Do you feel you ought to be able to do more than just point and snap? Don’t have time to read all about it or the instructions are hard to follow? Doxey Community Association has received an unbeatable offer from a professional photographer to run some free sessions in Doxey to show you how to get more out of using your digital camera.

This is a series of three sessions designed to encourage you to use your digital camera to its best advantage, learn to prepare your pictures for printing and improving how they look and a 'troubleshooting' session to end.  They will be very practically based.

Session 1 is a short walk (1 - 2 hours) with your cameras around Doxey or the 'Marshes stopping frequently to look around at possible ways to compose pictures.  If you do not have a digital camera at this time, Mike will be available to discuss camera options with you during the walk.  It will take place even if the weather is 'very British' so please dress appropriately!  Sometime the best pictures are out there in less than sunny weather!

Session 2 will be an introduction to copying your pictures into a computer and changing them to remove less good bits.  Also covered will be preparing them for printing on your own printer, or by the local photographic processors such as Boots.  A little time spent here can save considerably on the cost of wasted prints.  If time permits you will get chance to try editing your own pictures taken during the walk in session 1 (bring them with you on a disk or memory card/stick).  Any that you do change can be saved on to a floppy disk (bring your own blank) or a CD-ROM (50P each CD however many pictures you put onto it).

Session 3 is designed for you to bring with you examples of what you have done since session 2.  It will be informal and an opportunity to discuss any difficulties you may be experiencing with changing your images at home.  As there are so many different versions of picture editing software, Mike may not be able to tell you exactly how to operate yours. However he can give you some pointers.  There may even be someone else in the group who uses the same software as you and they may be able to offer some suggestions!

There is the possibility of arranging an additional outdoor session later to put into practise everything you have learnt if people think it would be a good idea.

A trial copy of software similar to that used during the sessions will be made available at a cost of 50p (to cover the cost of the CD production) - note: this is subject to agreement from the software company.

If you want to take part, call 251622.

That is the total owed by people who have been helped by the local Citizens’ Advice Bureau. If you have large debts they might be able to help you, too. The service is free, confidential and on your doorstep. Drop-in sessions will be held at the William Sutton Centre, Sutton Drive in Doxey on the following dates.

27 October 24 November 22 December

19 January 16 February

All of these dates are Thursdays and the sessions run from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. If you have any questions, call the advice Line: 242524. There will be someone to speak to you between 10.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m., Monday to Thursday. At other times you can leave a message and someone will get back to you.

Congratulations to Sarah Moody who has got herself a new job. But it is in Lincolnshire which means that she has had to give up being secretary to Doxey Community Association. Sarah is sorry to be leaving the Community Association. She says that being secretary has been a rewarding experience and helped her to feel part of the Doxey community.

So now the Community Association is looking for a new secretary. The main job is to prepare agendas for meetings, take notes at meetings and to write up the minutes afterwards. The chair of the Association helps in this. Some of the jobs to be done by the secretary can be shared. Some training could be provided, too. As well as helping the community, being secretary could be useful experience for getting a job.

If you are interested in any way, call Joan on 251622.

Following the article in September’s Doxey Times, the life support project is getting under way in Doxey. This provides training in the necessary skills of resuscitation for adults, children and babies.

The first session – to be held on Thursday, 6 October – is now full. There may be spaces on the session to be held on Thursday, 20 October. After that there will be a session every fortnight, on a Thursday evening. If you would like to learn about what to do in an emergency and, possibly, how to save someone’s life, call 251622.

Groups in Doxey are being invited to tell the community about what they do by decorating a Christmas tree to be placed in the parish church over the first weekend in December.

If you are involved in a group or organisation which has activities in Doxey you are included in this invitation. It doesn’t matter how big or how small your group is, what it does or whether it is formal or informal. This is a good way of telling other people about what your activities are and what you get out of them.

The tree does not need to be big; about 4ft is suggested. Decorate it in any way that says something about your group. It should be ready by 1 December. Call the vicar on 258796 for details.

The church will be open for people to view the Christmas trees on

Friday 1 December from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Light refreshments will be available and lunches on Friday and Saturday for which there is a £2 charge, with proceeds going to a children’s charity.

‘Know Your BBC’ is starting soon at the Learning Centre, BBC Radio Stoke.

It’s a free course, in two parts, showing you how to create pieces for radio. Full of exciting opportunities to find out how local radio is made -and teaching you lots of new skills along the way! All you need is an idea and we’ll show you the rest!

Plus, you’ll leave with a unique CD of your very own ‘Package’ from BBC Radio Stoke!

So, if you’re interested, contact Dave Hamer on 01782 221225, or email: dave.hamer@bbc.co.uk for details of how to get involved.

We’re looking forward to hearing from you!

The Group continues to meet

Next meeting is on Wednesday, 2 November.

Friendship Group meetings provide a good opportunity to meet people, have a chat and some light refreshments.

There is usually a speaker. For details call Sam on 251645. If you need help in getting to meetings it may be possible to arrange a lift.