Secretary's report of our meeting held on 7th June.

I have a confession to make.

Each time I write one of these reports I find it more and more difficult to describe the talent that exists in our small group. If each writers group around the country enjoys the same standards as set by our members then it's no wonder there are not enough publishers to go round. I often think it would be an idea for a Channel Four reality programme. Instead of the Secret Millionaire, we could have the Secret Publisher, search for hidden talent. What do you think?
Back to business.

There were apologies from Dick, who at present is supping Guinness in Ireland, Trish and Les, who by dint of a memory lapse, found he was entertaining friends on the day of the meeting. Never mind, I received his homework over the ether from Joan and his poem was received in awe by the group, as was all work presented last night.

There was news of two impending nuptials, Morag on this Saturday and Ally who will be hitched on the Island of Mauritius, on the beach under a palm tree with the sea lapping at her feet..... enough! We all send them both our best wishes for an enjoyable day.

Belinda Janz appeared with a badly missed member, Caz, Belinda is visiting from Oz and staying with Caz. We have Belinda to thank for Caz's repatriation and those who know Belinda from a while ago will be sorry to have missed her. She is one other we extend our congratulations to for her forthcoming wedding on the 1st of October this year, those who cannot attend will be sent photographs.

We also greeted Keith last night, a new member (hopefully) who turned up hoping no doubt to find a completely serious and head down attitude to writing from the group. Sadly he had to go home and dream on.

The members attending who greeted both him and our friend from the other side of the world were, in no particular order; Ray, Tony, Belinda, Caz, Martin, Carolyn, Beryl, Liliane, Keith, Dave, Barry, and by proxy, Les.

The offerings were as follows.

Ray gave us 'The last run', a wartime story about the sinking of the Bismark.

Tony; well Tony gave us a part of Chapter 17, his odyssey of strange and wonderful people and places.

Belinda read a terrific, prize winning story in letter form of a woman describing the last, and last, and once more, last days of their mother. It introduced most of us to the Lazarus Syndrome. (Look it up). This was called A last Wave.

Caz gave us all a trip down memory lane (those old enough to remember Radio Caroline etc) about the pleasure she has derived over the years from the radio, entitled
Radio Waves.

Martin had us near to tears with Minnie Mouse with a broken heart, his short but extremely powerful poem of a young mothers grief when her baby dies.

Carolyn, our next newest member from USA, Australia, Far East, has seemingly adapted to the quirky ways of the Felixstowe Scribblers, provided us with her memories, again in letter form to her sadly departed father, of her first visit to the Suffolk Show.

Beryl gave us another tear jerker called He waved to me. Another story of the joy and pain brought by young life.

Liliane's Venture into Fantasy was another fictional family story. (she really must collate all the stories and present them to a publisher)

Keith, our new attendee vied for the post of fantasist in chief with Tony, when he read Grateful (Mark Two?) A nine eyed hairy monster that impinged on a spliff smoking group of young people in a cemetery, before deciding which of them to consume and which to put in his new Zanussi Freezer.

Dave extended a story read a couple of meetings ago about Pauline a young girl who was almost killed by a reckless young man on a wooded country road. This was a sobering story of life and death and the young man's sense of 'not my fault'. This was called Deliberations.

My offering was a story born of an idea from Eunice, my other half. The Royal Wedding. It sent my mind in it's usual meandering fashion to construct a story of two girls, twins, who lived in Catherine's home village but did not get an invite to the Wedding. This was called A day out in the big city.

Finally, I read, hopefully in the right tone, Leslie's entry, sent to me by Joan, as he had worked so hard on it. This was a beautifully put together poem called
Wave the flag. Memories of an old soldier on Remembrance Sunday.

Well, my friends. This is the end of the report, and as someone once said, 'you had to be there' to experience a really great evening.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday 21st June with the homework subject to create a story involving Monte Carlo.

Keep it up people.

Barry.

As an addendum here is a copy of an email from Caz:

We just wanted to say ‘thank you’ to all those present at Felixstowe Scribblers last evening. I personally haven’t attended the meetings since early 2007 and when I walked in last night, in the company of Belinda, visiting from Australia, it was as if I had never been away. Members old and new, welcomed us both, like old friends and made me realise, if I needed to be assured, that I am blessed with lovely friends who have missed me too.

Now this first tentative step has been taken, I hope to continue to attend on a regular basis. Looking forward to seeing other Scribblers, that were unable to attend last evenings meeting.

Take care and see you in Monty Carlo!! Oh of course, that’s the ‘homework’ theme not a holiday destination. Unless of course there is a substantial lottery win and we’ll go via Australia, to Belinda and Geoff’s Wedding on the 1st October in Brisbane!! I can dream can’t I?

Thank you one and all for a very interesting and enjoyable evening.

Caz and Belinda.