Apologies were received from: Liliane, Derek, Clive and Les,
In Attendance: Caz, Tom, Mairéad, Caroline, Dick, Barry, Cathy, Tony, Beryl, Jane, Gerry, Richard and Dave.
We heard the news that Les had been to hospital earlier and was unable to attend the meeting. Our sincerest wishes to him. Also Liliane is well on her way to Australia by now whilst Derek sends his apologies for absence until March because he will be spending more in Yorkshire thanks to a certain lady friend, and holidays in Norway and Scotland as well.
Caz requested the meeting start with a minutes silence in remembrance of the 132 children and 9 teachers who died in the dreadful Peshawar massacre, and also to the two hostage victims of the Sydney siege.
Steve, who attended for the first time last meeting emailed and explained that he had applied for a course on Creative Writing at UEA - it's in high demand and applications are competitive - and last week he heard that he had been accepted and starts the course in January. As a result, he is unsure of the work load and would like to join our sessions when he is sure of his commitments. Steve sends us his good wishes for a happy Christmas and New Year.
We have also heard from Belinda and Geoff who pass their seasonal wishes on from Down Under.
Nearer home, the notorious A14 struck again! An accident near the Orwell Bridge caused tailbacks and delayed Richard’s arrival for the second time in two meetings. Unfortunately it meant he arrived too late to join in the creative writing session which was already under way. Let’s hope next time he will have an easier journey!
After two mediocre attendances we were pleased to see a splendid turnout for this meeting including Cathy and Caroline’s welcome returns to the fold. Thanks to everyone who attended and for bringing their lovely offerings and drink for the party that followed the creative writing.
The session produced some excellent work in the twenty allotted minutes for writing. A great exercise that kept the brain boxes ticking over! Below are the words drawn by the Scribblers and, in some cases, a title has also been given. There are no write-ups on the work as is normal for these meetings. That would be too much hard work at the end of a long year!
Jane: Disaffection, Popcorn, Talisman. “Tweezers”
Barry: Chastity, Bumper, Meteor, Death. “Chess.”
Dick: Earnest, Personal, Painting, Christmas.
Caroline: Lush, Patriot, Moonlight, Hirsute. “Feeling Scroogy”.
Mairéad: Pilchard, Murder, Flag, Death.
Tom: Harem, Broken, Death, Yuletide. “Politically Correct”.
Caz: Death, Glint, Charity, Antagonise.
Dave: Frosted, Idealist, Survive, Nightmare.
Beryl: Filthy, Scream, Realist, Horror.
Tony: Destitute, Fantasist, Emerald, Landslide. “Make Them Pay Their Own Way” or alternatively,“Politically Incorrect”.
Cathy: Stencil, Pragmatist, Flood, Abdicate.
With the ‘work’ done and dusted it was on with the merriment and light hearted discussions. All too soon time was up and we bade our farewells for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Our next meeting, the first of 2015, will be held on Tuesday 6th January at 7.30pm in The Room at the Top in the library. This will be our Annual General Meeting which, hopefully, will be a brief affair so that we can enjoy another short Creative Writing Exercise.
Should you have any items you wish to be discussed in relation to the programme for 2015 (available above) or ideas to make meetings more enjoyable (Ed’s note: more enjoyable? Really?) or improve the formats then please email them to Dave preferably before Christmas if at all possible.
Have a fantastic Christmas and New Year!
See you at Scribblers but, until then,
Keep Scribbling!!!
Dave
