Formed over forty years ago, our Writers Circle is based in Felixstowe, Suffolk. Meetings are held in The Room at the Top in Felixstowe Library, normally on the first and third Tuesday of each month commencing at 7.30pm and finishing by 10.00pm. Check this weblog for details of meetings.

There is an annual November to November fee of £30, April to November is £20 and June to November £15. For members preferring to pay at each meeting the charge is £5 per meeting. To contact Felixstowe Scribblers simply email scribblers.1@btinternet.com or the Secretary, catherine.stafford1@ntlworld.com

Sunday 27 November 2016

No meeting this week...

Just a different kind of reminder this time. There is no meeting this week. Our next Scribblers meeting will be on Tuesday December 6th when the 1,000 homework assignment will be 'How to make a profit.'

That will give you a little more time than usual to come up with your story...

Remember, if the subject is not to your liking then please feel free to bring along any story of your own...

Until next time,

Keep Scribbling!!!

Dave

Tuesday 15 November 2016

The AGM

It was quite a meaningful and well attended meeting that covered many points and, in places, lively discussions took place.

Details will be forwarded round by our secretary in due course.

Our next meeting is in three weeks time on Tuesday 6th December when the homework assignment is "How to Make a Profit." I think we all want to know the answer to that one!

Until then,

Keep watching this space...

The Scribe.


Sunday 13 November 2016

Our AGM etc

Just a reminder once again about our AGM on Tuesday which I hope you can attend. It will provide you with a chance to comment and shape our future. Remember the meeting starts at 7.30 so hope you will come along.

I am also passing on details about the last ever Mash Stories... so sad to see it disappear. You can view its finale  here.

There are also details of a Welsh Poetry competition which can be seen  here

Until Tuesday,

Keep Scribbling!!!


Friday 11 November 2016



"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them". 

Thursday 10 November 2016

Our AGM

Hi Scribblers!
Next week we hold our Annual General Meeting in The Room at the Top. The meeting is due to start at 7.30pm and hopefully items on the Agenda will be discussed with any suggestions (nice ones please!!!) for improvements or additions made. 

Our treasurer has reminded us that it is time for the annual membership fees to be collected... this remains at £30 for the year which I thinks is very reasonable considering it is to cover the cost of hire of our meeting place. If you are paying by cheque then please make it payable to FELIXSTOWE SCRIBBLERS. Thank you.

FELIXSTOWE SCRIBBLERS
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
7.30 PM TUESDAY 15th NOVEMBER 2016
THE ROOM AT THE TOP
FELIXSTOWE LIBRARY


THE AGENDA

    
1    Secretary's Report.

2    Treasurer’s Report.

3    Chairman’s Report.

4    Weblog Report.

5    Ratification of existing committee and or election of new officers and signatories.

6    Introduction of a membership list.

7    Structure of Meetings:

i)  Alterations to frequency of Bill Budner  and Jack Wilkinson trophies.
                                          ii) 1000 word homework and themes.
iii) Selection of eras and places for historical, geographical and genre themes.
iv)  Ghost/Halloween homework.
v) Suggestions.

8     Planning for the future:
i)             The Felixstowe Book Festival 2016.

9    Publicity to boost attendances.

10  Social Events.

11  Any Other Business.

It is hoped that once the AGM has ended there will be time for a short flash fiction session.
So until the AGM ...
Keep Scribbling!!!
Dave
ps here are some items that might interest you.

***

To read the latest MASH news click here

 ***
Ahoy All,

Get those quills in gear 'cos the next Ipswich writers' cafe is:

* on Monday 21st November
* starting 7:30pm
* at La Tour Cycle Cafe on 17 Tower Street

 ***
Felixstowe Library Newsletter
November 2016
Bookfest
It's good to report that Suffolk Libraries had another successful Bookfest in October.  Here at Felixstowe we were thrilled to welcome author Elly Griffiths who gave a very entertaining talk  about how she made the move from working in publishing to writing novels.  Elly's first books were written under her maiden name Domenica De Rosa. She changed to  Elly Griffiths when she started to write her Norfolk-based crime novels. Elly also spoke of how her Grandfather's variety background inspired her new Stephens and Mephisto series of books, the third of which, The Blood Card, she launched here at the event.  
Chatterbooks
This autumn we're pleased again to be working with local children who come once a month for a Chatterbooks session. The children are given library cards if they don't already have them, a special bag and book themed goodies. Most of the children aren't regular library visitors so this is our chance to show them what we offer.  Our main aim is to get them hooked on books by sharing stories, chatting about them and helping them to choose books for themselves.  Sessions always include practical activities and fun!   At the moment we are working with Langer Primary Academy and Causton Junior School.
Christmas Cards
If you like to buy charity Christmas cards then why not drop by to look at our selection of Cards for Good Causes? They are selling well so don't leave it til the last minute!
Once again the Scouts are delivering cards locally and their post box will be in the library between 25th November and 8th December.  It costs just 25p per card.
Future Events
Craft Fair
If you enjoy selling your own handmade craft items you might be interested in our Craft Fair on Saturday 3rd December from 10 til 3. It costs just £5 for a space - you need to bring your own table. Phone the library if you would like to book. If you know of anyone who might be interested do pass the message on. On this day too we will have another table of donated books for sale.  Our last Book Mountain at the end of September raised a fantastic £491.55 and this will be used for improvements to our library.
Suffolk Libraries Presents
Film showings of live productions are still proving really popular here at the library.  Our latest, The Merchant of Venice, has again sold out but we are still taking bookings for New York City Ballet's production of The Nutcrackeron Friday 9th December at 7pm. This is sure to put you in the festive mood. Phone or drop in if you would like a ticket.  All seats £7.50.
Choir
We are delighted that the Felixstowe Community Choir will be coming to sing Christmas songs for us in the library on Saturday 17th December at 11am.  The Community Choir raises hundreds of pounds for local charities, and we hope that as many people as possible will come along and support this fabulous (and free!) performance.
For further information phone us on
01394 694880
Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/felixstowelibrary

Friday 4 November 2016

Meeting report.

Minutes of Scribblers meeting held on Tuesday 1 November 2016

Present:  Dave, Mairead, Liliane, Jim, Barry, Beryl, Steve, Dick, Anne, Jane, Gerry, Di, Daniel, Cathy
Apologies: Carolyn

Business: 
Correction to minutes of last meeting – Jim’s apologies had been omitted – sorry, Jim.

It was pleasing to have such a good number of attendees. We gave a warm welcome to a new member, Daniel, and all shared our writing history and aspirations with him. In turn, he told us that his main interests have been script writing, and that he has an interest in short stories too.

It was also good to see Anne back again after her absence, and to see Dick well enough to join us once more.

Our best wishes to Beryl for her op next week – hope all will go well, and that she’ll be more mobile soon!

Mairead had brought along special edible treats for us, plus one or two ghostly artefacts to get us in the mood for the readings of our spooky tales – thank you Mairead.

The homework last time was to produce an appropriately themed tale for Halloween – and there were certainly some stories which met the remit – great to listen to them all.

Jim: The outing

Dave: Curiosity

Daniel: Mummy’s boys

Jane: A dark night

Di: The project

Anne: Ghost on the Caledonian Sleeper

Mairead: Life of the Halloween party

Dick: Little Miss Sherwood

Liliane: Blind date

Gerry: The bake off

Barry: The camp

Cathy: No escape

Steve: Ghost

Next meeting: this will be the AGM on 15 November. After the official business, (which of course we all hope will be short!), there’ll be a creative writing exercise to enjoy. Just a reminder, too, that subs are due at that meeting – still £30 for the entire year – pretty good value, we think.


Thursday 3 November 2016

For your perusal...

Here are a few items that have dropped into the inbox recently. Hope there is something here to interest you

Dave.

Read Suffolk Libraries November newsletter here 
Read CWA news here

Read MASH newsletter here
***
The Secrets of Story - Wigtown Scotland's National Booktown: 
Join authors Robert Twigger (Angry White Pyjamas, Red Nile) and Jason Webster (A Body in Barcelona) as they reveal the secrets of story for the most innovative creative writing course offered in the UK. Develop ideas and finish that first, second, even third novel. Drawing on lessons that they still use, and together with over 20 books published, The Secrets of Story mixes classes and intensive individual sessions, tutoring 12 lucky participants to grow and develop their work. With the backdrop of the pristine beauty of South West Scotland, and a dozen bookshops on your doorstep, we dare you not to become an author. 
Please note that the fee does not include bed and board. 

Sunday 20 November, evening gathering for all course participants 
Course runs Monday 21 - Friday 25 November 
The Bookshop, Wigtown 

Fee: £250 excluding bed and board 
Accommodation providers in and around Wigtown can be found here: 
http://wigtownbookfestival.com/visit/accommodation 

Places can be booked in our online shop or by calling Wigtown Festival Company on 01988 403222.
***

Tuesday 1 November 2016

Ghosts, ghouls and witches...amongst other things!

Our ghost meetings have always been one of the best supported events of the year and tonight was no exception. With the very best turnout for ages including a new face and a member who has returned to the fold, it was a really excellent evening of eclectic offerings. It is only sad that some members were unable to attend to enjoy the absolute horror of the evening!

Every story was a gem, some very scary and others just frightening! Roll on Halloween 2017 for the next instalment!

Our next meeting will be on 15th November when we take a break from writing and hold our Annual General Meeting which is open to all members.

An agenda will be sent out in the next few days and members are invited to make comment or suggestions that can be discussed fully at the AGM. The meeting will start at 7.30 and it is hoped we can engage in a meaningful discussion over any suggestions that may be forthcoming. Remember, Felixstowe Scribblers belong to you, the members, and you have the opportunity to have your say on how meetings are organised and run.

Hope to see you there!