Meeting report

Minutes of Scribblers meeting held on Tuesday 05 June 2016

Present:  Dave, Mairead, Beryl, Jim, Dick, Steve, Mel, Richard, Liliane, Cathy, and new member Di
Apologies: Carolyn, Caz, Jane, Gerry

Business: 
We welcomed new member Di to the meeting, each of us giving her a brief personal history of our writing interests and journeys. As the evening progressed she appeared to enjoy what she saw and heard – we look forward to welcoming her back.

FBF feedback.
Several complaints about the complexity of getting tickets for festival events. Dave will contact Meg on the group’s behalf, to see if the system could be simplified next year.
Poor attendance for our events. We weren’t alone in having low attendance numbers – some published authors did too. For next year, we agreed that we need to actively promote the events ourselves.
Mairead and Cathy were able to give positive feedback for the Scribblers events at the festival. The ‘Start the day with a story’ was fun, and the flash fiction event in the afternoon went extremely well – lots of strong writing. By that point in the festival (4.30 on Sunday), everyone was a bit weary – had the flash fiction been held in the morning, there would probably have been more attendees, and livelier discussion. That said, those who did attend thoroughly enjoyed it, and comments about the event were very favourable. Thanks must go to Dave for providing the ‘prompt’ words for flash fiction – though not all writers appreciated their selection!

Dave thanked Cathy for all the work she’d put into the festival on Scribblers’ behalf, and presented her with two bouquets of flowers. This rendered her momentarily speechless, (actually, overcome), but as she said, those members of the group who supported Scribblers at the festival deserved thanks too – she couldn’t have done it without them.

An employee of Red Rose Chain theatre company (who’d attended the flash fiction), contacted Cathy after the festival to say that writing groups who make group bookings to attend the production of The Tempest at Jimmy’s Farm between 26 July and 28 August will be entitled to a discount. Please liaise with either Dave or Cathy if you are interested in planning this.

Thanks as ever to Mairead for our chocolate biscuit fix – and the Maltesers!

Readings of homework, themed ‘It makes a change’

Beryl – part of her novel. A section called The Club, based in 1906

Mairead – Mighty Landguard Fort

Dick – A watery discussion

Liliane – an excerpt from her fictional family tale. Excerpt entitled Seashells and endless summer

Mel – Brief encounter

Steve – A positive interaction

Jim – First impressions
5 year old Gavin tells us about his first day at school. His teacher Mrs Wilson who has purple hair is beautiful, his new 'bestest' friend is Monty who is prepared to swap his Monster Munch, and not all girls are stupid!

Dave – Families, one out all out
It makes a change getting my own way. The football, drinks in the local afterwards, then late home. Mother-in-law arranged a date for my wife Carol with a wealthy banker and they went off canoodling on the cliffs. I’d had a good time doing my thing, so why shouldn’t she?

Richard – Maggie and Roger

Next meeting is on 19 July, when we will be competing for the Bill Budner Trophy. This is always an excellent evening, with Scribblers rising to the challenge and coming up with some stunning work. Link to information about the competition can be found at the top of this weblog/