Our Next Meeting

Just a little reminder that our next meeting is just a couple of days away. Tuesday 1st December (December already???) at 7.30 in the usual place.

We're hoping the weather will be a little kinder to us this time and that we will see you all there with your words on 'Phone'. After our 'ghost' meeting the subject may seem a little mundane but, rest assured there will definitely be some good stories on offer!

Look forward to seeing you on Tuesday,

Until then,

Keep Scribbling!

Must go... the phone's ringing...

Dave

Meeting Report

Minutes of Scribblers meeting held on Tuesday 17 November 2015

Present:  Dave, Richard, Mairead, Jeanette, Liliane, Tony, Beryl, Gerry, Cathy.

Apologies: Caz, Dick, Carolyn, plus Jane and Hayley whose emails Dave received when he arrived home after the meeting.

Business items:

1. Dave acknowledged our sympathy for those involved in or affected by the recent atrocity in Paris.
2. Jeanette – congratulations are due to her as she has secured another publishing deal – now all she has to do is write a further 40,000 words by the end of the year! Well done, Jeanette.
3. Mairead – shared the happy news that her niece, at home raising two small children, has managed to secure payment for scripts written for Star Wars video games. She ought to be an inspiration to us all!
4. Dave has sent two stories to Suzy, as requested, and she’d be delighted if anyone else could send some.
5. Our best wishes go to Dick, who is currently unwell.

Homework readings on a spooky theme:

As ever, some amazing tales emerged – spooky – horrific – entertaining – we had them all.

Jeanette – Fingers. (Jeanette only planned to read half of it, as it was 2000 words, but we were all so gripped by the horror of it we had to hear the ending, so she kindly read it out in its entirety).

Synopsis - 'How many pieces of yourself can lose before you no longer want to survive?'

Richard – What are you looking at?

Mairead – The misplaced ghosts of Landguard Fort

Synopsis - Terry Pringler, smuggler and exporter of stolen antique goods, and his team go deep-sea diving near the Walton Roman Fort. Donating some of their stolen goods from the Roman Fort, as a cover for their operations, to Landguard Fort, they unleash a series of cataclysmic outrages. A night of hellfire that the visitors for the Halloween events at Landguard Fort will never forget.

Dave – Feelings

Synopsis - Imagine intensely disliking the old house that was haunted by an unseen ghost. The old rocking chair becomes a struggle between occupant and ghost shifting from one place to another. The ghost materialises, soon a further ghost appears wearing a cassock, holding a cross and bible and muttering inane words...

Beryl – Billy finds a friend

Gerry – Manor Grange

Synopsis - The narrator's children are part of a party of trick-or-treaters doing the rounds in a small village.  Arriving at the home of a family of wealthy newcomers, they find an unexpectedly warm welcome, but afterwards, the children suddenly seem to have grown into their Halloween characters ...

Liliane – Ghosts Galore

Tony – Centre calls

After the readings, Dave thanked everyone for braving the appalling weather to attend – I think we’d all agree with his comments that the meeting was especially good, and that the standard of creativity in the writing was exceptionally high.

Next meeting:    1 December, when the homework ‘stimulus’ is the word ‘phone'.

Spooky meeting...

Tonight's meeting was one of the VERY best we've ever had. Although gales, sickness and work affected our attendance, we were still pleased with the numbers who managed to get to the Room at the Top.

Every one of the eight stories was so very different yet maintained the theme of the meeting to a tee. It was a shame each story was not recorded as it was read out because the standard and unexpected twists were absolutely terrific.

We have to wait until Tuesday 1st December for our next gathering when the subject matter will be rather mundane in comparison - PHONE - be it land line, mobile or whatever you can come up with! 1,000 words will be absolutely fine!

Until next time you can stop trembling in fear, just...

Keep Scribbling!

SUFFOLK READING FESTIVAL BROADCASTS THIS WEEK

Wednesday 18th November 1900-1930
Felixstowe Radio 107.5 fm or via the internet
Program 89
The Sword of the Kings by Tony Shearmann
The Road Hill House Murder by David Morrison
Laura by Suzi Griffiths

Performers: Debbie Coveney, Sheila Martin, David Miller, Ryan Guilder,Tony Shearman, Alan Dix, Alison Miller.

Friday 20th November 1230-1300
Ipswich Community Radio ICR 105.7 fm or via the internet
Program 87
The Sword of the Kings by Tony Shearmann
The Road Hill House Murder by David Morrison
A Visit to the Seaside by Beryl Sabel

Performers: Sheila Martin, David Miller, Debbie Coveney, Ryan Guilder,Tony Shearman, Brian England, Peter Guilder,Martin Jarvis, Su Stedman,
Beryl Sabel.

Tonight's the night for trembling...

Tonight, Tuesday 17th November, it's the ghost/Halloween/spooky story evening at Scribblers. The meeting starts at 7.30. 

Hope to see you there but...

don't look behind you...!

Keep Shaking...!

Community Entertainments Website

Click on image to enlarge

Paris

We will all be aware of the tragic time that Paris and the French nation have suffered through the terrible atrocities two days ago. Our thoughts and prayers go to those whose lives were so cruelly taken, to the injured and to the families and friends of all.

Our next gathering

It is that time to remind you that our next meeting is rapidly approaching. We will meet in our usual place at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 17th November for the 1,000 word Ghost/Halloween/Spooky homework assignment. Here's hoping we can all attend... someone whispered that we should bring some air freshener along as often you can smell the fear...!!!

Our 2016 programme is posted above.

Looking forward to Tuesday... until then...

Keep trembling...

Rest in Peace

A popular and well-known Felixstowe character, Phil Hadwen, sadly passed away this morning. He was a retired teacher, local historian, writer and speaker, who was also a kind and good friend to many people and to many local organisations. Rest in Peace.

From the Luxemburger Wort

Gripping book puts child protection on agenda

Published on Tuesday, 10 November, 2015 at 10:38

Child protection issues in Luxembourg were put under the spotlight at a British Embassy gathering to celebrate a new book by a British author living in Luxembourg. 

Nowhere Girl, by Ruth Dugdall, is a domestic noir thriller about an expat teenager who is kidnapped at the Schueberfouer. 

The book, which was published on October 31, deals with a number of issues such as human trafficking and the pitfalls of expat life, but it was the attention to issues related to children that caught the eye of the British Embassy in Luxembourg. 

“(Ruth's book) led us to think what sort of services we provide, whether they are limited, how we help people with particular needs in the field of child protection and how we pass them onto the services in Luxembourg,” British Ambassador to Luxembourg Alice Walpole said, “One of the things we were extremely struck by is how good these services are.” 

These discussions gave rise to the creation of a new brochure for parents of children in need. The booklet is expected to be available to the public in early 2016 and will include information on matters such as child abduction by a parent, child poverty and drugs and alcohol misuse, among others. 

British Pro Consul Evelien d'Hertog is compiling the brochure with experts and stakeholders in Luxembourg, many of which attended Monday evening's event. 

“We think it's important when someone is in need but we cannot help, to signpost them or at least give them a brochure,” Ms d'Hertog said, adding: “We thought the book (Nowhere Girl) was a welcome opportunity to gather experts in the field of child protection to talk about it.”

Do not miss the news - sign up to receive the wort.lu newsletter in Englishdelivered to your inbox six days a week. 

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Related Stories

·      Nowhere Girl out October 31: Uprooted author finds Luxembourg's dark side in new book

SUFFOLK READING FESTIVAL BROADCASTS THIS WEEK and scriptwriting seminar

Wednesday 11th November 1900-1930
Felixstowe Radio 107.5 fm or via the internet
Program 89
The Sword of the Kings by Tony Shearman
The Road Hill House Murder by David Morrison
Laura by Suzi Griffiths

Performers: Debbie Coveney, Sheila Martin, David Miller, Ryan Guilder,Tony Shearman, Alan Dix, Alison Miller

Friday 13th November 1230-1300
Ipswich Community Radio ICR 105.7 fm or via the internet
Program 86
The Sword of the Kings by Tony Shearman
The Road Hill House Murder by David Morrison
Morning Sunshine by Tony Shearman
Performers: Alison Miller, Ryan Guilder, Brian England, Sheila Martin, David Miller, Debbie Coveney, Alan Dix, Robin Saunders, Martin Jarvis, Peter Guilder.

Hope you enjoy them

************************************************************************************************

From : writers@wildsoundfestival.com 
Date : 10/11/2015 - 15:25 (GMTST) 
To : 
Subject : Free Screenwriting Seminar Reveals Secrets to a Marketable Movie Idea 

Hi Writers 

Former Hollywood screenplay reader, and author of the book 
"Screenwriting Made (Stupidly) Easy," is offering a FREE, limited-time 
video seminar for WildSound Festival subscribers entitled... 

"5 SECRETS TO A MOVIE IDEA THAT DOESN'T SUCK (AND WILL ACTUALLY SELL)" 

To grab your seat for this content-packed seminar head over to: 
http://scriptbully.com/wildsound 

Note: No Transformers or "moody teenage vampires" were harmed in the 
filming of this seminar. 

FREE Seminar Resource Link: http://scriptbully.com/wildsound 

AGM minutes

Minutes of Scribblers AGM  held on Tuesday 3 November 2015

Present:  Dave, Dick, Richard, Mairead, Jeanette, Liliane, Jane, Tony, Beryl, Gerry, Carolyn, Caz, Cathy.

Apologies: Hayley

AGM

1. Secretary’s report – Cathy began by thanking Dave for all the hard work he does as Chairman. She reported that attendance at meetings has between eight and thirteen, with      an average of ten – far better perhaps than had been thought. The three new group members who joined after seeing the Scribblers at the Felixstowe Book Festival (FBF) were officially welcomed, and farewells to Suzy and Barry were reiterated.
2. Treasurer’s report – Beryl noted that the group has incurred a small loss this year due mainly to the purchase of our display boards and laminating costs for the Felixstowe Book Festival (FBF). Currently we are able to retain subscription fees at the 2015 level.
3. Chairman’s report – reproduced below in its entirety.

I’d like to start by thanking our members for their support over the past year (and it’s been much longer than that for some of us...!). Thank you too for the support of the committee for, although not much seems to happen on the face of things, they are always working in the background.

Our journey has been quite difficult in recent times.

Sadly we had to bid farewell to our Les when he passed away earlier in the year. He had been a rock, a genuinely warm and friendly person with a wicked sense of humour. We all miss him so much.

Having seen other reliable and talented members move on for personal reasons, including Barry who stepped back to concentrate on a university course, we wish them well in their new directions. Attendances suffered and for a while it looked as if we were on a downward spiral. We needed new blood and thankfully some very talented writers joined following the 2015 Felixstowe Book Festival.

Hopefully we will consolidate our attendances and progress!

There are many things that personally stand out this year (so far) such as the three winners of theBill Budner Trophy, Richard, Jane and Jeanette. Amazingly there have been eighteen different winners of the trophy so far!

I was honoured to win theJack Wilkinson Memorial Trophyand pleased to hand it over to Cathy who succeeded in the second staging this year.

The highlight of the year was our success at theBook Festival and I dearly hope we maintain our connection with this wonderful annual literary gem. In my opinion the purchase and use of the display boards helped draw attention to our group.

Following this we were delighted to host an evening withRuth Dugdall- and what a superb evening it was! Let’s hope that when she returns to the Felixstowe area she will be able to spend a few nights with her writers’ group once again.

Our Committee underwent some changes this year with Caz stepping down as secretary and Cathy taking over the important role. Dick also stepped down as a committee member whilst we lost poor Les too. Through all this I have to thank them all for their support and dedication whilst also thanking Cathy for her meeting reports and Beryl for keeping an eye on the accounts.

Before closing my comments, I must record my sincerest thanks to Liliane for collecting the Library key in all sorts of weather, to Barry for continuing to update the Scribblers Facebook page, to Tony for enabling us to have our stories read out on both Felixstowe and Ipswich Community Radio stations. My thanks extend to everyone who has brought in ‘goodies’ and supplies for our refreshment breaks.

4. Ratification of existing committee and/or election of new officers – the current committee was reinstated. Dave as Chairman, Beryl as Treasurer, Cathy as Secretary, Caz as committee member.

5. Weblog report – 24,236 visits were made to the weblog – up 1615 up on 2014.

6. Introduction of a membership list – Dave suggested that up to date details of each member’s name, address, phone number and email addresses be held by the secretary, such information not to be shared outside the group. Agreed by all present. Cathy to email all members requesting the information.

7. Structure of meetings was discussed as follows

          Alterations to frequency of Bill Budner trophy – to be reduced from three per year to two

          Renaming creative writing exercises ‘flash fiction’ – agreed. Jane suggested that on

          20 December (Christmas party) members bring a 250 word piece to read, rather than                 spend time writing on the night – agreed

8. Selection of homework themes – ideas

•  
1. Use the first line from a book as a stimulus for work, rather than a member choosing topic
2. Ensure we choose a local theme to produce for the FBF
3. Jane suggested that all members bring along topic, put in hat, then select at each meeting
4. History and geographical homework – Dick to provide a selection of historical eras for members to make ‘blind selection’; all members to bring along a ‘place’ selection to put in hat – just one to be chosen for all members to work from
5. Other suggestions –

     Writing to a specific genre – Dick to bring along genre options.

          Richard said he would like the opportunity to read as well as hear other members’ work. Group agreed this is difficult to do in practice – no real resolution reached.

     Jane’s coaching sessions – she doesn’t feel that her one-to-one sessions would translate well to a group setting, but would be happy to talk about some of the topics she covers with her clients

9. Planning for the future:

    FBF – committee to meet and discuss this

    Publicity – suggestions were

    Release programme to website – Caz will investigate this

    Produce a triple fold information leaflet

    Create a ‘festival site’ attached to the FBF site (if we’re part of the FBF)

    Writeathon – online – not enough interest within the group to do this

    Stories for Suzy’s planned ‘reading out’ in St Ives – Suzy would like some of our stories –   anyone interested in sharing can let Dave know, and he’ll liaise with Suzy

   Social events – Caz will organise a meal on 26 January, probably at The Orwell – members to pay a deposit when agreeing to attend.

10. Any other business –  general agreement that providing synopsis of work is good for us, so secretary to remind members at each meeting that they are needed for minutes. Jane thanked the committee for the work they do on the group’s behalf.

AGM ended at 9.20pm.

As there was insufficient time (or energy!) left to do any writing, Dave closed the meeting.

Next meeting:   17 November. 1000 words with a spooky Halloween or Ghost theme.

Please click on image to enlarge:

We Will Remember Them

They shall grow not old,

As we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them,

Nor the years condemn,

At the going down of the sun

And in the morning

We will remember them.

Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)

Messages

Here's a message from Suzy down there in St Ives.

Can thoroughly recommend 'Terribly English     A guide for curious natives and baffled visitors'  Rupert Besley.   Amusing !!!!!  (borrowed from library)
Suzy knows a good read...

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Here's an email from Debra Rowe at the Library - If you're interested for the 11th December screening then please contact the library asap:

Suffolk Libraries Presents

Thank you if you have booked to see our first ever screening of a live performance on 13th November.  All the tickets have sold for The Duchess of Malfi.  If this was not a convenient date for you and you would still like to see it please let me know and I'll add your name to the waiting list.  If we have sufficient interest we will try to show it again next year.  

Our second screening, on Friday 11th December, will be the Dutch National Ballet's Cinderella. It was choregraphed by internationally acclaimed Christopher Wheeldon and stars Anna Tsygankova and Matthew Golding. Influenced by the Brothers Grimm story, this is an enchanting ballet set to Prokofiev's magnificent score, with stunning sets and costumes by British designer, Julian Crouch.

Doors will open at 6.30 and the film starts at 7pm. Tickets are £7.50, to be paid in advance.  Let me know asap if you would like me to put tickets aside for you. 

Best wishes

Debra Rowe

Library and Information Advisor

Felixstowe Library, Crescent Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk, IP11 7BY

01394 694880

debra.rowe@suffolklibraries.co.uk

www.facebook.com/FelixstoweLibrary

www.suffolklibraries.co.uk

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/SuffolkLibrary

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The AGM report to follow in due course.,

There was a significantly good turn out for this evening's AGM including some members who have missed a number of meetings. Good to see them back in the fold.

It was good to have a little bit of humour sprinkled through the meeting which took in many items and provided some in-depth discussion, the results of which will be circulated to members in the next few days.

There will be a social meal in the latter part of January next year which Caz will organise, hopefully at the Orwell. Some changes will be made to our 2016 programme of meetings which will soon be posted on this weblog whilst a meeting will be arranged for committee and interested members to discuss the involvement of Felixstowe Scribblers at the Felixstowe Book Festival.

Our next meeting is the 'delayed' Ghost meeting which takes place on 17th November when around 1,000 spooky words should send the shivers down some people's spines...

Until then

Keep Screaming... Scribbling...!!!

SUFFOLK READING FESTIVAL BROADCASTS THIS WEEK

Wednesday 4th November 1900-1930
Felixstowe Radio 107.5 fm or via the internet
Program 88
The Sword of the Kings by Tony Shearman
The Road Hill House Murder by David Morrison
The Parasite by Jane Bailey

Performers: Sheila Martin, David Miller, Debbie Coveney, Ryan Guilder,Tony Shearman, Brian England, Martin Jarvis, Su Stedman, Alison Miller,Alan Dix.

Friday 6th November 1230-1300
Ipswich Community Radio ICR 105.7 fm or via the internet
Program 85
The Sword of the Kings by Tony Shearman
The Road Hill House Murder by David Morrison
Fire Works by Suzi Griffiths
Good and Bad by Jack Wilkinson

Performers: Alison Miller, Ryan Guilder, Angela Silburn, Debbie Coveney,Brian England, Sheila Martin, Robin Saunders, Su Stedman, Tony Shearman, Alan Dix, Martin Jarvis

Hope you enjoy them.

Tony

Don't forget our AGM ...

It's that time of year when you can have your say on the direction of the Scribblers at our AGM tonight, Tuesday 3rd November at 7.30pm in The Room at the Top.

We hope you will be able to attend and enjoy the discussions that are sure to be had.

Don't forget that, if the AGM is completed in good time, then we may have a very short creative writing session just to round the evening off!

Hope to see you there. Meanwhile....

Keep Scribbling!!!