Meeting Report

The homework subject was Life or Living and brought forth much sombre but some light readings.


We had another poorly attended meeting last night. Not that the poor part should in any way be associated with the writing on offer. As usual the standard for this was exemplary. We are on the hunt now for some more members so if anyone knows of a suitable candidate please get them to contact me.

We shall be advertising in the local magazine and also in the Library.

We had apologies from Cathy, Carolyn, Susan Ally and Dave and standing apologies (for the present I hope) from Sandy, Sally and Angela.

Present were Tony Dick Les Liliane Suzy Beryl Martin Ray and myself.

We ended up with nine members present which was not too bad after Tony had read and run. He had a meeting of the dramatic group at Ruth's house so we excused him his departure but welcomed first his reading of the first part of a sequel to his last novel

It was a chilling tale of a body awakening in a mortuary, feeling the extreme cold then gradually wakening only to find a skeleton performing an autopsy on another table. We are informed that the wakening figure exits the room several times only to appear on the slab time and again. A chilling tale that we are assured develops into humour.

Les gave us a touching TRIBUTE to his recently departed wife Joan who he misses terribly. The loss was great but Les is finding strength from his good friends and life becomes more worth living as each day passes. Les finds it helpful to write his thoughts down and finds great solace in talking to Joan as though she is still there, as she is in his thoughts.

Dick gave us A CHANGE OF HEART The tale of a man, recently made redundant who finds life too much to bear and forces his wife to take their son and leave the home when he becomes violent. He decided to end his life by jumping from the cliffs at Beachy Head but at the spot he looks up at the blue sky and a passing bird, then decides to turn his life around.

Liliane read IN THE PEACE OF THE EVENING One of her immaculate dialogue pieces of Robbie and Kit recounting the way their house had been an 'open house' for far too many of their 69 years and how the family matters had always taken precedence. They decide to end the practice and think more of themselves. Decision made ... then the doorbell rings!

Beryl read THE CREATIVE WRITING CLASS A story concerning her mother and the class Beryl took her to many years before. At the tender age of 78 her mother was introduced to a class led by a poet and after many hours of incessant grumbling she tried to write poetry instead of prose and subsequently became so adept at the medium she was published several time and then progressed to writing children's stories. Another tribute to a wonderful woman.

Suzy, our newest recruit gave us a story LIFE AND LIVING This was about a young man in a mundane job, wishing his life would change and he could experience many more things. He goes to sit in the park with his packed lunch, lovingly prepared by his wife, and while musing has an old man sit next to him. The old man strikes up a conversation, noticing the sad demeanour of his companion and shows him how there is life in everything around us, Thomas goes back to work a changed man and the old chap quietly disappears.

Martins piece was LITTLE HEIDI. I'm sure I will get no argument from the other members present when I say that Martin's piece of very short or flash fiction was the most powerful piece of the evening. It concerned little Heidi, a young German girl and her mother, waiting for the arrival of a rapacious conquering force at the end of the 2nd World War. Heidi was told to stand at the window and watch for the soldiers but not to turn around. As the marching Russians arrived her mother loaded and shot her child before turning the gun on herself. In her eyes this was preferable to submission to horrors.

Ray gave us DESERT HEAT A story or part of a story which in turn is part of an interesting project. This concerned the searching for a Spanish galleon supposedly containing gold and treasure, which had been landlocked in a western desert of America. Walt was staked out to die in the sun but had the visions of bounty hunters and bandits searching for the same treasure. Walt is partially freed and manages to find a little money and a horse then sets out to use his gift of life.

Barry. My story was of Dick, a soldier in Afghanistan who is involved in a terrible accident after a stop in a village. The accident blows up his APC and he tragically loses his leg. His parents wait anxiously at his hospital bedside knowing that it will not only be his life that changes.

Short in numbers but long in talent. The meeting was an extremely enjoyable one. The next subject for 12th June is a story taken from a postcard, several of which have been lent to us by Liliane.

If anyone will be attending next time wants a subject then please contact me.

See you all on 12th June, and have a good weekend.

Barry.