In attendance: Jane, Richard, Mairéad, Tom, Barry, Suzy G, Dick, Tony, Liliane, Beryl, Les, Caz and Dave.
Apologies were received from Derek, Katy, Carolyn, Gerry, Martin, Aidan and Cathy.
Thanks: To Caz for an ‘early’ birthday cake which was rather delicious to say the least! So happy birthday next week and also to Tom who celebrates a few days later.
News: We’ve been sent good wishes from Clive who is unable to attend these days because of his health, from Ray who went missing for a while... well not him personally just his Internet! Also had a long communication from Belinda in Queensland who wishes everyone well.
SUFFOLK READING FESTIVAL FORTHCOMING BROADCASTS: See the end of this report for details of timings and content.
Good news for Ruth:
Legend Press has bought world rights to two novels from award-winning crime writer Ruth Dugdall.
Commissioning Editor Lauren Parsons secured Humber Boy B and The Trophy Wife from Clare Conville of the Conville and Walsh Literary Agency.
Parsons said: “We are excited to have signed up Ruth for two more novels, and truly believe she is one of the most exciting psychological crime writers out there today.”
The first book, Humber Boy B, “covers the case of two young boys who are found guilty of murdering another child. Upon their release the now young men are granted anonymity and Cate is tasked with managingHumber Boy B’s rehabilitation into society.” It will be published in April 2015. The Trophy Wife will be released in October 2015. Both books feature Ruth’s probation officer character, Cate Austin.
Ruth’s first two novels The Woman Before Me and The Sacrificial Man, were both published by The Legend Press, and rights have sold in the US and across Europe. Before writing, she was a probation worker for nearly a decade, working in high security prisons.
New Signatories for bank cheques: These are being organised next week with Caz and Dave replacing non-attenders Ruth and former secretary Barry D.
The Jack Wilkinson Memorial Trophy: The evening was devoted to the memory of Jack with a competition for stories, tales or poems for or about children. Each entry was well written and well received and in the end there was only one winner. First the stories:
JANE – POSTCARD FROM THE FRONT LINE
I teach English to Year 7’s and mostly I enjoy it when they are fresh from junior school and have so much enthusiasm. The older students can be a challenge especially the Year 9’s, a room of 14 year old full of hormones. On good days I keep order but alas don’t teach as they won’t be taught.
There are always those who have to be constantly reprimanded and do so even when they are absent. It can be so irritating when they are meant to be reading and me marking but it never quite works out that way. Foul mouth Billy is heading to the head’s office just for a change!
DAVE – CALLUM IS MISSING
A young Mum struggles to get her lad Callum to go to school and all the time she knows she’s going to be late for work. With his Dad having gone off the scene she sees him enter school and heads off for work. Little did she know what her son had in mind for this hot, sunny day.
Then she gets the call asking why Callum isn’t in school. He must be there somewhere she saw him enter. The Secretary insists that the boy is absent, despite Callum’s Mother arguing to the contrary. Her Line Manager not being happy that she has to leave her post to sort out her son, not for the first time.
Eventually he gets caught on a London station platform by a quick minded railway employee and was sent back to his Mother alongside the engine driver. What an adventure he had to tell his peers.
MAIRḖAD – AND THE WHOLE WORLD STARTED SINGING
Drake dragged his feet through the pebbles and sand and followed the groyne path up the promenade. He was thinking of the mess his life was in and wondering how he could sort it all out. Then he heard snoring and saw a hippy type man wearing beads and jewellery of yesteryear. His name was Rameses.
They stared together out to sea. Drake wondering whether this stranger was part of the ship out at sea, that after a while disappeared. Drake discussed with this complete stranger that he should be going back to school to do his studies but didn’t know which way to turn.
‘Follow your heart,’ was the advice the stranger gave, ‘Every cloud has a silver lining.’ Drake thanked him for his input and then the stranger suddenly disappeared.
Drake went off to the shops to buy an old album with the words of a song that Rameses had been singing as he walked away. He spotted an album called Space Hymns. “Good choice,” the shop keeper told him. Explaining that Rameses and his wife lived locally until he passed away which meant the stranger on the beach was a ghost!!
TOM – AN OLD TIN CAN
Although it was three in the morning there was something comforting in the lilting voices from the Glasgow darkness. Unable to sleep John thought back to times in a nicer place when he was top dog... Everything had changed when they moved to the Gorbals, the biggest slum area in Europe. It had all changed when his Mum remarried his tormentor.
Catholics and Protestants never mixed and St Patrick’s Day was the excuse to go and do damage to another not in your faith. John did have a best friend there which was the best thing about living there and made it bearable.
His step father stood at the foot of the bed. “Get your arse into gear you’ll be late for school!” He was a horrible hard faced and violent little man and John would maim himself rather than go to school and get beaten up either by his step-father or the other gang.
RICHARD – LUCKY ROGER
Roger received a wonderful present of a beautiful model aeroplane from his Aunty Marjorie...It wasn’t suitable for his age group but Roger wasn’t worried about that as he could imagine it diving, climbing and looping. His Father said he had seen one in ‘real’ life.
In the corner of the sitting room Roger laid it all out with the glue and instructions. His friend would envy him this particular gift.
After being moved from room to room Roger eventually started cutting out the intricate pieces on his bedroom bedside table, albeit a little small he was happy just doing. The smell of the glue hardening agent bought his Mother bounding up to his room, as his Father said, “It smells like dope”.
After a couple of test flights the plane was ruined but Roger enjoyed the doing rather than the playing then decided on his next project, a tree house.
BARRY – THE ‘E’ CLUB
Ellie announced to the other members where the den would be, “unless you are scared of course,” she said with fingers crossed behind her back.
So it was to be an adventure with sleeping bags and snack and drinks for a feast to keep them satisfied until morning perhaps? You were only allowed in the gang though if your name ended in ‘e’ was their only rule so far.
After much exploration of their surroundings, in places they should never have been, when the rain came they ran inside an old dark building for shelter. They had a picnic as such and then when they settled down for the night on their makeshift beds. The sounds and smells of their unfamiliar surroundings got them scared and suddenly deciding it wasn’t such a great adventure after all and wanted to head home, scared and tired.
SUZY G – TIFFY THE BIRD ELF
All through Autumn Tiffy played with other bird elves. At night they snuggled up close to their parents, Dinny and Bun in their cosy bed. Listening to Gramma and Grampa Elf telling stories of long ago of how some elves had wanted to be starlings and do the starling dance. This beautiful dance under the sky, full to bursting with stars, the starlings would swoop and dive their beautiful dance.
Tiffy was impatient and wanted to learn to fly but her Mother said she would have to wait until she was bigger. Though it wasn’t long before the spring and she was able to fly around the hedge but not too far afield. Hide and seek was a favourite game they loved to play. One day they found a Goblin that they wanted to keep to teach tricks but Rogg insisted he had to be returned to the Wizard. That again would be an adventure, although a scary one.
BERYL – A VISIT TO THE SEASIDE
Humphrey was happy. It felt as though he had belonged to Billy forever and not only since Christmas. The tiny elephant and his young owner were inseparable. George was Billy’s teddy bear but known as only brown bear initially. Humphrey was anxious in case George felt left out but was reassured that wasn’t the case by George.
One sunny day there was much excitement as Mummy was taking them all to the seaside on the open topped bus. They didn’t live far from the sea so it wouldn’t be a long journey. After they parked the car they headed for the beach. Humphrey was worried that the sea was so huge it might swallow them all up. Billy then started building sandcastles with his bucket and spade but knocked them down just as soon as they were built. Then they had a paddle before their picnic on the promenade, to prevent getting sand in their sandwiches.
After lunch they went on the open topped bus and Billy’s Mummy told them of all the interesting places like Landguard Fort. They all got a bit bored and Billy was annoyed by a girl sitting close to them.
After ice-creams at the cafe they got on the bus back to the beach. Somehow when they all got on Humphrey was left behind but what would you know? The smart young girl came to the rescue and came running after them with Humphrey in her hand.
LES – A BOY CALLED JACK
A beautiful, thought provoking poem written about Jack. A young man who was surely sent to earth with the purpose of showing us how, if we are kind to people and give of ourselves, we can teach others how to be kind too, without expecting anything in return.
Jack had much to deal with in his short life when illness came to stay when he was two and again when he was eleven. It could have stripped him of his childhood but he didn’t let it and it could have made him bitter at eleven but again he smiled through what life had given him. Telling us not to give up on our Faith because he knew there was a bigger picture.
Jack touched people in ways that some of us will never touch people. He was sent to us, albeit for a short time to show the meaning of special. He was funny, talented but never bossy or showy, just himself and didn’t pretend otherwise.
Although we know he won’t be back we’ll never forget our boy named Jack.
CARLA AND EMMY
Carla and Emmy often walked from school together although Emmy’s Mother would insist that they had nothing to do with each other. This of course made Carla more interesting and attractive.
Emmy was twelve and slender nearly six months older than Carla. Her green eyes betrayed her knowledge. She couldn’t wait to be allowed makeup, high heels and a bra. Carla lived with her aunt and Emmy would go to their house and put on the Aunt Solange’s fur coat whenever possible. Carla thought her silly but still egged her on.
One day whilst there when they shouldn’t have been they came across a man, old of course but handsome who Carla said was Uncle Jan, Aunt Solange’s lover. Carla was invited by this Uncle to stay but Carla knew her Mother would be waiting so discreetly said her goodbyes and left.
DICK – SCHOOL LESSONS
A beautiful poem, written about the trials and tribulations, of balancing school work, with fun. Any of us that struggled with schoolwork will love and understand Dick’s poem.
He didn’t always get things right but what he enjoyed most wasn’t learning his ABC or 123 it was playing and enjoying life outside school. I’m guessing as he got older he realised that both were equally important but when you are young you don’t quite grasp the concept. A lovely way to write about school days not enjoyed for whatever reason.
DICK – THE LITTLE GREEN MEN
A poetic fantasy, that comes from the mind of a young boy, when he looks upon his garden from a window in his home. They just have lots of fun laughing and chasing each other around the garden with no school to worry about and grown up rules to contend with. They obviously live in the garden shed to escape the rain and ravages of the seasons and where they lay down to bed.
During their adventures they spend their time painting the flowers even though Mum say’s this is not the case. Because she can’t see them she believes they don’t exist but I know they do. I see them in all their glory but when grown-ups come outside these little men run and hide. I don’t worry what Mum says, they to me are as clear as day.
And so to the winner...
After a lovely evening the votes were counted and verified by Tony and Richard’s ‘Lucky Roger’ was the much acclaimed winner of the ‘Jack Wilkinson Trophy’. Congratulations Richard. A lovely story and very well deserved.
Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday 2nd September at 7.30pm in The Room at the Top, Felixstowe Library commencing at 19.30 hours. The homework assignment is to write no more than 1,000 words on ‘A Thin Line’.
Look forward to seeing you all there again,
Keep Scribbling!
Caz Wilkinson
Secretary
SUFFOLK READING FESTIVAL FORTHCOMING BROADCASTS
WED 27 AUGUST 2100-2130
Felixstowe Radio 107.5fm or via the internet
Sword of the Kings episode 33 by Tony Shearman
The Candles getting shorter Pt 3 of 3. by Tony Shearman
Catching the Tide by Jane Bailey
Performers: Debbie Coveney, Becci Clarke, Robin Saunders, David Miller,
Tony Shearman, Alan Dix, Ruth Dugdall, Brian England, Stella Day,
Debbbie Wargate.
FRI 29 AUGUST 1230 -1300
Ipswich Community Radio (ICR) 105.7 FM or via the internet
Sword of the Kings episode 27 by Tony Shearman
Government Inspector Act 4 by Nikolai Gogol
All the sunsets by Martin Ward
Animal Weapons by Jack Wilkinson
Going to see Frank and Sue by Jack Wilkinson
Performers: Su Stedman, Becci Clarke, David Miller, Alan Dix, Brian England,
Alison Miller, Ann Elizabeth Kearney, Tony Shearman, Robin Saunders,
Debbie Coveney.
Hope you enjoy them.
Tony.
