workout you are doing, you only need 20 minutes each day to have an effective workout. Google HIIT workouts – better still click my link to the Joe Wicks – The Body Coach Workout. That one is a good one.

Dawn Elissa www.dawnelissa.co.uk

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GARSTANG CAMERA CLUB much time and effort needs to go into applying for the accreditation.

Congratulations to two members of the Camera Club who have recently received photographic awards. John Moxham received a CPAGB Award. To receive this award from the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain, photographers have to put forward 10 images to a panel of 6 judges who can vote up to 5 marks to each image. The applicant has to score a minimum of 200 out of the 300 votes available. The standard is very high and

Peter Knight has received a BPE Crown Award which gives BPE1* Accreditation. To achieve this, photographers enter national photographic salons under the auspices of the British Photographic Exhibitions organisation. Only a high standard of work is accepted into the exhibitions and to achieve the accreditation, the photographer has to have had 25 acceptances within the exhibitions circuit. The club is looking forward to 2019. We start the year on Wed 2nd Jan with a talk by Lee Metcalf telling us about his ‘Journey from Film to Digital and Back to Film for Professional Work’. On Wed 9th Jan we have a workshop which includes looking at images to be put forward of the upcoming competition with

GREY MATTER (ans p55) 1. What name is given to rocks that don’t allow water to pass through? 2. In which English city is the Bullring Shopping Centre? 3. Where would you find the Rosetta Stone? 4. What naval rank does James Bond hold? 5. What car accessory might be manufactured by Garmin or Tom-Tom? 6. What term is given to a lens that curves or bulges outwards? 7. What was the name of the lioness in ‘Born Free’. 8. What Latin phrase means ‘of sound mind’? 9. Crown green and flat green are two of the main versions of which sport? 10. According to a popular WWII song, where were we going to hang out our washing?

11. What kind of creature is Angelina Ballerina? 12. What is the name of the homeground of Liverpool FC? 13. Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel is from which country? 14. Which song from ‘Evita’ was a number one hit for Julie Covington? 15. Comice and Conference are varieties of which fruit? 16. Who wrote the waltz popularly known as ‘The Blue Danube’? 17. In the works of J.R.R. Tolkein, which people lived in The Shire? 18. In which city would you find the Parthenon on the Acropolis? 19. According to the nursery rhyme, when do we go round the mulberry bush? 20. What ‘T’ is a horse bred for the purpose of racing?

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GARSTANG CAMERA CLUB (cont) Holme Photographic Society. Each club puts forward 10 Digital images and 10 Prints. These are scored by a judge and the club with the highest number of marks wins. Wed 16th Jan will be one of our competition nights. Members compete on our Assignment theme which is Street Photography. Each member can submit up to six images. Categories are Digital Images, Colour Prints and Mono Prints with no more than three images from any section. Visitors are always welcome. Visit our website at www.garstangcameraclub. co.uk or email info@garstangcameraclub. co.uk for more details.

Garstang Business Centre located on the High Street, Garstang has been sold to Keyworker Homes (North West) Limited. The buyer obtained planning consent in 2016 for the erection of a three storey building, following partial demolition of the existing building. The new building will provide ground floor retail opportunity together with first and second floor residential apartments and reconfigured car parking. The full planning permission can be viewed in the planning section of the Wyre Council website under the reference 16/00550/ FULMAJ.

GARSTANG BUSINESS CENTRE

Wyre Council will continue to work closely with the developer to ensure minimal disruption to parking whilst works are ongoing.

Wyre Council has confirmed that the former

www.wyre.gov.uk

Peter Knight 07807 084 899

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SOROPTIMISTS Women Inspiring Action, Transforming Lives New Year Wishes and Thanks The members of your local Soroptimist club wish everyone a very Happy, Peaceful, and Healthy New Year. Our thanks go to everyone who has supported us throughout the 2018 year. We hope you all enjoyed our parched peas on both nights of the Garstang Victorian Festival. Our thanks to Carr’s Jewellers for allowing us to use their side entrance each year. We always seem to sell out early, and this year was no exception! We raised £337 which will be going to our charity – Mary’s Meals. This year we also continued our tradition of

providing a Christmas Hamper to be raffled by the Festival Committee, with all proceeds going towards the Festival Lights fund – we hope the lucky winner enjoyed our selection. Mary’s Meals – ‘Double the Love’ Great news! From the beginning of December until the 1st March, donations to the Double the Love appeal are being matched by the UK Government, up to £2million! Mary’s Meals is Garstang Soroptimists’ charity this year, so what a wonderful opportunity to share a world of learning and possibility with vulnerable children in places like Zambia. For so many, working, begging or foraging for food to survive is a daily reality that eclipses any dreams of attending school. With our donations, we are keeping the hope of a brighter future alive for the children who receive Mary’s Meals, including 10 year old Eneless. Amazingly, for one so young, Eneless is able to see beyond the daily struggles and is working hard at school, nourished by the simple mug of hot phala (porridge) she enjoys with her classmates each morning. ‘I used to be hungry all the time, but now, when I eat, I feel good and I’m able to learn’, says Eneless. Having discovered a passion for learning and finding out more about the world around her, this little girl now dreams of becoming a teacher herself. What a joy it is to hear Eneless talk with such enthusiasm about the hope she finds in the classroom, full of energy provided by the meal our donation is helping to make possible! Just £13.90 will feed a child like Eneless for a whole school year. BackPacks Project Thank you to all our friends and supporters for our BackPack Project – we will be continuing with this project in 2019. If Santa brought a

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SOROPTIMISTS (cont) new back pack to your house, please could we have the old one to be filled, to enable another child to have the opportunity of an education? We would like to offer a special thank you to the staff at The Mustard Seed Café shop for their help as a drop-off point for your kind donations to our BackPack project.Their help is invaluable. Please continue to drop off your used backpacks or other items at; The Mustard Seed Café, Park Hill Road (opposite the Wheat Sheaf Pub), they are open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 10:00am to 2:00pm. Or ring us to arrange collection.

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HOME SUPPORT Cooking, Shopping, Cleaning Paperwork & Calls, Sitting Service, Arranging / Attending Appointments,

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Thank you all. New Year – New You? Why not come and join this boundless network? It could be the best thing you’ve ever done! We meet twice a month at the Garstang Hotel and Golf Club, at 7:00pm on the second and fourth Wednesday (excluding August and December). Interested ladies from throughout the Over Wyre and Garstang district are always very welcome. Please ring to arrange to be met, or just come and introduce yourself. Take a look at what we do: www.sigarstang.org.uk www.facebook.com/ SoroptimistsGarstang www.twitter.com/GarstangSoropt Muriel Burnham-Airey (01995) 606604

OUT RAWCLIFFE BOWLING CLUB Annual General Meeting Tues 12th Feb 7:30pm New players welcome, ladies, gents and also new starters. Chris Creer (01253) 700461

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RSPCA Special Appeals

Moana Moana is a sassy female who like most cats prefers her own personal space and knows what she wants in life!

Marble Marble is a stunning girl who is ready for adoption after coming into our care after being found as an injured stray. Since the day she has arrived, Marble has been a lovely, super friendly girl who loves her fuss and lots of attention. She interacts well towards anyone she meets and will happily sit on your knee for some time. Marble doesn’t mind being held and is now becoming playful. She will make a nice family pet to any home and is suitable to live with sensible children but is searching for a home that allows her to be the only cat within a household.

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She is looking for a loving home after she ended up in our care having been abandoned in a property by her previous owner. She is an independent lady but will ask for attention on her terms but doesn’t like to be overly fussed so will tell you when she has had enough. We have found that this behaviour is much better when she is allowed time away from the cattery environment so we are hoping that once in a more spacious and quieter home this behaviour will fade. Moana does live with another cat at the centre but they seem to just tolerate each other’s company, so we would be happy for Moana to be re-homed separately. New experienced owners would need to learn to read her body language and recognise when to give her space. She would benefit from being the only pet in the house and isn’t suitable to live with young children. Peanut Peanut has found himself looking for a new home after being found as a stray. He is fine being stroked but much prefers all four paws on the floor. He can be a little shy at times so does take some time to warm up to peoples company so he will need lots of positive human interactions in his new home. Peanut is looking to be re-homed alongside a neutered female bunny to provide him with companionship. He needs a large double tier hutch and a large attached run/fully secure garden where he will have plenty of space to exercise and explore.

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RSPCA (cont) Fudge

Talbot Road Charity Shop Break-In Fudge, who was featured in the August edition of Focus, is still looking for his forever home!

He is a shy rabbit but his confidence has greatly increased in the time he has been with us. He needs an owner who is willing to invest time into socialising and bonding with him whilst continuing to build his confidence. He is possibly ok to live with a neutered female rabbit but they would need to be introduced slowly at first. Fudge will need a large double tier hutch with an attached run/ secure garden. For more information on the animals featured, please contact the animal centre. Job Vacancy (Part Time Van Driver)

On the evening of Sat 15th / early hours of Sun 16th Dec, our charity shop on Talbot Road, Blackpool was broken into. The man (pictured) smashed his way in through a window. He proceeded to smash up collection boxes, caused damage to a number of doors and stole a number of TV’s as well as a laptop. The police are currently investigating and have released an image of the man in question

We presently have a six month temporary position for a Charity Shop Van Driver available. This vacancy is for 16 hours/ two days a week to cover the collections and deliveries to and from the charity shops in Lancaster, Blackpool and Knott End. Application forms are available from the Animal Centre in Stalmine, by phoning (01253) 703000 between 11:00am and 5:00pm Tuesday - Sunday or by email to enquiries@rspcablackpool.org.uk The closing date for completed application forms is Mon 7th Jan. Christmas Open Day We would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who attended our Christmas Open Day on Sun 25th Nov. It was a great success and we made £1,101.93. All money raised will go towards the continued care of the animals at Longview. Thank you!

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T i n y 4 T s o e l e a s T Educational & stimulating books for the whole family to enjoy together

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RSPCA (cont) who was caught on our CCTV cameras. If anyone recognises him, please contact the police on 101 quoting LC 20181216 0577. Hannah Kirrane Animal Centre Manager Longview Animal Centre, Stalmine Tel: (01253) 703000 Web: www.rspcablackpool.org.uk

HAFFNER ORCHESTRA Sun 3rd Feb 7:30pm Ashton Hall, Lancaster Another fine evening of music from Lancaster’s symphony orchestra. Conductor: Bob Chasey, Soloist: Gareth Small. Shostakovich Suite for Variety Orchestra Arutunian Trumpet Concerto Brahms Symphony No. 4 There will be a free pre-concert talk at 6:30pm by our trumpet soloist. Tickets £14 from www.haffnerorchestra.org or (01524) 582394. Students £5 at the door; 18’s and under free.

door for a fee of £4 per meeting. This fee will be refunded if you join as a full member. www.traveltalks.club / info@traveltalks. club / Twitter: @TravelTalksClub Joan Gaffiney (01253) 700799

BEER FEST With Gin and Cocktails Fri 1st Feb & Sat 2nd Feb 7:00pm - 12am Cockerham Village Hall With beer, pies and live music, this event is raising money for the North West Children’s Support Group. You can support the charit by sponsoring a barrel of great ale. For more information contact Paul 07711 631 984. Tickets available from the The Manor Inn, at www.jumblebee.co.uk/cockerhambeerfest or via our website at www.nwcsg.co.uk Debbie McCann North West Children’s Support Group

John Whittaker 07752 643 946

ITHA TRAVEL TALKS The Concert Hall, Blackpool Sixth Form Wed 30th Jan 7:30pm We start the New Year with Les and Pauline Mason who present ‘A Personal Perspective of Peru’. They explore Inca trails, rain forest, and the unique culture of Peru. Meetings consist of illustrated talks covering all parts of the world. Speakers are drawn from recognised professional writers, photographers and journalists, our own members and travellers. New members and visitors are most welcome. The facilities are suitable for the disabled, including audio loop. Refreshments are available during the break. Membership is £20 for the season. Visitors may pay at the

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GARSTANG CRICKET CLUB A History Evidence about the origins of the club is very patchy although extracts from a Lancaster Cricket Club publication show games played at both Lancaster and Garstang in 1859. There are also entries in a scorebook from Fylde Cricket Club of a game played at Garstang in 1888. Over the years a number of friendlies were played on a wicket prepared on the old showfield site. The club was re-formed in 1949 and played in the Lancaster & District League. It moved to its current home at The Riverside in 1957 and joined the Moore & Smalley Palace Shield Competition in 1970. The club runs three senior teams on a Saturday, along with a Sunday team. There is also a large junior section. Coaches train and manage junior teams at U11s, U13s, U15s age groups which over recent years have won several trophies at both senior and junior levels. It also plan to field an Under 19s team in the 2018 season.

a result of winning the Palace Shield the club has accepted promotion to the Northern League for the 2018 season. The club boasts a total playing membership of 150 members across the various age levels. Fundraising at Garstang Sports Centre Garstang Sports Centre is currently undergoing a building project for the benefit of sport for the future for all our children in Garstang and the surrounding locality. If you wish to make a donation you can do so by contributing to the Garstang Sports Club Building Account Sort Code â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 01-03-33, A/c No - 28687310. All donations very gratefully recieved. Charlie Collinson 07825 508 692 Email: Colgar69@yahoo.co.uk Charlie Collinson

Over the years the club has had several senior players who have played for the league representative team as well as junior players who have played for the Palace Shield at Wyre district and Lancashire county level teams. The future of Garstang Cricket Club rests with its strong junior membership. The club believes it is just recognition of the efforts of all concerned in areas of child welfare, protection and development of junior cricket and we see this as a stepping stone to further development and the Club going from strength to strength. Recently the club has seen success on the field with, the first team winning the Meyler Cup in 2016, and retaining it in 2017. This was the first part of a historic league and cup double as for the first time in the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history the prestigious Palace Shield was added to its trophy cabinet in 2017. As

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GARSTANG MEDICAL PRACTICE Care Navigation Ensuring the right clinician and the right appointment for you. At Garstang Medical Practice we have a wide variety of highly skilled clinical staff offering different types of appointments designed to ensure that patients’ medical problems and queries are dealt with as effectively and as quickly as possible by the most appropriate clinician. This may not necessarily be a doctor. We have appointments available with GPs, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses and Practice Pharmacists daily. In addition, specialist Practice Nurses manage patients with conditions such as Diabetes and Asthma. With this in mind, we have made some changes to the way in which our reception staff have been trained to handle your enquiry.

It is important that all patients are dealt with in the same way in order that we ensure the type of appointment you are given is right for you. Through our in-house training programme, developed by the doctors and nurse practitioners, our reception staff have been trained to ask some simple questions to help us to help you. All information is handled with the strictest confidence. The receptionist will ask you for a brief outline of your problem, a description of your symptoms and if this is a new or recurring problem. The answers to these simple questions will be logged in your patient records so that the health professional who does consult with you already has an overview of what the problem is. By asking these simple questions, we can ensure you see the most appropriate clinician best suited to your particular problem, which will enable us to continue to provide you with a high quality, easily accessible service. This ‘care navigation’ work is based upon recent research by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP). We anticipate these changes will improve the way in which patients access our clinicians and appointment system. Thank you for your support. Dr Michael Oliver, On behalf of Garstang Medical Practice Dr Mel John Dr John retired in December and would like to say ‘May I thank all partners, colleagues, staff and patients for their kind words, gifts and cards around my recent retirement. With all best wishes for the future IECHYD DA (Good Health in Welsh)! Mel John’. Happy New Year from all of us at Garstang Medical Practice (01995) 607399

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