Garstang Focus - February 2020 by Focus Magazines

Garstang FOCUS Your Free Monthly Magazine

Scorton - Cabus - Garstang - Bonds - Bowgreave Catterall - Churchtown - St Michaels February 2020

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Issue 233

What’s on in Garstang

Saturday 1st Ceilidh - Kirkland Memorial Hall 5 Charity Coffee Morning - Caldervale Methodist Church 5 CRY Heart Screening - Garstang Community Academy (also 2nd) 8 Family Fairtrade Quiz 12 Armed Forces & Veteran’s Breakfast Club - Th’Owd Tithebarn 18 Board Games at Garstang Library 22 Lego Club - Garstang Library (weekly) 23 Phoenix Dance Group - Barton Village Hall (weekly) 44 Monday 3rd Scottish Country Dancing - Garstang URC (weekly) 44 Bridge Group - Arts Centre (also 10th, 17th & 24th) 50 Tuesday 4th Coffee Stop - Inglewhite Church (also 18th) 9 Toddler Rhyme Time/Chat, Play, Read - Garstang Library (weekly) 23 Garstang Ladies Speakers Club (also 18th) 19 Friends of Garstang Library 23 Knit & Natter - Garstang Library (weekly) 24 ‘Survivors’ - Garstang URC 25 Garstang Folk Dance Group - Arts Centre (weekly) 44 Claughton Sequence Dances - Claughton Memorial Hall (weekly) 44 Bridge Group - Arts Centre (also 11th & 25th) 50 Scrabble Group - Arts Centre 52 Cloughton-on-Brock WI - Cloughton Village Hall 56 Wednesday 5th Harmony & Health - Garstang URC 5 St Helen’s Community Cafe (weekly) 14 Baba’s Baby & Toddler Group - Wesley’s Coffee Lounge (weekly) 25 Line Dancing - Catterall Village Hall (weekly) 44 Volunteering Open Day - Oaklands 45 Garstang Painting Group - Arts Centre (weekly) 47 Cabus WI - Cabus Village Hall 55 Needlework Group - Arts Centre (weekly) 51 Thursday 6th Winter Songs of Praise - Arts Centre 9 Good Vibrations - St Peter’s Church, Scorton (weekly) 27 Charity Coffee Morning - Rosemere - Garstang URC 31 Sequence Steppers Dance Group - Barton Village Hall - (weekly) 44 Friday 7th Meat Bingo - Caldervale Country Club (also 21st) 6 Have a Go - Garstang Library 23 Garstang 3Ls AGM - Garstang URC 31 Saturday 8th Haffner Orchestra - Ashton Hall, Lancaster 7 Over Wyre & Garstang Focus Magazines www.focusmags.co.uk | (01253) 813433 | www.facebook.com/focusmags Event Advertising & Editorial: sue@focusmags.co.uk Business & Commercial Advertising: helen@focusmags.co.uk Postal submissions: Focus Magazine, 132 Highfield Rd, Blackpool, FY4 2HH Cover design by Phil S Clarkson | Printed by Moulton Printing | © Focus Magazines 2019

What’s on in Garstang

Saturday 8th Garstang Fairtrade Meeting - Methodist Church Harry Potter Morning - Garstang Library Monday 10th Garstang Gardening Club - Crofters Hotel Tuesday 11th Coffee Stop - Catterall Village Hall Out Rawcliffe Bowling Club AGM Art Exhibition - Arts Centre (until 5th March) Woolcraft - Arts Centre (weekly, also Fri) Book Club - Arts Centre Scorton WI - Scorton Village Hall Wednesday 12th ‘The General Strike of 1926’ - Garstang Historical Society Garstang Camera Club (also 19th) Travel Talks - Blackpool Sixth Form College South Lancs Speaker’s Club - Hollins Lane Methodist Church Garstang Phoenix WI - Garstang URC Hall Kirkland WI - Kirkland & Catterall Memorial Hall Saturday 15th Rainforest Science Hunter’s - Garstang Library Craft & Collector’s Fair - Arts Centre Inner Wheel Charity Quiz - Garstang URC Monday 17th Half Term Fun at Garstang Library Garstang Wine Circle - Arts Centre The Houghton Weavers - Cockerham Village Hall Tuesday 18th Floral Art Group - Arts Centre Thursday 20th Forton WI - Forton Village Hall Friday 21st Falkland Islands Picture Show - St Helen’s Churchtown Saturday 22nd Jumble Sale - Kirkland Memorial Hall Soroptimists Wine Tasting - Arts Centre Monday 24th Friends Together - Wesley’s Coffee Lounge Wednesday 26th Cherestanc WI - St Thomas’s Hall Thursday 27th Lancashire Night - Garstang Trefoil - Garstang Library Singer’s Night - Garstang Replugged - Caldervale Country Club Friday 28th Poetry Appreciation Group - Arts Centre Time to Chat - Garstang Library Saturday 29th 10 ‘n In Concert - Singleton Parish Church ‘The Flatlanders’ - Claughton Village Hall

14 22 4 9 10 50 51 51 55 7 29 41 45 55 55 22 50 54 22 28 57 51 56 37 10 39 54 56 6 6 50 54 10 57

March 2020 deadline for editorial and adverts is Monday 17th February March deliveries commence Thursday 27th February 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.

FROM THE EDITOR

GARSTANG GARDENING CLUB

After five years as the Editor of Focus I am about to retire. This will be the third time I have retired from a great job. Hopefully it will be third time lucky! Since taking on the role I feel as though I have got to know hundreds of people in the Garstang area. It is a complete virtual world full of friends that I laugh and joke with but have never met!

Mon 10th Feb 7:30pm The Crofters Hotel, A6, Cabus

I’ve been amazed at the sheer number and variety of social clubs, interest groups and charitable organisations that all work hard to support the local community - what a wonderful area in which to live, work and play! I will miss the activity.

‘Growing Produce My Way - and I Am Getting Old’ by experienced grower Mr Cyril Williams of Garstang. A raffle and refreshments will follow the talk. All welcome. As this issue of Focus was going to press we learned of the passing of club founder and President Ben Andrews. Tributes will be paid to Mr Andrews’ memory at the meeting. Ruth Cowell (01995) 602234

SCORTON METHODIST CHAPEL

In future please send your editorial submissions to Helen at editorial@focusmags.co.uk

A big thank you to all who supported our November Coffee Morning at Scorton Methodist Chapel The total raised was £640. The money was shared between Garstang Memory Cafe and Defying Dementia Research at Lancaster University.

Sue Moulton (soon to be Ex- Editor)

Janet Walker

Thanks to everyone for your support and long may continue. It’s your magazine and we can’t do it without you!

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CEILIDH Sat 1st Feb 6:30pm Kirkland Memorial Hall Churchtown and District Children’s Whitsuntide Festival committee is hosting a fundraising Ceilidh on Sat 1st Feb. Doors open 6:30pm. Live Ceilidh band, Still Reeling, and caller Victoria Berringer. Supper included. Bar available. Cost £15 adults, £5 children. Tickets from (01995) 604850 / 602558 or via Churchtown Festival on Facebook. Dorothy Walmsley

Also Sat 7th March Coffee Morning. Proceeds will be divided between a charity and the Chapel. Edith Gorst (01995) 602078

GARSTANG HARMONY & HEALTH United Reformed Church Hall Harmony & Health meets every Wednesday morning to sing numbers from the musicals and the pop songs of our younger days as well as more recent hits.

Monthly Coffee Mornings Sat 1st Feb 10:00am - 12 noon

Age is no barrier and there is no requirement to be able to read music or even sing in tune. We simply invite you to join us for some fun and laughter with friends old and new.

Usual stalls quiz etc. Proceeds will be divided between the Chapel and The Leprosy Mission. Please bring along any used stamps, postcards etc. for the Leprosy Mission. There will be a Leprosy Mission Stall.

Ann Cameron - ann.cameron@mac.com

CALDER VALE METHODIST CHURCH

There is a charge of £2 for these sessions which includes tea and coffee and maybe even a biscuit!. Singing is good for your health, so why not give it a go!

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GARSTANG TREFOIL

COMMUNITY SELF CARE FUND

Thurs 27th Feb 7:30pm Garstang Library Meeting Room ‘Lancashire Night’ with Norma Allott

Can we help you help others with their health and well-being?

The Trefoil Guild is a national organisation linked to and supporting Girlguiding UK and is open to anyone over 18 who supports the aims and principles of Guiding but perhaps does not have the time to help run a unit on a regular basis. We have a local programme of speakers, activities and outings and can also join in with County or National events. We are a small friendly group and all are welcome. You do not need to have been a Guide or Scout previously. Contact Pat Ascroft (01995) 604139 or visit the national website at www.trefoilguild. co.uk Marlene Towns

In conjunction with national Self Care Week the local NHS and councils for Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre have made a pot of funding available for small community grants to be used to help people improve their health and well-being. We are inviting community groups and voluntary sector organisations to apply. This is a one-off funding opportunity and will be subject to a participatory budgeting process. Go to www.fyldecoastccgs.nhs. uk/selfcarefund to find out more and apply before Fri 14 Feb. Kerry Cossens - Community Engagement Officer t: 01253 887564 w: www.wyre.gov.uk

CALDERVALE COUNTRY CLUB What’s On • • • •

Fri 7th & 21st Feb - Meat Bingo. Eyes down 7:30pm. Every Saturday night Live entertainment. £2 on the door. Every Sunday - Social Bingo - Eyes down 8:00pm. Fri 13th March - Bob Hodgson is hosting a Charity Bingo and Auction Evening in aid of Marie-Curie. Eyes down 7:30pm.

Garstang Replugged Don and his team are inviting you to a Singers’ Night on Thurs 27th Feb from 8:00pm. Sat nav: PR3 1SH. Club Membership Memberships for 2020 are now available at £12. Come and join this friendly club. Ros Ashworth (01995) 603776 w: www.caldervaleclub.co.uk

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GARSTANG HISTORICAL SOCIETY Wed 12th Feb 7:30pm Garstang URC Local historian, author and lecturer Paul G Smith is the guest speaker at the February meeting of Garstang Historical Society. His topic is ‘The General Strike of 1926’, the largest ever dispute in British industrial history. Refreshments will be available in the church hall post-lecture. All welcome. Members free, visitors £3. Tickets are available for the hotpot supper on Wed 11th March. Details will be available (and payments taken for) the Society’s trip on Wed 20th May to Arley Hall and the Anderton Boat Lift, Cheshire. Peter Burrell (01995) 601054

HAFFNER ORCHESTRA Sat 8th Feb 7:30pm Ashton Hall, Dalton Square, Lancaster Another evening of fine classical music from Lancaster’s symphony orchestra Conductor: Jonathan Lo. Weber Haydn Mendelssohn

Overture to Oberon Symphony No. 95 Symphony No. 5 ‘Reformation’

Tickets £14.50 from www.haffnerorchestra. org or (01524) 582394. Students £5 at the door. 18’s and under free. John Whittaker 07752 643 946

GARSTANG RAMBLERS Sat 8th Feb 9:00am - Jumbles Sat 29th Feb 9:00am - Winster All walks start from the riverside car park in Garstang, are subject to weather conditions and at the leader’s discretion. Carol Stenning (01995) 601478

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CARDIAC RISK IN THE YOUNG (CRY) Matthew Hesmondhalgh Memorial Fund Est. 1970

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February begins with the most important activity of the year for Matt’s Fund - our annual free CRY heart screening event for those aged 14-35 at Garstang Community Academy on the Sat 1st & Sun 2nd Feb. We look forward to welcoming the 200 young people who have appointments. At the end of 2019 the National Screening Committee (NSC), without meeting with CRY, concluded once again that a national, programme of heart screening for signs of the conditions that cause Young Sudden Cardiac Death (YSCD) is not worthwhile! Their report entirely underestimates the impact of YSCD, the number of incidences, and the value of ECGs for young people, and advocates that such deaths are unavoidable. How many young people have to die before CRY’s dedication and commitment to preventing the devastation and heartbreak for so many families, friends and communities are taken on board? Since the loss of our beloved son to Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (he seemed so fit and healthy), his memorial fund has screened 1,300 young people at Garstang, of those 28 have been referred by CRY for potentially serious or fatal conditions and a further 21 young people have had letters of advice sent to their GP regarding other abnormalities that need checking, monitoring or treatment. Speaking with bereaved parents further afield the outcomes are similar at their family memorial screenings. Surely this alone proves such agonies ARE avoidable? We know of 14 local families, and have spoken to many others who have attended our events and stands, that have been affected by the distressing and draining loss of someone they love to YSCD, and all of this is in one small area – this is happening all over the country. There is still not a day goes by when we don’t grieve for our son, and feel it is totally

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CRY (cont) unacceptable that over 600 young, avoidable deaths each and every year and the impact that they have on so many are being ignored. Whilst we will do our utmost to be proactive in preventing such tragedies locally by bringing CRYs professional team here, lifesaving screenings should not be piecemeal, dependent on bereaved families and friends to provide them in their home towns. Hopefully it won’t be too long before common sense prevails, the NSC take on board CRY’s expertise, accept that simple and inexpensive screening should be available to all and do something about it! Paula Hesmondhalgh t: 07785 106 976 e: paulahez.ph@gmail.com facebook: The Matthew Hesmondhalgh Memorial Fund

WINTER SONGS OF PRAISE Garstang Arts Centre Thurs 6th Feb 2:00pm - 4:00pm Please join us for an informal time singing hymns and songs old and new around the piano. Refreshments included. All welcome. Joy Bell (01995) 238517

COFFEE STOP Tues 4th & 18th Feb at Inglewhite Church Tues 11th Feb at Catterall Village Hall Coffee Stop opens on most Tuesday mornings 10:00am until 12 noon. Our aim is to provide a safe and friendly place for us to get together and make new connections. If you’re new to the area or if you’ve previously considered coming along it would be great to welcome you. Free parking, cycle space and disabled access are available at both venues. We look forward to welcoming you during February. Lesley Hardman 07980 070 349

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10 ‘n IN CONCERT Sat 29th Feb 7:30pm Singleton Parish Church The singing group 10 ‘n In (so called because they perform after just ten rehearsals) is giving another public performance this year. The concert take place at 7:30pm on Sat 29th Feb at the Parish Church at Singleton. We will be making our musical circumnavigation of the globe with songs taken from the world of entertainment. Without giving the programme away, I will just tell you that stops will be being made in London, Paris, The Austrian Alps, Venice, Vietnam, China, A South Sea Island and New York. As is the tradition, all of the money raised will be donated to charity. This year we are sending our donation to the North West Children’s Support Group a Lancashire-based voluntary organisation which provides holidays and social events for

children with disabilities or additional needs. If you are able to support us in this very worthy cause, just turn up on the night and pay at the door (£10). The concert will be finished by 9:30pm which gives us time for the 80 minute journey and a 20 minute interval where wine and soft drinks will be available. Robert Richmond

JUMBLE SALE Sat 22nd Feb 11:00am Kirkland Memorial Hall The Churchtown and District Children’s Whitsuntide Festival committee are having a fundraising Jumble Sale in aid of the 2020 Festival. The Jumble Sale will be held on Sat 22nd Feb at Kirkland Memorial Hall, Churchtown PR3 0HR at 11:00am. Donations of jumble can be brought to the Hall from 8:30am to 10:00am on the morning of the sale. For jumble collection/further details contact (01995) 602731 / 602558. Dorothy Walmsley

OUT RAWCLIFFE BOWLING CLUB Annual General Meeting Tues 11th Feb 7:30pm Please could captains and officials inform members. New players wishing to join please contact me. Chris Creer (01253) 700461

GOOSE GREEN BOWLING CLUB Goose Green Bowling Club, on Pilling Lane, Preesall FY6 0HL, is looking for new members. Whether you are a beginner or a bowler we have teams for all abilities and all ages. Derek Ronson 07971 412 965 derek.ronson@yahoo.co.uk

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GARSTANG FAIRTRADE Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 Activities

20th Anniversary Celebrations

There will be a Family Fairtrade Quiz starting Sat 1st Feb. Quiz sheets can be collected from the Visitor Centre, the Library and the Mustard Seed. Completed forms should be returned to the Visitor Centre no later than Sun 1st Mar.

The possibility of the Fairtrade Walk as part of the Garstang Walking Festival is being investigated – details to follow.

A £20 Fairtrade Hamper and a £10 voucher to be spent at the Mustard Seed will be presented to the winning entry at 10:00am on Sat 7th Mar at the Mustard Seed.

There will be a Fairtrade stall outside Market Hall on Sat 20th June to raise awareness of Fairtrade.

Once again, we will be putting on our popular display about Fairtrade Cocoa in the Library. The annual Cycle Club Banana rally will take place on Sat 29th Feb. Members gather outside the Royal Oak at 9:15am. There will be a display and sale of Fairtrade goods at Soroptimist International, North West Region and the Isle of Man meeting at the Crofters Hotel on Sat 15th Feb.

As part of the Garstang Arts Festival afternoon tea is to be served at the Arts Centre on Thurs 27th Aug 1:00pm – 4:00pm.

A Fairtrade Wine and Cheese Evening will be held at Cabus Village Hall on Thurs 26th Nov 6:00pm - 10:00pm. As their contribution to our celebration, Garstang in Bloom have volunteered to plant the haycart outside Sainsbury’s in the colours of the Fairtrade logo - blue, green and black. Fairtrade Directory The Fairtrade Steering Group are producing a Garstang and District Fairtrade Directory booklet for the town which should available later this year. Free copies of the Directory will be available from the Visitor Centre, the Mustard Seed and various outlets around town. The Directory is intended to support retailers and those who offer accommodation by selling or using Fairtrade products in their businesses. Please support them. Easyfundraising Turns your everyday online shopping into free donations for your favourite cause. Just start your online shopping first at easyfundraising, then shop as normal. Retailers then make a small donation to say thank you. There are 3,824 retailers to choose from and so far over £30 million has been raised for thousands of community groups, schools, sports clubs, small and large charities across the UK. So, by nominating Garstang Fairtrade Steering Group you will be helping Fairtrade to continue in Garstang.

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GARSTANG FAIRTRADE (cont) Date of Next Meeting Our next meeting will be on Sat 8th Feb 10:00am at the Methodist Church where we will be finalising our contribution to Fairtrade Fortnight and our 20 years celebrations. Everyone who has an interest in Fairtrade or is just curious is welcome to join us, we would love to see you. If you have any ideas or suggestions but cannot get to the meeting, please email us on garstangfairtrade@gmail.com Peter Ryder

ST HELEN’S COMMUNITY CAFÉ Every Wednesday 10:30am - 12:30pm Our community café is now a weekly affair on Wednesday mornings. This month, we will be open on Wed 12th, 19th & 26th Feb. We are currently recruiting some more

volunteers, so we hope to be open on Fridays and / or Saturdays at some point in the Spring (more details to follow). As I mentioned last month, the Churchtown Beer, Cider & Gin Festival will return in August this year (on Fri 14th, Sat 15th and Sun 16th). If you would like to get involved, we will be having our first committee meeting on Thurs 5th Mar at 8:00pm in the Horns Inn (these are once a month for six months). Would you like some free beer, cider or gin? Then why not volunteer for an hour or two over the weekend! Please sign up in the café on Weds mornings. Mark Rivers-Bland t: 07956 520242

CATTERALL GARDENING CLUB Tues 17th Mar 7:00pm Catterall Village Hall Hello happy gardeners and welcome to the new season 2020! Our guest speaker at our first Gardening Club meeting is Bob Storey who gets us in the right frame of mind to start this year’s gardening season with his talk ‘Spring is Rising’. I’m sure we’ll have lots of questions to ask and new plants we want to grow, so his advice will be invaluable as we begin to plan our gardening year. We are a friendly gardening club where everyone is welcome. There is a plant stall, raffle, delicious home made cakes, tea and coffee. Why not join this thriving club on the third Tuesday of the month, March to September? We laugh and learn in equal measure! You can either become a member £15 for the year, or pay £3 at the door. Contact Jan Finch (01995) 604771 for more information. Netta Parker

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GARSTANG & DISTRICT LIONS Donations Made Our thanks go to B and S Stores for their kind donations and assistance in making up the Christmas gift bags that were delivered to the different refuges in the area run by Fylde Women’s Aid. There is a continued need for new clothing items (babies, small children or ladies ),new toys, new cosmetic or new toiletries with this appeal ongoing with our collection point being the Resources Centre (old Liberal Club on Bridge Street). The next delivery is planned to take place in late February. Our gratitude also goes to all of the donors and helpers who made the Christmas Charity Lunch such a great success including all of the staff at the Wyrebank for their support,

advice and patience. Thank you. The Club have agreed to give £120 to buy twelve tickets for the next Garstang Musical production of ‘My Fair Lady’ to distribute to deserving senior citizens. It was also agreed at our meeting to make a specific donation to the Australian Bushfire and Humanitarian Appeal of £200 to be taken from our annual contribution to the multi district international funds. Events & Activities Our first event in this new year was to assist with the car parking at the 10k Road Race and the two mile Family Fun Run in January at Garstang Academy. Despite the very wet conditions this all went well. Our Charter Dinner will be held on Sat 29th Feb at the Wyrebank Conference and Banqueting suite.

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GARSTANG & DISTRICT LIONS (cont) Further information about the range of activities and projects we are involved in is available at www.garstanglions.co.uk or you can just speak to any member about what we do or come along to our meetings held on the third Tuesday of the month at the Royal Oak at 8:00pm.

Our activities last month included an excellent two course post Christmas lunch at the Royal Oak and a lively communal sing with some active music quizzes.

Memory Café

GARSTANG QUAKERS

The Lions continue to support the activities of the local Memory Café which is organised by Lion Sandra Perkins and meets on both the first Wednesday of the month (10:00am -12:00 noon) and also the third Monday (2:00 - 4:00pm) at Garstang Library. This is a lively social group with a range of fun activities being provided free for those suffering from dementia and their carers, family members and partners. The February dates for these sessions are Wed 5th Feb (am) and Mon 17th Feb (pm).

Chris Wilkinson w: www.garstanglions.co.uk

Quaker Meeting House Calder House Lane, PR3 1ZE (At the end of a gravelled track between houses). Meeting for Worship Sundays 10:30am 11:30am. All are welcome for the meeting, followed by tea, coffee and biscuits. In addition, the Meeting House has rooms available for hire. Judith Taylor www.lancsquakers.org.uk/garstang.php

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BREAKFAST CLUB • •

Sat 1st Feb 9:30am - 11:30am Th’owd Tithebarn The Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Clubs are groups of men and women from all arms, both serving and veterans, of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces and her Allies, who meet regularly to enjoy a meal together in a safe, social, informal and familiar environment. •

No subscriptions, fees or need to book in. Buy your own breakfast, meet old comrades, make new friends and indulge in some good old military banter. We are now well and truly up and running with approx. 35 – 40 veterans and family members attending each month. Friendships beginning to form and banter starting to flow.

• •

We can help find you support and guidance available, if you need it. Free raffle!

Meet first Saturday of each month 9:30am 11:30am. Th’owd Tithebarn, Church Street, Garstang, PR3 1PA. Parking is available, but please remember to enter your vehicle registration number at the bar as soon as you enter. Forthcoming Celebrations VE Day: 8th, 9th and 10th May. VJ Day: 14th, 15th and 16th August. Keep an eye out for local events. Roger Dunn t: (01995) 604486 w: www.afvbc.net/clubs/garstang Facebook: Garstang Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club

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GARSTANG LADIES SPEAKERS Tues 4th & Tues 18th Feb 7:15pm Garstang Country Hotel & Golf Club The following article was written by a relatively new member of our club, Cheryl Jones. It’s worth taking a few minutes to read it. The Orator Within 75% of people suffer from a fear of public speaking. Whether this statistic is true or not, the fact remains that some people would literally rather die than speak in front of an audience. Corporate entertainment and networking are still a significant part of business development; the awkwardness felt in these kinds of social situations makes it an unpleasant experience for so many individuals. Glossophobia is the fear of public speaking. Deriving from the Greek language, Glosso meaning tongue and phobos meaning fear

and dread. So, an exact translation would be tongue fear. The majority of us don’t fear speaking as such, and although there are many broader social phobias that exist under this label, a popular stressor is presentations and speeches in our work life. So, what is it that makes this a properly named phobia? What are we scared might happen to us when we put ourselves in front of an audience? Embarrassing ourselves? Messing up? Do we think nobody wants to hear what we have to say, because we see ourselves as worthless? Did somebody keep telling us to be quiet when we were little? The fear of public speaking is bound up in our own personal dread of being judged by others. Left untreated, this anxiety can have a detrimental effect on a person’s quality of life, and none more so than on our success in the workplace. In many careers it will limit

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LADIES SPEAKERS (cont) our prospects because at some point you will likely be called upon to present and speak in public and avoidance tactics (however many you might have up your sleeve) start to wear thin, and I should know. I spent years trying myself up in knots, over-preparing for presentations and knowing full well that I would detest every single minute until it was over. I actually know of someone who threw themselves on the floor in the boardroom of the company they worked for, pretending they’d fainted rather than face the pain of presenting to the directors (it wasn’t me; I swear).

How you deliver your presentation or speech matters more than what you are saying. Studies suggest that effective presentations are 38% your voice, 55% non-verbal cues and only 7% your content. Personally, I think these numbers to be incorrect as for a decent talk in contrast to an excellent one, the content needs to be relevant and memorable (for the right reasons). Therefore, we should all be spending a decent amount of time preparing the style of our delivery once we have the content, paying attention to the tone and body-language and how we will go about building rapport with our audience.

We can’t ignore the possibility that if we address our fears and work on our speaking skills, we will do better in our work lives and probably earn more money.

So how can we feel more confident when we are delivering a presentation or speech? Breathing is important, people tend to forget to breathe when they are in a heightened state of anxiety. If you breathe normally and deeply then we can trick our brain into thinking we are ok. A lot of people tense

However, finally plucking up the courage to stand in front of an audience isn’t enough.

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LADIES SPEAKERS (cont) up through nerves and with their heads swimming can feel unbalanced. An effective way to feel grounded is to soften the knees and imagine a kangaroo tail coming from your tail bone touching the ground and that this is supporting us. It really does help us to feel steady - a nice tip from the book Physical Intelligence. We are all capable of overcoming our fears if we are determined enough to find a way. I chose coaching and the Association of Speakers Clubs. Garstang Ladies Speakers Club has helped me to become both an accomplished speaker and listener. It is fair to say I have come a long way in a short space of time and my biggest audience to date is 320, and I had an excellent sleep the night before the presentation! Now I am privileged to help others to find the orator within themselves, still attending the Club every fortnight. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never too late to learn,

build confidence and broaden your personal and professional horizons. Club Information The Club meets at 7:15pm in the comfortable surroundings of the Garstang Country Hotel & Golf Club on the first and third Tuesday of each month from September to May with meetings this month taking place on Tues 4th and Tues 18th Feb. t: Hilary Ormston (01995) 600539 e: Sue Hubbard barleyfold@madasafish.com w: www.garstangladiesspeakersclub.org facebook: Garstang Ladies Speakers Club

GARSTANG KNIT AND NATTER We will be back in our usual Tues 2:00pm -4:00pm slot at Garstang Library in 2020. Mary Randles

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GARSTANG LIBRARY Special Events Rainforest Science Hunters Sat 15th Feb 10:00am - 11:00am. Rainforests are incredibly important to the survival of our planet, yet they are under threat due to deforestation. If we are going to keep these rainforests safe, we have to think about the people who live there whose jobs depend on the forest, as well as the animals and plants that are found there. At this workshop, experts from Lancaster University will teach you about rainforests and some of the problems we face when balancing what people want, against what is best for the environment. You will also be set a Minecraft building challenge! Suitable for children aged 7+ accompanied by an adult. Booking essential. Harry Potter Morning Sat 8th Feb 10:00am - 12 noon Celebrate Harry Potter and Children’s Mental Health Week by

completing the Triwizard Tournament at Garstang Library. Compete for your school and become a Triwizard champion. ‘Find Your Brave’ by fighting a boggart, battling a dragon and undertaking lots of puzzles and challenges! Half Term Fun! Week beginning Mon 17th Feb 2:00pm - 4:00pm (excluding Wednesday/Saturday). Have fun with reading inspired sessions. Build Lego creations and make something new each day based on your favourite books. There will also be puzzles and games to fight the boredom this half term! Board Games Saturdays 10:00am - 12 noon Come along for the next few weeks and join our Duke of Edinburgh Volunteer and his selection of family favourite board games and chess, for a couple of hours of fun! Everyone welcome.

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GARSTANG LIBRARY (cont) Children’s Regular Activities

Activities for Adults

Baby Bounce & Rhyme followed by Chat Play Read. Every Mon & Fri at 10:00am -11:00am.

Friends of Garstang Library Tues 4th Feb. Do you want to be involved in your local community? Would you like to make a difference to your Library? Come along on at the new time of 11:30am and join in their regular monthly meeting.

Toddler Rhyme Time followed by Chat Play Read - Tues at 2:00pm - 3:00pm. Storytime for pre-school and primary school aged children Fri at 3:30am - 4:00pm. Lego Club Sat 9:00am - 12:30pm. Do you love to design, build and use your imagination? All ages welcome. Saturday Stories Sat 10:00am - 12 noon. Discover a new story every week! Share your love of reading with family and friends, explore the story together and make something to take home. Children aged five - eleven years welcome. Must be accompanied by an adult.

Have a Go Fri 7th Feb 2:00pm - 4:00pm. Do you enjoy being creative and meeting like-minded people? Share your talent and ideas and learn new skills. This informal group gives you the opportunity to share your creations and pass on your skills to others. Bring along something you have been working on and celebrate each other’s’ achievements. Don’t worry if you don’t have anything to share, come along anyway and ‘have a go’! You might find a new passion and make some new friends. All adults welcome, no booking required.

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GARSTANG LIBRARY (cont) Knit and Natter Tues 2:00pm - 4:00pm Join our friendly and informal group to share ideas and patterns, learn new crafts and to meet new people. All ages and abilities welcome. Use the Library for your Event Garstang Library is always looking for events for the local community. If you think you have something that would be of interest or would like to discuss using the venue contact garstang.library@lancashire.gov.uk Further Information If you require any further information about any of the events or to book a place please contact the Library or go online at w: www.lancashire.gov.uk/libraries w: www.eventbrite.co.uk facebook: @lancslibraries twitter: @lancspublib t: 0300 1236703

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FRIENDS OF GARSTANG LIBRARY

GARSTANG MILLENNIUM GREEN

One of Scotland’s most popular folk bands, North Sea Gas, is making a return visit to our Library on Thurs 12th March. I have enjoyed their unique music. Further details will be available in the coming weeks.

‘Survivors’ Siriol Hogg & Tom Myerscough Wed 4th March at 7:30pm URC Hall, Croston Road, Garstang

Our next meeting is on Tues 4th Feb 11:30am - 12:30pm. We would love to hear your ideas on how our Library could be used even more. Pat Ashcroft t: (01995) 604139

BABA’S BABY & TODDLER GROUP Wesley’s Coffee Lounge Garstang Methodist Church Every Wed 10:00am - 11:30am A friendly welcome awaits you and your baby/ toddler for chat, brew and play. D Gorst (01995) 606226

Do you remember the terrible floods of December 2015? On Wed 4th March at 7:30pm, Tom Myerscough of the Wyre River Trust and Siriol Hogg, Vice Chairman of Churchtown Flood Action Group will talk about the combined activities they have undertaken in an effort to prevent Churchtown flooding again. There is a lot we can learn from them. Siriol Hogg formed Churchtown Flood Action Group, after Storm Desmond flooded the village in December 2015. The Churchtown group is now one of the foremost Flood Action Groups in the UK. This is reflected by the amount of Government Agencies and others seeking their help, and their success with fundraising and building defences.

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MILLENNIUM GREEN (cont) In 2018, the Group entered and won the Environment Agency’s Project Excellence competition for Community Leadership. The Chairman of the Environment, Emma Howard Boyd, presented them with the award. They raised over £100,000 and designed, project managed and built their own DIY Flood defence. Lord Charles Shuttleworth, the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire opened it in March 2019. Their members have been invited to speak at several Flood conferences and have recently been to Parliament to participate in the launch of the Flood Charter. Come along to what should be a very interesting evening. Admission is £3, payable on entry and includes tea/coffee and biscuits. A raffle will also be held. All proceeds will go towards the maintenance

of Garstang Millennium Green (Registered Charity No 1079032). We are a small charity that owns and runs the 3.5ha of public open space alongside the River Wyre that comprises Garstang Millennium Green. We are run and managed entirely by volunteers and receive no financial assistance from the Local Authority. Dedicated volunteers carry out all on the Green, they give up a lot of time to maintain this area for you Please support us and come and informative evening.

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The Mystery of the ‘Hand’ Last year was a successful year for the Green with our volunteers and other supporters doing some sterling work and raising some helpful donations. However, we

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MILLENNIUM GREEN (cont) are wondering whether anyone can help us with a recent query. ArtUK is a charity with the aim of making public art more accessible. Part of this process is to produce a database of public art with information about the various pieces. One of the volunteer compilers noticed ‘The Hand’ in the middle of the Green and contacted us on its background. The plaque explains what it represents - the passing of the Green from private ownership to public ownership - the inhabitants of Garstang, for future generations. What it does not say is who the sculptor was, for instance. The present members of the team believe it was originally sculpted for another party and for possible cultural reasons was not found to be appropriate so was donated to the Green. We would very pleased if someone has any idea who the sculptor was, or stonemason, so we can go back to ArtUK with some information. However, it is pleasing that it stands out as art worthy of attention. If you have any thoughts or information please email us on garstangmillenniumgreen@ gmail.com

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GOOD VIBRATIONS Every Thursday 6:30pm St Peter’s Church, Scorton This is a feel good, wellbeing group for people who love to sing (whether they can or not!) That’s not important. It’s not a choir. No auditions. Just come along and sing. Find us on Facebook page at Good Vibrations which will keep people updated. Jan Hindle 07730 646 581

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GARSTANG WINE CIRCLE The Waitrose supermarket chain has a reputation for having a good selection of wines on its shelves, so we were pleased to welcome John Harwood from their Preston Store to present a selection of their Australian wines to our January meeting.

and refreshing wine that would be ideal for summer drinking. This was followed by two whites, a riesling and a semilion, both delicious and elegant wines that would be ideal for summer drinking, but would go well with chicken and fish at any time of year.

We have all seen the pictures of the devastating fires in the Australian states of Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales over the past weeks.

The selection of reds shows how much more sophisticated Australian wines have become since the 70s, when all but the most expensive tended to be overoaked and tended to overpower accompanying food.

All but one of the wines presented come from these states, and there are reports of the wine industry being affected by these fires. It is only when the full extent of the damage is determined will we know the effect on the wine industry and the consequences for the growers who have spent decades developing their vineyards. We were presented with seven wines in total. We started with a pink fizz, a light

The wines we tasted were a Merlot, a Grenache and a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot. All of these would go well with roasted lamb or beef, or a winter stew, so good wines for this time of year. The tasting finished with a delicious pudding wine. It was sweet but not cloying on the palate. It would go well with cheese or dessert. A good wine to end the selection of excellent wine and a good demonstration of what Waitrose has to offer. Thanks to Diana and Colin Bell for the excellent refreshments served during the evening, and to Anne Whitehead for the vote of thanks. The next meeting will be on Mon 17th Feb at 7:30pm at the Arts Centre. Any queries about the event should be addressed to Alan Jefferson on (01995) 601842. Mervyn Stokes

GARSTANG CAMERA CLUB In January, the club presented a garden voucher to June Gornall who retired from the club committee this year after some 15 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; service including times spent in the roles of Vice Chairman, Club Secretary, Programme Secretary and Treasurer. We thank June for all her hard work on behalf of the club. June is still a member after over 30 years and her

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GARSTANG CAMERA CLUB (cont) help and advice is always appreciated. On Wed 5th Feb we have a visit from Steve Proctor DPAGB BPE4* telling us the stories behind some fabulous images from his portfolio. This will also be the final night on which members can bring in their images for the ‘Anything Goes’ photographic competition to be held in March. Wed 12th Feb will be our Humanities competition, with experienced Lytham judge Ken Ainscow DPAGB BPE4. On Wed 19th Feb we have a talk entitled ‘Sgt. Pearson’ by Stan Pearson, a look at his father’s experience in WW2 in Italy. We also take a look at the Wildlife of India following a

recent visit from member Ken Harrison. Later in the year, as well as competitions and workshops we have presentations by various speakers including Toni Pioli on ‘Nature’, Gary Waidson on ‘Working with Layers in Photoshop’ and ‘A Lightweight Approach to Landscapes’ by Robin Whalley. If you are interested in photography, come along as a visitor and see if you feel we can help. Meet our members who can help with your queries about equipment, photo editing or photography in general. Or just come along as a visitor to one of the talks by visiting lecturers. The cost to visitors is just £4 including refreshments. Visit our website or email us for more information. Peter Knight - Club Chairman e: info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk w: www.garstangcameraclub.co.uk

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GARSTANG URC COFFEE MORNING Garstang URC, Croston Rd, Garstang Garstang URC Charity Coffee Mornings on the first Thursday of each month 10:00am – 12 noon. • •

Thurs 6th Feb - Rosemere Cancer Foundation Thurs 5th March - The Matthew Hesmondhalgh Memorial Find (Held @ Cry)

Hilary Ralphs (01995) 603056 e: ralphs@garstang.eclipse.co.uk

GARSTANG 3Ls Fri 7th Feb 2:00pm Garstang URC Hall Our New Year starts with our AGM. Once the formalities are over (which shouldn’t take long) we will play a few games. We look forward to welcoming back old friends and meeting new ones, and taking the opportunity to chat over a cuppa and a biscuit. Our Treasurer will be pleased to take your subscriptions and the programmes for the coming year will be available. Our speaker on Fri 6th March will be Jim Doran, who spent many years as a lighthouse keeper - not a run of the mill job. We look forward to another year of fellowship and, as the title of the group indicates, learning something new. Ruth Rendle (01995) 602006

BEAT THE WINTER BLUES Don’t be lonely this winter! St Thomas Church Rose Queen, Rose Brewin and her retinue are hosting a four course lunch with entertainment on Sun 1st March 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Alone? You will be made very welcome. Booking essential. Tickets available at just £5 each from Sweets of Garstang Market Hall, High Street, Garstang Tues - Sat. David Brewin

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COMPUTER ADVICE Amazon Vouchers Scam Firstly I’d just like to repeat the warnings I gave in my last article in December about the Amazon Vouchers scam. I’ve had more reports of people losing some big sums of money with this – in one case it was £500 - and I’ve also been able to see more closely just how it works.

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The first person in the loop falls victim to an email pretending to be from their email provider, which requests you to click on a link to sort out a problem with your account. Once you do this you see a webpage which asks for your email and address and password – and once you’ve typed these in the bad guys then have control of your emails until such time as you realise the mistake and get the password changed. The bad guys send emails to everyone in your contact list, with the first message possibly just saying something like ‘Re Favour to Ask – did you get my last message’. If the receiver of the email replies to this, it gets forwarded to the bad guys who will respond from a different email address (but made to look very similar to the real one) and start asking for the purchase of some Amazon vouchers etc. The bad guys will by then have left an autoforward in place so the first person never sees any new messages coming into their account, and they also delete the contacts list so when you realise that you’ve got a problem you might find it difficult to send an alert out to everyone. So my message to everyone - please please do tell everyone you know about this scam. If you think your emails may have been hacked, get your email account password changed and check for any auto-forwarding rules, then tell all your contacts that you have had this problem. If you receive any messages asking for such a favour or asking

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COMPUTER ADVICE (cont)

SHERATON TROPHY 2020

whether you received a previous request – do not reply, get hold of the sender by phone to check it out.

Entries Now Open

Please tell your family and friends, particularly anybody that lives outside the Focus Magazine delivery areas. Windows 7 Secondly, a quick word about Windows 7. Again it’s a subject which I’ve covered previously, but which has suddenly made the news again recently. All support for Microsoft Windows 7 ceased last month (January 2020) so it is now at much greater risk of security problems as some of the bad guys will be specifically targeting their viruses at old systems when they find a security hole which they know Microsoft will not be fixing. You could also have problems if you buy a new piece of equipment to connect to the computer (printer, scanner, camera etc) as not all new devices will work properly with Windows 7 now.

Nominations are being sought for Wyre’s most inspirational young people. If you know a young person who exceeds in their area, nominate them for the Sheraton Trophy. The deadline for the 2020 nominations is 5:00pm Fri 20th Mar. Last year’s trophy was awarded to Katie Ramsbottom who lost her father to cancer and has been a tower of strength for her family. Katie took part in a sponsored walk for her father whilst he was very ill and another after he passed away. Katie also holds many sporting achievements. To nominate them for this year’s Sheraton Trophy, email andrea.mullin@wyre.gov. uk or write to Andrea Mullin, Civic Centre, Breck Road, Poulton-le-Fylde FY6 7PU. Andrea Mullin

New software programs will increasingly be less likely to work, and you will also find that as time goes on you are unable to use some websites (especially online banking sites) or browsers. If this applies to you, then you really do need to think about doing something now, and as any computer or laptop with Windows 7 is likely to be at least 7 or 8 years old then realistically it is probably time to get a replacement running Windows 10 instead. If you have any questions and concerns about computer security etc then please do get in touch with me. Joan Bailey t: 07528 173 891

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CAT SMITH MP Local Issues Since returning to Westminster I’ve spoken in the House of Commons on several occasions to raise my concerns about some local issues. Over the Christmas period there were a number of worrying robberies in the constituency where members of staff were held at knife point. The Government urgently needs to explain how they are going to make good on their manifesto commitment to recruit 20,000 additional officers and what resources they are going to provide. According to John Apter, national chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, up to 55,000 police officers need to be recruited to make up for those resigning and retiring each month. WASPI Women

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I’m delighted that the Labour Group on Wyre Council have been successful in pushing the Council to write to the Government demanding more help for the WASPI women. It’s only right and fair they reconsider the pension changes they introduced that have caused financial hardship to thousands of women. The 1995 Conservative Government’s State Pension Act included plans to increase women’s state pension age from 60 to 65 so that it was the same as men. Because of the way the increases were brought in, 3.8 million women born in the 1950s have been hit particularly hard. They are understandably angry that they have been treated unfairly and unequally just because of the day they were born. I have supported the WASPI women since 2015 and I’ll continue to do so. If you are

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CAT SMITH MP (cont) affected by this issue and you’d like my help, please call my office on (01253) 490440 or email me on cat.smith.mp@parliament.uk Knott End Railway Later this month I’ll be catching up with the team behind the ambitious plans to re-open the section of railway line between Fordstone Bridge in Preesall and Hackensall Road in Knott End. They are planning to run a 2ft narrow gauge railway down the line incorporating a public footpath alongside, with disabled access, picnic tables and benches where walkers can sit and enjoy watching the trains roll by. There is the potential for the scheme to attract interest from outside the area and I’m keen to have an update on progress. Legal & Tax Advice There are a number of free advice clinics that have been set up to help people across Lancashire with either tax or legal concerns. Lancaster University is running a weekly law clinic, offering free legal advice on a variety of issues, including family law, consumer disputes, small claims, education law, wills and probate and landlord and tenant law. All of the legal advice is supervised by a qualified lawyer who is an expert in the relevant area of law.

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In the law clinic, Lancaster University law students conduct a fact-finding interview with the client, carry out legal research and draft a letter of advice to the client, which is sent within 14 to 21 days of the appointment. The letters of advice are fully supervised by a qualified lawyer before being sent to the client.

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If you would like free legal advice, they run drop-in appointments at The Storey in Lancaster City Centre every Monday during term time until Monday 9th March between 10:00am and 4:00pm. They also offer telephone appointments. You can email

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CAT SMITH MP lawclinc@lancaster.ac.uk appointment.

make

Do you need help with a tax problem? Are you confused or worried about a letter from HMRC? Are you struggling to afford independent tax advice? Lancaster University and the University of Central Lancashire in partnership with TaxAid have launched a tax clinic to provide free, expert, independent and confidential to help you resolve your tax problem. The clinic can help with filling out tax returns for the self-employed, sorting out tax code errors, dealing with worrying HMRC letters, and appealing HMRC penalties/ debts. To make an appointment with TaxAid call 0300 222 5736 9:00am - 12:00pm Monday and 9:00am - 4:00pm on Fridays. The clinic will run until Fri 20th Mar. Also if you’d like help from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau there is now a drop-in service KILN DRIED ASH LOGS FROST PROTECTION TRADITIONAL COAL SMOKELESS FUEL SEASONED LOGS SNOW SHOVELS COAL DOUBLES DEICING SALT KINDLING Ask us r about ou f o e g ran ﬂood n protectio products Find us on

on Tuesdays 10.15am – 1:15pm at Knott End Library. Amongst other issues, they are able to help you with Universal Credit, debt, benefits and housing issues. This is a drop-in session and no appointment is required. Youth Parliament And finally, are you a young person with an interest in democracy? Would you like to stand as a Member of Youth Parliament (MYP)? It’s that time of year when we elect our new Members of Youth Parliament for Lancashire. Once elected you will travel all over the country to meet with other MYPs both from the North West and the UK. You will have the chance to speak about issues and policies that concern you. You must be aged 11-16yrs and live in Lancashire to stand for election as a MYP. Further details and the nominations form are

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CAT SMITH MP (cont) available here: www.ukyouthparliament. org.uk Get in Touch I hold regular advice surgeries across the constituency and if there’s anything I can help you with please call (01253) 490440 or email me cat.smith.mp@parliament.uk to make an appointment. I look forward to hearing from you. Cat Smith MP

FALKLAND ISLANDS PICTURE SHOW Fri 21st Feb, 7:00pm Sunday School, St Helen’s Church Churchtown

Staying in Stanley both at the start and end of the tour and flying to four islands, the tour was mainly for the wildlife. November is Spring in the Falklands, so we saw many Penguins brooding their eggs and the Skua’s trying to steal them. Other wildlife seen were Sea Lions, Elephant Seal, Albatross and many other birds which were very approachable. We also saw memorials to the 1982 conflict.

Robin Shorrock will be presenting his picture show on the Falkland Islands on Fri 21st Feb at 7:00pm at the Sunday School behind St Helen’s church Churchtown. The evening will start with hotpot. o We als ton s in g lo ly supp logs & ets of bags, n ﬁregrates g, kindlin h more m & uc

The trip was taken in November 2017 flying from RAF Brize Norton with the Ministry of Defence via Ascension Island and arriving after an 18 hour flight at Mount Pleasant Airport in the Falkland.

The cost of the tickets are £10 which includes a free glass of wine or soft drink and £5 for under 16’s. Tickets and further details are available from Robin Shorrock (01995) 602238.

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SOROPTIMISTS Women Inspiring Action, Transforming Lives At work today someone made a special effort to thank Lesley for something that she just considered to be ‘what I’m paid for’ but it made her think: How often we rightfully thank all you wonderful people for your support and generosity and yet miss thanking the Garstang Golf Club for providing a wonderful venue and somewhere to enjoy a delicious meal before our meetings. Garstang is very lucky to have such a venue! Tuk Tuks We’re absolutely amazed at how well everyone has got on board with our Tuk Tuk project, now standing at a staggering 59.9% and in less than a year.

You’re all amazing and the Tuk Tuk will change the lives of so many women and children. We added more funds in January when we had our annual New Year’s lunch at the home of one of our members. As always she provided a warm and welcoming venue and fed us so well we were fit to bust!

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SOROPTIMISTS (cont) An important part of our organisation is fun and friendship and we had this in bucket loads at the lunch. Food Bank We also took advantage of this event to bring along our offerings for a reverse advent calendar. Instead of opening boxes and enjoying sweet treats, we all put a non-perishable item a day into a box for 12 days. This resulted in a full shopping trolley and five bags for life, full of necessities and treats to go along to the Salvation Army to help those not so fortunate as ourselves. This was such a simple thing to do but means so much to those in need.

coffers will be our wine tasting event on Sat 22nd Feb. We are to be guided by Stainton Wines of Kendal and will be inducted into how to find a good wine, with the chance to experiment with five different wines. This is a chance to expand your wine knowledge and discover more about the four basic elements: appearance, bouquet, taste and aftertaste. At the moment, these mean nothing to me (says Lesley) but after February, I hope to be a lot more confident in going out and choosing my wine!

Hot News! Wine Tasting!

The event will be held at Garstang Arts Centre between 7:00pm and 11:00pm and in addition to the wines, cheese and biscuits are also included in the ÂŁ15 ticket price. There will be a bar selling more wine, beer and soft drinks.

Our next event to help swell the Tuk Tuk

Sounds like a great way to spend a Saturday

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SOROPTIMISTS (cont) evening! Tickets are strictly limited so don’t delay. For more information contact us on info@sigarstang.org.uk Looking Further Ahead We’re getting into the swing for our organisation’s 100th anniversary in 2021 now and making plans for how we can mark this spectacular achievement. Kathy has come forward to be our President for the year, so we’re sure to be undertaking a varied programme in 2021/22.

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One of the avenues we’re looking at is a permanent reminder to help those who follow behind us and to help the environment now – let’s plant 100 trees for 100 years - can we achieve this? Backpacks Please continue to drop off your spare backpacks or other items at The Mustard Seed Café, Park Hill Road (opposite the Wheat Sheaf Pub). They are open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 10:00am to 2:00pm. Alternatively, please ring us to arrange collection. Join Us Why not come along to find out more about this and all the other things we have planned at one of our meetings. We meet at the Garstang Hotel and Golf Club, at 7:00pm on the second and fourth Wednesday (excluding August and December). Interested ladies are always very welcome. Please ring our membership co-ordinator Muriel Burnham-Airey on (01995) 606604 to arrange to be met, or just come and introduce yourself. w: www.sigarstang.org.uk facebook: SoroptimistsGarstang twitter: GarstangSoropt

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GREY MATTER TEST (ans p59)

TRAVEL TALKS

1. Who rocked around the clock in 1955? 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Wed 12th Feb 7:30pm What kind of animal is Eeyore from the Blackpool Sixth Form College children’s story ‘Whinney the Pooh’? Photographer George Steel takes a look Where, according to the song, is it a long beyond the normal tourist views in his talk ‘The Seeing Eye in Venice’. He looks at the history, way to in Ireland? architecture, transport, and living conditions in Which singer was affectionately known the city and the islands. as ‘Ol Blue Eyes’? Our meetings consist of illustrated talks In which country is the Yen the unit of covering all parts of the world. Speakers are currency? drawn from recognised professional writers, What colour is the shade of cobalt? photographers and journalists, our own What is the second letter of the Greek members and travellers. alphabet? New members and visitors are most welcome.

8. In medicine, what do the initials ENT Membership is £20 for the season. Visitors may pay at the door for a fee of £4 per meeting. stand for? 9. Which English King was also called ‘The Joan Gaffiney (01253) 700799 Confessor’? w: www.traveltalks.club 10. From which country other than Australia e: info@traveltalks.club Twitter: @TravelTalks.club did Anzac troops come from? 11. What is the date of Independence Day in the USA? 12. For what magical creatures did Odysseus instruct his men to lash him to his ship’s mast so he could hear their song? 13. In a bull fight, what name is given to the person who kills the bull? Suppliers of Garden and Estate Machinery

14. Copies of the Bible are left in hotel rooms by which religious organisation? 15. Which Shakespearean character gave the ‘To Be or Not To Be’ speech?

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16. In crime, what do the initials ABH stand for? 17. Which scientific word deals with the structure of the body? 18. In which city would Michaelangelo’s David?

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19. What fruit comes from the rose? 20. What would you find in an arboretum?

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ST JOHN’S – GARSTANG’S HOSPICE St John’s would like to wish the community of Garstang all the best for 2020 and thank you wholeheartedly for all your support. For nearly 34 years St John’s Hospice has provided care, compassion and support to its local community. Without your support we wouldn’t be able to offer all that we do and so want to share some key facts with you for a time when you, your family or a friend would like to know more. Many people’s first thought of St John’s is the in-patient ward, yet we provide three additional clinical services: a hospice at home team, a clinical nurse specialist team and a day therapy centre. We also offer many other services you may not know about such as bereavement support, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, complementary therapy and social workers. Everyone works together to wrap care around patients, their families and carers. The second thought may be that St John’s only treats cancer – it is true, we do care for people with cancer but also for people with other life-shortening illnesses such as heart failure, motor neurone disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and neurological conditions.

Around 30% of our funding is from the NHS and 70% comes from people like you in our community. This may be by taking part (or sponsoring a friend) in the Garstang Colour Dash, by buying furniture from our furniture shop on the high street, by donating through our monthly giving programme or weekly lottery, or by making a gift in your will to us. Every donation, however small or large, makes a positive difference – thank you because your support means we can work around the clock offering comfort, support and care during the most difficult of times. Over the next few issues of Focus Magazine we will share more about our work in your community, meanwhile if you have any questions, get in touch. Sophy Horner t: (01524) 382538 w: www.sjhospice.org.uk

So how are people in the Garstang neighbourhoods cared for by St John’s? Many readers will know of someone who has been cared for in the hospice or by our wonderful community teams who care for people in their home - a choice many people now opt for. Our at home team visits people to nurse them and support their families. Additional community support is through the care of our clinical nurse specialists who visit people to help with pain and symptom management as well as advance planning. How do we fund the free care that we give? St John’s Hospice is a charity and does not charge for the care it gives. This means we need to raise about £385 per hour to keep our patient and family services running.

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DANCING CORNER Garstang Folk Dance Group

Sequence Steppers

Tuesdays 7:30pm Garstang Arts Centre

Thursdays 7:45pm Barton Village Hall

Meeting weekly on Tuesday evenings 7:30pm - 9:30pm from September to May at the Arts Centre. We offer a varied programme of old and new English country dances. Beginners welcome.No partner needed.

Sequence Steppers Charity Dance Group meets on alternate Thursdays at Barton Village Hall. Dancing from 7:45pm to 11:15pm with various music groups. Home made refreshments. Admission £3. We donate all our profits to local charities.

Joan Anderson (01524) 61483 Phoenix Dance Group Saturdays 7:45pm Barton Village Hall We meet every Saturday from 7:45pm to 11:15pm. Come and join us and enjoy sequence dancing with music by Alan Cookson on the key board. Admission £4:00 including refreshments. Christine (01995) 679264 Hazel (01524) 791177

Barbara Holden (01995) 601348 Claughton Sequence Dances Tuesdays 7:30pm Claughton Memorial Hall Claughton sequence dancing for your enjoyment with pleasant company, gentle exercise and good music. Beginners welcome. The price is £3.50 which includes tea and biscuits. Dancing to John Lancaster. Hazel (01524) 791177 Christine (01995) 679264 Scottish Country Dance Group

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Mondays 7:30pm Garstang URC Hall We meet on Monday evenings from September to May. Our programme includes a range of dances to suit all abilities. New members are always welcome - no previous dancing experience required - just come along and have a go! Pam (01995) 603536 Ian (01995) 603998 Line Dancing Wed 10:00am – 12 noon Catterall Village Hall Absolute beginners and returners welcome. We dance to a wide variety of music including pop, country and Irish. Come and join us from. Learn something new, make friends and get fit. Don’t be shy, give it a try! Chris 07780 711 827

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SOUTH LANCS SPEAKERS CLUB Wed 12th Feb 7:30pm Hollins Ln Methodist Church Schoolroom

•

are interested in meeting our residents and striking up new friendships would like to visit our beautiful building and gardens to see if you could help to maintain and develop them?

Improve the way you communicate. A hobby to stimulate your brain for both men and women.

•

The South Lancaster Speakers Club is friendly and welcoming with no pressure. People join us to help themselves become more confident in work or everyday life situations. Some join us just to socialise. In fact people join us for a variety of reasons.

then do join us on our volunteering day. Charity Table-Top / Car-Boot Sale

The club meets most 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, from September to May. No obligation and all welcome.

We are holding a charity table-top / carboot sale at Oaklands on Sun 8th Mar from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. We will be selling toys, children’s clothing, arts and crafts, bric-abrac etc. There will also be a cake stall, raffle and tombola. If you would like to book a table (small £5, large £8) or car-boot pitch (£8) then please call (01995) 602290.

Diana Douglas (01524) 805 554

For more information, please get in touch.

CHURCH BUT NOT ON A SUNDAY

Paul Ferguson Volunteer Co-ordinator t: (01995) 602290 Paul.Ferguson@ValorumCare.co.uk

Become a better speaker, better presenter and better leader or just make new friends!

Tues 25th Feb 7:30pm Catterall Village Hall We explore the Christian faith in a relaxed way in our own local community with music and a short talk then refreshments for all. Call in and see if this friendly group is for you. Lesley Hardman 07980 070 349

OAKLANDS VOLUNTEERING DAY Wed 5th Feb 11:00am - 4:00pm Oaklands, Dimples Lane, Garstang

You are invited to

OAKLANDS RECRUITMENT OPEN DAY Wednesday 5th February 11am - 4pm Home for people with physical disabilities

Thinking of volunteering? Visit our Open Day at Oaklands - home to 30 adults with complex care needs. We are recruiting volunteers to help make a real difference to their lives in an enjoyable and meaningful way. There are many ways that volunteers can support our work, so if you • •

want to see how volunteering works in action are thinking of giving some of your time but are not sure how or where

Take a look at our rooms, meet the residents and meet the team. Interview on the day, flexible start date and shift patterns. OAKLANDS, DIMPLES LANE, GARSTANG PR3 1UA

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BEN WALLACE MP I hope you have had a good start to 2020. Mine has been busy, both locally and in Westminster. Westminster News As you may know I have been the UK’s Defence Secretary since last summer. In this role I have been responsible for coordinating (with the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary) the Government’s response to the recent situation between Iran and the USA. The situation has significantly de-escalated, but I continue to keep a close eye on the region. Local News Meanwhile, at home I’ve held surgeries at which I’ve discussed a wide range of issues from aid in Africa to the Government’s

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Industrial Injuries policy. I have also visited local Country Land and Business Association members at their farm in Inskip. I am always available to meet with rural businesses to hear of the challenges they face. I was concerned to hear about the rural crime experienced locally and will be raising these matters with Lancashire Constabulary. We also discussed Brexit and the implications for farmers. I am pleased that the Government is introducing the Agriculture Bill to ensure that our farmers remain economically supported following Brexit. I am committed to supporting the rural economy and those who live within the rural areas of the constituency. This week, I will be hosting the Lancashire College Principals Group on their annual visit to Westminster. For a number of years now, I have assisted the Group in convening meetings with Ministers and Officials in the Department for Education, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, as well as other Lancashire MPs. The visit provides the Principals with the opportunity to ask questions about the direction of Government policy and share their experiences of how policies work in practice. These meetings prove beneficial to all those involved. This week, I am also looking forward to visiting Garstang St Thomas C of E Primary School for their Friday Celebration (an awards assembly led by children from Year 6), local businesses, Lancashire County Council and meeting with the new Chief Inspector for Wyre. You can be assured that despite my Ministerial responsibilities, I remain

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BEN WALLACE MP (cont)

GARSTANG PAINTING GROUP

committed to serving my constituents at a local level.

February with the Painting Group is like the calm after the storm of the start of New Year.

RSPCA Longview Animal Centre

Paintings from the Open Exhibition should be collected on Sat 8th Feb.

This month I would like to shine a spotlight on the magnificent work undertaken by the RSPCA Longview Animal Centre in Stalmine. The Centre rescues and re-homes needy animals across an area which stretches from Blackpool to close to the Cumbrian border. Some of the animals need help because they have been badly treated or abandoned. The Centre ensures that they are given support care and veterinary treatment before finding them safe, happy, forever homes. The running costs for providing this service are very high. Last year the Centre spent £475,000 on veterinary fees alone. While part of the RSPCA, the Centre is primarily self-funded and, therefore, relies heavily on donations from members of the public, businesses and fundraising. The Centre has sought to cut its costs, but its overheads remain high. They would benefit from a regular income from a sponsor, or sponsors, to augment their own fundraising efforts. I am, therefore, appealing to local businesses to consider supporting the charity. Further details can be found online at www. rspcablackpool.org.uk. Alternatively, the Centre can be contacted at enquiries@ rspcablackpool.org.uk or (01253) 703000. Get in Touch If I can be of any assistance to you please ring my Office at the House of Commons on 0207 219 5804 or my Constituency Office on 01995 672976, email me at wallaceb@ parliament.uk or write to me at the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA. Ben Wallace MP

The year starts in earnest following the demonstration by Les Darlow last month. Those who were inspired will be developing their skills with pastels and mixed media as demonstrated, whilst others will pursue their own specific artistic activities. Whichever will no doubt be looking forward to forthcoming exhibitions in May and beyond. And so the year continues with an exciting programme of demonstrations and workshops every Wednesday at the Garstang Arts Centre, why not pop in and meet us between 1:00pm and 4:00pm and find out what an artist there is in every one of you! Carolyn Wood t: 01253 812270

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GARSTANG MEDICAL PRACTICE Chronic Disease Management

Online Appointment Booking

People with chronic diseases are more vulnerable to illness, especially during the colder months. If you are living with a chronic disease such as asthma or COPD, it is important to attend your annual review with one of our respiratory nurses. We will send an invite letter in your month of birth, but please do book in if you are overdue your review or struggling with your condition.

If you are a patient aged 16 years or over, you can book online a routine 15 minute appointment with your GP and some specific nurse clinic appointments using our internet booking service, Patient Access or via the myGP app. You can also order repeat prescription items, update your contact details online and request access to view part of your medical record.

You can book these appointments quickly and easily online via Patient Access or the myGP app.

Patient Access: If you haven’t registered yet you will need to visit our reception desk to sign up for the service. You will need to do this yourself in person and bring with you two forms of ID (for details of acceptable forms of ID, please contact reception).

London Marathon Asthma Nurse, Ruth Beal will be running in the London Marathon on Sun 26th Apr. ‘I recognise how limiting asthma can be through working in our community. It would be great if we could find a cure which is Asthma UK’s ultimate goal. ‘I’d like to somehow incorporate my patients to run with me: for a donation patients can write their name on a green ribbon available at the surgery. I’ll sew the ribbon on my running gear and ‘carry the patient with me’.’ Donations can be made at the surgery or by visiting: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ fundraiser-display/ With your new permanent consultant, Louise

THURSDAY 5pm & 7pm

Churchtown Kirkland & Catterall Memorial Hall, The Avenue, PR3 0HR Tel or text: Louise 07515 545 931

myGP App: The myGP app provides a fast and easy way to manage appointments for yourself / dependents using your smartphone. You can also create alerts for medication reminders and track and record your weight and blood pressure to help you stay healthy. To register for the app, your mobile number needs to be on your patient record so please contact reception on (01995) 607399 to update your details if necessary. If you are registered for online services, you can also link your accounts, enabling you to also order your repeat prescriptions and view your medical record via myGP. Types of appointments available online: We have recently increased the variety of appointments you are able to book online. We believe providing this service is more convenient for our patients and also reduces demand on our telephone lines. However, it is extremely important that the appointments are booked appropriately in order to avoid putting additional pressure on our clinical resources. We therefore respectfully request patients follow the guidelines below to enable us to continue to be able to offer this service: Nurse Appointments Available •

Cervical screening - smear test for those

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GARSTANG MEDICAL (cont)

•

• •

•

who have received an invite. If you believe you are due a smear test but have not received a postal invite, please let us know and we can check for you. Respiratory – for planned review appointments of patients with asthma or COPD – by invitation only. Hypertension – for patients with hypertension requiring an annual review – by invitation only. Blood tests – to be booked at the request of a clinician only. Health checks – NHS health check for eligible patients aged 40 - 74 years following a postal invite. B12 injections – for those prescribed by a GP. Childhood immunisations/vaccinations For all early year vaccinations. Parents will receive an invitation from the NHS Screening & Immunisation Team. Flu vaccination - NHS vaccines are available for patients who have diabetes, are pregnant, are aged 65 and over, and for those patients with a long-term condition affecting the lungs, heart, kidneys, liver, brain or nervous system, the immune system or the spleen. Free NHS vaccines are also available for Carers (unpaid carers who receive Carer’s Allowance or who are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person), young carers (young people who help to carer for a family member) and patients with learning difficulties. Shingles vaccination - for patients who are aged 70 or 78 years old or were previously eligible but missed immunisation. NB: People aged 80 years and over are not eligible for the vaccine

GP Appointments Available •

Mental Health appointments with a GP - these are for patients struggling with a

mental health issue who do not feel they can wait for a routine appointment. •

Work appointments - early morning and late afternoon appointments for patients who are unable to attend routine GP appointments due to their working hours.

Nurse Practitioners Our nurse practitioners are able to deal with a very wide range of medical problems including chest infections, skin complaints, ear nose and throat problems, musculoskeletal problems, abdominal pains and gynaecology. We have three trained clinical pharmacists who in addition to medication queries are able to treat minor illnesses including urine infections, constipation, diarrhoea, flu etc. Please note if you would like access to view part of your medical record (medications, allergies/adverse reactions, immunisations, test results and coded data such as reason for consultation) there is also an information leaflet to view and consent form to complete. Garstang Medical Practice t: (01995) 607399 w: www.garstangmedicalpractice.nhs.uk Facebook: @garstangmedicalpractice Twitter: @garstangmedprac

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GARSTANG ARTS CENTRE Welcome to Garstang Arts Centre Are you new to Garstang or recently retired? Have you visited the Arts Centre yet? It’s not just for artists - it’s got something for everyone. It’s a great place to meet up for a coffee or a pot of tea and find out about all the various groups that meet there, some weekly, others monthly, ranging from music, dancing, singing, floral art, bridge and wine tasting to name just a few. Art Exhibition Tues 11th Feb - Thurs 5th Mar We are delighted to welcome Ava Joliffe as our next artist and at 13 years old, the youngest exhibitor at the Arts Centre. From a very early age Ava showed an aptitude for drawing but at the age of three she was taken ill and quickly declined. Despite being disabled with multiple complexities, Ava’s art progressed in both The Countryside

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style and medium to her preferred medium of digital art. Ava’s future aspiration is to illustrate and publish children’s books and, as a British Sign Language user, she is also keen to promote and be an advocate for deaf and disabled artists in the UK. Please take time to visit the Arts Centre and see Ava’s work. Sheila Tearle (01995) 603816 Poetry Appreciation Group Fri 28th Feb 2:00pm - 4:00pm. This month’s title is LOVE, which is quite appropriate as this month is when we celebrate St Valentine’s Day. We can express love for many things: pets, music, children, beauty in all its forms to name but a few. That gives us plenty of scope. We should have a very interesting afternoon. Visitors are very welcome, just come along you’ll enjoy yourself. Marie Whalley (01995) 603605 Craft and Collectors Fair Sat 15th Feb 9:30am - 3:00pm This is the first fair of the year. As always we have a wide selection of stalls - handmade wooden items, small antiques and collectables, hand crafted jewellery, lovely note-books and exclusive items like fairy doors, pottery, beautiful ornaments made from eggs, exotic items from the Far East, books, scarves, unusual ornaments etc. This month we have a stall on behalf of Motor Neurone Disease. It’s all worth browsing round and there are lovely refreshments too. Entry is free. Bridge Group

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The bridge group will meet on Mon 3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th Feb at 7:00pm, also on Tues 4th, 11th & 25th at 1:30pm. Everyone is welcome. Bob (01995) 603524.

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GARSTANG ARTS CENTRE (cont) Ukulele Group There are two important feast days in the ukulele calendar in February, the first on the Fri 14th Feb when we celebrate the first ukulele martyr, Valentino. In the 3 century CE Valentino was an active member of the Ukulele Rebellion, tending to players who had been wounded by Roman soldiers, but more importantly repairing their instruments so that the sweet sound of GCEA might be heard throughout the Mediterranean. In 496 CE Pope Gelasius I successfully claimed Valentino for the Catholic church by establishing the Feast of Saint Valentine on the 14th February, but ukulele players throughout the Western world will recall the true meaning of this day. rd

The second ukulele celebration in February is Mardi Gras, often known in the UK as Pancake Day and celebrated by the overeating of fried batter. In ukulele circles Mardi Gras commemorates the start of the great persecution of the C chord. In 1535 Henry 8th decreed that no one would be allowed to play the C chord during Lent and offenders were sentenced to spend 40 days and nights listening to the sound of banjos. Ukulele players found an ally in the king’s wife, Anne Boleyn, but she was to pay a high price the following year for supporting the ukulele. Now each year at the beginning of Lent the taste of pancakes is accompanied by the sound of the C chords – major, minor, major 6, minor 7, and major 7.

have time to arrange theatre trips and social evenings. The group meets on a Thursday evening at 7:30pm and we warmly welcome new members, performers and helpers alike! We are currently rehearsing for my fair lady to be performed Wed 4th - Sat 7th March. For more information contact Emily Hanson on 07893 786895 Garstang Floral Art Group The next meeting of the Floral Art Group will be held in the Arts Centre on Tues 18th Feb commencing at 2:00pm. The speaker will be Yvonne Pinder of ‘Pinny’s Pots’. Yvonne will demonstrate how she decorates terracotta pots and will bring pots for sale with a floral theme. Refreshments will be served after the demonstration. Visitors are always very welcome at this friendly group. For more information ring June on (01995) 602505 or Mary on (01995) 605210. 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. Contact Ann Kelsall on (01995) 606408 or just turn up! Woolcraft

Garstang Musical Productions

If you are interested in woolcrafts (knitting, crochet, maybe felting) or would like to know what we do, please come along at 7:00pm on Tuesday evenings (except the first of the month) or Friday afternoons at 2:00pm, where we will make you very welcome.

Garstang Musical Productions is a friendly and lively amateur musical theatre group who perform a vast array of shows and concerts. We have been delighting our local community audiences for over 25 years. We aim to perform two productions a year and still

Everyone is welcome, experienced or beginner. We will support you! There will also be tea and biscuits! Contact Kate Crook 07759 659 004

Bob Sapey w: www.garstangukulelegroup.co.uk

We work on individual and group projects, often raising money for charities.

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GARSTANG ARTS CENTRE (cont)

WYRE FLOOD FORUM

Book Club

The meeting of the Flood Forum held on Wed 8th Jan replaced that scheduled for the Thurs 12th Dec last year, which clashed with a hastily-arranged General Election which required all available Council accommodation and staff.

The next meeting will be on Tues 11th Feb 10:30am - 12 noon. Then on the 2nd Tuesday every month. For more information please contact Linda Ward (01995) 602948 or Sandra Marson (01995) 603436. Scrabble Group The Scrabble Group meet on Tuesday afternoons at the Arts Centre 2.00pm till 3.30pm. Everyone welcome. Arts Centre Opening Times • • • •

Tuesday Mornings: 10:00am - 12:30pm Tuesday Afternoons: 2:00pm - 4:00pm Thursdays: 10:00am - 4:00pm Saturdays: 10:00am - 12:30pm

Judy Osborne (01995) 600996 w: www.garstangartssociety.org.uk facebook: artcentre.garstang twitter: ArtsGarstang

Many, if not all, of those who are not councillors or officers have an extensive knowledge and experience of the topics discussed and challenge professional officers strongly but in good spirit. I am sure that there is mutual respect. The Forum covers FLAGs in the whole of the Borough from coastline in Fleetwood and Cleveleys following the River Wyre to its source at Abbeystead and also the low lying areas to the North of the Fylde plain such as Preesall and Pilling which drain either into the Bay or Cocker Dyke and are not in the River Wyre catchment.

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Continuing tradition, the Council chamber was full with members of local flood action groups, (FLAGs), Wyre and LCC councillors and officers from WBC, LCC, Environment Agency, United Utilities, Wyre River Trust and Natural England - in total over fifty. The meeting got underway at 1:00pm finishing after 5:00pm with nearly all still present such is the interest.

Voluntary members have often stressed that their opinions and experiences should be given full weight by officers involved not only in flood protection measures but planning applications. Too often the voluntary sector feel that they are ignored but things are changing. The Environment Agency represented by Paul Bond asked in his presentation that community groups supply him with evidence such as photographs with date and time to assist EA’s mapping and Telemetry (recording of levels in rivers). He stressed that anyone with information should use the LCC App ‘Report It’ or telephone the EA’s hot

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WYRE FLOOD FORUM (cont) line 0800 80 70 60 or go to Main River Maps. He highlighted in particular the serious and long standing surface water flooding at Sunnyside Terrace, Preesall and the ongoing efforts with local land owners to resolve it. In Hambleton, the long awaited Tidal Risk Management Scheme has been â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;pausedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by head office while value for money outcomes are assessed. The local FLAG and councillors are understandably annoyed and disappointed with the delay. Issues & Actions Great Eccleston: Raw sewage in Rawcliffe Road and issues with York Drive pumping stations. UU have made no progress with the combined drain in stopping discharge from the combined sewer between Gt Eccleston and Churchtown. Local councillors and residents are vocally worried about the prospect of 350 new homes in the village. Local people say UU will not admit that there is a problem. Main pinch points for standing water are Copp Lane by the new development and Raikes Road which was impassable last October.

regulations. Traffic continued to drive through standing water causing bow waves to wash into adjoining property as the fire brigade watched. A vigorous discussion ensued between Churchtown FLAG and the Emergency Planning Officer. The Emergency Planning Officer and voluntary members will meet and recommend how the communications can be improved in similar circumstances. Await the next agenda. I stress that the Flood Forum is open to the public. You do not have to be a member of any group to attend. Meetings take place on a Thursday commencing at 1:00pm. Turn up at Reception at the Civic Centre Poulton-leFylde and you will be guided. The next meeting is on Thurs 12th March. Roger Brooks - Town Councillor Garstang and member of Garstang FLAG

St Michaels: river bank, damaged back as far as the flood of 1980, needs attention. It was recorded that the embankment at Stokenbridge Farm was receiving remedial work. The repairs to the River Brock opposite the exit for waters from the Catterall Basin were completed in December 2019. Churchtown: The Environment Agency is concerned about field flooding next to Ainspool. On 27th September the main road flooded with evidence of inadequate drainage. Surface water cannot get away when flap valves are closed off at outfalls in the main river. Wyre Borough Council. The Out of Hours Flood Emergency Officer refused help with pumps because no emergency had been declared. The Fire Brigade attended but refused to run their hoses across a main road as it is against

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FRIENDS TOGETHER

INNER WHEEL

Mon 24th Feb 7:00pm Wesley’s Coffee Lounge

Sat 15th Feb 7:00pm Garstang URC Hall

In February our speaker, or perhaps demonstrator, will be Steven Hignett. Steven will be bringing some drums and encouraging us to have a go! This should be a lovely evening to which all are invited. There will be the usual raffle and cuppa, and we look forward to meeting old and new friends.

It’s time for the annual Inner Wheel Charity Quiz. This is always a popular fun evening and tickets are selling well. A hotpot supper and pudding will be provided, but bring your own tipple. We will provide glasses. Teams of up to 6 people. Tickets £8.50 per person.

Ruth Rendle (01995) 602006

Further information and tickets are available from Maureen Garstang (01995) 604336

TIME TO CHAT

Thank you as always for your support for all our fundraising activities.

Fri 28th Feb 10:30am - 12:30pm Garstang Library Would you like to come for a chat and make new friends in a friendly, informal group? Jenny and Netta would like to invite you to come down and join them at Time to Chat. Jenny 07905 903 955 Netta Blundell (01995) 604131

Mary Mason t: (01995) 603447 e: marytmason@icloud.com

RSPCA Volunteer Dog Walkers Love dogs but unable to commit to one as a pet? Why not become part of our volunteer dog walking team at the Centre? . At any one time, we have can have over 40 dogs all needing a walk each day so any help is much appreciated. If you are interested in this role, please contact the centre directly. Heritage Tram Event Blackpool Transport are kindly holding a fundraising event in aid of Longview Animal Centre on Sun 29th March. The tram journey begins at South Shore and goes through to Fleetwood. The trip includes a fish and chip supper. Tickets will be available soon. Please contact the Centre for more information. Easter Open Day Our Easter Open Day takes place this year on Sun 12th Apr between 11:00am and 4:00pm. More details will be announced next month. Hannah Kirrane Longview Animal Centre t: (01253) 703000 w: www.rspcablackpool.org.uk

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WI CORNER Cabus WI Wed 5th Feb 7:30pm Cabus Village Hall The speaker this month is Alex Vallantine talking about her 2012 Olympic journey. We welcome new ladies to join our group. Margaret Swift (01995) 606676 Scorton WI Tues 11th Feb 7:30pm Scorton Village Hall A crafting meeting led by Lorraine Birkett your chance to learn about crafting hearts. New members always welcome. Mary Hodges (01995) 604755 Garstang Phoenix WI

Janet Ellison for our February meeting. Janet will be talking about the importance of breast screening and what it involves. Garstang Phoenix meetings take place on the second Wednesday of each month. New members will be warmly welcomed or if you would like to come for a visit and to hear a particular speaker we would be delighted to meet you. Refreshments are always served during the meeting so there is plenty of opportunity to meet fellow members. Why not give us a try. Lesley Wilson (01995) 605274 Kirkland WI Wed 12th Feb 7:30pm Kirkland & Catterall Memorial Hall

Wed 12th Feb 2:00pm Garstang URC Hall

Kirkland WI will welcome Hazel Roddam to the meeting to talk about her career as a speech therapist.

Garstang Phoenix WI will be welcoming

We meet the second Wednesday of every

CROSSWORD (ans page 59) Across 1. “____ Of Man” (4) 7. Diverse (6) 8. Dwelling (5) 9. Spay (6) 11. Moving With the Music (7) 14. Fastens (7) 17. Sufficient (6) 18. Edit (5) 19. – (6) 20. Art Gallery (4) Down 2. Rebuff (5) 3. Late in the Day (7) 4. Trench (6) 5. Shooting Star (6) 6. Shack (4) 10. Put a Spell On (7) 12. Irritates (6) 13. Trapped (6) 15. Obvious (5) 16. Soap froth (4)

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WI CORNER (cont) month at Kirkland and Catterall Memorial Hall, The Avenue, Churchtown (near Garstang). New members and visitors are always welcome. It’s a great way to meet neighbours and make new friends. For more information visit www.kirklandwi.co.uk Susan Douglass (01772) 865997 Claughton On Brock WI Tues 4th Feb 7:30pm Claughton Village Hall Happy New Year to all our lovely ladies and welcome to a fresh new programme of events in 2020 when we celebrate our 100th birthday! At our first meeting of the year, the guest speaker will be Pat Ashcroft with her talk ‘Arctic Dog Sledding’, and our crafty art competition is entitled ‘A Dog, any Medium’ with the emphasis on any home crafted item. Looking ahead to our big birthday bash

at The New Drop Inn, Longridge in April, we shall be handing out menus during the February meeting, for you all to select your meal choice. We are also beginning to collect golden oldie photos of yourselves for the ‘Guess Who?’ display at the birthday party... just for fun! Please remember to put your name on the back of the photo and keep it a secret! There will be a collecting box for the photographs on the raffle table. For more information, please contact: Maureen Collinson (01995) 640519 e: maureencollinson@hotmail.co.uk Cherestanc WI Wed 26th Feb 7:30pm St Thomas’s Hall, Church Street, Garstang Emma Davenport will be talking to us about quilting. Have a look at our programme for the coming year. Go to www.thewi.org.uk and search Cherestanc. We meet on the 4th Wed of each month. Please feel free to come along and join us. New members and visitors always welcome. For further details, or to arrange for a current member to greet you at the door, please contact: Eileen Berry (01995) 603005. Forton WI Thurs 20th Feb 7:30pm Forton Village Hall Gordon Sharpe - ‘Home and Away with Spellbound Films’. Forton WI meets at the Village Hall on the third Thursday of each month. We have a happy mix of members from the village and further afield, including Garstang, Catterall and Lancaster. New members and guests are always very welcome. Pat Murgatroyd (01524) 791580 Christine Smith (01524) 793549

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BOWLAND’S DARK SKIES SHINE

HOUGHTON WEAVERS IN CONCERT

February is set to sparkle with a star dusting of events planned to celebrate Bowland’s fantastic dark skies.

Mon 17th Feb Cockerham Village Hall

The Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) has been officially recognised as having some of the darkest skies in England - a fact being highlighted next month with a week of special events during half-term. Running from Mon 17th Feb until Sun 23rd Feb, this year’s events are particularly suitable for families and include: • • • •

•

Pop-up planetarium with amateur astronomer and professional scientist, Robert Ince, in Knowle Green Dark sky tales with storyteller, Sue Allonby, and Forestry England in Gisburn Forest Owl pellet dissection and dusk nature walk with the Pendle Hill Landscape Partnership at Whitehough in Barley Screening of Wallace and Gromit’s A Grand Day Out, plus children’s crafts and cheese tasting with Pendle Social Cinema / Pendle Hill project in Downham Astronomy presentation and star gazing with Robert Ince and Wyre Coast & Countryside Service in Bleasdale

It is with great pleasure that we see the return of the Houghton Weavers in concert. Tickets cost £10 and are now available from me. Katrina Bell (01253) 790649

THE FLATLANDERS Sat 29th Feb 7:30pm Claughton Village Hall PR3 0QH Leaping Into Leap Year with The Flatlanders, a charity night in aid of Asthma UK, 7:30pm until 12 midnight. £12.50 per ticket. There will be a bar and raffle on the night. Tickets are available from Ruth Beale 07709 426 150, Crimpers Hair Studio (01995) 604328 or myself. Susan Dewhurst 07803 167 084

Visitors wanting to stay and explore the area for a little longer can choose from a number of dark sky friendly businesses - many of them accommodation providers offering information about star gazing in Bowland. More at www.forestofbowland.com/StarGazing/#businesses Further Information Details and booking information for all the Dark Skies Festival events can be found at: w: www.forestofbowland.com/bowlanddark-skies-festival-1 t: (01200) 448000 e: sandra.silk@lancashire.gov.uk Sandra Silk

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GARSTANG TOWN COUNCIL Garstang Town Council was sorry to receive the resignation of Sandra Perkins, which has taken place with immediate effect.

We would like to thank Sandra for all she has done for Garstang, and for being for being such an enjoyable person to work with. We look forward to seeing what she does next.

Sandra has long been a passionate advocate for Garstang, serving on the Town Council for several years and as an Independent Lancashire County Councillor.

There is now a vacancy on the town council and further information will be shared about this soon. 2020/21 Precept

In her role on the Planning Committee, and as a former Mayor of Garstang, Sandra has always acted with passion and a real determination to represent local views and see the best done for the town.

During the Town Council meeting on 20/1/2020, the precept for 2020/21 was agreed.

Sandra Perkins

The creation of the Memory Cafe is one of Sandra’s finest achievements and is of incalculable benefit to those that use it. It stands as testament to Sandra’s ‘can-do’ attitude and community focus; she saw that something was needed in the town and she made sure it happened.

LIVE OUTSIDE OUR DELIVERY ROUTE? SUBSCRIBE & RECEIVE A COPY OF FOCUS MAGAZINE THROUGH THE POST EACH MONTH If you or someone you know would like to receive Focus Magazine but currently live outside the areas in which we deliver, sign up for our new subscription service.

1 Month - £4 3 Months - £11 6 Months - £20 12 Months - £36 For more details or to register, please contact e: cassie@focusmags.co.uk t: 01253 342992 Please note: monthly door-to-door deliveries will continue as usual & will not be affected by the subscription service

We have invested heavily in projects such as the Moss Lane playground, however, we appreciate the financial pressures faced by many households and the need to provide cost-effective services. Therefore, we are pleased to report that the precept figure has been set at £76,809 with the ‘Band D’ equivalent remaining at £41.93, meaning there is no increased cost to householders for the coming financial year. Next Meeting The next Garstang Town Council meeting will be held on Mon 17th Feb at 7:30pm at Garstang Library. The next surgery follows on Sat 7th March from 10:00am - 12 noon again at the Library. The surgery is an informal opportunity to meet with two of your town councillors to raise issues or suggest ideas, we hope to see you there. Mrs Edwina Parry - Clerk w: www.garstangtowncouncil.org Facebook: Garstang Town Council

FORGET-ME-NOTS We meet every Tuesday afternoon as a lighthearted social group for friendship and chat, for people missing loved ones in any situation. Come and go as you please. Ruth Rendle (01995) 602006

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GREY MATTER ANSWERS

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

1. Bill Haley 2. A donkey 3. Tipperary 4. Frank Sinatra 5. Japan 6. Blue 7. Beta 8. Ear, Nose & Throat 9. Edward 10. New Zealand 11. 4th July 12. The Sirens 13. Matador 14. Gideons 15. Hamlet 16. Actual Bodily Harm 17. Anatomy 18. Florence 19. Hip 20. Trees

Across 1 Isle 7 Varied 8 House 9 Neuter 11 Dancing 14 Anchors 17 Enough 18 Amend 19 Hyphen 20 Tate Down 2 Spurn 3 Evening 4 Trough 5 Meteor 6 Shed 10 Enchant 12 Annoys 13 Caught 15 Overt 16 Suds

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