It has happened twice now. Both times the near 2,000 word
‘files’ have corrupted for some unbeknown reason. This is a shorter report
which I hope will suffice – and be saved...
Felixstowe
Scribblers Meeting Report for 18th February 2014.
In
attendance: Dick, Les, Liliane, Jane, Susie H, Beryl,
Tony, Martin, Richard, Barry, Dave and a new member, Derek.
Apologies
were received from Caz, Carolyn, Cathy, Clive, Suzy G and Katy.
It was nice to welcome Derek
to the fold. His passion is travel writing but has been a member of other
writing groups before coming along to Scribblers. He has also attended a
creative writing course with Martin.
It was good to see such a
healthy attendance despite all the call-offs. We send our wishes to those who
are unwell and hope to see you back at Scribblers very soon.
The Lost Sock will be shown
at the Felixstowe Book Festival on 28th June from 5.pm. This will
also include time for the public to meet the Scribblers. The cost will be three
pounds which will go to Festival sponsorship funds. We will try to prepare an
anthology and will try to have copies of the film available for sale. An email
will be sent to those who have offered help with the anthology and also their
presence at the event.
Tony has requested more
stories to be provided for the radio spots, ICR broadcast the Scribblers work
on Tuesdays at 15.30 on 105.7FM and Felixstowe Radio Wednesdays at 21.00 on
107.5FM.
Our advertised meeting plans
altered this time with members allowed to bring a piece of their favourite
work, an extract from a story, perhaps a poem or even a completely new piece of
work. Here’s how it went:
Susie
H: Shackled and Tethered: Money shoved in my slot. I’m sprung
free, the early starters always rushing to get the job done. Next come the
elderly, the pace leisurely and slow then the lunchtime punters on a quick
mission of acquisition. Afternoons are long. I make them angry and frustrated.
BOGOF deals, booze, ready meals fill me to the brim. Your soul on wheels, the
supermarket trolley.
Barry:
Thumping in the Dark: Darkness and the thump, thump thumping even
when I am asleep. I have the same thumping inside me but not so loud. My space
is gets smaller as the walls close in. The water around me drains away; I look down
and see the dim light in the darkness. Falling into the land of giants; the
high pitched noise is replaced by, ‘Hello. What shall we call you then?’
Richard:
All the Time in the World: Twenty eight and a half minutes to go.
Time for a cup of tea. Mugs neatly stored, tins, labels facing out. You need
discipline, like the twenty girls in packing. They respected me. Power, that’s
what women like. Early retirement and my wife left home. Seven minutes past.
Not good enough. The girl on their switchboard was rude, hung up the little
hussy did. They just don’t know how to behave these days.
Martin:
The Talk Show: In his inimitable style Martin took us to an
American Talk Show where the horrors of the Holocaust were discussed, and how a
young girl born in Frankfurt, a German national, lost her citizenship. Along
with her family they fled to Amsterdam and went into hiding from the German
occupation of the Netherlands and persecution of Jews but were betrayed. Anne
Frank and her sister Margot died in Bergen-Belsen concetration camp of Typhus.
Anne’s diary chronicles her life from 1942-1944.
Dick:
Shocks in the Shop: Author of a booklet on the ghosts of
Landguard Fort, this chapter was omitted from the publication. It tells of the
gift shop volunteer who saw a soldier appear, smile and wave to her then faded
away. Another volunteer was scared witless when five Airfix kits suddenly took
off from a shelf and landed a good distance away. Dick himself witnessed the
strangest thing of all when a customer asked for evidence of haunting and
suddenly a heavy Oerlikon shell fell from the top sheld and landed with a
deafening crash in an empty ammunition box. Proof enough?
Dave:
Predicament: Boing, boing, boing! Widower Kenny had
fancied neighbour Tracy for ages. She used to help round the house and then
more intimately. Suddenly two springs broke, one protruding from the mattress
and the other agonisingly disappeared to where the sun never shines. Unable to
remove the spring from his derrière, Judy called 999. The mirth of the
operator, the ambulance crew, nursing staff and the doctor hardly helped.
Eventually the inner spring was removed much to Kenny’s utter embarrassment.
Beryl:
Wedding Day: This is the final chapter of Beryl’s book,
the end of the story Roma has been telling Beryl, her daughter. Sam Samuels,
Ru’s father wanted to break up their relationship and threatened to be at Roma
and Ru’s wedding with a shotgun. The preparation for the wedding began early in
the day, with hairdressing, make-up and wedding dress before the cars arrived
to take Roma to the synagogue. There was no Sam, so the wedding ceremony went
ahead despite all the stress and worry caused.
Liliane:
In the Peace of the Evening: Kitty and Bobby were in
reflective mood as they had their nightcaps. They had had a good life, both
would be seventy on their next birthdays. They recalled Lea who died in a motor
accident, the lunatic who shot Steven and killed Bee. How their home had been a
‘Welcome House’ for the family. Now having emigrated to Sydney they looked
forward to enjoying the peace. Then the doorbell rang loudly...
Jane:
Getting Away: Holidays are good for you I told my son Paul
again. He said talk to Michelle who gave me that tight lipped look. She
recalled Habib in Turkey who took a liking to me then took her daughter for a
walk. She told the police he’d kidnapped her. And it wasn’t my fault when the
tent blew away when we went camping. They are doing a staycation this year Michelle
said with twitching eye. It only happens when I visit, Paul said. Wonder if
there are mental health issues in her family.
Derek:
I Saw Her Standing There: A story showing the passing of time. I
first saw her four years ago, sobbing in grief, a good looking woman, black
hair laced with invading grey. Passed her in Michaelmas then spoke on the Ides
of March. The year passed through hot August, October and Christmas. At spring
drilling we chatted then on May Day shared a jug of ale. She accompanied to the
Midsummer Ball and by Harvest Supper we found it hard to keep our distance.
Les:
Three Poems: It’s always difficult summarising poetry but
Les’s three are terrific. Caesar’s
Farewell – Beware the Ides of March.. et tu Brutus.. the brutal pain of
treachery as I face my Gods. Romance in
the Dordogne – A line of poplars, dappled sunlight telling the story of a
long lost love. Distant Hills, Bordeaux cafes... Hotel Vouvre... I wonder where
she is now. Dreams to Treasure – I dreamed
a dream of nymphs cavorting in a stream, beautiful women begging for more, to
wake alone on the floor! Body like a Grecian God, but I’m just a flabby old
sod!
Tony:
A Walk in the Green Forest: This comes from Chapter Three of Tony’s
‘Sword of the Kings.’ In this, Hunions is off in search of Blind Eye MacPherson.
He survived an unsuccessful attack on his life by Lieto and Uriah. Eventually
he met Knott and told him he was looking for Blind Eye MacPherson who had a
female companion. Knott gave directions in strides, left turns and right that
eventually took him to his quest but after discussion, Blind Eye MacPherson
shut the door in his face.
So another excellent evening of entertainment and creative genius...
Good luck to Susie who is moving
into her new home next week.
Our next meeting is on
Tuesday 4th March when the homework assignment is to write up to
1,000 words on your husband, your wife or your partner. Obviously this can be
complete fiction or as truthful as you dare to be...!
Keep Scribbling!
Dave.
