Garstang Focus Magazine - December 2021 by Focus Magazines

FOCUS MAGAZINE 'The Green Book'

A Winter’s Day in Winmarleigh

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

Issue 254 December 2021

B ST YOUR IMMUNITY THIS WINTER

WITH THE FLU VACCINE COVID-19 BOOSTER Flu and COVID-19 can both be life-threatening and spread more easily in winter. If you’re 50 or over, you are eligible for a free flu vaccine and a COVID-19 booster. Get vaccinated. Get boosted. Get protected. nhs.uk/wintervaccinations

Welcome to Focus Magazine... Festive Santa Dash............................................4 Garstang Festive Trail......................................4 Christmas Tree Festival..................................5 Christmas Tree Festival - St Thomas’s...5 Lancaster Singers Christmas Concerts...5 Christmas Tree Festival - St Peter’s.........6 Christmas Services...........................................6 Garstang Volunteer Force.............................7 Calder Vale Methodist Church...................7 Garstang Quakers..............................................8 Scottish Country Dance Group...................9 Babas........................................................................9 St Michaels on Wyre........................................9 Cloughton on Brock WI..................................10 Cabus WI................................................................10 Heritage Society.................................................10 Coffee Stop............................................................12 Garstang Arts Centre.......................................14 Fairtrade..................................................................16 Greater Garstang................................................17 Garstang Millennium Green.........................18 Parkinson’s UK.....................................................18 Garstang Theatre Group................................19 Harmony & Health.............................................20 Wyre Flood Forum............................................20 Garstang Medical Practice...........................24

Eat, Drink & be Merry.......................................30 Garstang Lions....................................................32 Soroptimists..........................................................34 Rotary.......................................................................37 Cardiac Risk in the Young..............................38 Lancashire Volunteer Partnership............39 Pilling Historical Society................................40 Free Business Social Media Support......40 Garstang Camera Club...................................41 Garstang AFVBC.................................................41 Garstang Town Council...................................43 Ben Wallace MP.................................................46 Cat Smith MP........................................................48 Christmas Crossword.......................................49 Wyre Council........................................................50 Sudoku.....................................................................50 St Thomas’ Church............................................52 Garstang Running Club..................................52 Grey Matter Test.................................................53 JANUARY 2022 EDITION Please note, because of the Christmas break, the January edition will be out a little later than usual, with deliveries starting from Thurs 6th Jan.

JANUARY 2022 DEADLINE DATE

The January deadline for editorial and adverts is 5:00pm on Monday 13th December. Deliveries of the January edition of Focus Magazine will commence on Thursday 6th January. 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.

FESTIVE SANTA DASH Sun 5th Dec, 11:00am We are now taking bookings for our festive dash. To be part of this fantastic event please enter via our website. All abilities are welcome including children, buggies, mobility scooters and wheelchairs. The event will be fully marshalled (with first aiders) and there will also be entertainment. •

Best dressed festive dog competition

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Entry fee of £12 for adults and £6 for children includes your Santa suit, finisher’s medal and hot chocolate

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The route is approximately three miles.

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Walk, jog or run

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Festive warm-up with Zumba By Jayne

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Blackpool Brass will be performing from 11:15am in Cherestanc Square entertaining the Christmas shoppers, spectators and again at 12noon for the finishers.

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Christmas carols from 11:30am by Garstang Musical Productions

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Entertainment from local DJ Darrel Edwards

The event is sponsored by Towers & Gornall Limited and Bella’s Coffee House. Money raised will be donated to Garstang’s Christmas lights fund and Garstang Scarecrow Festival. Liz Webster www.garstangsantadash.com

GARSTANG EVENTS TEAM Christmas Festive Trail Mon 6th Dec To brighten up the town and make us feel all Christmassy we are organising a trail of Christmas trees and Christmas lights displays right through the town. If you would like to join the trail, please let us know – drop us a message via our Facebook page and we’ll send you more details. Entry is completely free! There are four categories: •

Business Display: We would like all the local businesses with a shop front to enter their window in this category. All entries will be added to the trail map and a trophy will be awarded for the one that gets most votes from the public.

•

Family Display: Here we are asking for people who decorate the outside of their houses to join the trail. Whether it’s lights, Christmas trees, Santas, reindeer or angels – we want their display on the trail. A trophy will be awarded for the one that gets most votes from the public.

•

Community Display: This category is for community groups to put on an outdoor display. It can be at their meeting place or any location they like. A trophy will be awarded for the one that gets most votes from the public.

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Street Display: This category is for a

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GARSTANG EVENTS (cont) street to enter their display in the trail, and again a trophy will be awarded for the one that gets most votes from the public. We will publish a trail map that can be collected from collection points to be announced nearer the time, and there will be downloadable maps available too. Find out more on our Facebook page Christmas Tree Festival Thurs 9th, 16th & 23rd Dec & Sat 11th & 18th of Dec, 10:00am - 2:00pm We’ve teamed up with St Thomas’s Church to host our Christmas tree festival. If your business or group would like to enter a tree just contact us via our Facebook page. All we ask is that the tree is 5ft or less tall, only uses battery operated light and showcases what your business or group is all about. Let your imagination run wild! There will be Christmas trees and the church will be selling tea, coffee and cake when the festival is open.

LANCASTER SINGERS Christmas Concerts Tues 14th, 7:30pm Ashton Memorial 18th Dec, 7:30pm Christ Church After more than 500 days apart we are once again rehearsing and performing live! We gave a resounding ‘We’re Back!’ concert in November which was a joyous occasion for Singers and audience alike. We’re looking forward to the future very much. Our Christmas Carol Concerts will be held in the iconic Ashton Memorial, followed by Christ Church, Wyresdale Road, Lancaster, respectively. The Memorial’s lofty ambience and Christ Church’s gothic splendour make for wonderful experiences and we hope you can join us for some beautiful music as well as a mince pie and a glass of mulled wine. Tickets, £12, available from the website or from Williamson Park. Seating will be limited this year so you are urged strongly to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Shop Local Advent Calendar During December we are working with the ‘Your Garstang’ Facebook group to bring a ‘shop local’ advent calendar to the Garstang community - keep an eye on the ‘Your Garstang’ Facebook page and group where there’ll be a new offer each day from one of our fantastic independent local businesses. Reverse Advent Calendar We will also be launching our community Reverse Advent Calendar campaign, aimed at gathering needed items for our local community food bank in the lead up to Christmas. If you’d like to get involved, more details will be on the ‘Your Garstang’ Facebook page and group in the lead up to December. Mary Randles Facebook: ‘Garstang Events Team’

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LANCASTER SINGERS (cont)

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL Fri 3rd Dec to Sun 5th Dec St Peter’s Church, Quernmore LA2 9EL

We would respectfully request that masks are worn on arrival and departure and that appropriate social distance is observed. Lancaster Singers is an auditioned choir, formed more than 40 years ago. Under the baton of our dynamic director, Duncan Lloyd, we give five or six concerts a year. The repertoire is eclectic and ranges from early renaissance music to the very latest compositions by some of the world’s greatest living choral composers. We rehearse during term times at Lancaster University. We also have some great social events during the year. If you’re looking to join a vibrant and accomplished choir, come along to a couple of rehearsals in the New Year and check us out. Email Sarah at welcome@ lancastersingers.org or call Chris. Chris Haughton t: 07976 875 586 www.lancastersingers.org

Come and visit our beautiful country church, lit up by Christmas trees, decorated by our generous sponsors – local businesses, individuals and primary school. The church will look wonderful and the atmosphere will be very special. For many reasons it can be hard to come into church, so we hope that this special event will provide a warm and welcoming place for everyone. Fri 3rd & Sat 4th Dec 10:00am – 5:00pm and Sun 5th Dec 11:00am – 5:00pm •

Family Service Among the Trees Sun 5th Dec 10:00am

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Christmas Carol Service Sun 19th Dec, 7:30pm

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Christmas Crib Service Fri 24th Dec 3:00pm

Gale Barton

CHRISTMAS SERVICES Christians Together in Garstang Garstang St Thomas’ Church

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Sun 12th Dec, 10:30am: Informal Nativity Service

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Sun 19th Dec, 6:30pm: Service of Nine Lessons and Carols

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Fri 24th Dec, 5:00pm: Christingle Service 11:30pm: Midnight Eucharist

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Sat 25th Dec, 9:30am: Worship with Carols

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Sun 26th Dec, 10:30am Holy Communion

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CHRISTMAS SERVICES (cont)

CALDER VALE METHODIST CHURCH

Garstang Free Methodist Church

Advent is here and the first Candle has been lit. At Calder Vale our crib is up and lit and we are in the midst of our preparations for Christmas and celebrating the coming of Jesus as the saviour of the world.

•

Sun 12th Dec, 10:45am: Kids Klub and Connect Nativity

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Tues 14th Dec, 7:00pm: 4Front Theatre ‘The Satellite Before Christmas’ (tickets from church office)

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Sun 19th Dec, 6:30pm: Carol Service – Mince pies and coffee served afterwards

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Sat 25th Dec, 10:45am: Christmas Morning Service

Garstang United Reformed Church •

Sun 19th Dec, 10:45am Carol service

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Sat 25th Dec, 10:15am - 11:00am Caféstyle Christmas service in the hall

Garstang Quakers at The Friends Meeting House •

Fri 24th Dec, 5:30pm to 6:00pm: Christmas Eve candle lit meeting for worship. Everyone welcome. Contact 01995 602974.

On Sun 5th Dec at 10:45am, the second Sunday in Advent, our family service will be led by Rev. Keith Borwick. Christmas is a time that we look forward to with much anticipation and excitement but for some it is also a time of sadness and loneliness. We see the empty chair and remember the loved one who is no longer with us. On Sun 12th Dec at 3:00pm we will have a special time when we will have the space to be sad, to weep, space to remember and give thanks for those we no longer see. Do come and join us for this time of reflection. On the fourth Sunday in Advent, Sun 19th Dec, at 2:00pm we will have our carol service

St Mary & St Michael •

Fri 24th Dec, 6:00pm & 10:00pm.

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Sat 25th Dec, 10:30am (no Saturday evening mass.)

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Sun 26th Dec,10:30am

Susan Willoughby

GARSTANG VOLUNTEER FORCE We are busy, as usual, with booster vaccine clinics at Garstang Medical Practice. We have at least one per week between now and Christmas, so if you’re coming along please give us a smile and a cheery word - it can get pretty cold in the car park!

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If you need any help when you get to the clinic just ask one of the volunteers, they’re always happy to make sure everyone gets supported. Mary Randles

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CALDER VALE METHODISTS (cont) led by Deacon Jane Gibson. All the favourite carols and Christmas readings.

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On Christmas Day, Sat 25th Dec, we will light the fifth candle at our service of celebration at 10:00am. All the family welcome. If you are busy on Christmas Day and want to relax on Boxing Day morning (Sun 26th Dec) we have a family service at 10:45am when we can share our stories of this Christmas and our memories of Christmases past. The candles of the Advent wreath symbolize hope, love, joy and peace. Our prayer for us all this special Christmas is that we will know some of the hope, love, joy and peace that Jesus came to bring to the world and that it is not just at Christmas time but for the coming year. On Fri 17th Dec from 11:00am we will have our Christmas Flower Decoration Day. Why not come along and surprise yourself with your creativity. All materials provided. We need to know numbers for catering etc so booking is essential. Please contact me. Our take away lunches continue on Fridays. Please give me ring if you want to order or know more. A very happy Christmas and a peaceful and healthy New 2022 from all at Calder Vale Methodist Church. Thank you.

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GARSTANG QUAKERS Fri 24th Dec, 5:30pm - 6:00pm Quaker Meeting House, Calder House Lane PR3 1ZE On Christmas Eve there will be the usual much-loved candle-lit meeting for worship. Please bring a torch as the track up to the meeting house is rather uneven. You will be most welcome to come and share with us this time of quiet reflection in the midst of the Christmas busyness. Judith 01995 602974

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SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE GROUP Mon 6th Dec, 7:30pm Garstang United Reformed Church Hall We meet at the United Reformed Church Hall on Monday evenings from 7:30pm. We finish this session on Mon 6th Dec and start up again on Mon 10th Jan by which time we’ll all be in need of exercise! New members are always welcome – no previous dancing experience is required. For further Information, please contact Ian 01995 603998 or Pam 01995 603536. In the meantime, we wish dancers past and present, a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Marlene Towns

BABAS Baby & Toddler Group Hello to parents, carers and children. We are open again after lockdown at Garstang Methodist Church in Wesleys, Wednesday mornings 10:00am - 11:30am. Come along for chat, brew and play. Dorothy Gorst 01995 606226

ST MICHAEL ON WYRE OVER SIXTIES As a new beginning, we will be having a buffet lunch and informal get together on Wed 12th Jan at St Michael’s on Wyre Village Hall, 12 noon. All members, and anyone interested in becoming a member are welcome. Lunch will be provided by Churchtown Ladies and will cost £10 per person. For more details and to book your lunch, please contact Kathy Scheib on 01995 679416. Meetings will then continue on the first Wednesday of each month as usual with a game of social dominoes, a raffle and tea and biscuits and, hopefully, the occasional trip. Frances Whewell - Secretary

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CLAUGHTON ON BROCK WI Christmas Party Tues 7th Dec, 7:30pm Hello everyone and thank you for attending last month’s AGM and hotpot supper. That quiz was a real brain teaser wasn’t it? Thank you to all who were involved in organising a great evening. Our next meeting will be on Tues 7th Dec at 7:30pm. Just a reminder that you can bring either a sweet or savoury dish for our buffet and also a Secret Santa wrapped gift of about £4 in value. Remember that if you are inviting a guest, you will need to bring an extra dish and a gift so that we have enough to share. We are lucky to have such fantastic cooks in our WI and I’m sure you can’t wait to see and taste the amazing buffet we always do so well. We are thinking of others at this special Christmas time and are supporting a local women’s refuge so if you can spare any

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CABUS WI Wed 1st Dec Cabus Village Hall, 7:30pm Cabus WI meets on the first Wednesday of the month at Cabus Village Hall at 7:30pm. Our December meeting will be our Christmas party. There will be a Jacobs Join and speaker, and don’t forget your secret Santa present to the value of £3. Margaret Swift 01995 606676

HERITAGE SOCIETY 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. Heraldic Banner Project This project, which is looking to reproduce the original banners and rehang them in our High Street, is still ongoing. Progress has been made in identifying the brackets but now we need to check if they are in need of repair or replacement. Lancashire Local List Project Lancashire residents are being asked for their participation on a new project funded by the government and supported by Historic England. The project encourages

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HERITAGE SOCIETY (cont) communities to identify the local heritage which they value most for recognition and inclusion on a Local Heritage List. We will be actively supporting this project and are looking to include appropriate Garstang and District heritage assets. To help us in this it would be much appreciated if residents could think about all the local landmarks that are important to our community and email your suggestions and perhaps photos to us. Get Involved If you would like support or get involved in your local heritage, then drop us an email. Peter Ryder e: garstangheritagecentre@gmail.com

COFFEE STOP Our community cafe opened in Inglewhite in 2005 and we moved into Catterall too in 2013. It’s wonderful to reunite again. We’re open on most Tuesday mornings between 10:00am and noon and invite you to come along for coffee and company. We aim to offer a safe and friendly place where you can come along alone or with friends. We welcome everyone and invite walkers, cyclists, locals and visitors to call in for a cuppa. There is disabled access and free parking at both venues. We are staffed by volunteers from Inglewhite Church and both communities. We will be open on Tues 7th Dec at Catterall Village Hall. Our Christmas celebration is at Inglewhite on Tues 14th Dec at 11:00am. A buffet lunch will be served in the church hall at noon. Please reserve your place by making payment of £10 for lunch. We will be delighted to welcome you during December. The Coffee Stop team wish you a peaceful Christmas and New Year Lesley Hardman

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GARSTANG ARTS CENTRE Art Exhibitions Pam Turner’s exhibition continues until Thurs 9th Dec. Pam’s watercolour, acrylic and mixed media paintings frequently reflect her enthusiasm for travel and architecture. She exhibits regularly and has undertaken private and commercial commissions. She is particularly interested in exploring and experimenting with a variety of styles to best reflect her work. Open Art Competition Entries are now being invited for the ever popular Open Art Competition/Exhibition in January. Details and entry forms may be found on Garstang Arts Society website. Sheila Tearle 01995 603816 Garstang Ukulele Group Open Mic Sat 11th Dec 7:00pm We shall be celebrating December with an

open mic evening at the Garstang Arts Centre. There will be mulled wine, mince pies and plenty of music, not just ukuleles. Everyone is welcome to come and play or just to listen. Bob Sapey www.garstangukulelegroup.co.uk Songbirds We are all enjoying our weekly singing. It’s so good to be together again after what has been a very unusual eighteen months. We continue to be cautious given the virus is obviously still around but having the joy of music to share certainly lifts our spirits. We have planned our Christmas party at the Art Centre for Mon 13th Dec at 12:30pm. If any of our ladies wish to join us could you please let me know by Mon 6th Dec for catering purposes. We will resume our weekly meetings on Mon 3rd Jan when subscriptions to the Art Centre will be due. Christmas wishes and the hope of

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GARSTANG ARTS CENTRE (cont) peace and health to all from the Songbirds.

Book Club

Avril Bevan 01995 602904

At our November meeting we discussed ‘The Black House’ by Peter May. This author was a popular choice with the group although we all agreed that the book had a rather dark side and certainly didn’t make the Isle of Lewis feel very welcoming! However several members of the group are going to continue to read the trilogy. For our next meeting on Tues 14th Dec the recommended book is ‘All the Lonely People’ by Mike Gayle. The theme is loneliness and racism but it is definitely a feel good book. In January our recommended book is ‘600 hours of Edward’ by Craig Lancaster For more information contact: Linda 07795 064 266 or Sandra 01995 603436

Garstang Musical Productions We are performing on Sun 12th Dec outside Bella’s Café, as part of the Santa Dash (see page 4). Come along and join in. Rebecca Sudell 07985 372234 Garstang Floral Art At the meeting in September, June and I explained to members that we wished to step down as leaders of the group. I am writing this in early November and to date no-one has come forward to take over the running of the Floral Art Group. If there is anyone willing to take on the roles of chairperson, secretary or treasurer please contact either June or myself. It is a very friendly group and we would be sorry to have to close it down. Contact myself, Mary or June. Mary 01995 605210 / June 07887 831642

Scrabble Group The Scrabble Group meet on Tuesday afternoons at the Arts Centre 2:00pm to

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GARSTANG ARTS CENTRE (cont) 3:30pm. Everyone welcome. Jean Mavin 07501 704 385 Needlework Group We meet in the Arts Centre on Wednesday mornings from 10:00am to 12 noon. If you enjoy knitting, crochet, embroidery, patchwork, applique or would like to learn, do come and join this friendly, helpful group. Judy Osborne 01995 600996 facebook: artcentre.garstang twitter: ArtsGarstang www.garstangartssociety.org.uk

FAIRTRADE Firstly, we would like to thank the Mustard Seed for their kind donation which has enabled us to migrate our website to a new provider and to pay for the

first year’s hosting. We would also like to thank the United Reformed Church for allowing us to use their hall for our meetings. Garstang Fairtrade are delighted to join in the Garstang Christmas Festive Trail and enter our tree which will be displayed at St Thomas’s Church as part of the Christmas Tree event. The Great Big Green Week in September was an excellent opportunity to reconnect with local schools after 18 months in which contacts were difficult. The intention was to develop awareness of climate change, particularly in view of the COP26 conference and to inform pupils on the ways in which this has a major impact on Fairtrade producers. It was also a chance for the children to reflect on how this issue might affect them and what they can do in their own lives in response to climate change. We visited five local primary schools and we are planning to visit others. The pupils showed considerable awareness of climate change, with some working on topics related to the issue so a big thank you from our schools co-ordinator, Michael Tempan for making us so welcome. We are expecting that Fairtrade Fortnight 2022 will again focus on Climate Change and the Environment so look out in the January edition of Focus Magazine for more information. Finally, we would like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and thank everyone for your support during 2021. Peter Ryder e: garstangfairtrade@gmail.com fb: ‘Garstang Fairtrade’ www.fairtrade.org.uk

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GREATER GARSTANG Partnership Board The board will be hosting a public exhibition on Wed 1st Dec from 12 noon until 6:00pm at the Free Methodist Church hall, Windsor Road, Garstang. This will give the board the opportunity to update local people on the outcome of the first consultation, explain the vision and objectives for the regeneration and investment framework, highlight key project areas for the future and provide an opportunity for people to ask any general questions they may have. As with the first consultation event, Board members, representatives from IBI (the consultants working with the board) and Wyre Council officers will be available to

explain the process so far and to answer any questions people may have. There will also be the opportunity to leave written questions and comments or to register those online with Wyre Council once again hosting the online process. Further details of how to access the online feedback form will be made available once they are finalised. The board is keen for as many local people to get involved as possible so please visit the exhibition if you can or, if not, have a look online. Please keep an eye out on local social media channels and the Greater Garstang Partnership Board’s own website. Jan Finch - Chair www.greatergarstangpartnership.co.uk fb: TheGreaterGarstangPartnershipBoard twitter: @ greatergarstang

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GARSTANG MILLENNIUM GREEN Thank you to Garstang Arts Centre for allowing us to use their premises now the weather is getting too wet and too cold to hold meetings outdoors. During our last meeting discussions took place regarding the materials for a new dipper to replace the existing one which is currently covered in plastic. We welcomed a new webmaster who has been busy updating our website and we created a fresh Facebook admin team so, if you have time, please check out our website for information about up and coming events along with the most recent autumn newsletter. The new bat boxes have been placed ready for their occupants. Our local bat society, based in Silverdale, will be completing a survey soon. Please let us know via the website or Facebook page if you are lucky enough to encounter any of these fascinating creatures on the green.

A sub-group has been working on the biodiversity of the green and it was noted that following the last flooding incident that there were still lots of worms visible after the water subsided. Thanks go out to the team of volunteers that came along to help with the clear up afterward. What a great job they did! Carol Wood fb: @GarstangMillenniumGreen www.garstangmillenniumgreen.org.uk

PARKINSON’S UK Preston Branch As we continue to head back towards normality we are booking guest speakers or entertainers for most of our branch meetings. November’s entertainment was Andrew Tunney, who astounded everyone with his wonderful magic tricks. The next few meetings are as follows:

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PARKINSON’S UK (cont) • • • •

Wed 8th Dec: Christmas party starting at 7:00pm with the Garstang Ukulele Group Wed 12th Jan: Tax, care and toy boys by Co-op estate planning Wed 9th Feb: Fitness instructor Amanda about the importance of exercise Wed 9th Mar: AGM

If you are diagnosed with Parkinson’s it is a major shock. Having been through the same experience we understand exactly how you feel. No one has to face Parkinson’s alone. Steve 01995 608962

GARSTANG THEATRE GROUP Jack & the Beanstalk Wed 8th Dec - Fri 10th Dec, 7:30pm Sat 11th Dec. 2:30pm & 7:30pm Garstang Community Academy

Meetings are from 7:30pm to 9:00pm on the second Wednesday of each month at St Anthony’s Social Club, Cadley Causeway, Preston. The branch has about 150 members, of whom 50 or so regularly attend meetings. Some people prefer to keep in touch through ‘Our News’ and the occasional phone call. That’s fine by us too. We provide free exercise classes, city breaks and afternoon teas but the main benefit of branch membership is being able to meet other people living with the condition.

Garstang Theatre Group is over the moon to announce that it is back at last. Jack and the Beanstalk is in rehearsals now ready to entertain you this December.

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GARSTANG THEATRE GROUP (cont)

HARMONY & HEALTH

Yes, it’s been a tough time for us all so come and celebrate live theatre and support your local group by watching Jack defeat the giant and capture the goose and a certain ladies heart.

Fact - singing, especially alongside other people, brings benefits to both your physical and mental well-being.

Suitable for all ages – we would love to see you all come along in fancy dress and sing along to some very familiar tunes. Tickets are £10 (adult) or £8 (child). Under 3s free. A family ticket is £30 (two adults / two children). Group booking discounts available for organisations. To order tickets, please text or email using the details below or buy in person at Market Place News or The Mace Store, Croston Road June Booker text: 07933 284 107 e: garstangtheatregroup@hotmail.com fb: @garstangtheatregroup

Opportunity - Check this out for yourself by joining one of our weekly singing sessions no experience necessary so this is a good time to belt out all those Christmas songs you hear on PA systems but can’t really join in with! Time & Place - Monday afternoons in the URC Church Hall, Garstang from 2:00pm - 3:15pm and Tuesday afternoons at the Village Hall, Hambleton from 2:00pm - 3:15pm. The charge at both venues is £2.00 per visit and there is no minimum time commitment. Tea, coffee and biscuits are included and all appropriate Covid protocols are in place. We also hold weekly Zoom sessions on Tuesday mornings from 11:00am - 12:00 noon for folks who are housebound or unable to attend a face-to-face session. Ann Cameron t: 07966 126999 e: ann.cameron@mac.com

WYRE FLOOD FORUM Follow Up to a Very Wet Start to November “During extremely heavy rain in the county between Fri 29th Oct to Tues 2nd Nov 2021, there were multiple reports of flooding to Lancashire’s local roads, including A roads which are important transport links between our residential, industrial, commercial and educational centres. The county council’s Highways teams were busy over the weekend in very difficult weather conditions, and are still responding to some of the reports received. The routine response is for the local Highways teams to urgently check and correct any obvious defects such as blocked gullies, then to assess any repeat or long-running problems and to programme in

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WYRE FLOOD FORUM (cont) any repairs or improvements. As the week has rolled on, the county council’s Flood Risk Management team has received various reports of flooded properties and the current known position in Lancashire (at 9/11/21) is as follows: Residential property internally flooded: 3 Commercial property internally flooded: 2 Other properties flooded externally (gardens, drives, outbuildings, porches and other nonliving spaces): 28” So wrote the county council’s principal flood risk officer, Rachel Crompton, in an email dated Tues 9th Nov. She went on to identify nine districts covering most of the county including Wyre that had reported issues. She continued: “In our role as lead local flood authority (LLFA), the county council will be investigating the flooding events to identify whether there were

any defects in the local drainage systems, how the various drainage authorities responded to the events, and whether there are any further improvements that could be made by any of the public bodies with responsibility for the local drainage systems. The information will be included in the report which we will publish in due course. It is still too early for us to provide a specific timetable for the investigation, however once it has been carried out and the report has been created it will appear on the following page: www.lancashire.gov.uk/flooding (under Flood Reports) where you can also find the reports that we’ve published of previous flooding events. Members of the public and local businesses who experienced flooding and who haven’t reported their experiences to any of the drainage authorities yet are still welcome to do so by emailing details to the county

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WYRE FLOOD FORUM (cont) council highways@lancashire.gov.uk. It would be most helpful if you would include the address of the flooded property, the time, date and nature of the flooding, and contact details for the person making the report.” It is now the public’s turn to report if we are to be better informed. County Councillor Matthew Salter, Wyre Rural Central reports on specific instances in his division which will be sadly familiar to residents: On Mon 1st 1Nov the heavy rains brought anxiety and damage with flood water entering two homes in St Michael’s-on-Wyre and Sunnyside Terrace Preesall once again having to rely on pumps scrambled by Wyre Borough Council to keep the waters at bay. In St Michael’s, there was a road closure early in the day, which prevented water from entering more properties, as the bow waves from cars pushing water into houses is one mechanism for flooding. Notwithstanding, high levels still saw water entering some properties with all the upheaval and difficulty that brings. At Sunnyside Terrace pumps were deployed in time and proved effective, although the threat from flooding remains every time bad weather hits. Wyre have certainly improved their ability to respond to flooding in recent years with more pumps enabling the defence of Sunnyside Terrace and Churchtown on this occasion, but there will need to be further consideration of how to manage the situation in multiple locations simultaneously as adverse events become more frequent. It is also clear that many people are understandably unsure who to contact in an emergency. In cases of flooding where there is no risk to life it is vital to contact Wyre Borough Council, and even if other authorities have been contacted you should contact Wyre as well. The causes of the latest flooding are being investigated by all the local flood Risk Management Authorities and no doubt will be discussed at the next

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WYRE FLOOD FORUM (cont) flood forum.” Cllr Salter makes a very important point here when he refers ‘managing multi locations simultaneously’. Clearly a question of stretched resources both equipment and council manpower. The next forum, by the way, to which the public are invited is Thurs 9th Dec at 1:00pm in Poulton. With the memory of Storm Desmond 2016 in mind I took off on Tues 2nd Nov to see for myself and was immediately thwarted by a road closure at the junction of the A586 and A6 at Kirkland Village Hall obliging me to carry on to Bilsborrow and skirt Myerscough College and on to St Michaels. There was very obvious evidence of standing water on farm land gushing over on to the public highway and more to come. Road barriers were being removed at entry points to the village but a glance over the bridge parapet was enough to remind that it would take some time before

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Churchtown is the bellwether for Rural Wyre much to residents’ dismay. Not only was it cut off by road closure for several hours but it frequently finds itself in the eye of the storm. Fortunately, the village has an exceptionally qualified Flood Action Group which is well on top of events and presses flood authorities to find solutions to identified problems. The Ainspool Lane Hotspot was seriously flooded close to its junction with the main road. Wyre Council’s pump made no impression until they brought in a tractor driven machine which deployed throughout the night preventing rising flood water reaching the Cross and adjacent low-lying

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WYRE FLOOD FORUM (cont) property. Residents are helpless every time this happens. Houses had gardens flooded, three with water approaching the flood protected doorways. Land behind houses in Ainspool Lane saw water levels rise extensively threatening stables with livestock. Here the water stood while Ainspool Brook remained closed off because of natural high water in the River Wyre as Garstang Storage Basin gradually emptied. Despite LCC repairing a broken pipe the Avenue close to the A6 and BP garage flooded as it always does threatening two bungalows and up to ten houses. The problem is quite simply due to surface water not being able to drain away. At Butlers Farm on the old section of the A6, flooding occurred as it always does threatening a dwelling, the farmhouse and farmyard containing livestock. This is caused by blocked gullies on the A6 throwing surface

water across the camber of the A6 and draining through the sewage system but only if the sewer is not overloaded! In all cases the peak trauma was experienced on the night of Sun 31st Oct. It does not take major engineering operations to mitigate the causes which will continue until regular maintenance is carried out and runoff from new housing on the A6 into the Ainspool is effectively achieved through the mechanism of sustainable urban drainage systems, (SUDS). This month all eyes were on Glasgow and climate change in the decades to come. Residents of Wyre are holding their breath praying that we get through the coming winter. Environment Agency Consultations Members of the public are invited to comment on two consultations which were launched in October. Details on the agency website. First, ‘Draft River Basin Management Plans’. Comments invited before Fri 22 April. Second, ‘Flood Risk Management Plans’. Comments invited by Fri 21st Jan. Roger Brooks

GARSTANG MEDICAL PRACTICE Appointment System For several weeks now we have been offering patients the choice between a same day telephone or face-to-face consultation with our doctors and nurse practitioners. We know that many of you still prefer to have a telephone consultation and, where appropriate, we will continue to offer this choice.

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FOCUS MAGAZINE 24

Despite reports in the media, we have never stopped seeing patients face-to-face. For patient and staff safety reasons we were previously only able to see face-to-face patients when clinically necessary rather than

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GARSTANG MEDICAL (cont) through patient choice, but we have always maintained face-to-face appointments when needed. We know that many of you would like to book ahead for a routine appointment. We have not been able to offer this option because of the impact of Covid. Staff needing to selfisolate has made it very difficult for us to plan ahead as we never know which staff it may affect from week to week. Whilst the rules on self-isolation have changed for the majority of people, those working in health care cannot come into work if they have a household contact who is positive with Covid. This is having a very significant adverse impact on our staffing levels on a daily and weekly basis and is particularly affecting our ability to answer telephone calls as we simply do not have enough staff to answer them some days. We are working very hard to address this, but recruitment and training

takes time. In a bid to reduce the number of patients needing to ring every day for a ‘same day’ appointment and in response to patients asking for routine appointments, we have decided to again offer appointments up

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GARSTANG MEDICAL (cont) to three weeks in advance. We will also have some 24-hour appointments for more urgent problems, and we will continue to have urgent same day appointments with our duty doctors for those who feel their problem cannot wait. Our resources however are often limited as outlined above. Some days we cannot safely see more patients so we would like to remind readers of walk in centre services. You can access walk in services at two local centres; Royal Preston Hospital Walk in Centre and Whitegate Drive Walk in Centre, Blackpool. The Walk in Centres can deal with

many problems such as: sprains and strains; suspected broken limbs; minor head injuries; cuts and grazes; bites and stings; minor scalds and burns; ear and throat infections; skin infections and rashes; eye problems; coughs and colds; high temperature in child and adults; stomach pain; being sick (vomiting) and diarrhoea; and emergency contraception. We would also like to remind patients of simple self-care measures which should be tried prior to accessing our services. Our website has information regarding all of these, or you can visit the NHS website. Evening & Weekend Appointments Evening and weekend appointments are available for routine pre-booked services across the Fylde Coast. Appointments are available at Garstang Medical Practice on alternate Saturdays. The Fylde Coast NHS is committed to improving access to primary care services. This includes making appointments available at times that are convenient to patients. Please be aware that this is not a walk-in service. An appointment must have been booked in advance of visiting the service. Appointments are for pre-bookable and same-day routine and not for urgent care. If urgent care is required, please call NHS 111 for advice.

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To book an appointment, contact your GP practice or, when your GP practice is closed, please ring 01253 952950 between 6:30pm and 9:30pm Mon-Fri and between 8:00am and 8:00pm Saturday and Sunday. Should you need to cancel your appointment please contact your GP practice. If your GP practice is closed, please call 01253 952950 as above, to cancel. Doctorlink Did you know we use Doctorlink? This

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GARSTANG MEDICAL (cont) enables you to check your symptoms online and be signposted to an appropriate healthcare appointment. If you require an appointment at the practice, Doctorlink will send this information to us, and we will contact you to arrange. This helps to reduce the pressure on our busy phone lines. For more information and to register please visit: https://app.doctorlink.com/garstang/ register

of our patients as we do our utmost to serve you in these challenging times. However, we must unfortunately point out that this support is not universal in our patients. Our staff are doing their very best in very difficult circumstances and verbal abuse, rudeness or an aggressive or demanding manner will not be tolerated by any member of our team.

Please note, this is an additional service. Patients can still contact the surgery via telephone to discuss symptoms and arrange appointments in the usual way.

Unfortunately, such behaviour is now being experienced by our staff on an increasing and daily basis and it has led to staff leaving as they are not able to cope with this on top of a very busy workload. It is simply not acceptable. Please show staff the respect they deserve – any problems you may encounter are not their fault. As a reminder, all our telephone calls to reception are recorded.

Patient Conduct

Christmas / New Year Opening Times

We are very grateful for the continued support

Garstang Medical Practice will be open as

If you have any problems with registering for this service, please contact the Doctorlink support service on 0330 111 6433 or via helpdesk@doctorlink.com

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GARSTANG MEDICAL (cont) usual throughout the Christmas/New Year period apart from the bank holidays: Mon 27th Dec, Tues 28th Dec, & Mon 3rd Jan (in lieu of Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day).

Prescriptions

If you need medical assistance or advice outside of our opening hours, please call the NHS 111 service.

Opening hours for our local pharmacies can be found at:

The NHS 111 service is staffed by a team of fully-trained advisers, supported by experienced nurses and paramedics. They will ask questions to assess your symptoms, then give you the healthcare advice you need or direct you to the local service that can help you best. That could be A&E, an out-of-hours doctor, an urgent care centre or a walk-in centre, a community nurse, an emergency dentist, or a late-opening chemist. For more information, please visit the NHS choices website: www.nhs.uk.

As we are only closed for three days over Christmas and New Year, please order your repeat prescriptions as normal allowing five working days for collection.

•

Kepple Lane Pharmacy - www. garstangpharmacy.co.uk / 01995 607399

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Well Pharmacy, Garstang, Park Hill Road www.well.co.uk / 01995 603333

Thank you to all our patients for your support and understanding during this difficult and challenging year. Wishing you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. The Garstang Medical Practice Team t: 01995 607399 fb: @garstangmedicalpractice www.garstangmedicalpractice.nhs.uk

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EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY! Well, that went quick didn’t it? Another year slips away in the blink of an eye. Time seems to go so fast these days. I figured out a way to slow it down though: switch off your technology, stop staring at screens and let the rhythm of nature show you the way.

this I am not so sure we have done anything but harm our human spirit. Which brings me to the festive spirit of Christmas. Twelve days (yes folks, it doesn’t end on Christmas day, it starts then) of Christmas and feasting and family. In the darkest time of the year we bring light into our homes and rejoice in life.

This was made all the clearer for me in the summer when my wife and I had a break in a place with no phone signal or electricity. The world slowed down and it was beautiful.

I find the commercial aspects so unpleasant these days but I love the Christmas spirit. Therefore, I thought I would give you some advice for what foods you can indulge in that are delicious and good for you - but that we have been told, quite incorrectly, are bad for us.

Once upon a time we lived by the rhythm of the sun and the moon and the stars. We abandoned them for clocks, machines, industry and profit. Whilst there are undoubted technological advances that have come from

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EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY! (cont) If you must have the bad stuff (things that make your insulin spike like sugar and other highly processed carbohydrates) please add some fat to them. An example of this is eating a mince pie with a thick dollop of whipped cream! Yum! A myth has been driven home to the point where we almost consider it truth that fat makes you fat and clogs up your arteries. This is simply not the case. Please stop fretting about cholesterol, it is a vital molecule that helps your body maintain its health. The key to stop heart disease is to get rid of sugar and simple carbs like breakfast cereals. Have bacon and eggs instead. Eat cheese to your heart’s content, nuts, meats (yes, I know there are veggies and vegans but they tend to know what they can eat freely), oily fish once a week. Farmed fish once a week only. Adapt your baking to nut flours like almond or coconut flour which will not cause the insulin release that you get from our usual breads and cereals. The key to a healthy and vibrant old age is looking after your blood sugar levels by fasting, avoiding the simple carbs and keep your body moving. Fat is not the devil – sugar most certainly is. Please make sure you are taking a good Vitamin D dose through the winter. Anywhere from 1000iu to 5000iu a day is a good starting point. Have vitamin C to hand, and if you get a cold (we aren’t allowed to have just a cold anymore are we?) take 1000mg of it every hour for the first day or so. Take zinc too. Finally, CBD is very good for regulating so many systems of your body it really is one of the ultimate superfoods. I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Nick Tofolos 01995 602833

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We would like to wish all our patients a ‘Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year’ Knott End Clinic 14 Lancaster Road FY6 0AR 01253 812555 CH35517

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GARSTANG & DISTRICT LIONS Donations At our last meeting a cheque was presented to the Royal Oak for £200 to help purchase a new defibrillator. £300 has been provided to the Baby Beat Appeal at Preston Hospital to assist in the monitoring of the development of babies in pregnancy and delivery. A sum of £200 has been given towards the substantial fundraising efforts of a local scout to enable him to go to Malawi joining to assist in the building a much needed education centre for the community of Mangani. The club have also agreed to give £300 towards the cost of the Christmas lunch organised by the Royal Voluntary Service. Club members also have agreed to provide a sum of £200 for providing Christmas gifts

for distribution to Fylde Women’s Aid. Once again we have approached B and S supplies who have always been most generous in their support with providing cosmetics, toys etc. Fylde Women’s Aid has a continued need for new clothing items (babies, small children or ladies), new toys, new cosmetic or new toiletries. This appeal is ongoing and the collection point is at the Resources Centre (old Liberal Club on Bridge Street). Events & Activities Our annual community bonfire and fireworks display went ahead. A large number people attended and enjoyed the spectacular display. This reflects both the success and popularity of this event. Our thanks go to all of the organisations who donated wood and to the mayor of Garstang and the youth mayor for their attendance to light the bonfire Our members supported the road closure

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GARSTANG & DISTRICT LIONS (cont) and traffic management to facilitate the local Remembrance Day Service arrangements on Sun 14th Nov. One of our longest serving members, Alan Townsend took part in the parade and laid a wreath on the club’s behalf.

welcome. Further information is available on the website. You can also speak to any member about what we do or come along to our regular meetings held on the third Tues of the month in the Royal Oak at 8.00pm.

The club will be assisting in parking the cars of all entrants and officials at Myerscough College on Sun 5th Dec to allow their annual ten mile run to take place. On the same day a few members will be helping with the road closures for the annual Garstang Santa dash.

Memory Café

Covid has meant that we have had to cancel the annual Christmas community lunch for vulnerable adults and their carers. However we will be arranging a Santa visit to local care homes on Sun 19th Dec which is something that we successfully did last year . General

This is for those experiencing dementia in any form and their carers with a wide variety of highly social and entertaining activities being provided. The group will return to having their regular meetings on the first Monday (2:00pm to 4:00pm ) and third Wednesday (10:00am to noon) of each month.

Our club continues to grow but if you are interested in joining then you are most

Chris Wilkinson www.garstanglions.co.uk

This is organised separately by Lion, Sandra Perkins but with the full support of the club and with several other members acting as either trustees or helpers. I am pleased to report that this is running once again.

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

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Women Inspiring Action, Transforming Lives Recent Activity Another year nearly over and we can’t believe how busy we have been... and still are! Our November meeting was spent tidying up earlier actions and putting planning in place for 2022! But firstly, let’s just bring you up to date with previous reports. Our speaker, Charlotte Elwood (Community Fundraising & Engagement Officer at Cancer Research NW) gave an inspiring talk. It was full of interesting facts and fascinating insights as to how the charity is helping to support patients and their families. It also gave us hope for future research breakthroughs. Across the North West, we are up to 25% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than anywhere else in the UK. North West Cancer Research is working tirelessly to break this pattern by fighting the types of cancer that affect people living here the most. Their current strategy is based on three key things: understanding our region; undertaking research; and education and awareness – all underpinned by a commitment to partnership and maintaining a people and patient focus.

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A cause for celebration was the achievement of our target of raising £1,000 to support 100 AfriReuse Dignity Packs for women and young girls through our 100-mile relay. And although donations are still coming in, it was decided that we would make an interim payment to the charity – that way 100 women and girls can receive their packs now and begin to benefit from them. It doesn’t bear thinking about, not having access to sanitary protection – not only from a hygiene perspective but also the knock on effect for education, as the lack of protection prevents

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SOROPTIMISTS (cont) girls going to school. It’s not too late for you to make a donation to add to our final total later: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ garstang-soroptimists Moving Forward We have so much work in progress – lucky so many of you wonderful women are coming forward and joining us! We collected clothing for refugees and one of our members, Annemarie, had the wonderful idea of linking items together such as jumper, trousers and jacket so that recipients have a whole outfit to wear. No matter what your current situation, everyone likes to look good. Linked with this was a collection of trauma bears (see photo) to offer support to children in need/experiencing trauma. A teddy can be an amazing source of comfort when all around you is in turmoil. We also had our collection of foodbank o We als ton in s g lo supply of logs & ets bags, n ﬁregrates g, n li d e kin h mor & muc

donations for the Salvation Army – a great spread and in time for Christmas. We do these collections a couple of times a year, ready for the school holidays and then again for Christmas, both times of increased need on the family purse. We made plans for this year’s ‘Cards for Kindness’ to coincide with the season’s festivities. Remember, there are lots of people who will simply have no one to remember them – so the simple act of sending a card can mean a lot. Why not join in – please see the Cards for Kindness www.healthierlsc. co.uk/CardsForKindness Stamp Collections for the RNIB From the beginning of December we will have various collections points around Garstang at ‘Best Wishes’ (card shop), Visit Garstang Information Centre, the Arts Centre and the Market Hall – a big thanks to these organisations who have let us put our

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SOROPTIMISTS (cont) collection boxes in their premises. It’s also a good opportunity to do a little Christmas shopping whilst you’re there! The stamps are weighed in and the charity then receives money towards their cause (don’t forget to leave about 1cm of envelope around the stamp if possible). Our petition of the month was agreed as supporting the development of wetlands as part of the climate change agenda – see here for more details: www.wwt.org.uk/ wetlands-can From a national perspective we noted the Soroptimist’s presence at COP26, a mark of the recognition of the role Soroptimism plays in national and international campaigning. We also felt ‘justifiably proud’ of Garstang Soroptimist’s Plant Life Campaign being recognised at a regional and national level as an example of good practice. And then importantly, we finalised our plans

for our festive meal, the year-end ‘blow out’. We’ll enjoy a meal (this year at the Royal Oak) and a chance to just have fun and socialise with good friends. Again, the fun and friendship aspects of Soroptimism are a vital part of who we are and it’s a wonderful thing to be part of a wonderful group of women of all ages, from all backgrounds and with such a variety of experiences. And Finally! Seasons greetings to everyone and a huge thank you for all your support throughout the year. May your winter break be filled with happiness and love and may the coming 2022 be a kinder year to us all in every way. Next Meeting Our next meeting is Wed 12th Jan at 6:30pm at our usual venue of the Garstang Country Hotel and Golf Centre. Don’t be shy, get in touch and be part of

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SOROPTIMISTS (cont) this vibrant club. Help other women and girls whilst making lifelong friends. For more information, drop us a line or give our membership co-ordinator, Muriel BurnhamAirey a ring on 01995 606604. Until next month, take care and enjoy friendship. t: (01995) 606604 (Muriel Burnham-Airey) w: www.sigarstang.org.uk facebook: SoroptimistsGarstang twitter: GarstangSoropt

On the tenth of November representatives from Preston South and Garstang Rotary Clubs took 200 winter coats to the Salvation Army sorting centre in Blackpool who were delighted with the donation There is a massive issue in Blackpool with poverty, Asylum seekers and the recent arrival of Afghan refugees. Further distributions will follow to homeless shelters, women’s refuges and other charities helping people in crisis. Santa’s Footnote

ROTARY Efforts for Calvert Trust Rewarded In September, after an 18 month delay, Calvert Lakes was able to accept the first of the 2020 groups. Thirty one people aged 15 to 69 with a wide range of disabilities enjoyed an action-packed week with outdoor challenges including: climbing, canoeing, cycling, high ropes course, horse riding, sailing, walking and zip wiring. On Sat 6th Nov they welcomed the remaining 18 delayed guests. All these guests were funded by Rotary Clubs in Lancashire and Cumbria. This is in addition to the £33,000 emergency funds with a challenge that was set up by Keswick Rotary Club and supported by Garstang Rotary and Clubs throughout Lancashire and Cumbria. Wrap-up Central Lancashire Following the success of our pre-Covid programme to collect surplus winter coats, Garstang Rotary Club joined the west Lancashire group in their ‘Wrap-Up’ exercise. Collection boxes were placed at Booths and Sainsbury’s supermarket shops in Garstang between Oct 18th and Nov 8th. This resulted in a total collection of 200 acceptable winter coats which formed part of 750 items collected in West Lancashire.

The Rotary Santa Sleigh will make its usual visit to Over Wyre in December. It will tour the Catterall area on the evening of Mon 13th Dec. On the evening of Tues 14th Dec it will tour the Garstang area. This will be followed by a static display outside Booths from mid-morning on Thurs 16th Dec. Similarly Santa’s Sleigh will be outside

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ROTARY (cont) Booths on Sat 18th Dec. The proceeds from the collection will be for Saint John’s Hospice Lancaster, local children’s festivals and charities sponsored by the Rotary Club of Garstang & Over Wyre. Don Goodier donald.goodier@btinternet.com

CARDIAC RISK IN THE YOUNG Matthew Hesmondhalgh Memorial Fund

As weekends go, our CRY screening event on 13th and 14th Nov was a tremendously emotive one with the delight of meeting and greeting attendees, the poignancy and anguish of meeting and talking with family and friends of others who have fallen victim to Young Sudden Cardiac Death, the sorrowful

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recollection of lives lost in war at the two minutes silence and the solace of lives saved through screening in memory of our beautiful and much missed son. In total 166 young hearts were tested, and although appointments took a little longer due to covid measures, we had a fantastic CRY team who worked hard to see so many whilst keeping everyone safe. Huge thanks to all who attended or were involved in some way, and especially to Garstang Community Academy for hosting the screening, to Auction Eats who provided a delicious lunch for the teams on Saturday, to our lovely friends, Sarah, Jim and Kath for helping and to all who donated so generously towards a future screening. Our thoughts as always are especially with those who need further medical investigation and we send our best wishes for your future good health.

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CARDIAC RISK IN THE YOUNG (cont)

LANCS VOLUNTEER PARTNERSHIP

CRY Screening Sat 5th & Sun 6th Feb

My name is Mark Trent and I am the Wyre volunteer officer from the Lancashire Volunteer Partnership, a public sector service which operates throughout Lancashire.

We are hopeful that our next screening (Covid permitting) will return to its regular slot of the first weekend in February. Appointments for the screening event are scheduled to go online on the Wed 1st Dec, but please be aware that the appointments go very quickly (often within a day of being released) so if you wish to be screened please keep a close eye on www.testmyheart.org or go to this webpage prior to December and complete an interest form. Fundraising We currently have some pretty handmade items for sale at the Art Centre Christmas Fair which is running until Thurs 2nd Dec. Christmas cards for Matt’s Fund are still available at Best Wishes in Garstang.

Do you have a spare hour once a week to volunteer your time to speak to someone in your local community as a telephone befriender? If you can then I would love to hear from you so I can explain how we work in more detail. There are lots of people feeling lonely and isolated who are referred to our service and would like someone to talk to. If interested, please phone me between 8:00am and 4:00pm Monday to Friday or e-mail me. Mark Trent t: 01772 416417 m: 07887 831672 e: mark.trent@lancashire.gov.uk

A few of the charming Highland Cow calendars in memory of Andrew Key and Matt are also still available at Garstang’s Best Wishes, The Cheese Shop, Dewlay, and also at Longridge from Meraki, The Old Station café, Tap and Vent, Raymond James Investment Services, Jo’s Village Kitchen, Heritage Interiors and Longridge Golf Course. As the year comes to a close, we all would like to thank everyone in our wonderful community and beyond for all your tremendous support over what has been a somewhat challenging 12 months. We hope the gifts of peace, friendship and love are with you and yours this Christmas time and in the year ahead. Paula Hesmondhalgh t: 07785 106 976 e: paulahez.ph@gmail.com fb: @The Matthew Hesmondhalgh Memorial Fund

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Our December meeting will be our members’ night. Members will have an opportunity to look through the interesting books in our library along with our new librarians, Juliette and Michelle. A few DVDs of old Pilling will be shown and it is hoped that members will bring along their old photographs or historical articles for members to see. We will also have mince tarts and coffee/tea to enjoy along with friendly chat. Members enjoyed our November meeting when Paul Smith gave an illustrated talk about the general strike. We meet on the first Tuesday in the month at 7:30pm at the Methodist Church room from September to March. Everyone welcome. Annual subscription is £10. Visitors are £2. Mary Shepherd

Wyre Council is supporting local business by launching a free scheme with digital partner Maybe Tech to provide social media training and support to help business welcome customers back to Wyre’s high streets. The council is offering 1000 businesses free access to Maybe Tech; an online platform to help businesses boost their social media presence and increase footfall now that Covid restrictions have been eased. Included in the membership are tools on how to engage with customers online and reach new audiences. The platform also includes access to a local rewards scheme. Businesses can sign up to this support for free for 12 months and receive weekly training sessions online to help improve how they use social media. www.maybetech.com

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GARSTANG CAMERA CLUB And a reminder not to forget to hang up your stockings on 24th Dec. I measured up the boxed new Canon R3 and will have to substitute a pillow case in anticipation! Finally, can I, on behalf of all our members, wish everyone who reads this magazine season’s greetings - everything in moderation! Maurice Barker www.garstangcameraclub.co.uk Well, here we are at the end of yet another year of restrictions, but the main thing is that we are still here. November’s meetings gave us an excellent presentation on urban / street photography, our events competition and an interesting night on sport and action.

GARSTANG AFVBC

Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club

Our purpose is to facilitate veterans and In December, we have the second of serving armed forces personnel to meet faceour annual competitions entitled ‘The to-face in a relaxed, safe, social environment, Environment’ followed by Carmen Norman’s to enjoy breakfast and banter, to combat ‘Lake District Moods’ (on Zoom). How The Countryside fortunate we are to be so close to the jewel in the crown. We also look forward to our Flooring Company Christmas Social on Wed 15th Dec. Open Mon to Sat, 10am - 4pm An early prompt for Wed 5th Jan: Lee Private Showroom Appointments Available Metcalfe on ‘Photographing the North West Do you have a new kitchen project in the pipeline? Or for Fotovue’. Coming hot off the press is the news that our club is to ‘join up’ with another in Rangiora, a town on the South Island in New Zealand. Rangiora is a large town just north of Christchurch. This venture is still at the foundation stage and is the result of some diligent work by our chairmen. It augurs well for the future of the two clubs even though we meet at diametrically opposite times of the day. Well done gentlemen. I can just see the name, Garstang International Camera Club appearing at some stage... well maybe! Just because the nights have drawn in and the days shortened, don’t put the cameras away; there are still plenty of opportunities for some good shots.

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GARSTANG AFVBC (cont) loneliness and allow veterans to ‘return to the tribe’. There are no fees or subs, you just pay for your own breakfast – simple! Our Breakfast Clubs are on the 1st Saturday of each month. The next will be Sat 4th Dec at 9:30am at Th’Owd Tithe Barn, Church Street, Garstang, Preston PR3 1PA. Come an enjoy a breakfast menu ranging from full a English breakfast, sausage or bacon butty to beans on toast - all with free tea and coffee. The November breakfast club saw a big increase in numbers attending, a mixture of new members and previous members returning for their Saturday morning meet up. Breakfast club members also took part in the Remembrance Day commemorations and, for the first time since the group was formed, were able to lay a wreath in honour of those

who gave so much. November was also the last month for the mid-month walks which have now been suspended until the better weather in the New Year, but they will be back. Planning was also underway for the December meet which, due to Covid, had not been possible since 2019. Whilst not in the same league as the Military Wives Choir, it is hoped that as many members as possible will come along and air their voices and join in with a rendition of Christmas carols. Come along, enjoy a mince pie and a glass of mulled wine, and generally have a good time. We cannot promise a record deal, but hopefully the turn out will be a record in itself! Roger Dunn f: Garstang Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club www.afvbc.net/clubs/garstang

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GARSTANG TOWN COUNCIL Remembrance Sunday 14th Nov 2021: A Time for Remembrance and Reflection

At 11:30am the mayor invited the assembly to Garstang Arts Centre for light refreshments and the RBL extended a warm welcome to their club on the High Street. We would like to thank the Garstang Lions and other volunteers for ensuring the parade was kept safe by implementing the road closures and providing safety marshals along the route.

It was an early start for our parade marshal, Lee Dickinson who was accompanied by Cllr Alan Pearson on a walk of the parade route at 8:00am checking and signing off the risk assessment. At 8:45am Pilling Jubilee Silver Band and the parading organisations started assembling at High Street car park. We were blessed with a very mild sunny day. At 9:20am the parade was called to attention, the band played and at 9:25am we marched off along the High Street to St Thomas’s Church.

A tremendous amount of work went into planning the event and the mayor is grateful to his project team drawn from the Royal British Legion, the Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club, the Garstang Lions, Churchwardens and the town council including the town clerk. Our grateful thanks to The Pilling Jubilee Silver Band who performed an excellent repertoire of poignant music, the ladies at the Arts Centre for providing the refreshments and to our photographer, Michael Coleran

We were very honoured to have the Right Reverend Bishop Julian of Blackburn leading our church service of remembrance and a time for reflection. At 10:40am the parade assembled again and marched off along Park Hill Road to the War Memorial where our Act of Remembrance was again led by the Bishop of Blackburn. By 10:50am a large crowd had gathered around the war memorial to pay their respects to the men who had fallen in both world wars and in Afghanistan. After the 11:00am two minutes of silence we called forward 33 local organisations to lay wreaths at the memorial. The names of the fallen from the first world war were read out by the mayor of Garstang and those from the second world war and Afghanistan by the chairman of the Royal British Legion.

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GARSTANG TOWN COUNCIL (cont) ‘recruitment’ evening at Booths. There was a great response and a number of young people came along.

for producing an excellent photographic record of the event. Grateful thanks also goes to St Thomas’s Church wardens and the Bishop of Blackburn. Finally our thanks to the two members of the public who helped to distribute the orders of service at the war memorial. Youth Council The young mayor of Garstang and his youth council team, recently carried out a

To follow this up, our next Youth Council meeting will be held on Tues 7th Dec, 6:00 - 7:00pm at Garstang Methodist Church (the entrance is opposite The Wheatsheaf). All young people aged between 10 and 18 are welcome to attend. There will be an opportunity to find out what projects young people would like to get involved in, how you can play a part in the future of Garstang and get your voice heard. For any additional information please get in contact with Edwina Parry, our town clerk. A Christmas Message from the Mayor I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on the past two years. So much has happened since the world was sent into turmoil by the global pandemic. I

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GARSTANG TOWN COUNCIL (cont) don’t think there can be anyone who has not on how the town council is doing and about any been affected in some way by what we have issues or concerns that you would like us to suffered through 2020 and into 2021. look into. Much of our information is available There are so many unsung heroes in our on our website or you can call or email our community and throughout the country. There town clerk, Edwina Parry. have been many acts of kindness, support Our December Full Council meeting will be and generosity from people of all walks of held on Mon 6th Dec at 7:30pm. If you’d like life to ensure the vulnerable of all ages have to attend the meeting please contact the town been looked after. clerk. The community spirit of Garstang has been Edwina Parry - Town Clerk beating like a drum and the people as always t: 07592 792 801 have risen to the call. Garstang is a great e: clerk@garstangtowncouncil.gov.uk place to be. www.garstangtowncouncil.gov.uk By the time you read this our Christmas lights will have been switched on and they bring a 100% British new warmth to the town centre. The Christmas lights team are a small group with a huge determination to give the town centre a warm, friendly and welcoming feel. It’s not a two month job for the team, they work all year round to give the town an uplift in the dark days of Winter. They are to be congratulated for what they achieve for Garstang. Our shops look inviting and they will be eager to help you with your Christmas shopping. Christmas festivities will soon commence and I’m sure there will be many celebrations around our town. Please remember to be safe and be respectful to others. Above all let’s Be Kind to one another. Christmas means different things to different people of all ages and backgrounds. Some will leave a glass of milk, or similar, and a mince pie out for Santa and perhaps a carrot for Rudolph. Others will attend a Church service. Whatever you are doing this Christmas time I would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year. - The Mayor of Garstang Keep in Touch As always, we are keen to hear your thoughts

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BEN WALLACE MP With Christmas closing in fast, winter is well and truly with us. I know some have suffered flooding recently with the road at St Michaels being impassable and some properties being cut off by flood water. I can assure you I am looking into all cases reported to me and highlighting them with the appropriate agencies. Highway flooding has been quite widespread although in some cases leaves on the road have been the culprit. With that in mind, could I please remind all constituents that there is a very easy way to report blocked highway gullies to Lancashire County Council. Just go to www.lancashire.gov.uk/roadsparking-and-travel/report-it and then follow the steps set out. I did highlight this in the

last article but I do think it is important and it is a straight forward way to report blocked gullies as well as many other highway faults. I recently received Lancashire County Council’s latest winter newsletter and wanted to highlight some points: The county council is responsible for over 4,300 miles of roads of which approximately 1,800 miles are part of Lancashire’s ‘priority road network’ for salting and snow clearing. It can take gritters up to four hours to grit one route and even longer in severe weather conditions. When low temperatures are forecast they grit the roads as a precaution before the frost forms, usually during the evening or early hours of the morning. Remember weather forecasts are only a guide and local knowledge and expertise is vital in deciding what to do. Despite their best efforts, winter weather can still make roads treacherous and there is no guarantee

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BEN WALLACE MP (cont) that roads will always be completely free of ice and snow. Please take extra care. If you would like to find out more about driving in winter conditions please go to: www. lancashire.gov.uk/winter As well as our road network, there is no doubt that winter will bring many challenges for the NHS and that is on top of the pressures of Covid. I would continue to ask constituents to be vigilant in relation to the virus and to apply common sense to try to keep the spread to a minimum. As always to keep up to date with the latest advice please go to the Government’s website: www. gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirusrestrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do Electricity North West has been in touch with me, letting me know that, as the region’s electricity network operator, they are continuing to work hard to support constituents and keep power flowing to homes, businesses, schools and hospitals across the region. They are conducting a #BeWinterReady campaign, with a focus on promoting their free priority services register for people who may need additional support or advice. This campaign sets out three simple steps customers can take this winter: • • •

Again, I feel extremely fortunate to be travelling around our beautiful constituency, visiting local groups, businesses etc. 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 Member of Parliament. 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

If anyone in your household needs additional support, join their free priority services register Keep Electricity North West’s number handy – call 105 if you need to report a power cut Visit www.enwl.co.uk/BeWinterReady for more information

In the last article I mentioned attending remembrance services and the importance of doing so. I was heartened to see that all services locally were well attended. Personally, it was a great honour for me as a veteran to attend various events and services culminating in the parade in Whitehall. Lest we forget!

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CAT SMITH MP A happy December to you all! What an odd year this has been!

to visit Over Wyre.

Having started the beginning of 2021 in lockdown, I’m glad to say the first occasion I had of being able to get back out into the constituency, was

After months of virtual meetings, it was lovely to visit the two primary schools in Preesall and watch the children enjoy being back in each other’s company. In both schools the children were doing something really special. At Fleetwood’s Charity every family was invited to purchase a young fruit tree and to plant it in person on the perimeter of the playing field. I was delighted to attend the opening of their fruit orchard. Over at Carters, the pupils had

designed, built and sown a new allotment area. They’ve gone on to grow and sell their produce to fund the purchase of new seeds for the next growing season. It occurred to me that following a period where it felt like time almost stood still, it was interesting that school staff, youngsters and their families came together to mark a new beginning, by planting something. Planting is such a hopeful thing to do and it was a fantastic, life affirming experience, that after months of uncertainty, youngsters were using their time to focus not on the past but on the future. Since then, I’ve been back regularly visiting local businesses in Over Wyre and its remarkable how diverse they all are – from agriculture to manufacturing and from engineering to logistics. Some companies with a global reach have faced difficulties this year travelling overseas. I’ve been pleased to help them navigate the constantly changing rules caused by Brexit and Covid. At the time of writing, I’ve so far received 11,000 emails this year requesting help or highlighting a concern. Myself and my fantastic team of caseworkers have helped 6,000 people – from finding emergency accommodation, supporting asylum seekers, advocating on behalf of people, helping to overturn wrong decisions on benefits, supporting people with employment issues, writing to Ministers, helping people with health concerns, supporting struggling businesses and running the London Marathon to raise money for the Lancaster and Fleetwood foodbanks! When you run for charity you want to be able to help everyone but sadly that’s impossible so I’d like to give a big shout out to Natasha Wright and her team who have set up a Community Interest Company and provide food parcels for those in need across Over

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CHRISTMAS CROSSWORD (ans p55)

Across 1 Ship of the desert (5) 4 Smith’s metalworking block (5) 7 Thick black sticky oil (3) 9 Maker of millionaires for good causes (8, 7) 10 Means of moving; carry away (9) 11 Scandinavian ogre (5) 12 Please; delight (7) 14 Moderately slow (in music) (7) 16 Graze; score; remove from competition (7) 18 Run away (7) 19 Not here… (5) 20 Salvaged; rescued (9) 22 The cause of global warming (10, 5) 24 Add up (3) 25 Connected for electricity (5) 26 Lewis Hamilton, for instance (5)

Down 1 Trick; scam (3) 2 Consensus (6, 9) 3 Large African cats (5) 4 Structure of the human body (7) 5 Maltese capital (7) 6 Degrees north or south of the equator (9) 7 Film based on the von Trapp family (3, 5, 2, 5) 8 Regal; majestic (5) 10 What Roman men wore in the forum (5) 13 Aware of a secret (2. 3. 4) 15 Finished (5) 17 Haven; dock (7) 18 Alleged; person on trial (7) 19 Cramped; miserly; drunk (5) 21 Ire (5) 23 School master (3)

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CAT SMITH MP (cont)

WYRE COUNCIL

Wyre. This is just the tip of the iceberg and if you’re struggling, if you need prescriptions, if you need shopping or you need help getting to an appointment then give the Knott End and Preesall Help Group a call on 01253 810628 9:00am - 5:00pm (except in an emergency). I’m very excited to hear that Santa is once again taking to his sleigh and touring around the Knott End and Preesall villages on Sat 11th Dec. You’ll find all the details on the KEP Santa Facebook page or on the posters around the community. A little elf has told me that Santa has also placed some post boxes in the two Co-op stores. If your little one would like to post their Christmas wish list then Santa will reply! I hope that this year we all get the opportunity to spend time with the people who matter to us and I wish you all a very happy Christmas. Cat Smith MP

SUDOKU (ans p54) The object of sudoku puzzles is simple: fill the blank squares, using all the numbers 1–9 exactly once in each row, column, and the nine 3 × 3 subgrids. Good luck!

2 9

6 3 1

8 1 4

2 1 9

Festivities are back with a bang in Wyre this year with plenty for all the whole family to enjoy. There are light switch ons, Christmas markets, festivals and more taking place in town centres all across the borough. What’s more there’s free parking every Friday and Saturday throughout December in all Wyre Council car parks meaning you have time to visit your local shops, pubs and restaurants too. Poulton In Poulton the annual Christmas Festival has been extended to take place over two days on Fri 3rd & Sat 4th Dec. There will be market stalls open from 12pm to 9pm both days selling festive food and drinks. There will be live entertainment plus an appearance from Santa himself, and the annual lighting of the crib and Christmas lights will take place on the Friday. Garstang

Christmas festivities are back in Wyre!

8 1

In Garstang on Tues 30th Nov the ‘Light Up Garstang Christmas Fair’ is taking place from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at Wyrebank. There will be over 20 stalls selling unique Christmas gifts, treats, crafts and food and there will be a bar open for a festive drink while you shop. Also in Garstang, the Santa Dash returns on Sun 5th Dec at 11:00am. Open to people of all abilities including children, adults, people with buggies and those using mobility scooters.

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WYRE COUNCIL (cont) You don’t have to run, many just walk. If you would like to take part in this please visit www. garstangsantadash.com Spectators will be in for a treat too as we have street entertainment planned along with carol singers performed by Garstang Musical Productions, entertainment by DJ Darrel Edwards, and festive tunes performed by 25 piece brass band, Blackpool Brass. Also the Visit Garstang Centre on Cherestanc Square is holding mini arts and crafts Christmas festival with live music throughout from Thurs 2nd - Sat 4th Dec, 10:30am to 4:30pm. Preesall In Preesall on Sat 11th Dec, the Mayor of Wyre and Mayor of Preesall will be judging the Christmas lights displays with an award for the best dressed shop window and one for the best domestic property. The local Christmas events committee will be welcoming Santa at 5.30pm from and there will be a sleigh tour around both Preesall and Knott End with sweet treats for the children. Councillor Lynne Bowen, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Health and Community Engagement at Wyre Council comments, “After last year’s subdued Christmas it’s so good to see all these wonderful events back up and running. We are proud to support the annual light switch ons, providing funding to make our town centres sparkle, and this year thanks to the Government’s Welcome Back fund we have been able to provide further support to make Wyre’s Christmas events bigger and better than ever. We hope everyone enjoys the chance to meet up with family and friends and celebrate in style this year. “A huge thank you goes to all the community groups and local businesses who have worked hard to put these events together. If you are visiting an event, make sure you pop into the local shops, pubs and restaurants. I hope everyone has a lovely festive time, let’s make it a Christmas to remember.”

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WYRE COUNCIL (cont) Free parking across Wyre every Friday & Saturday in December In a bid to boost footfall and sales on the high streets, Wyre Council will make all council owned car parks free on Fridays and Saturdays during December (excluding Christmas Day). Residents and visitors will be able to park for free for 3 hours in long stay car parks and 2 hours in short stay car parks. If you buy a ticket or use your residents parking permit then the 3 hours free time will automatically be added on to the normal expiry time. Cllr Roger Berry, portfolio holder for Neighbourhood Services and Community Safety, commented, “This is a great opportunity for residents and visitors to have easy access to our high streets for their festive shopping. “After what has been an incredibly difficult time, we want to make it as easy as we can for everyone to prepare for the festive period we all missed out on. “So, go out, meet

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friends, buy presents and most of all have a wonderful festive time.” For a full list of council owned car parks in Wyre, visit www.wyre. gov.uk/parking.

ST THOMAS’ CHURCH Our Christmas fayre is on Sat 4th Dec in the hall next to church from 11:00am until 3:00pm. Refreshments, stalls, games for young and old and a visit from Father Christmas. Entry is free and all are very welcome. Kathryn Sperring 01995 606288

GARSTANG RUNNING CLUB Myerscough 10 Sun 5th Dec 10:00am The next race will be the Myerscough 10 on Sun 5th Dec. The race is hosted by Myerscough College

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GARSTANG RUNNING CLUB (cont) and their excellent facilities will be available once again. Since the first race four years ago the club has facilitated a short run for staff and students on Thursday afternoons. Although that has had to be curtailed due to Covid we hope it will restart in the New Year. The race starts at 10:00am with the first mile through the campus before heading out towards Sowerby and returning to finish outside the equestrian centre where excellent refreshments are served. All finishers will receive a Sandham’s Lancashire Cheese for their efforts. This year, for the first time, the club has organised chip timing so all runners will be able to have an official time for the actual 10 miles. If anyone wants to enter they will be able to on the day but online entries are available – just go to the web site.

After such a difficult time the club is relieved to be able to hold races again and have bigger groups running together. Each week there are organised runs on Monday morning, Tuesday evening and Thursday evening, as well as occasional weekend runs. All details are on the website and members can book onto the runs each week. Despite lockdown the club has increased its membership quite considerably, mainly due to well organised runs which cater for all, particularly new runners – all will be made welcome. Apart from that, the annual membership is only £20 – what a bargain! What’s more is you can take part and make sure it suits you before you pay! Frank Miller t: 01995 604030 www.garstangrc.co.uk

GREY MATTER TEST (ans p55) 1. Cape Canaveral took on the name of which American president? 2. Which planet is closest to the sun? 3. Cambridge, Gage and Victoria are all types of what? 4. Which early police serial is found at the end of the alphabet? 5. The names Saatchi and Saatchi are associated with which industry? 6. Which British political party made massive gains in the European elections of 2014? 7. From which London railway station do Eurostar trains depart? 8. What is the name of the prison situated on the Isle of Wight? 9. What name is given to the almond coating found on Christmas cakes? 10. Which Russian city was designed and built by Tsar Peter the Great? 11. What two colours are the sweater worn

by Dennis the Menace? 12. Who set up the largest chain of holiday camps in the UK? 13. Africa’s largest lake is named after which British queen? 14. Which St Bernard bounded onto film screens in 1992? 15. Which children’s game is played on the fingers with looped string? 16. If you suffered a myocardial infraction, what would have happened? 17. Edwin Hubble was concerned with which branch of science? 18. The Duke of Windsor was Governor of which island group in 1939? 19. The song ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’ comes from which musical? 20. Where were the code breakers based who broke the German enigma code during WWII?

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GARSTANG WINE CIRCLE At the meeting on the 15th November, Wine Circle member Guy Pugh presented a selection of Argentinian Wines to the group. Guy started by giving us a brief history of the wine industry’s development in Argentina. The country has been producing wine since the 16th Century, and as with all of the Spanish colonies in the Americas, the process of winemaking introduced by the monks of the Catholic Church who needed wine for celebration of communion. Much of the wine produced before 1989 was of low quality, and was not exported abroad. Changes in economic policies during that year allowed the industry to develop and subsequently become a major player in the world wine market. It is now the 5th largest producer of wine. Guy’s selection of two white wines, and six reds, highlighted the advantages of the industry in Argentina. The combination of

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old vines with varieties imported from Spain, and newer international grape varieties subsequently brought in by immigrants from Europe, together with good conditions for grape growing, have led to a vibrant industry producing quality, well priced wines The excellent and interesting selection presented included wines produced from grape varieties such as Torrentos, Criolla Chica and Bonarda, as well as the more familiar Chardonnay, Riesling. Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, the latter having become a signature red for the country. It was an excellent evening with good wines from Guy, and an extremely tasty selection of food provided by Anne Whitehead and Glynnis Jefferson. So thanks to them all for their contributions to the evening. The next meeting will be the Christmas Social on Saturday 18th December at 7.30pm in the Arts Centre with tickets limited to circle members. Details from Alan Jefferson on 01995 601842. Mervyn Stokes

SUDOKU ANSWERS 8

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GREY MATTER ANSWERS

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

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

Across

Down

1 Camel

1 Con

4 Anvil

2 Mutual agreement

7 Tar

3 Lions

9 National lottery

4 Anatomy

10 Transport

5 Valetta

11 Troll

6 Latitudes

12 Gratify

7 The Sound of Music

Kennedy Mercury Plums Z Cars Advertising UKIP St Pancras HMP Parkhurst Marzipan St Petersburg Red and black Billy Butlin Lake Victoria Beethoven Cat’s Cradle A heart attack Astronomy The Bahamas Evita Bletchley Park

14 Andante 16 Scratch 18 Abscond 19 There

8 Royal 10 Togas 13 In the know

20 Reclaimed

15 Ended

22 Greenhouse gases

17 Harbour 18 Accused

24 Tot

19 Tight

25 Wired

21 Anger

26 Racer

23 Sir

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Garstang Focus Magazine - December 2021

Articles inside

Christmas Crossword

Cat Smith MP

Garstang Town Council

Ben Wallace MP

Cardiac Risk in the Young

Lancashire Volunteer Partnership

Rotary

Soroptimists

Garstang Lions

Garstang Medical Practice

Fairtrade

Garstang Quakers

Eat, Drink & be Merry

Garstang Arts Centre

Coffee Stop

Garstang Theatre Group

Greater Garstang