Meeting Report

Felixstowe Scribblers Meeting held 3rd August 2010

Those attending: Dave, Trish, Gemma, Rosie, Tony, Ally, Stephen, Liliane, Les, Dick, Peter, Barry.

When the word 'Chicken' was chosen at the last meeting by Gemma, our latest member, it was looked at with puzzled frowns but as the meeting last night night proved, we have a membership able to manufacture, invent, conjure up, many diverse applications of the word, from the obvious about eating the bird to an amusing limerick from Les about a Chicken in the kitchen, performed with a convincing Louisiana accent. A dear John letter from Ally and the usual off the wall contribution from our Sci-fi come fantasy writer Tony then Randy roosters and ghost stories were mixed with another family saga from Liliane. All in all it was an enjoyable two and a half hours. I have listed the titles of each offering below.

Thank you all for coming and don't forget, there is no set homework for the next meeting on the 17th, just bring along a pen and some paper for another writing exercise.


DAVE: OFF THE MENU
TRISH: UNTITLED
GEMMA: THE DIARY OF ASHLEY WRIGHT
ROSIE: A BAD PRESENT
TONY: A SHORTCUT TO HUMBUG
ALLY: DEAR JOHN
STEPHEN: PLAYING CHICKEN
LILIANE: THE COMING OF SPRING
LES: THERE'S A CHICKEN IN THE KITCHEN
DICK: A BLAST FROM THE PAST
PETER: RANDY ROOSTER
BARRY; BRINKMANSHIP

We had an offer from Maureen Budner (The Budner Competition) to sponsor a writing competition for schools. Rosie and Gemma have offered their services as possible liaison between themselves and their school so we shall await developments.

We had some sad news: one of our overseas members, Denise Cougan has informed us that her mother passed away a few days ago. We all extend our best wishes to the family at this sad time.

We hope the Summer De-clutter weekend at the Showground raises many pounds for the EACH appeal, £1 per adult entry and children under 14 will get in free.

There was one other request from Caz concerning a booksigning at the Officers Mess at Wattisham Airfield. I have attached the relevant details and hope we can provide some support for the worthy cause.

As you may already know Wattisham Flying Station is the home of the 'Apache' helicopter that is doing so much in support of our ground troops in Afghanistan. Now Wattisham is giving its support in another way, by generously allowing the Officer's Mess to be used on Saturday August 14th, to raise funds for the Army Benevolent Fund, The Soldiers Charity', with the launching of a new book about the British Army, albeit one very different from that of today.

The book of some 218 pages with photographs, printed by Lavenham Press, covers the period leading up to the end of the 2nd World War and then to the policing of occupied Germany by the BAOR, from the end of the war until the Berlin airlift and the commencement of the cold war.

Autobiographical, it has already been taken up by the Imperial War Museum Library of Printed Books and tells the story of young soldiers who never fired a shot in anger, leaving bankrupt Britain to relieve war weary veterans in a devastated country peopled by old men, women and children.

Major General Graham Fawcus in his 'Foreword' uses the word spellbinding.

The book, "When Pigeons Come Home To Roost" has been written by Suffolk author Eric Vanlint MBE, and after the launch, at which all proceeds will be for the Army Benevolent Fund Soldiers Charity, it will be available from other charities, including most of our local hospice shops. Those of Farleigh, St Elizabeth, Tapping House and the three Children's hospices, as well as other venues, priced at £5, all of which goes to the charity, or by telephoning 01394 212259.

If you are able to publicise this event, the cause could not be bettered and your assistance will be much appreciated.

Thank you all again for a really good meeting. See you on the 17th August.

Barry