Formed over forty years ago, our Writers Circle is based in Felixstowe, Suffolk. Meetings are held in The Room at the Top in Felixstowe Library, normally on the first and third Tuesday of each month commencing at 7.30pm and finishing by 10.00pm. Check this weblog for details of meetings.

There is an annual November to November fee of £30, April to November is £20 and June to November £15. For members preferring to pay at each meeting the charge is £5 per meeting. To contact Felixstowe Scribblers simply email scribblers.1@btinternet.com or the Secretary, catherine.stafford1@ntlworld.com

Monday 27 October 2014

THIS WEEKS BROADCASTS

SUFFOLK READING FESTIVAL

PROG 40 Felixstowe Radio, 107.5fm or internet Wed 29 Oct 1900-1930.
Sword of the Kings by Tony Shearman
Marbles lost again by Tony Shearman ...
The Last Bottle by Liliane Sivaraj

Performers: Beryl Sabel, Tony Shearman David Miller Sheila MartinAlison Miller,
Debbie Coveney, Su Steadman, Pete Guilder, Angela Silburn, Robin Saunders

PROG34 Ipswich Community Radio (ICR) 105.7 FM, or internet Fri 31 Oct 1230-1300.
Sword of the Kings by Tony Shearman
Oh whistle and I'll come to you my lad By M R James
Out in the void by Dave Feakes,
Performers: Debbie Coveney, Becci Clarke, Robin Saunders, David Miller, Alison Miller, Sheila Martin, Tony Shearman, Alan Dix, Martin Jarvis, Brian England, Pete Guilder, Dave Feakes

Hope you enjoy them
Tony

Thursday 23 October 2014

For you poets out there


Meeting Report for Tuesday 21st October 2014.

In attendance: Dick, Suzy, Derek, Mairéad, Hattie, Jane, Cathy, Liliane, Beryl, Tony, Les and Dave.

Apologies were received from Carolyn, Tom, Caz, Barry and Gerry.

It was good to welcomeLes back in the fold after his illness. Also nice to welcome Cathy back after a long spell of commitments had curtailed her summer attendances.

Stormy weather and gale force winds together with the threat of local flooding failed to detract from the evening's healthy attendance. It makes us appreciate Liliane turning out to collect the key whatever the weather. Thanks Liliane.

Because of the nature of the creative writing session and the number in attendance all the words went into the hat and everyone drew out four slips of paper. With their words revealed we set off on a twenty-five minute exercise.  It was interesting to see all the thoughtful looks – some almost in despair! – but those thoughts soon had their words flowing on paper, in exercise books and notepads. Everyone created their own evening’s masterpiece.

The element of the unknown words suddenly being revealed at the same time relieves some of the tension, but it is the whirring cogs in the creative minds of the writers that produce such good work.
Tonight was no exception and the talent flowed freely, the resultant stories were top rate and extremely well received. There was a plethora of offerings including comedy, science fiction and murder. Here are the words everyone drew out.

Suzy: Fetching: Fluffy: Boredom: Muse.
Jane: Booked: Coffin: Helpful: Thunder.
Mairéad: Kingdom: Infinite: Alien: Yonder.
Liliane: United: Frivolous: Scallop: Intercom.
Hattie: Flamingo: Flighty: Vase: Mercury.
Derek: Independence: Rebellion: Horrify: Lingerie.
Tony: Hope: Deemed: Forfeit: Xenophobic.
Dave: Fixation: Fruity: Dialogue: Mug.
Beryl: Oxtail: Dastardly: Cheeky: Rabbit.
Cathy: Autopsy: Lounge: Twister: Misunderstood.
Dick: Storm: Fulsome: Cleaver: Triangle.
Les: Wheelbarrow: Unbelievable: Lesson: Party.

I wonder what you could create using these words?

As there was a little time left we had quite enjoyable discussions on character building in stories and novels – how we all have our individual methods, how characters evolve with the flow of the story. As an aside the question cropped up about film and radio producers who sometimes spoil the original story by altering characters and even story lines to aid visual dramatisation. Many points of view were shared and this rounded off a really enjoyable evening.

There is a similar kind of competition to our four word creative writing sessions available at www.mashstories.com  Details are on their website and entry is FREE!

Our next gathering is on Tuesday 4th November at 7.30pm in The Room at Top when the homework assignment is to write up to 1,000 scary words on Ghosts, Halloween or something spooky...

 Look forward to seeing you there so, until then...

Don’t look behind ya...!

Keep Scribbling!

Tuesday 21 October 2014

SUFFOLK READING FESTIVAL BROADCASTS THIS WEEK and a Quiz Night


Weds 1900-1930 Felixstowe Radio, 107.5fm or via internet.
Program 39
Sword of the Kings by Tony Shearman
Marbles lost again by Tony Shearman ...
A cold war in the air by Richard Bradshaw
Reflexology by Jack Wilkinson

Performers: Beryl Sabel, Tony Shearman, David Miller, Pete Guilder,
Martin JarvisSheila MartinAngela Silburn, Alan Dix, Su Stedman,
Robin Saunders

Fri 1230-1300 Ipswich Community Radio (ICR) 105.7 FM, or via internet
Program 32
Sword of the Kings by Tony Shearman
The Candles Getting Shorter by Tony Shearman
My Mum by Barry Martin
Elements and Got your head in the Clouds by Jack Wilkinson
Performers:
Debbie Coveney, Becci Clarke, Sheila Martin, David Miller, Robin Saunders,
Brian EnglandRuth DugdallStella Day, Su Stedman, Susie Halsey
Hope you enjoy them

Tony


Tonight's meeting:

Stormy weather and gale force winds together with the threat of local flooding failed to detract from the evening's attendance. It was a tremendous meeting with many stressed faces as everyone came to grips with the four words drawn from the hat before setting out on their creative writing exercise. Twenty-five minutes writing time was allowed  for the extremely thoughtful writers to scribe their way to their own particular masterpieces.

The resulting work brought plenty of laughter, murder and science from the plethora of offerings. Another most enjoyable exercise.

The evening allowed for some healthy discussion on character building in stories and novels and also on how film and radio producers sometime 'spoil' an author's work by altering story lines and characters to fit their production.

A very interesting evening!

Our next gathering is on Tuesday 4th November when the homework assignment is to write up to 1,000 scary words on Ghosts, Halloween or something spooky...

Keep Shaking Scribbling!


Monday 20 October 2014

Plans to extend opening hours and services at Felixstowe Library

20 October 2014

Felixstowe LibrarySuffolk Libraries are currently working with Suffolk Coastal District Council to increase the number of services provided from Felixstowe Library.
To accommodate any new services the library is likely to be increasing its opening hours from six to seven days a week with the library opening on Mondays in future.
The library currently opens late on Wednesdays and Fridays and one of these may have to be reduced to enable the library to open on Mondays, although the overall time the library is open will be increased.
Suffolk Libraries are looking for customers’ views about the opening times - the current Felixstowe Library opening times are:
  • Monday - Closed
  • Tuesday - 9am to 5.30pm
  • Wednesday - 9am to 7.30pm
  • Thursday - 9am to 5.30pm
  • Friday - 9am to 7.30pm
  • Saturday - 9am to 5pm
  • Sunday - 10am to 4pm
Survey postcards are available from the library for people to fill in and there is also an online survey.
The consultation closes on Friday 21 November.

Tomorrow... our next meeting

Sorry for the late advice about our next meeting - thanks once again to my ISP who continually strive to find fresh problems with my email accounts.

Our next meeting is almost with us... it is tomorrow, Tuesday 21st October in the usual place with a 7.30pm start. At least this late advice does not mean a last minute scramble to do any homework assignment. Our next meeting is one of our creative writing session based on four words so all you need to do is bring along your four chosen words, each written on a small separate slip of paper... Always a popular exercise, tomorrow night should be another good one.

It is interesting that a similar and free competition is available at  www.mashstories.com so maybe you'd like to have a go! Details are on their website.

Copies of our anthology will be available at the meeting so, hope to see you there,

Keep Scribbling!

Tuesday 14 October 2014

SUFFOLK READING FESTIVAL BROADCASTS THIS WEEK


Weds 1900-1930 Felixstowe Radio, 107.5fm or via the internet
Program 38
Sword of the Kings by Tony Shearman
Oh whistle and I'll come to you my lad by M R James ...
Just a Suffolk Boy by Dave Feakes
Friday evening by Beryl Sabel

Performers:- Beryl Sabel, Tony Shearman, David Miller, Sheila Martin,
Martin JarvisBrian England, Robin Saunders, Debbie Coveney,
Su Steadman, Dave Feakes.

Fri 1230-1300 Ipswich Community Radio (ICR) 105.7 FM, or via the internet.
Program 31
Sword of the Kings by Tony Shearman
The Candles getting shorter by Tony Shearman
Mates by Richard Payne
Performers: Debbie Coveney, Martin Jarvis, Becci Clarke, Robin Saunders
Pete Guilder, Angela Silburn, Sheila Martin, Brian England, David Miller,
Ruth Dugdall.

Hope you enjoy them.
Cheers
Tony

Friday 10 October 2014

Meeting report for Tuesday 7th October 2014.

In attendance: Hattie, Tom, Richard, Mairéad, Suzy, Beryl, Barry, Tony, Liliane, Derek, Dick, Jane and Dave.

Apologies were received from Carolyn, Martin, Cathy, Katy, Caz and Gerry.

Get Well Soon: It was sad to learn from Caz that Les was rushed to hospital this morning after being visited at home by our former secretary Barry Darnell who had called round and made the 111 call. Further information will be given as soon as possible but let us wish Les a speedy recovery. (Update Wednesday: Caz says that Les is on Sproughton Ward, Ipswich Hospital, but should be released on Friday. Les is 82 on Thursday.)
News: Our Italian based friend Angela Petch has been shortlisted he has been short listed again for a 500 word Flash Fiction, title: “Stage struck”. You can see her story by going to www.mashstories.com then competitions and click on current shortlists. Angela asks that if you think her story deserves a vote then please vote for her! As a distant Scribbler I think she deserves our support!
Dick has a story published in this month’s Best of British magazine. The magazine is based on nostalgia.
Scott and Aimee: Please vote for little Aiki to win a baby of the month competition, she has the chance of winning £2,000. To register your vote go to http://www.barrettandcoe.co.uk/vote.php?img=1924#.VDU0dWddWSp

The Jack Wilkinson Memorial Walk was a success with fine weather and – although Caz was missing tonight because of a family birthday – Tony took on the mantle of gathering in the sponsorship so hopefully a nice amount will be handed over to Cancer Research UK.

Draw tickets in aid of EACH (East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices) will be on sale at our next meeting, another very worthy cause.

Dave has drawn up a programme for 2015 which, after discussion, will feature very little change in format. Copies will be forwarded to everyone in due course.

And so to the homework assignment, ‘Boots’.

Richard: Boots: A double page spread in the Guardian listed the battles and skirmishes Britain has been involved in since 1914, astonishingly not one year of peace in 100 years. Richard talked about military boots, highly polished ones that you could see your face in. Empowering sounds of hundreds of boots marching in step. The wars – in 1930 the north-west frontier between Afghanistan and India and others like Aden, Palestine, Korea, and Suez, the Falklands and Northern Ireland. Houses and streets named the fiascos of the Crimean war, and even the Inkerman pub in Ipswich. A friend, born in Britain but living in Holland is Jewish, his allegiance is everywhere and nowhere... and he is as near as dammit a free man.  

Liliane: Autumn Days: The continuation of Liliane’s family saga. Autumn provided us children much to do like looking for acorns and conkers in the park. It was fun running through the leaves and going for walks on wet days when we wore our raincoats and gumboots to keep our feet dry. The park, like the wild garden behind our house, was beautiful in October. Ever since cousin Francis fell out of a tree in the garden when a rotten branch gave way, we were forbidden to climb any trees until the tree surgeon arrived in November. Autumn storms could be scary and some more branches came off the trees but nobody was hurt. When the wind blew, the leaves collected in piles, clogged up drains and covered steps and terraces. At the end of October came the Feast of the Dead, and soon after there would be Christmas to look forward to.

Derek: Grandfather’ Lost Years: The tears ran down my Mother’s cheeks and in my young boys voice asked what the matter was. ‘Just something of Grandad’s,’ He died two weeks earlier and Mum was reading from a book she found in a box with a pair of boots. Many years later, clearing her house, I found the same box and the same sheepskin lined boots and the book. It often left me in tears. Grandad had been a Navigator in a Halifax bomber that was hit and he bailed out into hell. Captured by the Germans he was taken to Stalag Luft IV with its bastard guards. Early in 1945, with the Russians approaching, we were marched 500 miles in total, on empty stomachs and at a crippling pace. Dysentery was rife but the survivors arrived at Stalag X1B close to Belsen at the end of March. That was hell on earth. Grandfather was liberated on 17 April 1945. His final entry said, ‘these RAF standard issue boots probably saved my life.’   

Beryl: The Trouble With Scruff: A follow on to Beryl’s earlier adventure story. Billy had a friend Josh whose sister Ella also came to play. Ella took off all Humphrey’s clothes and put him in pyjamas. Humphrey was an elephant. Josh had a dog, Scruff, who was very destructive if the children left their toys on the floor. Poor Humphrey’s clothes were still on the sofa but his shiny red Wellington boots were not. Scruff had one of them in his mouth and glared at Humphrey when he commanded ‘Stop that!’ There was a squelchy scrunchy sound as Humphrey realised Scruff was eating his boots. Thanks goodness he wasn’t wearing them! Billy wrote to Father Christmas and a new pair of boots arrived for Humphrey.  

Dick: Who’s Boots: Roger Bryson, Emily and their son Gary stood on the drive and admired the old Georgian Manor House once owned by Squire Wensley Crowforth. Having researched him, Roger discovered he was a womaniser, debaucher, wife beater, drunkard, gambler who probably murdered his wife. Having taken a huge financial gamble, the Brysons planned to open an up-market B&B. Structurally sound, the inside of the building needed a lot of attention.  Roger and Gary checked the roof space and discovered a pair of riding boots, the leather completely dried up. Linseed oil would help make them pliable before they could be polished. Roger intended to display them in a glass top cabinet to interest guests. He would caption them ‘that they are widely considered to have belonged to the wicked Squire Crowforth.’    

Jane: A Stride in the Right Direction: Every lunch time Archie donned suitable attire and his walking boots. He’d taken up walking after his wife died five years earlier, and enjoyed a brisk walk along the seafront. Recently he bumped into Mary from Accounts who asked if she could join him. He wanted to say no as he preferred the solitude but she walked with him in companionable silence. After that Archie came across her regularly. Due to retire, hs colleagues wanted ideas for a retirement present but he told them to get anything. On the day there was no present, just cards. After staying with his daughter he returned home, when Mary knocked on the door. She was holding a black puppy. ‘Happy birthday Archie, this is Sam.’ Thrusting the lead in his hand and an envelope of dog training vouchers he said he didn’t want the commitment of a dog. Mary suggested meeting up in two weeks and now they meet every lunchtime. Archie plans to buy her a pair of proper walking boots for her forthcoming retirement.

Suzy: Handed In: After they’d taken our civvies away they gave us khaki. It rubbed our skin raw. Alf found a note in the breast pocket, ‘God bless and keep you safe. Doreen.’ Factory girl who must have stitched his jacket. I kept Nancy’s photo in there. They gave us boots. I was lucky, I was used to wearing boots so they didn’t blister my feet. I called them Vic after my uncle, a saddler and cobbler. They drilled us Norfolks, gave us rifles but I couldn’t imagine killing another man. The bastards flew over us, bombed and machine-gunned innocent refugees. I would kill. Vic was there. Hell is Stukas screaming down. Me and Vic marched 30 miles in a day and stayed with me. Thanks God it ended. They gave us suits and shoes and ordered us to hand back our kit and my boots. Nightmares of war return and Nancy whispers ‘It’s over,’ but cannot understand why I whisper ‘Vic’.

Tony: Things That Are Done for Timothy Whiteboots: Outside snow formed the white landscape which surprised Eimer who woke Sam. ‘Frozen rain,’ he said. ‘It will be gone by this afternoon.’ Eimer supposed that once Sam had visited Emma Nate and recovered the next Tablet of Stummer Kake for Timothy Whiteboots they could do as they wanted. Setting out Eimer nearly fell backwards in the snow whilst Sam went one better and had to be helped back to his foot. A child who witnessed it called out ‘The biggie nearly fell over.’ ‘It’s a human darling, not a biggie.’ His mother replied. ‘It’s not wearing white boots like us,’ the child continued. Sam fell over again, then Eimer took his arm and they both fell over. Reaching Emma’s they saw the strange stone shield that she explained as a prophecy: ‘You can take a horse to water but a pencil must be lead....’  

Tom: They Were Harry’s: Kate was determined to sort out the rear garden but John had failed to step up to the mark. The kids needed more space to play. They’d moved in nine months earlier, the previous owner, widowed Mrs Phillips, having gone into sheltered accommodation. Kate tackled the overgrown area then rested against the boundary wall. Further along which she saw what looked like rubbish but discovered a small cross with a pair of old Army boots standing in front of it. They had been used as plant holders. Painted underneath was 1920-1955 but the name on the cross was unreadable. She visited Mrs Phillips and mentioned the cross and boots. ‘They belonged to the love of my life,’ she said. ‘They were Harry’s and his ashes are under the cross.’ At home John recalled that Mrs Phillip’s husband was Peter who was named on the documents when they purchased their house.   

Hattie: Boots: What a story from Hattie at her first attempt at Scribblers! Liam never understood which side he should be on but Da’ made it clear. Proud to be taken to those meetings though he didn’t like the shouting, swearing and hate. Most anger was directed to Mr Patel at the corner shop who often chatted with Liam about football. Ma banned him from going to those meetings but Da’ whacked her. After a meeting Da’ rubbed his shaved head and took him to the shop. Liam looked at his feet in those wonderful boots. He was one of the men now. He joined the march wearing those boots. The men stopped at the corner shop shouting and hollering. Someone threw a brick through the window. Everyone jeered at Mr Patel who came running out. Those boots were kicking Mr Patel now... they kept kicking and kicking and kicking.

Barry: The Grand Re-opening: The second chapter in Barry’s murder mystery which he hopes to publish.

Mairéad: The Walton Weir: Brother Peter left the Abbey at Walton and set off with others to the Fishing Weir at the back of the Abbey. Some of the fish were for evening meal whilst others were sent to Rochester Abbey with Peter responsible for the accounts. Walton Abbey was a cell, a small abbey without an Abbot on site. Monks are sent there after transgressions. Peter had kept a gold cross from his mother as a memento when he joined the monastery which broke the law of poverty. It was discovered in an inspection and the Prior punished me. Shamefully I stole it back and it was discovered again. Rochester sent me here but the Abbot promised to return it to me someday. One day the Prior wanted to see Peter and passed a box containing sturdy leather boots, fine woollen undergarments and a little purse containing his mother’s cross.

Dave: Suspicious: I’d seen her looking at those red boots in Ann Summer’s window and wondered why she was so interested in them. Milly was out regularly on Monday and Thursday evenings and I was suspicious of where she went and what she did. I found a bank statement and checked her emails to find she had been buying kinky underwear and sexy clothing. Was she having an affair? Was she leaving me? Then I discovered those boots. In the morning Milly found me very upset and explained it was all very innocent. Mondays they wrote a modern day version script of Moll Flanders and Milly had the title role. On Thursdays they rehearsed.

Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday 21sth October at 7.30pm in The Room at the Top, when we will hold another creative writing session. Simply bring along four words each written on a small and separate piece of paper.

Look forward to seeing you so, until then...

Keep Scribbling!

Tuesday 7 October 2014

Tonight's gathering...

It was a really excellent evening at Scribblers again with so many stories on the theme of BOOTS. Such a variety, a real mix of emotional writing that is really inspirational to those listening to them. It is good to know that there are opportunities for the Scribblers to have their stories broadcast on Felixstowe Radio and Ipswich Community Radio organised by Tony at the Victoria Studios.

On the downside we learned from Caz that Les was rushed to hospital this morning after former Secretary Barry Darnell called to see him and dialled 111. Our thoughts are with him and any updates will be shared with his friends.

Our next meeting is in two weeks time and will be another of our four word creative writing sessions. It sounds a mystery to some but essentially all that is needed is to bring along four words, each written on a separate small slip of paper and then the fun begins! Oh and don't forget to bring a pen or pencil and writing paper! The meeting is on 21st October commencing at 7.30.

Until then,

Keep Scribbling!

SUFFOLK READING FESTIVAL BROADCASTS

Wed 8th Oct - Felixstowe Radio, 107.5fm or via the internet 1900-1930
Program 37
Sword of the Kings by Tony Shearman
Oh whistle and I'll come to you my lad by M R James ...
The Other Place by Beryl Sabel
I remember Salisbury/Falcons by Jack Wilkinson

Performers: Debbi Coveney Becci Clarke, Alan Dix David Miller Brian England,
Robin Saunders, Ryan Guilder, Beryl Sabel, Tony Shearman Richard Payne

Friday 10th Oct - Ipswich Community Radio (ICR) 105.7 FM, or via the internet 1230-1300
Program 30
Sword of the Kings by Tony Shearman
The Government Inspector Act 5 by Nikolai Gogol
A Frosty Night by Susie Griffiths
Performers: Su Stedman Angela Silburn, Pete Guilder Tony Shearman
Robin Saunders, Alison Miller, Alan Dix Martin Jarvis, Brian England
Sheila Martin, David Miller Ann Elizabeth Kearney,

Hope you enjoy them

Tony

Friday 3 October 2014

Our next meeting and some news...

Hi Scribblers,

Just a few lines about next Tuesday’s meeting (7th October). Starting at 7.30pm the theme for the evening is to write up to one thousand words on ‘BOOTS’.

Please send thoughts to Les who is not too well at present and wish him a speedy recovery.

I have received an email from Angela over in Italy. She says she has been short listed again with www.mashstories.com for a 500 word Flash Fiction, title: “Stage struck”. You can see her story by going to their web page, competitions and click on current shortlists. Angela asks that if you think her story deserves a vote then please vote for her! As a distant Scribbler I think she deserves our support!

Tony tells us that
The Next meeting of the SUFFOLK READING FESTIVAL will be Friday the 11th
October at 1930 hrs. Need a good cast to give the play Robin has been trying to get read, a good airing. Plus maybe some other bits and
pieces. New readers always welcome.

And now a competition from The London Magazine: 
The London Magazine’s Short Story Competition has returned for its third year.
To continue its literary history, The London Magazine is constantly looking for new voices. Our competitions provide emerging literary talent with an opportunity for publication and distinguished recognition. The London Magazine is looking for unpublished short stories under 4,000 words from writers across the world.
Opening date: 1st September 2014
Closing Date: 31st October 2014
The winner is published in a future issue of The London Magazine. The runners up will be published on our website.
1st Prize: £500
2nd Prize: £300
3rd Prize: £200
The winners will also be announced at a champagne reception at the House of Commons in early 2015. This is a fantastic networking experience and gives the winners a chance to meet The London Magazine team.

Hope you can make our next meeting so, until then,

Keep Scribbling.