Garstang Focus Magazine - September 2021 by Focus Magazines

FOCUS MAGAZINE 'The Green Book'

GARSTANG - Scorton - Cabus - Garstang - Catterall - Bonds - Bowgreave - St Michaels - Churchtown

Issue 251 September 2021

Rapid Covid-19 testing twice a week will help us stay ahead of the virus Report your test result each time, whether it’s positive, negative or void.

Test at home, report online and keep life moving. www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result

Welcome to Focus Magazine... Coffee Stop............................................................4 The New Phoenix Dance Group.................4 Garstang Walking Friends.............................4 Calder Vale Country Club..............................4 Babas........................................................................4 Charity Fun Dog Show.....................................5 Garstang Half Marathon.................................5 Cherestanc WI.....................................................6 Greater Garstang................................................7 Garstang Millennium Green.........................7 Catterall in Bloom..............................................9 Garstang in Bloom............................................10 Garstang Gardening.........................................10 Garstang Wine Circle .....................................12 Calder Vale Methodist Church...................12 Garstang Free Methodist Church..............14 St Luke’s Church, Winmarleigh..................15 St Thomas’ Church............................................15 Garstang URC......................................................16 Church but Not on a Sunday.......................16 Garstang Quakers..............................................16 Garstang Fairtrade............................................17 Garstang Phoenix WI.......................................18 Garstang Library.................................................19 Garstang Medical Practice ..........................20 Charity Afternoon Tea......................................22 Pilling Historical Society................................22

Garstang Speakers Club................................24 The Inner Wheel Club.....................................25 Rotary.......................................................................26 St Michaels Harvest Festival........................26 Garstang & District Lions...............................27 Harmony & Health ...........................................29 Scottish Country Dance Group...................29 Garstang Volunteer Force.............................29 Garstang Arts Centre.......................................30 Cardiac Risk in the Young..............................32 Garstang Camera Club...................................34 Women of Garstang & District ..................35 That’s News to Me - Local Literature......36 Garstang Heritage Society...........................39 Garstang Historical Society..........................39 Parkinsons UK......................................................39 Garstang AFVBC.................................................40 Soroptimists..........................................................41 Banish Negative Thoughts...........................43 3LS.............................................................................44 Garstang Town Council...................................45 Cat Smith MP........................................................47 Crossword..............................................................49 Ben Wallace MP.................................................49 Grey Matter Test.................................................51 Puzzle Answers...................................................51

OCTOBER 2021 DEADLINE DATE

The October deadline for editorial and adverts is 5:00pm on Monday 13th September. Deliveries of the October edition of Focus Magazine will commence Thursday 23rd September. Over Wyre & Garstang Focus Magazines www.focusmags.co.uk | 01253 813433 | www.facebook.com/focusmags Event Advertising & Editorial: editorial@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 2021 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.

COFFEE STOP

THE NEW PHOENIX DANCE GROUP

We’re excited to be opening our Community Cafes in Catterall Village Hall on Tues 14th Sept and Inglewhite Church Hall on Tues 21st Sept between 10:00am - 12 noon. It will be so wonderful to get together again. You are most welcome to call in for a cuppa.

Weekly sequence dance at Barton Village Hall starting Sat 11th Sept at 7:45pm. Admission £4 to include tea and biscuits. There is also a Raffle. Music by Alan Cookson and 3rd Saurday John Lancaster.

Obviously if you have been diagnosed with or have symptoms of covid, please do not join us until it is safe for you to do so. At the entrance there will be ‘seat free’ cards available for those who wish the seat next to them to be left free. Please feel comfortable to pick one up. Face masks are optional. We will have hand-sanitiser at the entrances and will aim to maintain a safe, well ventilated space. It’s been a long time coming. Whenever you feel ready to join us just come along. You can be sure of a friendly welcome. Lesley Hardman 07980 070 349

Freda Parker 01995 605322

GARSTANG WALKING FRIENDS Recently formed, we are an informal group of working and retired people who enjoy meeting up for walks of various distances. Anyone can suggest a walk, on any day or evening, via WhatsApp. If you would like to join us or find out more please get in touch. Anne Parry t: 07850 440558 e: annesparry@gmail.com

CALDER VALE COUNTRY CLUB What’s On Fri 3rd & 17th Sept - Meat Bingo with Honeywell meats. Eyes down 7:30pm. Every Saturday - Live cabaret, bingo, bonus ball, play your cards right. Every Sunday - Social Bingo. Eyes down 8:00pm. Thurs 30th Sept - REPLUGGED Singers’ night. 8:00pm. Concert room available to hire for functions. Ros Ashworth 01995 603776

BABAS Garstang Methodist Church I wrote in the July edition of the Green Book that we would open in September, but unexpected circumstances have arisen. Unfortunately we will not be opening in September. We will keep you updated through the Green Book and a notice in the church window when we have news to share. Dorothy Gorst 01995 696226

Are you using a product or service from an advertiser?

CHARITY FUN DOG SHOW

GARSTANG HALF MARATHON

Sun 5th Sept Kirkland Village Hall

Sun 5th Sept

All proceeds to Marie Curie nurses. We have re-scheduled after having to cancel last year due to covid. There will be pedigree classes and lots of fun classes, plus a temptation alley and various stalls, raffle, tombola etc. There will also be a bacon and burger stall in attendance. Registration is 11:00am and judging starts 12 noon. Registration £1.00 Classes £2.00 per class. Gundogs Classes: • • • •

Toys Terriers Hounds Working, Pastoral & Utility

Fun Classes: • • • • •

Cutest Puppy (up to 12 months): Best Golden Oldie (over 9 years), Prettiest Bitch: Handsomest Dog, Happiest looking dog: Saddest looking dog, Best Condition (shiny coat, bright eyes waggy tail): Best matching or mis-matched pair of dogs: Best Trick,

Garstang Running Club is getting back on the road! Our first race since 2019 - seems a long time ago doesn’t it? But we have local authority and England Athletics permission to go ahead with our half marathon on Sun 5th Sept. Entries are a bit lower than usual but that is to be expected. We do, however, have marshals and medals and can’t wait to get back to some normality. We will be operating a one-way system in Garstang Sports Club where runners will collect their numbers. We will ask runners to wear face coverings when they enter the building. Everything else is outside so hopefully there won’t be any issues. We will take entries from 9:00am. The start will be outside the Royal Oak at 10:30am. Runners will run through Catterall, Claughton,

There will also be a child handling class (11 or under) and a trophy for best in show. All class winners will also get a rosette. Other stalls will include temptation alley, refreshments, a tombola and a raffle. There will be stalls for nearly new and hardly used dog beds, collars, leads, toys etc. If you have any unwanted dog items, you can either bring them on the day or give us a ring and we will collect them. Please come along to have fun with your dog and support the charity. Leonie Bull 01995 601266 Elaine Cook 01995 605684

Tell them you saw it in the Green Book

HALF MARATHON (cont) Barnacre, Scorton and Cabus before returning back to the Sports Cub - a lovely, if a bit of a hilly, route! If you are interested, more details are available on our website. Like all organisations in Garstang we have had to think carefully about how we operate. Once England Athletics set out guidelines for outdoor activities, the club set up a booking system for regular runs so that numbers could be restricted and group leaders could know who would be joining them. As a result there are now organised runs for Monday morning, four groups on Tuesday evenings and two groups on Thursday evenings. Although there are now very few restrictions on outdoor activities the club has continued with the system because it has worked so well. If you aren’t a member but are interested then go onto the club website and look at the ‘Upcoming Runs’. You would need to book so please use the ‘Contact Us’ link if you want to

go along to any of the runs. If this article hasn’t given you enough time to prepare for the Half Marathon then don’t worry - our next race is the Myerscough 10 on Sunday 5th Dec. Frank Miller www.garstangrc.co.uk

CHERESTANC WI Our next meeting will be held on Wed 22nd Sept, 7:30pm at St Thomas’s Parish and Community Hall. Our speaker will be Pam Roberts telling us about the Pendle Witches. We welcome visitors and new members. We meet on the 4th Wed of the month (except Dec). If you would like to join us please come along. Also, if you would like someone to meet you at the door please contact us. Marion 01995 600590

Now Open

Joint Pain • Back and Neck Pain Sports Injuries • Rehabilitation Sports Massage • Pilates Podiatry • Acupuncture Vestibular and Balance Problems Neurological Physiotherapy

Are you using a product or service from an advertiser?

GREATER GARSTANG In summer 2020 Garstang Town Council set up a market town working group to look at re-opening the high street and supporting businesses and to consider the long-term future of the town and its surrounding villages. This led to the establishment of the Greater Garstang Partnership Board.

and its ‘levelling up’ agenda. There may also be projects that can attract private sector funding.

The purpose of the board is to drive the development of a regeneration and investment framework for the town and its surrounding area. The specialist work started in June. It is being carried out by experienced consultants, IBI and is funded by Wyre Council’s town centre strategy fund.

GARSTANG MILLENNIUM GREEN

As a starting point the board has identified the key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. These may give rise to potential projects for inclusion in the regeneration and investment framework. Other projects will be identified through consultation with individuals, community groups and businesses.

Also, a new exercise has been undertaken

The first round of public consultation on the future vision for Garstang closes on Sun 5th Sept. Wyre Council is kindly hosting a digital version of the ideas on their website and the Board is using Wyre’s consultation portal to gather feedback from local people. Visit www.wyre.gov.uk/greatergarstang to get involved. Jan Finch - Chair

We continue to see many people on the Green, bringing them and nature closer together. It was pleasing to hear that a couple of deer had been seen on the Green very recently.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to identify what the Garstang area needs to thrive in the future. The regeneration and investment framework will cover a 15-year period and will contain short, medium and long term projects. No one knows what funding streams may become available in the next months and years but the key to success in securing funding is having clearly identified and evidenced projects ready on the shelf to take advantage of whatever funding streams come along. What we do know is that there are, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future, a range of government funding opportunities relating to both recovery from the pandemic

7 Rope Walk, Garstang, PR3 1NS

Tell them you saw their advert in the Garstang Focus

Advanced Vega Allergy Testing Do you suffer from any of the following? Chronic muscle/Joint pain Frequent bowel movements Dairy intolerances Skin conditions Exhaustion/Fatigue Wheat/Gluten intolerances Also Available: M.L.D (Manual Lymphatic Drainage) - Aromatherapy Over 20 years experience - St.Catherine's Hospice for 8 years

MILLENNIUM GREEN (cont) by a zoologist and biologist into the small mammals and the breadth of insect life around. Some 40 humane traps were set for the mammals, which have food and bedding provided. 20 mice, two shrews and six voles were caught. After a few hours they were then weighed, sexed and released. This demonstrates a vibrant fauna and gives us a marker for the future.

The Green is run by a team of volunteers, which is supplemented by a volunteer team Jean Shaw from Wyre Council. We have some concerns Garstang Natural Health, High Street, PR3 1FA over manpower both now and into the future. 01995 602833/07834269542

We have two or three vacant administration roles brought about by retirement and wishing to widen our communication profile. We are talking about four to six hours a month, to be shared between the roles. This includes secretary to the trustees. Our maintenance team meet once a month during the week. We would like to see this team enhanced and would look to some tasks being done at weekends if that suited better. Again, we are only talking about 3 / 4 hours a month. We would value a team which could develop our biodiversity programme and monitor the health of our trees where conditions like ash dieback are of concern.

Est. 1970

Ladies & Gents Barbers Excellent cutting & styling We pride ourselves on perming, colouring & setting Put-ups for special occasions Walk-ins welcome

Over the last eighteen months the Green has provided a safe working environment for a number of us and allowed some social cohesion. On Sat 25th Sept volunteers will be at the Green to engage on the opportunities for individuals and explain the way we work. It will inform on whether weekend activities maybe viable. So, if you would like to contribute to this key Garstang resource why not contact us? Colin Sills - Management Team Chair t: 07544 550 581 e: garstangmillenniumgreen@gmail.com

Are you phoning an advertiser for a quote?

CATTERALL IN BLOOM Many thanks to everyone who helped prepare Catterall for the RHS North West in Bloom judging day in July. The village looked stunning! Many hands worked hard to clean, paint, weed, water and pick up litter for weeks beforehand and we hope for a great result when the awards are handed out in October. The flower containers, vegetable garden and flower beds suffered in the dry weather, and it is thanks to our watering team that they survived and continue to look so well. You may have noticed that the bus shelters in Catterall have had a make-over. They have been decorated with beautiful flowers and bees, which has put a smile on the face of bus drivers and passengers alike. Our talented crochet and knitting Bloom members were responsible for the sensational summer seaside display on the corner of Baylton Drive and Joe Lane. There is always something new happening in Catterall, so look out for the next display which will pop up soon. We would like to thank Sam Collinson and his team for the Catterall planter near the A6 at the top of Cock Robin Lane which has been bursting full of flowers all summer. It was a generous gift and we are thrilled with the quality and design of our new planter. Many thanks also to our local Co-op for supporting the Bloom efforts by donating funds for wildflowers and plants for pollinators. All of this has made it a truly colourful Catterall this summer and we look ahead to the bulb planting season so we can share a bright Springtime with you. If you fancy joining us you will be made very welcome. We meet on Tuesdays, 10:00am at Catterall Village Hall car park and Wednesdays 7:00pm at Stone Cross Community Gardens. Happy Gardening! Netta Parker t: 07508 144181 e: annettaparker@hotmail.co.uk

Tell them you saw their advert in the Garstang Focus

GARSTANG IN BLOOM All appeared to go very well on our judging day for the North West in Bloom competition in July. It turned out to be one of the hottest days of the year but the sunshine lit up the beds and floral displays so the town looked at its best. Once again, a big thank you to all concerned. We will find out the results of the competition in late October or early November. On Sun 15th Aug we had our official opening of the Norah Hoyles Garden on the high street. The event was introduced by Alan Pearson, our chairman, and then, following a short speech from the mayor, the memorial stone and plaque were unveiled by Norah’s two children, Stephen and Sharon. This was a poignant moment for all who knew Norah and the garden, we hope, is a fitting tribute to the dedication and hard work she gave to running Garstang in Bloom for so many successful years. It was lovely to see former

PLUMBING & HEATING Gas oil LPG engineers installing combination boilers with up to 10 year warranty All Plumbing Work Undertaken Landlord Safeties from £50 Boiler Servicing from £55 Powerflush from £200 RING FOR AN UNBEATABLE QUOTE

T: 01253 702775 M: 07925 570991 The best boilers fitted at an unbeatable price

Bloomers again along with other friends and family of Norah. Booths kindly gave us tea, coffee and cake in their cafe afterwards. Although the summer is sadly over, the Bloomers will continue with their gardening into the autumn months ahead. Flowers still need dead-heading, shrubs need pruning and borders need putting to bed for the winter. We will also be starting two of our future projects by planting wildlife-friendly hedges, one on Park Hill Rd and the other on the high street behind the bus stop. Join us, please, if you can spare some time on Wednesday mornings. Look out for us at work in the high-vis vests! Gill Bergman

GARSTANG GARDENING CLUB The club will resume its meetings in September at a new venue and on a new night. Starting on Tues 14th Sept we will be meeting on the second Tuesday of the month at Garstang United Reformed Church Hall, at 7:30pm. Our first presentation in our programme of 2021 / 2022 will be by Sue and Adrian Whitaker on ‘An Arctic Garden Odyssey’. We will make every effort to make the meetings as safe as we can. We hope that you will continue to support Garstang and District Gardening Club in the future and we look forward to seeing you on Tues 14th Sept. Note: Unfortunately we can no longer meet at the Crofters Hotel and Monday evenings are difficult to book at alternative venues. Any queries please ring Ruth Wiseman, secretary on 01995 604759. Anthony Coppin

Did you know that you can read the ‘Green Book’ on line?

Telephone 01524 874382

Christine and Bill the owners of Lancaster bed company Believe strongly in the phrase the best of British

A GREAT NIGHTS SLEEP... The area’s premier Waiting bed storejust for you

That’s why they stock the brands that are known To the public for being just that

97 PENNY STREET, LANCASTER

LA1 1XN

NEXT TO KFC

TELEPHONE 01524 874382

(lancasterbedcompany@gmail.com)

FREE Local Deliveries 97 PENNY STREET | LANCASTER | LA1 1XN - NEXT TO KFC Email lancasterbedcompany@gmail.com

www.lancasterbedcompany.co.uk See our website : www.focusmags.co.uk

GARSTANG WINE CIRCLE In spite of heavy clouds that threatened rain, about 20 members of the circle gathered in the playing field of St Mary Michael School for a picnic on Sun 15th Aug. It was a good opportunity to meet face-to-face and to catchup with news, something that the limitations of Zoom meetings did not allow. Fortunately the rain held off, although temperatures were a tad lower that we would have hoped for during the month of August. This was a very pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon and reminded us of how much we have missed these social occasions over the past 17 months. As the Art Centre is now open, we will be holding our first meeting on Mon 20th Sept at 7:30pm. Mick Gould will be introducing us to a selection of Chilean Wines that are available at his shop. In October we will be holding our AGM, followed by a ‘Committee’s Choice’ tasting. In November Guy Pugh will present a selection of Argentinian Wines to the circle, and in December we will hold a Christmas party. The meetings will be held on the third Monday of each month, with the exception of the Christmas party. As usual details of all of the meetings will be circulated to members of the circle by the chairman. Mervyn Stokes

CALDER VALE METHODIST CHURCH As the daylight hours shorten and summer leaves us and we turn to autumn we can see the change all around us. The blossom has gone and the berries are with us. What an array of hawthorn, mountain ash, hips, acorns and chestnuts. The gardens are full of produce. Tomatoes, lettuces, cauliflowers, cabbages, beans. It seems like they are all ready at once. We eat what we can, we give to friends and neighbours, we preserve, we freeze. It’s that time when we start to think of

Focus advertisers support this community magazine

Why not keep it local and support our advertisers?

CALDER VALE CHURCH (cont) harvest festivals. Our next Family Time will be on the theme of preparing for harvest and will be on Sun 29th Aug from 2:00pm. There will be games, crafts etc. on the theme of harvest. All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring your own picnic. If the weather permits we will be on the green. You’ve heard the phrase ‘Know your onions’; well come and see if you know your ‘Apples’. We will celebrate our harvest festival with a service on Sun 19th Sept at 10:45am led by our minister Rev. Keith Borwick. We missed our thanksgiving service last year, so we are looking forward to sharing together and singing some of our favourite harvest hymns. All are welcome to come and give thanks. May this be our prayer of thanksgiving this Autumn, from ‘Let Us Live Your Love’ by David Osborne; ‘God our creator, we offer you our thanks for your provision of the things

Our next CAMEO (Come And Meet Each Other) will be held on Fri 10th Sept at 2:00pm. Do come and join us for a cuppa, cake and a chat. All welcome. We will be holding another pop up cake stall on Fri 24th Sept from 12 noon to 1:30pm. This time all donations will go to Macmillan Cancer Support. The Friday lunches continue. Two courses delivered to Calder Vale each Friday at 1:00pm. Everyone is welcome to have a lunch but they do need to be ordered (preferably by Wednesday lunchtime). If you would like more details of any of the activities or our Sunday services please do get in touch. Thank you. Edith Gorst 01995 602078

GARSTANG FREE METHODISTS

M.P.H. ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE REPAIRS

As we reach September (where has the year gone?), we are beginning to get back into our regular meetings and details of all of these are on our website.

Fast Reliable Service 30 + Years Experience Washing Machines Tumble Dryers Dishwashers Cookers Vacuum Cleaners Small Electrical Repairs

It has been lovely to welcome old and new faces back into meeting in person and we have particularly enjoyed being released to all sing together.

Call Michael Hall Mobile 07703 193667 Home 01524 792824 mphelectrical@live.co.uk 14

we need for life: food, water, shelter, clothing … each other’.

We follow government guidelines as we meet and these rules will continue to be observed moving forward. I am looking forward to being able to advise a fuller programme of meetings as we continue into autumn and settle into how things have changed in various areas of the church. If we can be of any help in the meantime, please contact the office. Katie Devany t: 01995 602852 e: info@garstangfmc.org.uk www.garstangfmc.org.uk

Are you using a product or service from an advertiser?

ST. LUKE’S CHURCH, WINMARLEIGH

SECOND WEDNESDAY

Our Harvest Festival will be held on Sat 11th and Sun 12th Sept. The theme this year is ‘Celebration and Memories of Winmarleigh’.

St Thomas’ Church, Garstang

The church will be decorated with photo displays and flowers and produce and there will be all the usual stalls and refreshments available throughout both days. The church will be open from 11:00am – 4:00pm on Saturday and 12 noon – 4:00pm on Sunday. The harvest service will be at 11:00am on Sunday and evensong at 5:00pm and all will be warmly welcomed. The harvest supper will be held on Wed 15th Sept 7:00pm at Winmarleigh Village Hall. Entertainment by Andy Stewart and his ukulele. Hot Pot and apple pie to follow.

The committee have arranged for our first meeting on Wed 8th Sept, 7:30pm at the Parish Hall. We will follow covid procedures for our safety including social distancing, the use of hand sanitiser and the wearing of masks. This will be a very informal get together giving us the opportunity to have a friendly chat together with a cuppa, cake and biscuits and also plan for our future meetings. New ladies are very much invited to join us. You will be assured of a warm welcome and we encourage you to bring a friend.

Tickets £8 adults £5 for children under 12. Available from Irene Connick and PCC members.

So, something to look forward to and hopefully experience a little bit of normality. In the meantime stay safe and well.

Ruby Briggs

Avril Bevan

Tell advertisers that you saw them in the Green Book

GARSTANG URC Croston Road, Garstang PR3 1FL The church has now been re-opened, and we gather for worship on Sunday mornings at 10:45am. Services are led by one of our two ministers or local preachers. Everyone is welcome. We’ve been careful to put precautions in place to keep everyone safe. We hope soon to resume the popular monthly charity coffee mornings. The hall is available for other activities and events. e: secretary@garstangurc.org.uk e: hallbookings@garstangurc.org.uk www.garstangurc.org.uk

CHURCH BUT NOT ON A SUNDAY It’s been good to keep connected virtually, especially doing the Alpha Course as an online group. Nothing can replace meeting up face-to-face though. r Open fo & s s busine g in r e adh ty fe a s o t es guidelin

If you live in the Catterall area and an informal style of meeting as ‘church’ might be for you this autumn then please join us at Garstang Fish & Chips on Wed 1st Sept at 6:30pm for our first opportunity to meet together. To book your place please ideally ring or text me or just join us on the night if you’re free. Pay and order on the night. It will be great to share a meal together and enjoy each others company. We would love to see you there. Lesley Hardman 07980 070 349

GARSTANG QUAKERS Everyone is welcome at Quaker meeting for worship. We meet on Sunday mornings from 10:30am at the Friends Meeting House, Calder House Lane, Garstang PR3 1ZE. We’ve been careful to put all the precautions in place to keep you safe. We worship online too, using Zoom.

Local family business with over 40 years experience

BATHROOM SPECIALISTS

PLUMBING & HEATING SPECIALISTS

Bathroom Adaptations for Assisted Living Complete Bathroom Suites Washbasins/Toilets/Baths/Showers Wet Rooms Tiling/Decorative Wall & Ceiling Panelling Park Home/Static Caravan Specialists

Replacement/Repairs/Servicing of all your Gas Appliances and Central Heating Systems

We can provide a complete bathroom installation service from the initial design through to the ﬁnishing touches, no matter the shape or size.

Leaks and Bursts Repaired 12yr Guarantee on selected boilers installed Landlord Gas Safety Certiﬁcates/Inspections All aspects of Plumbing works carried out Park Home/Static Caravan Specialists

Oil - Gas - LPG

Call for a FREE Estimate Tel: 01995 638041 Mob: 07968 310352 Email: ecplumbing@yahoo.co.uk www.ecplumbingandmaintenance.com

Open fo busines r s& adherin g to safe ty guidelin es

Are you phoning an advertiser for a quote?

GARSTANG QUAKERS (cont) Woodbrooke also holds several online meetings for worship throughout the week. You can find details at www.woodbrooke. org.uk/about/online-mfw Julie Valentine t: (01995) 601863 e: garstangquakers@gmail.com

GARSTANG FAIRTRADE Town Renewal Congratulations! We’re glad to let you know that your Fairtrade Town renewal for 2021 has been successful. It’s been fantastic to hear about everything that you have achieved in the past few years. Your group has demonstrated dedication to take your

campaign forward and ensure Fairtrade becomes part of daily life in Garstang. It is also worth mentioning that this is your tenth award over 20 years of local Fairtrade campaigning and activity! What an outstanding achievement and I would like to pass on our admiration and appreciation towards of the people of Garstang for their long-standing achievements. Within your recent application we were particularly impressed by your varied and interesting examples of public and political engagement (from awareness events, partnerships within the local community to working with local schools on impressive projects and your relationship with the local town council) during such a difficult time with new and additional challenges presented by covid restrictions. Also, it’s great to see your successes with media engagement though your local magazine

Ascension & Cliff Small

Independent Family Funeral Directors Owned & Run by Robert & Kathryn Caunce & Family Garstang’s only independent family owned & family run funeral directors • Private chapel of rest • Monumental masonry • 24 hours - 365 days • Funerals tailored to individual needs • Golden Charter funeral

plans 5 - 6 Pringle Court, Thomas’s Weind, Garstang PR3 1LN t: 01995 605548 | e: info@ascensionfunerals.co.uk w: www.ascensionfunerals.co.uk

Tell them you saw it in the ‘Green Book’

Also located at Caton, Morecambe & Bolton-le-Sands

GARSTANG FAIRTRADE (cont)

GARSTANG PHOENIX WI

as well your future plans for developing communication with the local press - we can’t wait to see how this develops.

The committee of Garstang Phoenix WI is pleased to be able to announce that our monthly meetings will be resuming on Wed 8th Sept when we plan to start on a cheerful note by welcoming Yvonne Pinder as our speaker for the afternoon.

Annual General Meeting If you wish to support Garstang Fairtrade come along to our AGM at Cabus Village Hall on Sat 25th Sept at 10:00am Big Green Week (Sat 18th - Sun 26th Sept) This will be the largest event for climate ever seen in the UK. Thousands of events will celebrate how communities are taking action to tackle climate change and protect green spaces and encourage others to get involved too. Keep looking at our Facebook page for our Big Green Week Fairtrade events. Peter Ryder e: garstangfairtrade@gmail.com fb: ‘Garstang Fairtrade’ www.fairtrade.org.uk

Yvonne’s talk is entitled ‘Banjo and Beyond’ and members can relax and listen to the music or join in and sing. We meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 2:00pm at Garstang United Reformed Church Hall. A member of the committee is always available to welcome new members and visitors. If you would like to join, or come for just one meeting, you would be very welcome. Lesley Wilson 01995 605274

WINDOWS • DOORS • CONSERVATORIES • CLADDING

HAMBLETON UPVC A local family company trading throughout Wyre

t any We’ll bea ote qu genuine

Over 20 years’ experience Accredited for quality assurance Quality Composite Doors from just £700 fitted!

Conservatory Refurbishment & Replacement

Fast & reliable upvc products & services All jobs fully guaranteed

www.hambleton-upvc.co.uk info@hambleton-upvc.co.uk 01253 700902 / 07930 406257

Are you using a product or service from an advertiser?

GARSTANG LIBRARY Six of the Best

how to complete the different zones.

If you still want to use our Six of the Best collection service you can complete the online request form or email your library with details of the type of book you like to read and the number you would like to collect or phone 0300 123 6703 Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm.

For inspiration to complete the challenge, why not request a SCART themed Six of the Best bag, filled with exciting books for each of the zones?

Forty-five minute sessions on public computers are available on the hour on a ﬁrst-come-ﬁrst-served basis. In some of our libraries we have been able to make a space available for you to sit and study or use our free wifi. Joined the SCART Club 2021? There’s still time to complete the challenge! You can continue to collect your prizes throughout September. Come into the library and tell us about the different activities you have done this summer or ask for ideas on

Not used your free museum ticket in your SCART pack yet? You have until the 12th September to visit one of our amazing, funfilled museums. Garstang Library will present a certificate to the local school with highest proportion of pupils completing the scheme. Can you help your school to win? www.lancashire.gov.uk/libraries-andarchives/libraries/reading-journey/ Home Library Service You can use the Home Library Service if you can’t get to a library because of your age, disability, poor physical or mental health, caring responsibilities or mobility problems.

Tell them you saw it in the ‘Green Book’

GARSTANG LIBRARY (cont) You may want to use the service all the time or for a short period, such as only in winter or when recovering from an illness or operation. A friend, relative or carer can collect books for you. If you can’t arrange for someone to collect them for you, volunteers can deliver your books to you free of charge. If you are interested in joining the Home Library Service or for more information get in touch. Access Your Library At Home Remember you can still download eBooks and audiobooks using BorrowBox, which is available at any time. Download national, regional and world newspapers from RBdigital PressReader. Download audiobooks, magazines, graphic

novels and comics from Overdrive – Libby. Find out more and download step-by-step guides through our digital library: www. lancashire.gov.uk/libraries-and-archives/ libraries/digital-library Mobile Library For further information of times and stops near you please call Glenys on 0771 754 3763 or email garstang.mobile.ml3@ lancashire.gov.uk t: 0300 123 6703 t: 0300 123 6704 (renewals) www.lancashire.gov.uk/libraries-andarchives e: garstang.library@lancashire.gov.uk fb: @LancsLibraries Twitter: @LancsLibraries

GARSTANG MEDICAL PRACTICE Improving Access to our Services Demand on our appointments remains at an unprecedented level and as such the pressure on our phone lines is significant. We are working hard to improve access for all our patients. In the last month we have recruited six new receptionists, along with a new Nurse Practitioner and a practice nurse. Our phone line messages have also been updated and a new option has been added to ensure our more vulnerable patients are able to access home visits in a timely manner. When patients phone the surgery, they will now hear the following options: Press 1 to request your repeat prescription. Press 2 to request a home visit. Press 3 to speak to a receptionist. If you are requesting a home visit and your call is not answered, please do leave a message as these are picked up on a regular basis. (home visits are only available for those who are housebound/too unwell to leave

Are you using a product or service from an advertiser?

GARSTANG MEDICAL (cont) the house). Please do not use this option on the telephone line if you do not require a home visit as the receptionist will be unable to help you and you will be blocking the line for those who need to access this service. Flu Clinics NHS flu vaccines are available for patients aged 50 and over and for those aged six months to 50 years who are in a clinical risk group. This includes those who have diabetes, are pregnant, have a long-term condition affecting the lungs, heart, kidneys, liver, brain or nervous system, the immune system or the spleen. NHS vaccines are also available for anyone who is the main carer of an older or disabled person whose welfare would be at risk if the carer falls ill, those in longstay residential care homes, close contacts of immunocompromised individuals and

frontline health and social care staff. If you are eligible for a flu vaccine, please contact the surgery to arrange an appointment. Once again there will be two different vaccines available. One for patients under the age of 65 (via Red Reception) and one for patients aged 65 and over (via Blue Reception). We will have specific clinics running throughout the autumn/winter months. Flu clinics available for booking are as follows: • • •

Sat 11th Sept Sat 25th Sept Sat 9th Oct

In order to take additional pressure off our phone lines, we would actively encourage all patients, where possible, to book your appointment online via Patient Access, if you are already registered, or use the MyGP

Tell them you saw it in the Green Book

GARSTANG MEDICAL (cont) app which is available to download from both Google Play and the App store.

clinics will be arranged and information communicated to patients in due course.

Please ensure that you book into the correct clinic according to your age.

All school aged children up to the age of 15 who do not have a long-term condition will be offered nasal flu vaccination via their School Nurse. We are unable to offer vaccination via the surgery for this category.

If you are unable to access patient online services, please call the surgery after 11:00am (Mon - Fri) to book your appointment. Patients are asked to wear a face covering and only arrive for their appointment at their given time. On arrival, patients will be asked covid symptom screening questions prior to check in. Please contact the surgery to cancel your appointment if you feel unwell or if you or any member of your household are displaying symptoms of covid. Nasal vaccines will be available for children who meet the above criteria, all pre-school children aged two to four years and for patients with learning difficulties. Separate

Covid Booster Vaccinations At the time of writing, we do not have finalised information regarding the covid booster vaccination programme but expect this to commence towards the end of September. We will communicate with patients accordingly as and when further information becomes available. The Garstang Medical Practice Team t: 01995 607399 fb: @garstangmedicalpractice www.garstangmedicalpractice.nhs.uk

CHARITY AFTERNOON TEA I would like to thank everyone that contributed and also attended the afternoon tea party to raise funds for Breastcancer.org. It was a fun afternoon and enjoyed by all. Two lastminute donations made the final total £500. A big thank you to everyone that helped out on the day also. You did a fantastic job. Margaret Farrington

PILLING HISTORICAL SOCIETY We are hoping to restart our monthly meetings on Tues 7th Sept in the Methodist Church meeting room at 7:30pm. Our first speaker is to be James Houghton with an illustrated talk about the towns around Morecambe Bay. Please come and join us if you are interested in history. New members and visitors are always welcome. At a recent committee meeting, Robert Parkinson told us that a blue plaque has been awarded by Lancaster Civic Society

Are you using a product or service from an advertiser?

Two hours of Happyland fun!

KIDS’ PARTY PACKAGES £9.99 per child

• • •

Max 10 children Platter of sandwiches Crisps & juice

• • • • • •

Max 10 children Platter of sandwiches Selection of salad / veg Bowls of crisps Jugs of cordial Mini Ellie the Elephant Sundaes

£15.99 per child • • • •

Max 20 children Chicken bites, chips & beans Juice Mini Leo the Lion Sundaes

£13.99 per child

• • •

£295 - Exclusive use of Hugo’s & Happyland

Max 35 children Jungle box (chicken bites, chips & Fruit Shoot) Platters of sandwiches & tea / coffee for the adults Zita the Zebra ice cream sharing platters for the children A Happyland mascot visit & photo

For more information • call us on • 015242 20311 or email book@happylandgarstang.co.uk Lancaster Rd, Forton, PR3 0BL Tell them you saw it in the Green Book

PILLING HISTORICAL (cont) to commemorate his mother, Beatrice Parkinson and Janet Raby as female lighthouse keepers at the Plover Scar lighthouse in the Lune Estuary from 194663.

Treatments

ROUTINE NAIL CUTTING CLINIC • Nails cut and ﬁled • Slight callus removal • Nail beds tidied & oiled • Dry skin removed • Professional foot cream applied

ROUTINE PODIATRY

All the above plus • Heavy callus & corn debridement • Treatment of verrucas • In-growing toenails • Fungal nails

GARSTANG SPEAKERS CLUB It’s been a long time since the club met faceto-face. Zoom has been useful but we will all be pleased to return to ‘normal’.

• Nail surgery • Minor ops • Biomechanical assessment • Ultrasound therapy • Plantar fasciitis

VERRUTOP

New to the UK, Verrutop is a formulation of nitric & organic acids, zinc & copper salts. When applied carefully to a verruca, it causes the infected tissues to desiccate, triggering cell death. 90% of patients are cured after a maximum of 6 treatments (average 3 treatments).

Knott End Clinic 14 Lancaster Road FY6 0AR 01253 812555 CH35517

Garstang Clinic 3 Thomas’s Court, Thomas’s Weind PR3 1LL 01995 601106 @LauraAustinPodiatry

www.lauraaustinpodiatry.com lauraaustinpodiatry@gmail.com 24

Hopefully members, old and new, will express their thoughts and ideas on the way forward for our society post pandemic. New and enthusiastic committee members would be welcome and ideas to build on in this ‘new era’. Visitors and new members welcome. Annual subscription £10. Visitors £2. Mary Shepherd 01253 790306

COMPLEX PODIATRY

New a verruc t en treatm

This year, the heritage weekend is on Sat 11th and Sun 12th Sept when Pilling Old Church will be open to visitors from 11:00am to 4:00pm on both days. Also Cockersand Abbey will be open from 12 noon to 5:00pm on the same days.

Normal will be at the Garstang Country Hotel on Tues 7th Sept commencing at 7:30pm, with the caveat that covid regulations remain unchanged. If you have a need to speak to groups, large or small, and would like to build your skill and confidence then we are the group for you. Progress through the skills at your own pace to achieve a real bonus for your CV. We do not have exams to pass so if you just want to learn a new skill, build confidence and meet new friends then we are the group for you. We welcome visitors for a taster session so please get in touch and start the journey. Sue Hubbard t: 01995 600357 e: barleyfold@madasafish.com www.garstangladiesspeakersclub.org

Are you using a product or service from an advertiser?

THE INNER WHEEL CLUB Garstang & Over Wyre At long last we have been able to have a full dinner meeting, and what a very happy occasion it was! Outgoing president, Maureen Garstang had one last duty to perform. She presented a very handsome cheque to Papyrus, her chosen charity for 2019-2020 and 20202021. Papyrus raises awareness of suicide in the young and provides counselling and support through its call centres. Newly installed president, Mary Bolland welcomed us all, but sadly had to announce the sudden death of Sue Hayward (Mamma Sue). Sue was founder of the Happy House in Kenya, a charity the club has supported for some time. Mary’s chosen Charity for 2021-2022 is

Bowland Mountain Rescue (BPMR). The charity is based here in Garstang and is very close to our hearts. A representative will speak to the club in September and we look forward to hearing how their work differed during the Pandemic. We will also be holding a fundraiser for Sightsavers in September with a bric-abrac stall on the high street. There will be a further event in November. Our ever popular charity quiz night will be in February. Details for this nearer the time. We are a very happy group who enjoy getting together for some fun whilst always remembering those less fortunate than ourselves. If that mixture appeals to any other like-minded ladies, why not join us? Mary Mason t: 01995 603447 e: marytmason@icloud.com LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESS SINCE 2008

NPD Curtains & Blinds WE BRING THE SHOP TO YOU

Made to measure & fit in your home or workplace

Boiler Servicing and Repairs

Blinds Roller - Venetian - Vertical - Perfect Fit Pleated - Night & Day Fitting service available for customer’s own blinds

Landlord Certs System Upgrades Boiler Changes Heating Maintenance And Much More... www.atkinsonheatingservices.com info@atkinsonheatingservices.com

07960 193 470

Curtains & Roman Blinds Made to measure in customer’s own fabric Or choose from our range of fabric books. Contact Nigel Phillips on

07776 016 303

AVAILABLE DURING LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS or email nigel@npinteriordesign.co.uk www.npdcurtainsandblinds.com

Tell them you saw it in the Green Book

ROTARY Excited to be Back! By the time you read this, Garstang Rotary will have restarted its programme of face-to-face activities and service projects. Already in August we have met socially to update ourselves on the Millennium Green and for a garden picnic together. September will see us venture further afield to Holehird Gardens near Windermere. Our service activities have continued during

the pandemic with some amazing successes as you may have read in last month’s edition. If you missed it, find your August edition of Focus Magazine. We are now ready to press the start button on our exciting new Community initiative called ‘Connections’. We aim to make it as easy as possible for people of all ages to connect together with others in our community. The funding for this has already been secured and we will be contacting local organisations shortly to discuss it with them. Are you interested in helping with this project? We would love to hear from you. In fact we would love to hear from anyone who can spare a little time and perhaps has some ideas about wanting to help other people. Find out more about our service activities in the community and with young people, or perhaps you are interested in getting involved in international work? You don’t need to make a long term commitment, just get involved with whatever you fancy having a go at and have some fun working with others. It couldn’t be easier to get in touch. Just Google ‘Garstang Rotary’, have a look at our website, then use the contact link to send us your details and a short message. We can meet up for a chat, and we would love to hear your ideas. Richard Fisher

PAUL @ TG WINDOWS

All Joinery Work • UPVC Windows & Doors • Kitchens • Floors • Decking • Cladding Fascias • Guttering • All Work Considered Over 30 Years’ Experience • Time Served Free Estimates & Quotes 01995 606942 / 07769 884 778 pauldodd2169@googlemail.com @PaulatTGWindows

Based in Garstang

ST MICHAELS HARVEST FESTIVAL Sun 26th Sept, 9:15am St Michaels on Wyre Church Our harvest festival will take place on Sun 26th Sept. There will be a service at 9:15 am after which the church will be open all day. Please come and see our beautiful church and the harvest decorations and enjoy home made refreshments. Karen Ball

Are you using a product or service from an advertiser?

GARSTANG & DISTRICT LIONS Donations We have resumed our programme of full club meetings with the first one being held on Tues 17th Aug. While the income stream over the past 18 month period has fallen considerably, we are proud to have supported many covid related activities and initiatives during these difficult times. The club agreed to donate to the Lions District Zone and Multidistrict Organisation a payment of £162.50 as our contribution to their Youth Opportunities Trust which funds a wide range of local and national events and activities for young people. This total is based on the suggested levy per member of £2.50 and £4 respectively. We currently have 25 in our expanding group. A request was also received from Lions International for clubs to assist in a ‘Ball for All Campaign’ buying special footballs with bells inside for use by blind or visually impaired children and their schools. It was unanimously agreed that our club would buy 22 of these at an overall cost of £110. The Royal Oak have superbly hosted our meetings for many years and are looking to purchase a defibrillator for the community. It was agreed to contribute £200 to this worthy cause. Fylde Women’s Aid have a continued need for new clothing items (babies, small children or ladies), new toys, new cosmetic or new toiletries and this appeal is ongoing with our collection point being the Resources Centre (old Liberal Club on Bridge Street). We have just completed one delivery but are planning another soon. The covid pandemic has created an increase in the overall numbers being supported both nationally and locally and this includes more male recipients too.

Tell them you saw it in the Green Book

LYTHAM, ST ANNES, BLACKPOOL, STAINING, POULTON, BISPHAM, THORNTON, CLEVELEYS, FLEETWOOD, HAMBLETON, STALMINE, PREESALL, KNOTT-END, PILLING, GARSTANG, ST MICHAELS, SINGLETON.

Are you using a product or service from an advertiser?

GARSTANG & DISTRICT (cont)

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE GROUP

Events & Activities

We are pleased to announce that classes will begin again on Mon 13th Sept at 7:30pm at the URC Hall, Croston Road, PR3 1FL. The cost per session is £3 which includes refreshments. Why not come along, even just to see what we get up to? We’re a very friendly group and everyone is welcome. For further information please contact Ian 01995 603998 or Pam 01995 603536.

Lion members battled through some very inclement weather conditions to organise the car parking at the recent busy Garstang Show and, considering the prolonged ‘lay off’, this went very well. The next big event is the Lancashire Game and Country Festival on Sat 11th and Sun 12th Sept. Nearly all of our members have agreed to cover either one or both days of this event with all of us hopeful of there being better weather conditions. General Our club continues to grow with a further addition next month but we are always looking for new members. They are invited to attend three meetings before making their decision to join us or not . If you are interested then you would be made most welcome. Further information is available on the website, or you can just speak to any member about what we do, or come along to our regular meetings held on the third Tuesday of the month in the Royal Oak at 8:00pm. Chris Wilkinson

HARMONY & HEALTH Socially distanced face-to-face singing sessions restarting from week beginning Mon 4th Oct. Garstang: United Reformed Church, Park Hill Road. Monday afternoons from 2:00pm 3:00pm. £2.00 per head. Carers go free. Over Wyre: Hambleton Village Hall, Church Lane. Tuesday afternoons from 2.00pm 3.00pm - £2.00 per head. Carers go free. Zoom sessions held on Tuesday mornings from 11:00am - 12:00 noon. No charge. Ann Cameron t: 07966 126 999 e: ann.cameron@mac.com

Marlene Towns

GARSTANG VOLUNTEER FORCE We’ve been quiet here at GVF since the vaccine clinics at Garstang Medical Centre finished. However we are now on standby to help with the proposed covid booster jabs clinics so you can be reassured that if and when they start we will be there to greet you with our usual friendly smiles. Mary Randles

CHATBURN WINDOW CLEANING Window Cleaning (Domestic & Commerical) Pressure Cleaning Gutter Cleaning Conservatory Cleaning Solar Panel Cleaning Patio Cleaning Competative Prices 50 Years’ Experience in the Trade Fully Insured

07802 267 827 / 01524 752911 @chatburnwindowcleaning frank@chatburnhouse.f9.co.uk

Tell them you saw it in the Green Book

GARSTANG ARTS CENTRE Help required! Our faithful retainer who kept the courtyard in good order for many years has finally had to hang up his gloves. We are very grateful for his dedication. We would really like a volunteer to join our happy band at the Arts Centre to take on this role. There is a watering system for the planters, it just needs someone to tend to them and keep the courtyard clear of debris. If you have an hour or so to spare each week, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Hilary, curator of the Arts Centre, on 01995 603524 Art Exhibition The exhibition by Graham Lowe continues to the 16th Sept. Graham has created new work based on his numerous allotment sketches and photographs. All the paintings are in oil paint on canvas and document the changing

GARSTANG STORAGE

A personal service from experienced staff

BRAND NEW SHIPPING CONTAINERS FOR

CLEAN, DRY, SECURE STORAGE CONTAINERS AVAILABLE

� � �

Shipping container sales & hire Indoor Secure Storage Available: 30 sq ft – 100 sq ft Portable toilets for site & event hire

Open 6 days a week Domestic & business customers welcome Local family business established for over 15 years

Parcel deliveries & drop offs

01995 601810 | Green Lane West PR3 1NJ office@garstangstorage.com www.garstangstorage.com

From Tues 21st Sept photographer, Brenda Hempton’s latest body of work may be seen at the Arts Centre. Her subjects are quite eclectic but she is particularly interested in textures and uses fine art textured paper to give a painterly feel to some of the images. Brenda’s exhibition runs until Thurs 14th Oct. All the exhibits are for sale - an opportunity to own a piece of original art. Sheila Tearle (01995) 603816 Songbirds As you will no doubt have seen, the Art Centre is now open and after, speaking with Trish, we have decided to begin our meetings on Mon 27th Sept at the usual time of 1:30 - 3:30pm. Obviously it is with caution presuming you have all had the two vaccinations. We will

Thai at Pilling authentic cuisine

Take Away Open 12 - 9pm Every Day at the Elletson Arms Lancaster Rd, Pilling, PR3 6AH

6 FOOT - 40 FOOT

PACKAGING MATERIALS • Storage Boxes • Bubble Wrap • Parcel Tape / Tape Guns • Padded Envelopes • Mattress & Sofa Covers • Indoor / Outdoor & Armoured Locks

seasons. He has also painted some of the interesting sheds and greenhouses in their various states of dilapidation.

FREEon

y deliver after orders imum in M . 6pm ement u q re ir order on g in d n depe n o ti a loc

Run by Chef Wan & her team • Menu available at www.thaiatpilling.co.uk and facebook/thaiatpilling

Call 01253 790333 to order

Are you using a product or service from an advertiser?

GARSTANG ARTS CENTRE (cont) continue with the wearing of masks to enter and try to social distance as much as possible and hand sanitize. I am sure, like me, you are very excited about getting back to having a good sing (wonder what we will sound like) but most importantly being together again and catching up with a brew. Hope this is good news for you all and look forward to seeing each other providing the government don’t change their mind. If they do maybe we could stand outside Downing Street and give them a song. That should sort it out! Only kidding! The main thing is we are all safe. Get in touch if you need any further information.

Garstang Floral Art Group

Avril Bevan 01995 602904

Mary 01995 605210 or June 01995 602505

Tues 21st Sept, 2:00pm at Garstang Arts Centre. This will be an important meeting to discuss the future of the Group. All members and friends are asked to attend. The meeting will be held in the Music Room and our speaker will be Julie Smith-Moorhouse from Catterall. Julie will be telling us how she preserves flowers - not just your flowers from the garden, but arrangements such as wedding bouquets. This will be followed by tea and cakes and the discussion about the future of the group. There will be no charge for this meeting.

Scrabble Group

Garstang Musical Productions

The Scrabble Group will re-start on Tues 7th Sept. Looking forward to meeting again with everyone. We welcome new members too!

We are so pleased to be back at the Arts Centre rehearsing for our first production since 2019. We have created rehearsal bubbles and it’s starting to feel like the good

Jean Mavin 07501 704 385

Tell them you saw it in the Green Book

GARSTANG ARTS CENTRE (cont) old days. We are pleased to announce our upcoming show, ‘All Together Now’. Dates are: • • •

Fri 12th Nov, 7:30pm: Pilling Village Hall Sat 13th Nov, 7:30pm: Scorton Village Hall Sun 14th Nov, 2:00pm: Garstang Arts Centre

Look out for more on all our social media. Rebecca Sudell Book Club Our first meeting after lockdown is all set for Tues 14th Sept, 10:30am. The theme will be - ‘A Good Lockdown Read’. If you could select a book to talk a little about that would be great. The difficulty here for me will be which one to choose - I think I’ve read or listened to a good few books over the past couple of years!

We’re also hoping to spend some time at this meeting deciding how we want the future of our book club to look. New ideas are very welcome. We look forward to seeing members old and new. Linda 07795 064 266 Sandra 01995 603436 Judy Osborne t: 01995 600996 fb: artcentre.garstang twitter: ArtsGarstang www.garstangartssociety.org.uk

CARDIAC RISK IN THE YOUNG (CRY) Matthew Hesmondhalgh Memorial Fund First and foremost we’d like to convey our grateful thanks to all who have so generously donated or helped the fund in a myriad of varied guises and practical ways over these

ALL ASPECTS OF TREE WORK UNDERTAKEN Large Tree Removal Pruning Felling Site Clearance Hedge Trimming Stump Grinding Tree Planting Fully qualiﬁed, fully insured crew happy to help. For more info please visit our website or contact Ben for a free quote. 07496 155 789 tyrertreecare@hotmail.com www.tyrertreecare.co.uk 32

Are you using a product or service from an advertiser?

CRY (cont) past two months. Gifts of golfing equipment have raised £110; books £220 and clothing £161, whilst donations of items for our recent table top stall at Cabus saw a further £60 added to the screening pot. There have been generous private donations totalling £90, a gift of £25 from the lovely Bloom team at Churchtown and an amazing £1000 has been gifted by the Infocus magazine, all of these kindnesses will ultimately help save lives. Thank you. August marked 10 years since we lost our son, Matthew, to Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS) at 22 years old. It’s been, and continues to be, a very painful journey without him, but the love we have for Matt, and the wonderful things he achieved in his short life, continues to inspire and sustain us in our efforts in trying to prevent other families suffering a similar devastating loss. The support we receive towards providing local

CRY heart screening events for 14- 35 year olds and research into this silent killer is truly incredible and appreciated so much. We always love to work within our local community and in the first week of September we are excited to launch a pop-up shop, selling good quality items in the small room at Catterall Village Hall. We start on Thurs 2nd Sept and will run 2:00pm - 4:00pm; Friday 3rd Sept, 1:30pm – 4:00pm; Sat 4th Sept, 1:30pm – 4:00pm. Each day will have a different theme (maritime/animals/flora) with a range of lovely donations we have received, including many new and good as new items of clothing, shoes, handbags, accessories, homeware, gifts and more, so please do pop along and have a browse and a chat. This is very much a new venture for us and if these trial days go well we hope to continue them on a regular basis, forming links with others to assist and promote our lovely

GARSTANG FUNERAL DIRECTOR Greg Hodgkinson, proud to serve Garstang and the surrounding communities • • • •

Private Chapel of Rest Personal 24hr Support Home Arrangements Golden Charter Funeral Plans

Castle View - Bridge Street - Garstang - PR3 1YB

Tel: 01995 601 600 (24hrs)

www.greghodgkinsonfunerals.co.uk Tell them you saw it in the Garstang Focus

DISCOUNT UPVC &

GLAZING uPVC Windows & Doors Replacement Double Glazed Windows Conservatories Cladding, Gutters & Fascias Caravan & Park Home Specialist

m: 07789 498 572 t: 01253 892849

village. The following day, Sun 5th Sept, sees the return of our very popular ‘Everything £1’ sale, this time in the main function room at Catterall Village Hall, 11:00am – 2:00pm. Entry £1. Please do not bring bags as these will be provided. Paula Hesmondhalgh t: 07785 106 976 e: paulahez.ph@gmail.com fb: @The Matthew Hesmondhalgh Memorial Fund

GARSTANG CAMERA CLUB Hello and welcome to our latest report. The club’s summer season is now drawing to it’s close with only two outings remaining • •

Sat 18th Sept: Silverdale and Arnside. Tues 12th Oct: Rufford Old Hall and Martin Mere. Our recent outing was to Heysham, with mixed conditions, mainly cloud and the odd shower testing conditions for making good images.

5 years’ With over 2 in experience , we y r the indust ndly, oﬀer a frie nd vice a reliable ser e for valu guarantee money.

Ring Nigel on...

CRY (cont)

Typical Back Door from just

£430

We were also in attendance at the Garstang Show. Did you manage to see us? We were kept dry since we shared the Horticulural Tent and quite a bit of interest was shown. Our thanks go to the Garstang Show Committee for allotting us the space. Our 21-22 season starts with our first meeting on Wed 1st Sept at the Arts Centre. For newcomers, we have quite a comprehensive

Are you using a product or service from an advertiser?

GARSTANG CAMERA CLUB (cont)

WOMEN OF GARSTANG & DISTRICT

evening with the following features: a brief analysis of our website, our competitions and a potted history of the club; a camera presentation on the use of filters and long exposures (might I add, not just for newcomers but many members too!); a fine buffet and a summary of where our membership fees disappear to and how this year will develop (pun!). The joining fee is £48 but for a taster and any subsequent meetings, we ask for an entrance fee of £5 which will be deducted from the membership fee if you decide to join. Our aim is to provide a safe gathering for all with as much social distancing as can be allowed for with adequate ventilation, Finally, I wish to thank the club’s chairmen and its committee for steering us through what I believe has been a successful year in spite of the present conditions. Maurice Barker www.garstangcameraclub.co.uk o We als ton in s g lo supply of logs & ets bags, n ﬁregrates g, n li d e kin h mor & muc

We Need You! As part of our Centenary celebrations, Garstang Soroptimists are planning an initiative called WOW Women, a series of 100 profiles of women who have a connection to the Garstang area and who are involved in business, science, technology, engineering or maths, or are entrepreneurs. WOW Women aims to highlight the achievements of local women in employment fields where females are often underrepresented. The profiles will ‘bring to life’

COAL

OPEN SACK FUEL

Coal from £15.50 per 50kg bag Ovoids from £16.50 per 50kg bag

PREPACKED FUEL

015 PHON 24 E 32 fo 01 r coa 176

lo 5 for 24 84 r bott 969 6 led gas

Coal from £6 per 20kg Ovoids from £7.50 per 20kg Union Briquettes (wood coal) from £7.70 per 20kg We also supply logs in ton bags, nets of logs & kindling, ﬁregrates etc We are the main stockist in this area for Homeheat and Calor bottled gas, barbeques, patio heaters and mobile gas ﬁres for sale.

FREE DELIVERY

(minimum order: open sack 2 bags, pre-packed 5 bags)

We deliver to your area every 2 weeks and if required the driver will call to see if you need any fuel

V Catlow & Son Ltd

White Lund Industrial Estate, Morecambe LA3 3BS The company is into the 3rd generation of the Catlow family | “A Diploma Coal Merchant”

Tell them you saw it in the Garstang Focus

DS FLAT ROOF SERVICE Felt roof repairs & full re-roofs All other types of roof catered for For a no obligation quote contact Dave

07840 534 223 davesooty@outlook.com ALL WORK GUARANTEED

All aspects of internal and external carpentry and joinery undertaken. No job too small. Over 30 years’ experience. Free estimates.

Mob: 07846 510 953 Tel: 01995 606 179

WOMEN OF GARSTANG (cont) opportunities for employment and skills for the next generation of women; to inspire girls to think about different career paths; and to prompt ideas about future ways of working. WOW Women is all part of our ethos as Soroptimists - to educate, empower and enable opportunities for women and girls – and is a great opportunity to celebrate all the achievements of women who have a connection to Garstang. If you are interested in taking part – or would like to recommend someone that should be included - then please get in touch. Completing a profile is very easy, consisting of just five questions which outline what is / was involved in the work you do and the things that helped you to succeed. Your profiles can be accompanied by a photograph – it can be a head shot, business logo, or insitu workplace photo. As they say, a picture can tell a thousand words, and it really is a great way to promote the work you do. The profiles will be featured on the Garstang Soroptimists Facebook page and the initiative will be promoted here in Focus Magazine. If you would like to know more, please contact Gail on wow@sigarstang.org.uk fb: SoroptimistsGarstang

THAT’S NEWS TO ME Preesall author Angela Norris has penned a new book outlining her experiences of working as a journalist at the Garstang Courier in the 1970s and 80s. ‘That’s News to Me! Tales of a Rural Reporter’ charts Angela’s memories during an era when roving reporters attended everything from council meetings and the magistrates’ court to ‘amdram’ productions and agricultural

Are you using a product or service from an advertiser?

THAT’S NEWS TO ME (cont) shows. It follows her previous books ‘Dancing to the Beat of the Tide’, about growing up in Knott End during the 1960s and 70s, and ‘Ferry Tales’, a collection of stories from passengers using the Fleetwood to Knott End Ferry. The latest book evokes a lost age when journalism – and Britain – was so very different from what we know today. It promises to be a memory jerker for those interested in social history. Angela recalls how in those pre-internet days reporters were sent scurrying into the community to knock on the doors of village bobbies, clergy, WI officials, local councillors and anyone else deemed able to supply ‘news’. Back then each village had its own resident police officer who would often provide the tip-off to a potential news story. Through her work she got to know all the local bobbies, including Pilling policeman Ted Norris, who was to become her father-in-law. Knott End coastguard chief, Ramsay Taylor, who at that time operated the town’s coastguard station from his cafe near the ferry, was another of her contacts. The CCM factory fire in Garstang, in August 1976, became one of her biggest stories. The workwear factory was the town’s biggest employer - and the blaze shocked the community. Stunned workers gathered at the charred factory remains the morning after the fire to hear the firm’s managing director pledge the company would be back in business. True to his word, within three months production resumed at a temporary location and in less than 12 months a new factory opened on the site of the original building in Windsor Road. In November 1977 tidal floods breached sea defences, causing widespread damage to homes and properties across the Lancashire coast. Householders and businesses in Knott

End, Pilling, Cockerham and Glasson Dock were among those left counting the costs. Angela describes how her own home in School Lane, Pilling, was among the hundreds flooded, but her family were luckier than most. Several farmers suffered loss of livestock, while Pilling rose grower, Bert Pendlebury saw his business wiped out. If ever she needed to fill her notebook she could always rely on council meetings to help her. In 1974, following radical changes to local government, a new district council – Wyre Borough Council – swept into power. Before then both Garstang Rural District Council and Preesall Urban District Council had operated as self-contained civic authorities, each with wide-ranging powers. But after the Local Government Reorganisation Act smaller councils were stripped of much of their power. Councillors were left fuming. Their outbursts of vitriol lead to some headline-grabbing stories, with one Preesall councillor, Fred Hunt, urging councillors to ‘Do a UDI’ (make a bid for a Unilateral Declaration of Independence), copying the Rhodesian government which, in 1965, attempted at to become an independent state. The collapse of a shop in Garstang’s Church Street and the fight by Pilling residents against plans to build a gas terminal in the village are among the stories chronicled in the book. ‘That’s News to Me! Tales of a Rural Reporter in the 1970s’ costs £12.99 and is available from Garstang’s Market Place News; St John’s Hospice Furniture Shop, High Street and Visit Garstang Tourist Information Centre, Cherestanc Square. Proceeds from sales will go to St John’s Hospice, Lancaster and Trinity Hospice, Blackpool. fb: talesofaruralreporter

Tell them you saw it in the Garstang Focus

Are you using a product or service from an advertiser?

GARSTANG HERITAGE SOCIETY

GARSTANG HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Garstang & District

The society is pleased to announce that it hopes to resume meetings in October.

The society is working to promote, share and preserve the local history and heritage of the Garstang district. Our area of interest covers the former Garstang Rural District, including the parishes of Barnacre, Bilsborrow, Bleasdale, Calder Vale, Catterall, Claughton, Forton and Shireshead, Inskip, Great Eccleston, Garstang, Kirkland, Hambleton, Nateby, Nether Wyresdale and Scorton, Out Rawcliffe, St Michael’s on Wyre, Stalmine with Staynall and Winmarleigh. Our website Is used to share aspects of Garstang heritage which otherwise would be lost or not be accessible to the public, and actively record current aspects of Garstang and the former rural district which will be of interest in the future. We will continue to build and add to the website, and we hope to feature a wide range of exclusive articles, historical information, and photographs.

A programme of talks and presentations on a variety of local and regional history topics is being drawn up, as are new membership cards. These will be available in time for our first meeting on Wed 6th October at 7:30pm (enrolment from circa 7:00pm). Full details of the meeting on that date (at our usual venue, Garstang United Reformed Church and hall) as well as a summary of the 2021/2020 programme, and details of remaining social distancing/safety advice etc. will appear in the October 2021 issue of Focus Magazine as well as on our website and in The Courier. Our last meeting was in March 2020. We look forward to welcoming members old and new. Anthony Coppin

PARKINSON’S UK

Our website and Facebook Page is an ideal Preston Branch forum for sharing old photographs, memories, Now that we have started to head back to family tree quests and other local information. normality the branch meeting on Wed 8th We would like to thank everyone who visited Sept should be in our usual venue at St our stand at the Garstang Show. We were Anthony’s social centre. really pleased to be able to display three of the original High Street banners which We have not booked any speakers or generated a lot of interest and discussion entertainment for the rest of this year; it gives about our Heraldic Banner Project which is us an opportunity to get to know each other looking to reproduce the original banners and again and compare lockdown stories. rehang them in our High Street. There will be Christmas cards for sale at the October, November and December meetings Get Involved (subject to availability). If you would like support or get involved in December will, of course, be the Christmas your local heritage, then get in touch. party. Watch this space for details in due e: garstangheritagecentre@gmail.com course. fb: ‘The Garstang & District Heritage Steve Hardaker Society’ www.garstangheritagesociety.org 01995 608962

Tell them you saw it in the Garstang Focus

GARSTANG AFVBC in August at the Tithebarn for their second breakfast meeting since the relaxation of restrictions. Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club Our purpose is to facilitate veterans and serving armed forces personnel to meet faceto-face in a relaxed, safe, social environment to enjoy breakfast and banter, to combat loneliness and allow veterans to ‘return to the tribe’. There are no fees or subs, you just pay for your own breakfast – simple! Garstang AFVBC met on the first Saturday

Despite the weather and the distraction of it being the same day as the Garstang Show, the number attending was very encouraging, with a couple of new members coming along to enjoy a substantial breakfast. With the rules regarding mixing and moving between tables relaxed, this was more the sociable event that members are used to and the level of discussion soon rose. The free raffle was again well received and the free tea and coffee provided courtesy of the Tithebarn was enjoyed by all. The only downside was that the weather prevented members from sitting outside and enjoying the canal view. Our Breakfast Clubs are on the 1st Saturday of each month. Next will be Sat 4th Sept, 9:30am at Th’Owd Tithe Barn, Church Street, Garstang, Preston PR3 1PA

rcise

Zumba, Zumba Gold & Clubbe

Garstang & Forton

Tues 10:30am - 11:30am: ZUMBA Forton Village Hall Tues 7:30pm - 8:30pm: CLUBBERCISE Garstang Community Academy Wed 10:00am - 11:00am: ZUMBA

GOLD

(aimed at the older active adult) Garstang St Thomas Church Hall Thurs 7:30pm - 8:30pm: ZUMBA Garstang St Thomas Church Hall

Contact Rosemarie for details & booking 07876 520 799

rosepetaldanceandfitness@gmail.com

BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL 40

Come an enjoy a breakfast menu ranging from full English breakfast, sausage or bacon butty to beans on toast - all with free tea and coffee. But most of all, the opportunity to catch up with your fellow Veterans and their families, and once again, enjoy some goodnatured banter. Our walks are on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Next will be Sat 18th Sept at 9:30am. We will meet by the river at the High Street council car park. All local veterans are welcome to take part, including family members. The leisurely walks vary in length from two to six miles. We usually finish for free tea/coffee and toast kindly donated to us by the King’s Arms in the High Street. Do come and join us. Looking ahead, we will hold a quiz night on Tues 12th Oct at the Kings Arms, High Street, Garstang. More details to follow. We have very kindly been given the

Are you using a product or service from an advertiser?

GARSTANG AFVBC (cont) opportunity to use a minibus, supplied by Green Pass - Professional Driver Training of Garstang. This will enable us to take our veterans and their families on stimulating visits to places that interest them. The feedback to our survey of where they would like to visit was extremely positive. The many suggestions for visits will be discussed and a plan formulated, which will then be published. After such a long period of not being able to meet and the feel-good factor beginning to return, it is good to see familiar faces come back, make new acquaintances and see friendships developing. We hope that at the next meeting even more will return and we look forward to welcoming both old and new members. Roger Dunn f: Garstang Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club www.afvbc.net/clubs/garstang

SOROPTIMISTS Women Inspiring Action, Transforming Lives A very short piece this month – well, August is usually when we take a month off so there shouldn’t be much to report!. 100 Afternoon Delights Update As reported last month, we held a lovely gathering of the club members, family and friends at President Kathy’s garden for an afternoon tea. And we were indeed lucky lucky with the weather after a few nervous moments during the week leading up to it. We were also delighted on the day to meet a new member Louise who had just joined up despite not having had the chance to meet us all before that day – and she still wanted to stick with us after the meeting!

GREY MATTER TEST (ans page 55) 1. Which game features a top hat, a boot and a racing car?

off the Gulf War?

2. What is the Israeli parliament called?

12. In which novel would you find Long John Silver?

3. What was the name of the aeroplane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima?

13. Who made his last trip on the yacht ‘Lady Ghislaine’?

4. What is added to champagne to make a Bucks Fizz cocktail?

14. ‘Bright Eyes’ was used as the music for a film about which animals?

5. What, in March 1988, ceased to be legal tender in England?

15. Which Greenpeace ship was sunk by the French in New Zealand?

6. Which country had Queen Wilhelmina as Queen until she died in 1962?

16. By what name was Istanbul known prior to being captured by the Ottomans?

7. What is the official language of Haiti?

17. What event took place at Sears Crossing, Bedfordshire in August 1963?

8. Which Spanish region is so named because of its many castles? 9. Which wind blows from the Sahara to southern Italy? 10. What were the first names of the Everley Brothers? 11. The invasion of which country sparked

18. Aspartame is an alternative to what when added to food? 19. What was suffragette Mrs Pankhurst’s Christian name? 20. Which breed of dog do shepherds now most commonly use for herding sheep?

Tell them you saw it in the Garstang Focus

Over Wyre and surrounding Area

Are you using a product or service from an advertiser?

SOROPTIMISTS (cont)

BANISH NEGATIVE THOUGHTS

Another Gathering

Feel in Control Again

We managed to squeeze another afternoon gathering in just before the deadline for this month’s Focus – a plant sale (with tea and cakes, of course) at Muriel’s house. The weather just about held firm for us, and it was great to meet friends old and new to have a good chat, buy/sell plants, and raise some more funds for our chosen charity ‘AfriReuse’.

It’s normal for me in the course of my work to hear people express worries they may be facing but, added to the day-to-day issues many of us experience, there has been another issue we have had to face collectively.

Virtual Bric-a-Brac Just a quick reminder that we are using Facebook at the moment as a way of selling a few items to raise funds for our charity AfriReuse – so if you happen to see one of our posts and fancy our wares, please do dig deep – it’s all in a good cause. WOW Women We’ve mentioned this initiative in previous reports, and this month is when we really launch it. So please read the article on page 35 and get in touch if you think you may be able to join in yourself or know someone else who might be able to. Thank you. Looking Ahead September is when we are hoping to get back to regular meetings in our old haunt of the Garstang Country Hotel and Golf Centre. So if you want to come along on Wed 8th Sept and see what a real meeting looks like, then please do get in touch. Don’t forget to keep checking our website and Facebook page for fuller, regular reports on what we’re up to. Why not look into joining us to help make a difference? Just drop us a line or give our membership co-ordinator Muriel BurnhamAirey a ring. Until next month, take care and enjoy friendship. t: (01995) 606604 (Muriel Burnham-Airey) w: www.sigarstang.org.uk facebook: SoroptimistsGarstang twitter: GarstangSoropt

Many of us have been in a state of tension or anxiety at different times throughout the last 18 months. We have found that we are unable to sleep or relate to others in the same way. Lockdowns have taken their toll - many of the simple things that we used to do with ease feel harder or take more energy. Here are some simple ways to help to alleviate the problems we may be having getting back to a sense of normal that suits us and the way that we live. If you have started to feel worried about things around you, experiencing trains of thought that seem to never end - ‘What will happen to the NHS?’, What will happen to the environment?’, What will happen to my health or the health of those I love?’... You are not alone. But you are also not alone in knowing that this is a very uncomfortable state to be in and can be really debilitating. I often ask clients to see these trains of thought as a just that, a train travelling down a familiar track. Each carriage is another set of thinking about a certain subject. The solution to getting off this track is to see a large ‘stop’ signal in front of the train. See it in your mind - a large red stop signal - and let the train come to a complete stand still. All the thoughts you’re having simply drift out of the windows of the carriages and float away into the air. Then fill the carriages with other thoughts - ‘This is what I can do today to take care of my health. This is how I want to sleep, deeply, and wake up refreshed. I’m going to join a local growing project or to recycle more.’ - See the train filled with these thoughts that you find positive, uplifting and happy. See a

Tell them you saw it in the Garstang Focus

BANISH NEGATIVE THOUGHTS (cont)

3LS

large ‘green for go’ signal and let the train go forward filled with positive intention.

It’s with great delight we can let all our members and friends know that we will be meeting again on Fri 3rd Sept. We’ll gather as usual at the URC church hall at 2:00pm for a social afternoon, which will include a quiz. The chairs will be socially distanced and the wearing of masks will be member’s choice. There will be no charge except for tea and the usual raffle. Members and visitors will be asked to leave their name and contact number to conform with the present regulations.

All you need to do at this stage is notice how different if feels. As soon as you have another thought that could potentially derail you, see if you can just change your ‘train of thought’. This gives us a really strong beginning to feeling in control of the thoughts we are having and feeling we have the power to change them simply. We have been bombarded with very upsetting and negative facts for a long time now and we need to remind ourselves that we can do something to change this whenever we need or want to. For many other helpful hints on better mental and physical health please visit my website and look at the ‘Toolbox’ page. Victoria Brown www.vicotriabrowntherapy.com

Although there will be no speaker this month, one has been arranged for future meetings so watch this space for details. We hope as many members and friends as possible will feel comfortable to meet together again after such a difficult time. If anyone has any questions please do not hesitate to contact Ruth on 01995 602006 or Jack on 01995 238075. Ruth Rendle

Are you using a product or service from an advertiser?

GARSTANG TOWN COUNCIL Legend Fires North West Stages 2022 We are looking forward to the return of the North West Stages Rally in March 2022 after a two year enforced gap due to the covid pandemic. The Town Council at its meeting on Monday 16th August whole heartedly agreed to host the Ceremonial Start on the High Street on Friday 18th March and the Rally Finish again on the High Street on Saturday 19th March. The Rally Organisers have been amazed by the crowds of rally enthusiasts that flocked into Garstang when they first came to the Town in March 2019. It was estimated that approximately 4000 spectators attended the Ceremonial Start. The Rally Drivers were delighted by the warm welcome they received from Garstang people. It was something they had never experienced before in the UK. We look forward to welcoming the teams and marshals to Garstang and I’m positive that the local Rally enthusiasts and those from further afield will get a huge welcome in our town.

Committee and Planning Committee. Ethan has also agreed to be our Fairtrade Representative. Garstang Town Council Open Forums At the time of writing we are about to hold our first post lockdown open forum on Cherestanc Square. This is an opportunity to speak to councillors in person about all things Garstang. Whether you have an idea, need help with a problem, or would simply like to know what we do and how to stay up to date with the council, everyone is welcome to stop by for a chat. The next open forum is pencilled in for 09:30-12:30 25th September 21 (we will confirm this on our website), we always find the forums incredibly helpful and we would love to see you there. Greater Garstang Partnership Board The Greater Garstang Partnership Board, established to help facilitate a vibrant future

Town Council Awards 2022 We are pleased to say that we will be running the Town Council Awards in 2022. The Mayor will be leading the Awards Team and it is expected that they will start the activities next month. Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022 Our Deputy Mayor, Cllr Jonny Leech has started preparations for this remarkable event which takes place over the long weekend from 2nd to 5th June 2022. Watch this space for more info as his plans are crystalised. Update on Our New Councillors – Andrew Hogton & Ethan Lees Andrew has been appointed onto our Personnel Committee and our Planning Committee and Ethan onto our Finance

Tell them you saw it in the Garstang Focus

Local Coupon Booklet

Page 15

Are you using a product or service from an advertiser?

Master Proof - Q22122.indd 15

20/06/2021 20:59:47

GARSTANG TOWN COUNCIL (cont) for the town and surrounding villages, is launching a consultation into how the public think Garstang should progress. The consultation will help the board to develop a Regeneration and Investment Framework for the town. The board recently held a public consultation at St Thomas’ Church Hall but there is still time to have your say online at www.wyre.gov.uk/greatergarstang before the consultation closes on 5th September 2021. As always, we are keen to hear your thoughts on how the town council is doing, and about any issues or concerns that you would like us to look into. Much of our information is available on our website or you can call or email our town clerk, Edwina Parry. Our next meeting will be held on Mon 20th Sept, starting at 7:30pm, at Garstang Free Methodist Church, Windsor Road . Edwina Parry - Town Clerk t: 07592 792 801 e: clerk@garstangtowncouncil.gov.uk www.garstangtowncouncil.org

CAT SMITH MP As we reach the end of the summer holidays, I am sure many of you will be eagerly anticipating the return to school for your little people. The summer holidays can seem long but I hope you managed to make some lovely memories. I stayed local with my little one this summer and really enjoyed a few nights in Blackpool and our local attractions. It makes you realise just how lucky we are to live in an area like ours. However, travelling the roads always reminds me that potholes and road repairs are never

off my to-do-list, chasing Lancashire County Council about the worst roads in Over Wyre. By way of a quick update on Lancaster Road/Head Dyke Lane/Pointer Corner: I am pleased to say that LCC plan to carry out extensive highway improvements later this year to Lancaster Road and several of the surrounding roads. These include works to improve the carriageway on the section of Lancaster Road from its junction with Head Dyke Lane through to its junction with Cart Gate. LCC also plan to carry out a programme of safety works to improve the road furniture and markings on Head Dyke Lane and Burned House Lane. In addition, surfacing works are planned for Cart Gate, Sandy Lane, and Lancaster Road in Knott End-on-Sea this year. This good news makes me feel like all the lobbying might be about to pay off soon – and I hope our safer roads mean we can all get out and about with confidence no matter how we travel. Over the summer recess from Westminster I managed to get out and about in Over Wyre and one of the visits which really impressed me was to Winmarleigh and Cockerham Moss. This is Lancashire’s best example of a lowland raised peat bog. The reserve is a real hidden gem, but is still recovering from a chequered past. Drained and exploited for peat extraction, the Moss suffered serious degradation until it’s fortunes began to turn around in the 1990s when English Nature started to re-wet and restore the land. Then in 2010 and 2012 the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire Manchester and North Merseyside bought Cockerham Moss and Winmarleigh Moss to safeguard the plants and animals, and began restoring this invaluable landscape. After years of destructive activity, the Moss is drying out and losing its important animal and plant-life. Thankfully, the staff and volunteers are working hard to rewet the moss and

Tell them you saw it in the Green Book

CAT SMITH MP (cont) encourage the regrowth of important plants. The team have constructed more than 4km of peat bunding to help hold water on the reserve. Supported by other restoration work, Winmarleigh and Cockerham Moss is beginning to thrive once more. Common lizards can be spotted scuttling amongst the vegetation and fascinating plants like the carnivorous round-leaved sundew lurk underfoot. Sphagnum moss is beginning to regrow, and the beautiful red rubies of bog cranberry can be seen across the reserve. Most exciting of all, the rare large heath butterfly flies across the boggy areas of Winmarleigh Moss between late June and early August. Shockingly 98% of our lowland peatland habitats have been destroyed. Despite peatlands being a vital part of our heritage and listed as a UK Priority Habitat, they are regarded as wastelands to be exploited.

Healthy peatlands are wet and boggy. Combined with low oxygen conditions, this moisture means plant material doesn’t rot and is instead compressed into acidic peat soil. The soil has very few nutrients; specialist conditions that nurture a range of important plants that have perfectly adapted to survive in this unique environment. Thanks to the wet, acidic, low nutrient conditions, peatlands have the ability to store millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide that has been absorbed over thousands of years, helping in the fight against climate change. Not only that, but they reduce the risk of flooding by soaking up water during periods of high rainfall and gradually releasing it over time. By contrast, a degraded peatland actively leaks carbon into the atmosphere. Congratulations to the team for doing such an amazing job to ensure this vital resource prospers. This month we saw some alarming new statistics released by NHS England. They showed that there are now 5.5 million people on waiting lists - up 200,000 – the highest figure on record. This is something I am hearing more and more about from constituents waiting for medical procedures with all the concern and worry that comes with that. Behind every statistic is a desperately worried patient in pain and distress, at risk of illness or disability. Last year we stood on our doorsteps and clapped our key workers and our NHS workers. We hailed our social care workers, doctors, nurses, health care assistants, porters, radiographers, midwives, cleaners, and paramedics. July was also the first month ambulance services answered over 1 million calls, which really brings it home the scale of the challenge being felt throughout our health care systems. When Parliament returns next month the backlog in NHS treatments, the crisis in

Are you using a product or service from an advertiser?

CAT SMITH MP (cont) social care, mental health and the desperate need for public health investments will be very much on my agenda as I look for opportunities to stand up for all who live in Lancaster and Fleetwood – regardless of health status, disability, or illness. Cat Smith MP t: 0207 219 6001 e: cat.smith.mp@parliament.uk www.catsmith.co.uk

dictable weather in our part of the country can be demanding and I am extremely thankful that we have the Wyre Flood Forum and local Flood Action Groups (FLAGs). The Forum meets throughout the year and gives the local action groups an opportunity to highlight local flooding issues to all responsible bodies. I am also represented at these meetings and always keep a close eye on the local FLAGs and the great work they do. Highways

BEN WALLACE MP Sitting here looking out of the window, I do wonder if summer has been and gone. I do hope not, and like many of you I hope for a long Indian summer. Local Action Groups The sometimes unpre-

CROSSWORD (ans page 55)

Driving around the local area I notice traffic is increasing. This is inevitable and will peak when schools go back. I am keeping an eye on the A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool improvements and I thank all those who have contacted me about the works. Of course there will be disruption but, it is important to keep it to a minimum and that is why my office is working closely Across 4 Type of opera? (4) 6 Gather; assemble (7) 7 Woman’s singing voice (4) 8 About light or vision (7) 9 Trick; bird (4) 12 Fewer (4) 16 From Spain or Portugal (7) 17 Group of three (4) 18 Enhance; take to the next level (8) 19 Short-tailed cat (4) Down 1 Group of fish; teach (6) 2 Dinner crockery (6) 3 Seat; magistrate’s court (5) 4 Lose momentum (5) 5 Following (5) 10 Not vegetable or mineral? (6) 11 Doghouse (6) 13 At dawn; beforehand (5) 14 American tribe (5) 15 Bushy barrier; insure (5)

Tell them you saw it in the Green Book

BEN WALLACE MP (cont) with Highways England (HE), meeting them twice last week discussing the works. HE tell me the work is progressing well as we move into September, teams are preparing for piling works at Skippool Bridge and Lodge Lane. The piling is to build support walls and widen the bridge over Main Dyke (next to Old Mains Lane) and to build a new access road and bridge at Lodge Lane. The base layer for the new road between Garstang Road East and Mains Lane has been laid. This will form one of the main sections of the new road. A temporary drainage system to hold rainwater while building the new road has been started. A new drainage system continues to be built at Skippool and Skippool Road at its junction with Skippool Roundabout will be closed from Mon 13th Sept for six weeks. United Utilities and HE believe the closure is absolutely necessary and alternatives have been looked at, but, I am told the closure is the most practical and safest option. HMRC Scams I am concerned about the amount of HMRC related scams that have been reported recently. Please report it if you receive suspicious HMRC emails, text messages and phone calls to HMRC’s phishing team at phishing@hmrc.gov.uk or go to: https://bit. ly/hmrc-scams-2021 for more information. Broadband I know the speed and quality of broadband is an issue in some areas so I am delighted that the government has announced that Lancashire will benefit from a share in £5billion to fund the roll-out of super-fast broadband across rural England to level up internet access across the UK. The funding will be administered by Lancashire County Council and I will be writing to the council shortly to lobby for our rural areas to be included in this work. If you

experience a poor broadband service please do contact me as soon as possible so that I can be sure to include your area in my representations to County Hall. Covid Update Although we are now back to the new normal with regard to covid, I would just like to urge everyone to continue to use common sense and respect others with regards to distancing and the wearing of face coverings. Even though the vaccination uptake has been good in this area we must remain cautious and some may find it difficult to socialise especially those with health concerns. As always to keep up to date with the latest advice please go to www.gov.uk Keep in Touch I am out and about a lot more now and am looking forward to travelling around the constituency speaking to businesses, charities local groups and individuals etc. As always, my mailbag has been full of letters covering many issues both local, national and indeed international. I say it often but, please do keep the letters and emails coming. Although I do pride myself on travelling around the constituency listening to residents, I can’t speak to everyone and it is vital for me to know the issues that concern people on a daily basis in order for me to carry out my role as your MP The most effective way to contact me is by email with a brief description of the issues you wish to raise, along with your contact details (including home address). You can also ring my office or write to me at the House of Commons. Ben Wallace MP t: 0207 219 5804 e: wallaceb@parliament.uk a: House of Commons SW1A 0AA

Are you using a product or service from an advertiser?

WYRE FLOOD FORUM A feature of attending Flood Forums is to witness the spread, quality of research, skill and commitment of the men and women who make up village FLAGs. They are qualified in their own subject and are able to intellectually challenge officers who are themselves professionally qualified. For instance Michael O’Flaherty of Hambleton FLAG produced an 11 page report quoting evidence of the problems of the drainage system of the village - professionally presented and persuasive. Roger Weatherell, chairman of the Churchtown FLAG circulated two detailed hand drawn sketches of the problem areas in the village which drew the eye to the nub of the problem. All are volunteers and deserve the gratitude of residents who will probably never know the full extent of the contributions made on their behalf. Under Matters Arising, the topic of Over Wyre foul sewage was discussed particularly the issue of capacity which in itself should ring warning bells in planning offices. United Utilities were requested to address the issue and bring back their findings to the September meeting. UU are they said proposing to install flow metres by the end of November this year to establish reliable rates to ‘better understand’ the sewage network. Some might be surprised reading this statement.

• • • •

Slippage at Catterall and recalibration of telemetry Survey bank at Whites Brook and improving embankment. Repair gabion baskets and bank leakage at Rivermead, St Michaels. Commence report into failure of Stanah pumping Station and installation of a camera.

I again asked for an update of a hydrology report on the Ainspool. Although a very narrow, slow moving stream it is an EA major river as the residents of Churchtown know to their cost. In support, Carl Green the Wyre Chief Engineer and Chairman of the Forum suggested that EA might wish to model the river. He also commented that Wyre Rivers Trust were looking to implement Natural Flood measures to improve drainage. Questioned on their Carbon Neutral target EA confirmed that they would not stop

Again UU have been unable to identify any malfunction in Raikes Road - Lancaster Road, Great Ecceleston causing flooding even though the land owner has cleaned out the watercourse. The Environment Agency (EA) has been maintaining watercourses by regularly cutting grass on the banks of water courses except in Stalmine and Rawcliffe Road, St Michaels. They have received Storm Ciara recovery monies from government for the following; •

Repair Scour where Inskip Brook joins the Wyre and at Stockenbridge Farm

Tell them you saw it in the Green Book

FESTIVAL

WILLIAMSON PARK, LANCASTER

LIGHTNING SEEDS GET CAPE. WEAR CAPE. FLY

FRIDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER BECKY HILL ELLA EYRE WILKINSON DJ SET FT. MC AD-APT & MANY MANY MORE

SATURDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER CLEAN BANDIT (DJ SET) * HYBRID MINDS & MANY MANY MORE

Are you using a product or service from an advertiser?

WYRE FLOOD FORUM (cont) building flood defences but NFMs would be increasingly be used. They not only improved drainage but improved habitats and reduced flooding. A £6m grant had been secured from ‘Flood and Coastal Resilience and innovation programme’. There followed a lively exchange of views on this sensitive topic. Lancashire County Council ran through a lengthy list of projects underway or planned including Hambleton, Broadpool Lane and Carr Lane, and highway drainage on Grange lane and Bull Park Lane, Highway drainage at Dry Bread Lane and Knitting Row lane – what wonderful names? Repair works on Rawcliffe Road are underway. In Preesall, a topographical survey has been undertaken on the hill which will lead to a scheme to divert water to protect properties on Sunnyside Terrace. Linda Rowland, the FLAG secretary said people she knew were very scared at the prospect of more flooding. In Churchtown, work on surface water drainage on the Avenue, that part of the A586 which Joins the A6 which made use of the sketches provided by Roger Weatherell, mentioned above, was due to commence on Mon 19th July and a report will be submitted to the September meeting.

Systems) were properly maintained. He considered that flooding would not increase if land was made more porous. LCC are planning works in July to block off a drain from the A586 directly flowing into Ainspool Lane. In Nateby persistent flooding of Longmoor Lane is being investigated. In conclusion FLAG members felt that agencies were working flat out in attempts to solve many water related problems some of which had potentially devastating consequences for residents and businesses. The next meeting is on Thurs 8th Sept when half the attendees will be live at the council chamber Poulton and the remainder attending by Teams. Roger Brooks Garstang Town Council

RW reported that he considered that the flooding to the Ainspool could originate from two sources: Either one or more flap valves on the watercourses is not shutting fully or water on Greens Wood, being higher than the ditches on Ainspool Lane. It may be necessary to look how to store water in Green wood to prevent it discharging to and flooding Ainspool Lane. Furthermore he said that the FLAG was looking at flood water management to hold water further upstream using the NFM approach. He understood that a modelling had been carried out in the 1990s. He said that new housing did not in itself increase flooding as long as SuDs (Sustainable Drainage

Tell them you saw it in the Green Book

RICK ASTLEY WITH VERY SPECIAL GUEST

SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR SUPPORTED BY

THE CUBAN BROTHERS

SUNDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER 2021 WILLIAMSON PARK, LANCASTER DOORS OPEN 5PM

Are you using a product or service from an advertiser?

GREY MATTER TEST ANSWERS

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

Across 4 Soap 6 Collect 7 Alto 8 Optical 9 Lark 12 Less 16 Iberian 17 Trio 18 Upgrade 19 Lynx

Monopoly Knesset Enola Gay Orange juice £1 note Holland French Castile Sirocco Don & Phil Kuwait Treasure Island Robert Maxwell Rabbits Rainbow Warrior Constantinople The Great Train Robbery Sugar Emmeline Border Collie

Down 1 School 2 Plates 3 Bench 4 Stall 5 After 10 Animal 11 Kennel 13 Early 14 Sioux 15 Hedge

Tell them you saw it in the Green Book