Felixstowe Scribblers Meeting Report for 18th March 2014.
In attendance: Caz, Carolyn, Suzy G, Tony, Beryl, Barry, Liliane, Richard, Les, Jane, Dick, Dave and two new members, Linda and Tom.
Apologies were received from Susie H, Cathy, Derek, Clive, Katy and Martin.
Our new competition began tonight with the Jack Wilkinson Memorial Trophy. With basic rules similar to Bill Budner’s, members read out their own work then, chose their favourite story. Remember, writing children’s stories is a completely new concept for the Scribblers but at least we tried and, I think, succeeded! What better start to the evening than Caz opening with her moving poem to her son:
A star was born when you arrived
Twelve short years ago
A baby boy so wonderful
With so much love to show
You were a very special child
And beyond compare
With your loving, gentle ways
That in one so young is rare
We should follow your example
And share all that we can
You gave us much to think about
Our generous, caring, little man
As you travelled along life’s path
So many friends you found
That’s why we all miss you now
You’ve left your mark around
So well mannered and friendly
People noticed what you'd do
All those you met along the way
We’re proud just to know you
Thinking of others before yourself
Showing compassion and care
Never taking things for granted
All that you had you’d share
You always had a willing smile
Despite all you’ve been through
Darling Jack I would like to say
It is a privilege just loving you
The stories in order of reading
:
Liliane: Little Rosa: Little Rosa was unhappy after she overheard Grandma say that they had hoped for a boy after the two girls. Rosa was sure there was a wolf in the woods behind the Motel where she lived. She felt unwanted; her parents were busy running it. Her sisters were older and helped but Rosa was left out. Unlike her sisters Rosa was a solemn child, sallow complexion and thin and her mother remarked she was a difficult child. In kindergarten she was well behaved but had difficulty making friends and even Rosa’s parents ignored her teachers concerns. ‘You should be glad she’s a good girl.’ they said. Poor Rosa.
Barry: Up There: ‘Space.’ Miss Sanders said to her class of seven year olds where all known planets were displayed on the ceiling. The planet surrounded by rings was Saturn she said, the blue one, Uranus. The class roared. She had forgotten the new pronunciation. The headmaster entered his eyes green with anger. Uranus was his home planet and he took them up on a field trip. Two indecipherable words and a flash of light and they were there in the dark and shivering. He explained the reasons, uttered those strange words again and the children were safely back in school.
Jane: The Little Tiny Monster: Jack sat by the tree whilst his mum queued for ice-cream. He heard a high pitched voice calling, ‘Jack. Over here.’ It was a large black insect who said ‘I’m the Little Tiny Monster and I live in this tree.’ Jack liked him and put him in his pocket as he collected his ice cream. His mum saw a black thing on the ice cream and knocked it out of Jack’s hand. The ice cream flew into a woman’s lap. The dog she was holding bolted into the cafe and caused mayhem. Jack picked up the Little Tiny Monster and said ‘It’s time to go home.’
Dick: Samantha’s Return: With their brief holiday at end the home going mates thanked Sir Sydney for financing a respite from humans. Chief Engineer Jock McSock helped each one into the gleaming metal tube then slammed the vault-like door closed. Samantha began her journey back to the Buckland’s house via the washing cycle of the machine. Doreen emptied the clothing into a basket when she noticed a white tennis sock. ‘Hey Mum! That missing tennis sock is back!’ Fortunately her mother had kept all the odd socks and soon re-united it with Sandra, the other sock and relayed tales of Talcum Downs, Cat’s Backs, Breezy Lines and the Conditioner Ponds. Such a lovely holiday.
Tony: Miracle at Gifford’s Cross: Five year olds were banished from the school nativity plays after the events of the previous year. Joseph had widdled on the stage, the front half of the donkey slipped in it knocking the Virgin Mary into the crib. As she fell her foot caught Joseph in the face and he staggered into the three shepherds who were fighting. They knocked over the screen resulting in two of the wise men falling off the stage, knocking over the aquarium and killing all the school’s tropical fish. Such is entertainment. On with this year’s show...
Beryl: The Present: Billy opened one eye. It was still dark and he’d promised not to open his stocking until it was light. Perhaps he could just feel it. And that’s what he did until a voice squeaked not to squash him. It was a little nellifant called Humphrey, very sad because he had spoked and Father Christmas told him not to. Billy heard a dark brown voice and asked if it was Brown Ted, his teddy bear. Brown Ted wanted a proper name like Humphrey who suggested he should be called George. George said they could share Billy’s bed, one each side.
Dave: The Big Adventure: Timmy and Peter set off on a trolleybus ride to Rushmere Heath where their adventures begin. Playing games, throwing golfers balls away, watching the wildlife before finding a tin of ten shilling notes and a handgun. Soon the police are on the heath and the boys plan their escape only to be confronted by a policeman followed by a ride in a police car.
Les: Barney and Boo: Barney was bored like puppies sometimes are. The farmyard was quiet as he looked for something to do. In the barn he spotted the strangest thing ever, half his size, a bright green body, yellow ears and a large hooked nose. Barney shouted ‘Boo’ in its ear startled it. ‘What’s your name?’ but he hadn’t got one so Barney named him Boo. Boo tried being a scary monster but couldn’t be. Barney decided to train him and so began the strangest friendship that led to adventures and mishaps.
Richard: What Shall We Call It?: Suppose it’s a boy, suppose it’s a girl. What shall we call it? The boy’s names flowed, Sonny, Jocelyn, Gavin and even Vladimir. Don’t be daft was the response. Jim or Tim, Peregrine, maybe Tarquin. Or Colin, like her Dad. Girls then. Melanie, Molly or Polly, how about Rosa? Sandra? Old fashioned names like Doris or Ethel? Maybe Dawn or Ingrid even Lucinda? Okay a unisex name, Evelyn, Lindsay, Hilary. No, I like Georgiana came the response... I give up.
Suzy G; Hats: Tom went to stay with Aunt Emily but his mother had not packed his Game boy, computer or laptop and Aunt Emily didn’t have television! What boredom it would be. His aunt brought him a hat box to play with! Hats!!! Disgusted he tried on a crown and became a warrior with a spear, Lord of a tribe of forty who ran into battle to reclaim their land and stolen possessions. At bed time he remembered the Indian headdress, a Davy Crockett bearskin and couldn’t wait until the morning!
Derek (read by Suzy): Desmond The Last Dinosaur on Earth: Desmond is a dinosaur, and lives in a Game Reserve in Africa and is the last dinosaur on earth. Monty the Meerkat takes Desmond to Jubto in his flying machine. The sky is green, the ground blue with chocolate trees and liquorice bushes. He climbs a jelly hill, walks through white wood and knocks on a pink door. It is nothing like Earth. Desmond decides to stay and so there are no dinosaurs living on Earth.
The winner – after Caz had the casting vote following a tie - was a very surprised Beryl who had never won anything before! A well deserved winner and congratulations to her. Caz presented both the trophy and the certificate of achievement.
With time slipping away both our new members Linda and Tom read samples of their work.
Linda said that it is many years since she was in a writing group, but she found it very motivating and hoped to rekindle her love of writing again. On the strength of her descriptive short story ‘Charlie’ she held the attention and left us wanting to hear more.
Tom had attended a creative writing class a long time ago but hadn’t written for ages. He enjoys writing mainly fiction and promptly produced a poem ‘Death of a Seaside Lady,’ a very topical work about Felixstowe and the much lamented Spa Pavilion.
On the evidence of their short work they will both be a bonus to our group.
The Book Festival and our proposed anthology. We have been collecting some quotes for the pricing of an anthology – A5 size, properly bound and with 75 pages, whilst Caz is also investigating some funding, and some artwork for the cover.
As time is running out we need stories and poems from each of you existing members who attend meetings (and maybe one or two who have had to move away from the area in the last few months). It was suggested that our homework assignment should be to write a story for inclusion in the anthology – maybe some of you already have worthy work ready. Under normal circumstances there would be a 1,000 word maximum but this time possibly the word count could be increased to an upper limit of between 1,500 and 2,000 words. It could mean that not everyone will have the opportunity to read their work out, but at least we will start the ball rolling. Good news on that front is that Ruth has agreed to do a foreword for us.
Ruth incidentally posted this on Facebook: Recently I attended a Book Club here in Luxembourg. It made me miss my own group, back in `Stowe, but also feel more at home. I miss home, and long to hear a British voice; the playground is like a meeting of United Nations. Very interesting to see how different cultures dress and I especially like the Urals Chic of the Russians - dark glasses and fur coats. The (few) Brits all seem to favour Superdry! Moi aussi.
Ruth sends her love to the Scribblers and says her next book ‘My Sister & Other Liars’ is on submission right now, so we’ll keep our fingers crossed for her. Remember she read some parts out at our meetings some time ago.
There is a reminder that from 1st April meeting by meeting fees will increase from £3 to £5. Currently there are no plans to increase annual subs.
Tony still requests 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 next meeting is on Tuesday 1st April, usual time, usual place with a. homework assignment is to write a short story or poetry (on any subject) – see details above.
Hope to see you next time,
Keep Scribbling!
