FELIXSTOWE
SCRIBBLERS MEETING: TUESDAY 5th NOVEMBER 2013
Apologies
were received from Barry D, Caz, Martin and Katy.
Those
present for the evening were Tony, Barry M, Beryl, Liliane, Carolyn, Dick,
Jane, Suzi G, Clive and Dave.
The
meeting began with the collection of fees from those wishing to pay for the
year until November 2014. Anyone still wishing to pay for the year may still do
so of course, cheques payable to “Felixstowe Scribblers” please. Meeting by
meeting fees stay at £3.
Whilst we
have paid up until the end of the year, 2014 will see us making two six monthly
payments which will give us a slightly better discount than we currently have.
Clive, as
a relatively new writer, has asked if the more ‘experienced’ members of the
group could discuss how they write their stories and plays etc. perhaps with
planning and outlining plots etc. It sounds a good idea and this is something
we include in at a meeting in the very near future.
Barry M
suggested a Facebook page at the last meeting and we are pleased to report the
page is now up and running so if you are on Facebook then have a look at it.
Regular and up to date information will be posted regularly. Thanks to Barry
for offering to create the page and maintain it.
Dick
reported on the recent Fright Friday at Landguard Fort though he was in the
View Point Cafe for most of the time scaring each group with his ghost tales
from around Suffolk.
A reminder that the Library’s next author talk features
local author Tim Voelcker on Saturday 16th November at 2pm in
The Room at the Top. Tim, did his much of his research at the Suffolk
Record Office and contributed to and edited the book, “Broke of the Shannon and the War of 1812”. Captain
Philip Broke was born in Nacton and had a distinguished career in the Royal
Navy becoming a national hero after he famously captured the USS Chesapeake with
his HMS Shannon in 1813, during the war with the United States of America. Copies
of Tim’s book will be available on the day at the special price of £15. Tickets
cost £3 (available at the Library counter), to include refreshments.
Phone or email Debra to reserve places at debra.rowe@suffolklibraries.co.uk
Now for the fun! The results of our homework assignment.
Beryl: Billy Finds a Friend:
Billy West was a schoolboy, a loner who didn’t fit in
with other children at Whitechapel Boys’ School. He couldn’t play football,
learnt not to put his hand up too quickly in class and at seven had not a
single friend. He hated playtime, spent it scuffing his feet in the dirt. When
the Blitz came the whole school evacuated to Buckingham where his mother rented
a room. At his new school, Billy found a friend named Charlie East. They played
together and soon Billy was invited to have tea at Charlie’s on three occasions.
All the food was homemade and Charlie’s mother was beautiful but old fashioned.
Billy’s mum invited Charlie to tea. The next morning she saw the headmaster and
said how happy Billy was at his new school and explained about his friend. When
Charlie had come to tea Billy played with him except... there was no Charlie.
An imaginary friend. Charlie East, the headmaster said, had never fitted in,
was bullied then killed himself in 1922...
Liliane: The Black Rabbit:
The Australian artist critically viewed his own painting
and wondered what others would think. It was a gloomy, sinister painting of a totally
grey decorated room. In the corner cowered a skeletal man and facing him was a black
rabbit with a blood red tongue protruding from its mouth. He sat in front of
the painting when something happened. The rabbit was growing and protruding
from the picture becoming real. Its fur was real, its fiery eyes stared into
his and it snarled. It stepped out, elephant sized and pushed him into the
corner enveloping and suffocating him. The cleaner discovered his body but the rabbit?
It was back in the picture. A collector who bought the painting was found dead
in the corner of his room where he had hung the work and it remains there
today. It is said that a burglar tried to make off with it but was found dead
at the bottom of the stairs with a broken neck.
Dick: Not Alone: (Eerily read by torchlight.)
Wartime, Landguard Fort. 20.00hrs (8.00pm) the Sergeant Major
burst into Barrack Room 6 and assigned four men to all night guard duty, each
being assigned to a Bastion, Corporal Tim MacDonald to the Holland Bastion.
Orders were to stay alert, watch and listen for the Luftwaffe so that we can be
ready with the anti-aircraft guns. Kitted out in weather proof clothing, tin helmet
and with his .303 rifle on his shoulder he patrolled slowly, back and forth,
stamping his feet from time to time to keep them warm. Then the mist swept in,
sure to keep the Luftwaffe away. Suddenly he was aware of company on the
bastion, a shadowy figure not of this world. It appeared to wear a Cromwellian puritan’s
hat, one long yellow tunic coat and carrying a musket. When his report went in
he was called to see the Captain and explain the nonsense. Major Harrison said
the description matched The Duke of York and Albany’s Marine Regiment of Foot.
Yes, the Fort was haunted.
Jane: The Hell Factor:
The hilariously dark side of Jane’s writing! How on earth
can I report that Satan was so angry that the walls of hell quaked with mass
murderers running for cover? Myra Hindley soothed his worried brow whilst
Stalin declared Satan must reduce his numbers. With Saddam Hussein in limbo and
Charles Manson and Rasputin outside plotting something as bewildered suicide
bombers lurked, Oscar Wilde took notes. Poor Guy hated November and kept his
head down but Queen Lizzie told him of the rehab scheme. He had to write to Simon
Cowell who had sold his soul. Guy wanted to know where forgiveness had gone,
all the teasing he got despite paying his protection money to the Kray twins.
Normally Simon enjoyed a challenge but this was a regrettable case just as Max
Clifford’s in plugging for Robert Maxwell. Simon didn’t want to be known as ‘The
Man Who Stole Bonfire Night’ so plumped for the Spanish Inquisition instead.
Suzi: Fire Works:
The Mighty God leaned back on his cloud with a smile of
satisfaction. ‘Learning to be God’ Part 6 had instructed; ‘Now that you know
the basic principles of how to create a world, it is time to put your own
character on it. We expect to see a world that is uniquely yours.’ He provided
the rain that poured down on the earth, and saw the people dressed in dark rain
cloaks looking wet, cold and miserable and praying for the perpetual rain to
cease. Preparing for his final exam he re-evaluated his answers. Yes, he had
earth, air and water but no fire so he created the enormous ball of fire, the
sun. It dried up the rain made his people warm and happy. He passed the test with
98%. Yes, he thought, fire works.
Clive: Goodbye Guido Fawkes:
The 50s. Tom knew he had been lucky. As a child he
recalled the mythical figure Guy Fawkes and the effigies of straw filled guys
that helped children beg for money to buy fireworks. Bonfire night, a time of
smoke, of mist and mystery that surrounded a mountainous creation. The whoosh
of rockets, the woomph and crump of bangers. That was then. Now masses of
fireworks are launched electronically, all heads turn skywards to watch the
multicoloured panorama yet Tom was drawn to the bonfire. He peered into the
smoky flames and watched the macabre spectacle reveal itself. Someone, or
something, stood amid the inferno, then danced around, arms outstretched.
Others screamed in horror as they witnessed the mystery. The one flaming body
became a wavering family just above the flames, rising slowly as if giving some
kind of message to those present.
Dave: Halloween Train Delay:
A train is severely delayed, its passengers then
transported by coach except one is sent the wrong way and ends up in an old
hotel. There he is confronted by a friendly female who he befriends and they
have their evil way together in bed until the Witching hour when she turns into
an evil haggard witch. Mysteriously he lands on a sacrificial alter and sees
her approaching with a knife. Meanwhile his wife, frantic with worry over
Halloween, seeks help from the railway company, the police and the press. A
knock at the door reveals two grim faced police officers that a charred body
has been found in the dying embers of a bonfire.
Tony: Mistakes in the Night:
Stephen Cook was over the legal limit so drove carefully
along the A12. As he approached Colchester a thick fog descended impairing his
visibility. He slowed his BMW to a crawl but decided he had to stop. As he did
so, the car engine spluttered to a stop. Leaving the vehicle he tried to find a
garage or nearby house. Eventually he reached a building, felt his way round to
a door. The light switch was dead. Suddenly Stephen heard the slow, heavy,
shuffling footsteps approaching and the maniacal laughter of witches. He tried
retracing his steps, brushed against something furry that screamed and growled.
He tripped and fell cracking his head and was found dead next morning in the
sound effects department of Anglia TV.
Barry M: Two Tears: (A two character play, assisted by
Carolyn):
Emma, a modern day woman is pregnant and is startled by
the strange tramp like figure that appeared from nowhere. He is Albert, the
ghost of the keeper of the Castle that fell 400 years earlier and she is on the
site of the Chapel. He warned that it was All Hallows night and she was close
to the witches’ coven. Emma thought him a weirdo, even a pervert spying on her
and her lover, Tears fell from her eyes. He asked her help to redress the sins
of his past and asked for two tears in exchange for his bejewelled cloak so he
could return to the spirit world and Emma could buy a house for her and her
child.
I will thank everyone for ‘loaning’ copies of their
homework to enable an easier reporting process – in truth I get to read them
all the stories again! Thanks everyone!
Our next meeting is in two week’s time,
Tuesday 19th November at 7.30pm when the homework assignment of up to 1,000
words is on “PLACE”. This can be anywhere in the world, or just your own home
or garden. The choice is yours.
Until the next time,
Keep Scribbling!
