Out with the old... in with the new...

From the Scribe

And a very Happy and profitable New Year to all our Scribblers and visitors to our weblog.

The Final 2013 meeting

FELIXSTOWE SCRIBBLERS MEETING: TUESDAY 17th DECEMBER 2013

Apologies were received from Clive, Caz, Cathy. Dick, Susan F, and Suzi G.  

Those present for the evening were: Martin, Barry M, Tony, Liliane, Carolyn, Beryl, Susie H, Jane and Dave

It was nice to see Martin again but, he tells us, his attendances will be fewer as he is studying for a new job and that takes up so much time. Much as we will miss him, we must say what a tremendous writer he is with such a fine staccato type delivery to his words. He promises to attend whenever he can.

The report takes a slightly different look to its usual format.

We began by reading out some messages received recently and they are reproduced here:

“Hi Everyone,

Hope everyone at Scribblers has a great Christmas and all the best for the new year.
 'The Winter's Tale' theme made me smile as the title of the book I am working on is called 'Midwinter' - that is the character's name.

Talking of books I am about to sign a contract with Endeavour Press  who are going to re-publish two Jack Giles books - 'Rebel Run' and 'The Fourth Horseman' for Kindle and other e-readers.
There is a curious tale attached to this. My first book was published in 1983 (thirty years ago). Here we are in 2013 and two of my books are about to become available again. I am now living 200 yards away from the house where we were living in 1983.

All the best,

Ray”

“Hi Dave

Just to offer my apologies for next meeting, and to wish all the Scribblers a Happy Xmas. Hope to see everyone in the New Year, and attend a little more frequently!

Cathy”

“Hi Dave,

Thanks for the email to keep me up to date.  Sounds as if things are mixed good and bad/sad for the group.  Please say hello to everyone for me and wish them the seasons best wishes.  Seem to working too many Tuesdays at the moment and am rostered for the next one as well 
Hope to get to see you all in the New Year.

Kind regards - Susan French”

“Dave. We have just had a Speakers of Felixstowe meeting and the committee were keen to offer our speaker services to read out stories for your competitions for the Bill Budner trophy. Would this be of interest? If so what are the dates? 

All the best and season’s greetings

Debs”

“Dear Dave,      

Please could you give my apologies for tonight.  Just returned from a few days with a very demanding 90 year lady and I'm now in recovery.

Could you wish everyone A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS from me!   (That should have been a question mark, but an exclamation mark seemed more suitable ......)  

Have a wonderful Christmas, Dave.     

love,suzy”

Clive apologised for his absence from the meeting but sent a Merry Christmas to all Scribblers message.

Since the meeting I have received two further messages, from Barry D who has forwarded the one from Les. It is possible you will already have received these direct from Barry but if not they are reproduced here.

“Sorry I haven't been with you for a while. You are all in my thoughts for a Happy Christmas.

I received this from our Uncle Les today. As you see he is having a great time in all that horrible heat.

See you soon.

Barry.”

“Hi Barry, Smith here suffering in 36 degrees while you lucky buggers have all that lovely cool weather.

I am doing my best to enjoy it by lazing on the beach, bloody barbies’ and all that Ozzy stuff, but you

must know I would be there with you.  Seriously, I am having a great time; at my sister’s currently,

in a little town named Corowa, in NSW; it was 35c today with 40c forecast.  It is a lovely place with plenty  of character, friendly natives and delish’ food and drink; of which I am doing my best to  see off as much  as I can.  Sister Joan is easily as mad as me so our days are one big laughing comp’. 

I am heading back to my son Steve’s place in another small place, Wattle Glen, near Melbourne, there I shall meet up with all the other Nieces, Nephews and assorted relatives; plus neighbours and friends who are queuing up to meet the mad guy from the UK, my reputation seems to have gone before me so I must act up to the part.

Been watching the Ashes on TV and crying along with Joan and my friend Pepi, her dog, with whom I have become a good friend, he follows me around for a game and lays on my lap for the evening, AAAH.

Please would you pass some of this to fellow scrib’s if you can.  I wish you all an extremely pleasant Christmas and an all write new year.  See you next year, Nunky Les. 

PS I saw Ruth on TV, small world innit!”

Tony re-iterated the details for both Felixstowe Radio who will play us 'live' on 107.5 fm at 2100hrs on Wednesday, (tonight) first broadcast 18/12/2013. You have to catch it live either by radio or internet. There is no later feed.but ICR will play us 'live' on 105.7 fm at 1530 on Tuesdays; first broadcast was this afternoon 17/12/2013. There is a later feed available via the ICR website, (just Google ICR). Tony was advised that due to their planning it takes about 36hrs before the feed is active.

News of Jane’s Jack is that he is heading back to the UK and should be here on Saturday. He has had two jobs in Budapest, one in the hostel where he was staying and a second leading groups out on pub crawls... He’s got it made! With orders forwarded for traditional roast meals it seems as if he will return to Budapest early in January and will not be able to attend a Scribblers meeting which is a shame for us.

Thanks were passed to Barry M for creating the Scribblers Face Book page and what a good job he is doing with it.

Dave handed out a number of Scribblers business cards in the hope that they can be used to attract new membership. Fingers crossed!

Now for the magic and mayhem of the creative writing exercise. With Dick absent through illness, Dave brought along his hat for the words to be drawn from. There is something about these four word exercises that bring so much creativity from each writer. Under pressure to write something in fifteen minutes seems quite a task but those present proved beyond doubt that, not only can they include their words in their text. but they can come up with completed stories too. Carolyn noted that Liliane had neatly written two pages without making an error!

Beryl: Wonder, Demented, Crackers and Xenophobic.

Susie: Zombie, Lingerie, Woods and Catheter

Jane: Glittering, Reindeer, Snowflakes and Penguin.

Dave: Aftertaste, Harassed, Murder and Gold.

Martin: Bunji-jumping, Hospital, Presents and God.

Barry M: Aftershock, Aftermath, Afterlife and Colours.

Tony: Baby, Stable, Murder and Stardust.

Liliane: Starlight, Exaltation, Santa and Vomit.

Carolyn: Smile, Trees, Yacht and Watchtower.

After this exercise came the opening of the goodies and much food was enjoyed by all except for poor Tony who was fasting prior to a hospital procedure the next morning but at least he took home a doggy bag full of treats for later.

Now it rests for me to remind everyone that our next meeting is on Tuesday 7^th January 2014 when we will hold our AGM when perhaps we can discuss meeting formats, attracting more members and ensuring that we have enough in our reserves to cover the cost of The Room at the Top.

Between now and then, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year

We hope to see you all there with us in 2014.

Keep Scribbling!!!

Dave.

Farewell 2013

Our final meeting of the year provided another eclectic evening of creativity. It was interesting to discover how much can be written under pressure of time. With four words drawn from a hat the writing brains were put into gear and some remarkable work was produced.

All to the good, but the evening ended with our own Christmas party which was enjoyed by all - except poor Tony who is nil by mouth due to a hospital procedure in the morning.

So there it is... the end of a somewhat challenging year with plenty of talent appearing. Our aim in 2014 is to grow our attending membership and ensure that we have sufficient funds to meet our room rental fees. Let's hope our AGM will provide some answers!

Good luck to all, have a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy and hopefully profitable New Year.

Tonight...

Don't forget that our meeting tonight is the last one of 2013. Just a short writing exercise followed by a party and then... roll on Christmas! The meeting starts at 7.30pm in the usual place.

Felixstowe Radio and ICR

We have lift-off.

Felixstowe Radio - will play us 'live' on 107.5 fm at 2100hrs on Wednesday, first broadcast 18/12/2013.
You have to catch it live either by radio or internet. There is no later feed.

ICR - will play us 'live' on 105.7 fm at 1530 on Tuesday, first broadcast 17/12/2013.
You can catch it live by radio or internet, but there is a later feed available via the ICR website,
(just Google ICR). Am advised that due to their planning it takes about 36hrs before the feed
is active. But it might be quicker for us because we are a recorded show.

The first three programs are completed: they contain Chapter 1 - Sword of the Kings
A play called The Candles Getting Shorter - in which Ruth Takes a major part.
and 3 short stories:
We're all going on a...
Up in Smoke
Fly by Day

All material was written by myself except for up in smoke - by Barry Martin.

Would like more material from scribblers, as it gives us more options, and opportunity for more
writers work to be heard.

Message from Tony.

Here's something that might be of interest - but why oh why do they send out these advices so close to the submission dates? 

The Scribe.

 

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "deadlines@wildsoundfestival.com"

Subject: Writing Festival Holiday SPECIAL Submit by Dec. 15th and SAVE $10 OFF Regular Submissions

Submit by Dec. 15th and SAVE $10 OFF Regular Submissions
http://www.wildsound.ca

Writing Festival Holiday Deadline SPECIAL - FULL FEEDBACK on all entries. Submit your screenplay or story: Feature, Short, TV Pilot or Spec, Novel, Short Story, Poems, Essay etc..

Watch WINNING Screenplay Readings - Watch videos of past winners performed by professional actors
http://www.wildsoundfestival.com/winning_screenplays.html

READ 100s of testimonials for past submitters -
http://www.wildsound.ca/wildsound_festival_review.html

Hope to see you submit. Most of our winners receive a solid agent after getting their script showcased. And/or they receive a lot of interest from producers.

Our next meeting and a little bit of news...

Well the time is very nearly upon us when we have to say farewell to our 2013 programme. Yes it will be our last meeting of the year on Tuesday next, 17th December, usual time 7.30 in The Room at the Top. We'll be having a short creative writing exercise which won't be an onerous task but another enjoyable one! Please bring along four words each on a small separate piece of paper and then we can let the creativity begin.

After this we will have our little Christmas party - please feel free to bring along some 'goodies'  but the rule of thumb is to bring along no more than the amount that you would be able to eat. Otherwise we end up with loads of food and bulging waistlines even before Christmas!

A little news has filtered through from Sandy who says:

Hope the meetings are going well, sorry I haven't been able to make it lately but work and my own creative writing class has taken up a lot of time.

My small group of writers have worked really hard and we have now produced an Anthology. It is available on Amazon in paperback and kindle. I have really enjoyed teaching the art of creative writing and looking forward to another class (maybe two) starting in the new year.

The Anthology is called Anthology 2013 Sandys students; the link http://www.amazon.co.uk/Anthology-2013-sandys-students/dp/1494349566/ref=lh_di_t_dup?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

Will be at the next meeting all being well.

Sandy

We have also heard from our friend Debbie who emailed a few days ago:

We have just had a Speakers of Felixstowe meeting and the committee were keen to offer our speaker services to read out stories for your competitions for the Bill Budner trophy.

What a lovely gesture! I have replied that we would, of course, be interested in their services and have sent along the dates and now await a reply.

Keep Scribbling!!!

Sandy has missed a number of recent meetings largely because she has been running her own creative writing course in Ipswich. She says:

"My small group of writers have worked really hard and we have now produced an Anthology. It is available on Amazon in paperback and kindle. I have really enjoyed teaching the art of creative writing and looking forward to another class (maybe two) starting in the new year.

The Anthology is called Anthology 2013 Sandys students; the link http://www.amazon.co.uk/Anthology-2013-sandys-students/dp/1494349566/ref=lh_di_t_dup?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE "

Felixstowe TV and the tidal surge

Here's another look at Felixstowe during the critical period and clean up...

http://www.felixstowetv.co.uk/videos/crisis-what-crisis-the-felixstowe-floods-2013/

Coaching with Jane

                 Simply click on image to enlarge.

Report of our meeting

FELIXSTOWE SCRIBBLERS MEETING: TUESDAY 3^rd DECEMBER 2013

Apologies were received from Katy, Barry D, Martin, Carolyn, Beryl, Les and Caz.

Those present for the evening were: Clive, Suzi, Jane, Dick, Liliane, Barry M, Tony and Dave.

The lack of numbers at tonight’s meeting was understandable: with Les now probably jet lagged in Australia, Caz helping care for her brother in Wiltshire after his accident and operation, Beryl unwell, Katy, busy and still suffering anxiety attacks, Carolyn just back from the USA and also jet lagged and Martin caught up with work.

This meant making the most of the stories and poems presented to us, and, indeed, they were all excellent and very enjoyable but made for a quick-ish meeting. Except a spur of the moment short 4 word creative writing exercise extended the meeting and provided some more dramatic writing. With just fifteen minutes writing the results were amazing. Proof of the value of such sessions.

Les wished everyone all the best for the forthcoming festive season and wishes you a Happy New year when he will be returning home again. We have also had a note from Susan (French) who wishes everyone season’s greetings and hopes, work schedules permitting, to see us all in the New Year.

Clive has offered to proof read anyone’s work, something he enjoys doing. It is always good to have an independent eye cast over our work, so his kind offer is there and if you want something proof read, then Clive is your man.

Tony informs us that selected stories from the Scribblers have been recorded and we await details of when these will go out live on Felixstowe and Ipswich Radio stations. Watch this space!

Jane’s Jack is currently in Budapest and has a job in a hostel to earn a little cash. We hear he will be home on 21^st of the month but intends returning later on.

Focus Life Coaching is run by our own Jane who offers coaching for corporate and individual clients to help advance business or personal projects through coaching sessions. Maybe this is what some of us hopeful authors need...!

Now for the homework which was ‘A Winter’s Tale’.

Suzi: Snow: Blank verse:

A very short verse bringing to life the snow falling down through the air, hard blown by the wind, drifting in wonder, cocooning the earth, such delicate fragments asking the question if each snowflake is new-born afresh? Few words, yet so much description of the falling snow and whether or not it is true that no two snowflakes are alike.

Jane: Sense of Place:

2^nd half of chapter 7 of Jane’s book. Karen glanced at baby William before putting her foot on the bottom stair and looked up to the landing. She didn’t want to go up but there was no turning back. Inside the bedroom she could not sit on the bed but went to the built in wardrobes, his and hers. She slid the door back and saw them, his suits, almost as if Richard was standing there himself. Could she smell him? There was no doubt as she pulled on his dark pinstripe jacket. Why hadn’t he told her of all the debts? She swiped the shoes from the wardrobe, stepped inside, slid the door closed and sat in the dark at one end. She could hear crying. Closed her eyes and waited to see if Richard would come to her as he had some nights. The crying got louder, wailing, inside and outside her head. Then she remembered William.

Dick: Three poems:

Snow Joke: A light hearted poem in Dick’s joyful style. The country in disarray because it snowed overnight. Land blanketed white, cars doing the ‘Skaters Waltz’; jack-knifing lorries, schools closed and the PM hoping the bloody stuff would melt!

The Sea Front in Winter: A real sense of place with tourists gone, dank beach huts, locals watching the ocean’s anger. Grandma taking the children to the beach, treasure hunters seeking Roman coins. Desolate prom; soon to banish the dreary winter time.

The Silent Invaders: At first the flakes are small and dry, pirouetting in the gusting wind. Invading town and country alike as the landscape changes appearance. Shop assistants ponder their journeys home. Puff balls of white triggered by the wind as briefly the silent invaders have captured this town.

Liliane: The Snow Remembered:

Liliane’s much acclaimed family recalling the winter of ’46, when Uncle Jan took them to play in the snow in Nightingale Park. It was so beautiful draped with snow and seemed like a fairytale place to the children just like the land of the Snow Queen. Such a lovely time to remember and all was well until the end of the day as it began to get dark when little Paula got snow in her boots. Pa cheered them up by getting them all to sing but then he sang one about the war with the Spanish which wasn’t very nice. A Spanish attack and siege evoked visions of the weary battle scarred men, something they didn’t need reminding about so soon after the end of the Second World War.

Barry M: Miles:

July 11^th moved from Essex to Norfolk. The cottage is called ‘Miles’. Beautiful views across fields and river. So happy with George my Jack Russell. October 9^th the autumn shades are gorgeous. 5am a muntjac deer is in the garden. November 11^th Need the heating on. The muntjacs ignore George. Love this place. December 12^th. It snowed last night. Swept my drive clear. A tractor comes along pushing the snow into my garden and drive, blocking me in. Farmer did the same daily and by the 17^th I’m exhausted from all the shovelling. December 22^nd, more snow, frozen pipes, aching back. December 24^th not enjoying this place so much. December 29^th. Stranded for a week. Car buried under snow. January 1^st Happy New bloody Year. January 14^th finally got car out, drove to Wroxham. Icy roads. Swerved to avoid deer. Hit two trees. February 14^th took car to garage, got bus home. Took hours! Not sure about this place now. February 20^th got car back; cost twice as much as it was worth. February 28^th, moved back to Essex.

Tony: Trousers:

Strange that I, Sir Walter de Flowers am standing in my younger brother Digby’s bedroom at our stately home Rehar End at 5 minutes past midnight holding a pair of trousers. My brother was unable to play the adolescent game of sundials. Best played on a summer’s day in the centre of a croquet lawn. Strip naked, lie on your back and think about Brigitte Bardot or someone like that then wait until passers-by tell you the time. Rolling back the clock five years to 1^st December we went off for a duck shoot complete with our dogs Smith and Wesson. Disguised with a hat the shape of a mallard Digby sat camouflaged in the boat. Whilst I supped a bottle or two, Digby had a secret assignation with Isabel but was discovered by her husband. Pushing off in the boat again wearing that hat, I awoke from my drunken slumber saw the mallard and fired. I had his trousers as a keepsake but on this particular day for the last five years Digby has haunted us looking for those trousers of his.

Dave: Walking Home:

A compulsion on a cold and frosty evening to walk the three odd miles towards the family home, an old palatial Victorian house. His father was a conman who lost his begotten gains in the ’83 stock market crash. His mother died in the house soon afterwards. Nearing the house he stopped, it felt as if someone was right behind him but there was nobody. A wisp of breath appeared in the cold air beside him and he felt himself propelled forward to the gate when he suddenly saw a face in the window, the face of his deceased mother. Drawn into the darkened building the door slammed behind him. Using a mobile as a light he saw the body at the foot of the stairs...

Then followed the short four word creative writing exercise. Here are the words everyone drew; maybe you could do a fifteen minute exercise to include each word. It is a challenge!

Clive: Stuck, Submarine, Engineer, Newspapers.

Suzi: Ghost, Abominable, Still, Choices.

Dick: Solstice, Toilets, Robins, Tremble.

Liliane: Coach, Tangential, Bonnet, Incongruity.

Tony: Pudding, Races, Life, Haggis.

Dave: Celestial, Trombone, Hell, Asteroid.

Jane: Sleep, Bells, Leaves, Filmstar.

And so to the end of the penultimate meeting of the year. It is hardly conceivable that we have just the one meeting left in 2013. That will be held in our usual place, The Room at the Top on Tuesday 17^th December at 7.30 pm. There will be no homework as this will be a short four word writing exercise followed by a little Christmas Party. It would be nice if you could bring along some ‘goodies’ – not too much, perhaps just enough for a snack – and help to bring down the curtain on another Felixstowe Scribblers Year.

Since the meeting there were the storm tides which created havoc in so many places along the East Coast and in our own county. Felixstowe was better protected than in those dreadful 1953 floods so no lives were lost here. I noticed the following link from Felixstowe News TV which is pasted for you to see...

http://www.felixstowenews.tv/videos/mediaitem/321-felixstowe-after-the-flood-6th-december-2013

Until the next time when we hope to see you all there with us...

Keep Scribbling!!!

                                                               

After the storm tide...

Hopefully most people came through last night's high tides without too much damage. See a summary by Felixstowenews tv here:

http://www.felixstowenews.tv/videos/mediaitem/321-felixstowe-after-the-flood-6th-december-2013

Keep safe

Thoughts are with everyone in the affected areas tonight... just keep safe... we'll be thinking of you all...

Quiet night...

For various reasons our attendance tonight was quite limited. It did not stop the quality of the homework of a Winters Tale and some excellent stories were forthcoming. We even had time for a spur of the moment creative writing exercise which, for fifteen minutes scribing, produced some excellent results. Maybe that's the answer to writing... put yourself on the spot for a limited time and see what gems you can produce!

Our next meeting, the last of 2013, will be a short four word creative writing exercise - simply bring along four words each on a separate small slip of paper - something to write with and paper to write on. After this it will be time for our little Christmas party to bring our year to an end. Please feel free to bring along some snacks or goodies - but not too much! - and make our year complete.

We hope you will be able to join us but until then,

Keep Scribbling!

Our next meeting

My goodness how the year is rapidly drawing to a close! Only two more meetings to go before the festivities begin!

The first of these meetings, our next one, is on Tuesday 3rd December at 7.30pm in The Room at the Top. The subject matter for the homework is a 'Winters Tale.' so hopefully nobody will be copying William Shakespeare's work with the same title! Just a 1,000 word maximum on the subject please.

Meanwhile we have a message from Les who says: "I shall do my best to enjoy my holiday down there, but I won't forget you and the scribblers, Honestly!  Please convey my sincere wishes to them all.  May they  they have the Christmas they wish for and a new year they deserve, bless you all and thank you for putting up with me, love from Nunkie Les. XXXX"

On a sadder note, Caz has been called away to Wiltshire where her brother has had an accident and as you read this is waiting for an operation. Our thoughts are with them at this time.

Hope to see you on Tuesday so until then,

Keep Scribbling!

Grace Dieu Writers' Circle 2014 Tenth Anniversary Writing Competition (Poetry and Prose)

This is the tenth year we have organised a writing competition so a celebratory year for us and we hope that, in a small way, our competitions have supported and promoted creative writing. We also hope that you'll enter our 2014 competition.

Tony Gutteridge
Competition Organiser

Details:

Poetry Competition: A poem on any subject with a maximum of 40 lines

Judge: Sharon Black

1st Prize: £500; 2nd Prize: £200; 3rd Prize: £100; 4th Prize: £75; 5th Prize: £50

Entry Fees: £4 for one poem or £12 for 4, £3 for each additional entry over four

Short Story Competition: A short story on any subject with a maximum of 2000 words.

Judge: George Hawthorn

1st Prize: £500; 2nd Prize: £200; 3rd Prize: £100; 4th Prize: £75; 5th Prize: £50

Entry Fees: £5 for first and £3 for additional stories

Closing date: 28^th February, 2014. Entries by post and fees in sterling.

Full details and entry forms can be found on our website at www.gracedieuwriterscircle.co.uk

Alternatively to receive a competition leaflet, please send a SAE to:

The Competition Organiser, 23 Henson Way, Sharnford, Leicestershire, LE10 3PN

Riverside Writers' free ebook anthology

Love, terror and 21st century life! From the heart of cosmopolitan Liverpool come nine thrilling views of modern living. Blood-drinkers, killers and secrets. Old sorrows and new beginnings. The light and dark of human life set against the glittering backdrop of a reinvigorated city. City Stories. Tales of life today.
Featuring:-
Tim Hulme
William R Jones
Caroline Hubbard
Andy Siddle
Jason Barney
Jack Horne
Adele Cosgrove-Bray

 

Riverside Writers' latest FREE ebook anthology, City Stories, is now available.  You don't need an ereader to read this, as you can choose to download  HTML or PDF versions which can be read on your usual PC. Alternatively, on our website there is a clickable link which will take you to Adobe's site where you can download a free programme which works like an ereader. You will find this link on the page for Seaside Stories, our previous FREE ebook.

 

I do hope you will download a copy for yourself!  Feel free to share news of it via your own websites, social networking sites and emails.  I'll ask you all to encourage others to download their own copies, rather than just share the file, so as to keep our download figures as high as possible.  If you'd like to post a review of it on the site, please do!

 

Pick up your own FREE copy of City Stories here:- https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/375562

 

It will become available from other distribution channels, such as Barnes & Noble, Nook, Kobo, Sony, Apple iTunes, Diesel, Baker & Taylor and Library Direct over the next few weeks.

 

The next meeting of Riverside Writers has been postponed due to West Kirby Library being closed for repairs for approximately eight weeks.  This means we will next meet in 2014.  Keep an eye on our website for news of the next meeting date once it has been confirmed.

 

Meanwhile, on 5th December at Bebington Library, some members will be taking part in an open mic evening hosted by the Friends of Bebington Library.  I think it starts at 6pm but am unsure of this.  If you wish to go along to listen or to read something, I encourage you to do so as the previous similar event was a lot of fun.

 

If you're looking for great gift ideas for writers, take a look at Spooky Cute Designs very own 'For Writers' range - see link below.

 

Keep an eye on our website for further news!

 

Kind regards,

Adele Cosgrove-Bray.

Riverside Writers Website

 

Adele Cosgrove-Bray's Website 

 

Meeting Report

FELIXSTOWE SCRIBBLERS MEETING: TUESDAY 19th NOVEMBER 2013

Apologies were received from Katy, Barry D, Jane, Martin and Caz.

Those present for the evening were Clive, Susie H, Carolyn, Suzi G, Tony, Liliane, Beryl, Barry M, Les, Dick and Dave

News:

Good news, Ally has given birth to a bouncy 8lb plus baby boy, Noah, Jack.

Morag has now started writing her ‘Coach Trip’ again after a long spell away from it.

Beryl is now on the last chapter of her book.

Dave has just 15 more pages to edit to complete the biography of a 91 year old, Clifford Newton, which covers from birth through to the end of the Second World War. This is not for publication but a personal account for Cliff’s family.

Clive brought two packets of biscuits. Thank you!

Not so good news from Katy. She has been ill, has had an accident when her car was ripped open like a tin opener by a lorry. Glad she was unhurt but she is taking time to chill out. Our thoughts are with her.

Angela A has been in touch to say she hopes to get back to Scribblers again in the near future, after a change in work routines.

Ray has been in contact and wishes to say thanks for all the messages he received after his move. 

Last Saturday’s author talk by local Tim Voelcker on Saturday on “Broke of the Shannon and the War of 1812” was extremely interesting as have been all author talks at the Library. It was nice to be able to support the library in this way and learn a bit more history to boot.

The group was pleased with the article in the Felixstowe Supplement of the East Anglian Daily Times that appeared on 6^th November

Welcome Back:

There was a welcome back for Susie tonight after missing a few meetings due to moving home and work commitments.

Now for the results of our ‘Place’ homework assignment which was quite surprising as most were based in this country and very true stories.

Tony: Brighton Road:

Tony met Lesley at college and she had a major effect on his life. He was engaged to her best friend Jacque who had a blood disorder, was pregnant and died in childbirth moments before the baby also passed away. Lesley saved him from committing suicide but she married Roland moving into Brighton Road. However Roland disappeared without trace. At the same time Tony’s mother fell ill and went into a convalescent home in Brighton Road, Clacton. Free again Lesley fell for Tony and became pregnant just before Roland re-appeared. She gave birth to Suki but Tony was left in the cold. Rebuilding his life he took an office job in Brighton Road, Surbiton. Roland disappeared again. Meanwhile Tony met Angie and they gave Lesley and her daughter refuge until she flew to Australia where she met someone else and was to be married but the relationship broke up. She took Suki for a drive and was speeding along Brighton Road, Melbourne when she crashed into a stationary container truck.   

Suzi: The Path:

The train was packed, a crush of passengers some of whom she knew. Mothers, sisters, brothers. Anxious fathers outside the delivery room. Doreen treasured every birth. Now it was about to end. Only three weeks to go. Rain poured down as she started her walk home longing for that nice hot cup of tea. But first there was the path that her home, a path that was her dread of abduction or murder. A tin dropped from her bag and she stooped to pick it up. Quickening footsteps followed her then a hand grabbed her shoulder. One of the three youths said, ‘You dropped this.’ But she began to fall and they saved her, walked her home, opened her door, made a cup of tea, lit her fire and returned the purse she had accidentally dropped. The path held no fears after that.

Carolyn: 'The Last Apartment':

A tale about the first time she saw the apartment in Paris which she would eventually own. The agent met her and her husband and son on the footpath and led them through a peaceful courtyard, then up a set of curving wooden stairs to the first floor. Inside the apartment, the two rooms were small but contained classic French features she'd always dreamt about -- tall double windows with lacy iron balconies, parquet floors, high ceilings with lovely mouldings, and marble fireplaces. After a lifetime of dreaming and days of viewing everything from run-down dumps to modern, characterless spaces, she felt a strange but wonderful sense of having arrived home.

Susie: Every Place is a Journey:

This place is my sanctuary, provides protection, allows reflection, rest and healing. It is the tin temple to my tired soul. It has a heart helping provide the courage to a new path. Growing through the Bowie and punk years, transition to University digs full of the young escaping the constraints of parents. Alter egos and hedonistic escapism. Sit-ins, marches, Greenham Common, the miners’ strike. Flat shares, coupledom, marriage and babies. Wild parties gave way to children’s parties, then to dinner and garden parties. Children move on. Downsize to our idyllic cottage by the sea, living aboard a yacht, shrinking places, expanding horizons. Now my pikie nest brought tears the day I moved in. Smelly and dirty but will power, disinfectant a steam cleaner cleansed my temple. Flowers, furniture; a transformation. Now my space, a place to recover my balance, where I return after work to my soothing peaceful sanctuary. My tin pikie nest. Home is where the heart is.

Clive: N10, London:

It was cold... extremely cold. Rob stood there at quarter to seven on the freezing February morning, suited with Wellingtons, a Gortex lined raincoat and chunky scarf. The place was starkly beautiful, a haven for wildlife and as peaceful as anywhere so close to London. Peter arrived, stomping feet for warmth until Saf the superintendant arrived to drive them along the rough private roadway in his untaxed, unroadworthy black cab. They reached the appointed place and launched themselves into the cold. The others were there, all in black, looking professional. Rob peered into the majestic ethereal misty dawn and wondered why they were all there. The hole was dug, its sides shored up. Water was slopping about the bottom of the pit as they struggled to raise the coffin at the behest of relatives thence to move it to a better place. Soon Rob and Peter would be in the greasy cafe just outside Kensall Green Cemetery. 

Dave: My Heaven...Their Hell:

A favourite place, situated on the northern Cornish coast facing the Atlantic Ocean. A place with a dramatic rocky coast line, coves and caves, miles of sandy beaches, beautiful, peaceful and near deserted on a summers day. Carnewas and the Bedruthan Steps accessible only by a walk down a steep gradient to the steep steps leading down to the beach. Their Hell was a follow on story of two silly teenagers ignorant to the dangers of the tide and storm. Trapped in a cave by the storm driven sea, they try to make their escape but it was left to the search and rescue helicopter to scour the area for them.  

Les: Close as always:

This is a poem celebrating his Les’s life with his beloved Joanie. For all the times they had together as ‘Two old romantics, my Joanie and me,’ ‘Two old lovers, true lovers still,’ even after 58 years. Yet it begins making plans, moving on through their ‘own touch of heaven’. Contentment, then the arrival of their boys, to brighten their days. When the boys flew the nest then off they went ‘to see the world’. In times of illness Joan remained his lover, his carer, his nurse but now she has gone she remains in his heart, loving memories they’ll never be apart, Her portrait looks down and, says Les, ‘I know for sure she is close, she is near.’

Dick: Three poems:

Rhine Images, (a Magi sequence poem): Three words to a line, three lines to a verse, bringing the journey from Holland to Switzerland to life, absorbing rivers, cruise and cargo ships, cruising palaces taking in pastoral beauty and dowdy industrialisation from the Rhine. 

The Rocky Mountaineer, (straight verse): A majestic journey across the Canadian Rockies, written in such a way that you feel the completion motion, the poetry of the railway between Jasper and Whistler all within a gentle absorbing 24 hours.

Salcombe Summer, (rhyming verse): A delightful poem providing postcard images of Salcombe in a Devonshire summer. Sun, sand, birds, boats on mud flats. Private swimming pools, narrow streets and shops aplenty, cheerful inns, Salcombe a Summer Treat.

Barry M: Sunday Morning:

Tina made her way downstairs feeling decidedly unsexy. Harry hid behind the Sunday broadsheet as she waited for the kettle to boil. He said he’d have a cup but continued reading. No please or thank you not even when she put the cup down in front of the paper. He just read on. Tina read a discarded Sunday magazine when an advert caught her eye. For £2,300 she could have breast, arm or face surgery and for another £400 she could have six nights recuperation in a luxury hotel. All she had to do was book a flight to the Ukraine. Harry went off to golf, Tina’s friend Judy came round for a Jacuzzi. They needed money to get to the Ukraine; pretend they’d been kidnapped and being held to ransom. Or divorce? Out of the question. Divine intervention was needed. Harry bought a gym and demonstrating the new fitness machine his legs slowed, the machine did not. He was flung off and died. Judy whispered in Tina’s ear, ‘Divine intervention!’

Beryl: Dunston Houses:

Sam is taking me to the Rockers who live in Dunstan Houses in Stepney Green. It is a huge Victorian monolith five storeys high. Susie a work colleague has a single room which has a cooker but no sink or toilet. They are communal on landings or hallways. The smell is unpleasant. The Rockers have an ever-open door and their flat is different. On the top floor it has three rooms even its own lavatory. The views across the smoky air are panoramic. The room is untidy with overfull bookshelves spilling onto the floor. Pictures hang higgledy-piggledy on the walls. The welcome is warm and soon the food is served to the many and followed by boisterous songs. How I enjoy myself. 

Liliane: Last Day in Paris:

A letter from Kitty to Elly relating her very last day in la Ville Lumiere before heading home. No more visits to nightclubs or the Moulin Rouge, nor going up the Eiffel Tower. Just a nice quiet day. The girls wanted to do some last minute shopping, Grandma wanted another hat and Paul was buying an outfit for his wife Imelda. Grandpa moaned that he would be bankrupted. Everyone was short of money but those who could afford to shop did so whilst the others looked on. Elaine thought the trip had been unwise but her husband promised just the two of them would return next year. The evening meal was the usual gathering, everyone round the table faced with critical Aunt Ida complaining about the way the children were being brought up... Eventually peace was restored at the end of the day and it was goodbye to la Ville Lumiere...

I will again thank everyone for ‘loaning’ copies of their homework to enable an easier reporting process – just hope I have done justice to your work. In truth I can again savour all the stories! Thanks everyone!

Finally just to wish Les a Happy Christmas as he makes his way down to his relations in Australia once again. Have a great time and see you in the New Year!

Our next meeting is in two week’s time, Tuesday 3^rd December at 7.30pm when the homework assignment of up to 1,000 words is on “A Winters Tale”.

Until the next time...

Keep Scribbling,

Dave