Minutes of Scribblers AGM, held on 20 November 2018
Present: Liliane, Beryl, Dave, Tony, Steve, Kay, Denise (guest),
Anne, Georgina, Liz, Cathy
Apologies: Bridget, Derek, Jim, Gerry
It was pleasing to have such an excellent turn out for the meeting.
Secretary’s report: Cathy gave the following report.
Firstly I’d like to thank our chairman for his constant presence ‘at the
helm’ – even when difficult family matters demanded so much of his time, he
managed to maintain his role in the group. I’m sure I’m not alone in wishing
him years of joy ahead as Grandad, now that his first grandchild Noah, born
this year, is finally home and doing well after a rocky start to life.
I ended my report last year with the wish that Scribblers would continue
to nurture and support local writers, whatever their ability and experience. I
truly believe the group has succeeded in doing precisely that.
Throughout the year we’ve shared and discussed our work. Encouraged each
other when we’ve hit the much dreaded writer’s block. Used the ‘activity’
meetings as sources of inspiration. How many of us have been surprised and
sometimes delighted with the results of flash fiction sessions?
Some members have had books published. Our massive congratulations to
them. We’ve travelled the publishing road with them. Heard readings of their
work and given helpful (we hope!) feedback. Shared their frustrations, and
finally celebrated their successes. Perhaps more of us will follow suit in
2019!
There have been sadness’s too during the year. The sudden passing of our
colleague Mairead was devastating. She was passionate about writing,
encouraging, sharing, and she is so much missed. A friend of mine who knew
Mairead from another writing group summed it up perfectly, I think, when she
said to me ‘Writing defined Mairead.’
Very recently, of course, we have also lost our dear friend Dick
Bradshaw; a stalwart of the group until recent ill health forced him to step
back. There is so much to recall about his writing ability, his powerful
presence, his sense of humour. I’m sure we all have our favourite memories of
him. My strongest personal memory is of him reading out our competition
entries, and how the words came alive under his exceptional narrative skill.
Overall 2018 has been a good year for the group; long may it continue.
Treasurer’s report:
Beryl’s report showed that the group remains solvent – as ever, we thank
her for her work in keeping the books and providing us with her annual report.
Chairman’s report: Dave gave the following report.
As usual, I will try and keep this as brief as I can. I know you are
easily bored!
2018 has been a difficult year for me. As you know it started with my
wife recovering from her knee replacement operation whilst the last three
months have been pre-occupied with my grandson, Noah. It meant spending the
first two months of his life travelling between home and Addenbrooke’s
hospital. Fortunately he is now progressing well so that’s one worry out of the
way!
The year has been saddened by the loss of Mairead in May and Dick just
over a week ago. Very sad times with two of our very talented and well liked
members now part of the great writing team above. We will miss them both.
On a positive side, it has been great to see Derek return to the
fold despite spending half his time on the A1 between Ipswich and Yorkshire.
Seeing Jane at our last meeting was also a real boost. Let’s hope she can
continue to attend when her time permits. Yet more positivity has been the
recent arrivals of Liz, Hazel and more recently Georgina. Three meetings and
two competitions which Georgina has come runner-up. There’s talent for you! If
I’ve missed any newcomers, then I apologise here and now.
It never ceases to amaze me how talented this group really is. This has
been the most memorable period for me – the standard of creative short stories
has never been bettered, I would go as far as to say that on a national level
we must rate up there with the best. Well done and keep it up!
Without the following we could not function properly.
There’s Ruth our honorary president currently Stateside. Cathy
our hard working secretary who manages Scribblers as well as her own group,
the Orwell Writers’ League. Beryl remains the custodian of our
treasures… well, our funds along with the cheques book. Hazel has taken
over the Facebook page from Barry. Liliane ensures our access
to the library regularly collecting the key. Bridget who so
lovingly provided the Crystal Ball in memory of Mairead. Then there’s you.
Especial thanks to everyone who helps setting up the room, clearing up and
washing up! And, of course you, the members, without whom we could never function!
Thankyou!
Highlights of the year? Each meeting seems better than the previous one!
Our attendances are holding up well. There’s Ruth still creating her novels in
the States, and there’s a former regular, Jeanette, who has secured a two book
deal for next year. Both Tony and Anne have their own novels published now
whilst Beryl is on the cusp of receiving the first copy of her own novel based
on her family. We all have that spark within to write and complete our own
novels. Let the next twelve months prove that! Then there are the three in
house competitions in honour of Bill Budner, Jack Wilkinson and now Mairead
Reidy.
The downside? Obviously the loss of Mairead and Dick. For the first time
our shared event with OWL at the Felixstowe Book Festival would have been a
great success but the lack of publicity and the inability within the tight time
schedule to prepare the room or even provide the necessary tables for the Flash
Fiction event left much to be desired. I cannot confirm our attendance next year,
we’ll have to wait and see if we are invited to participate.
Last year I mentioned our display boards. Is there anywhere they can be
used to advertise our group? Maybe one or two of you would like to help provide
regular small features for the local media. It would keep us in the local eye.
So thanks everyone for your support through the year. Long may it
continue! Keep Scribbling!!!
Weblog: Dave reported that hits have decreased this year, but all agreed that
this was not something to concern us greatly.
Election of committee members: current committee members present were
willing to stand again, and the group voted unanimously to retain them. Liz was
voted on (Dave proposed, Cathy seconded) to fill Mairead’s role.
·
Cheque signatory: Cathy was to replace Caz as a
cheque signatory. This has not been actioned yet and must be done as soon as
possible.
·
Membership list: Agreed that we need to hold
telephone numbers and possibly addresses for members in case we need to contact
them urgently. Cathy had contacted members after the 2017 AGM but received very
few responses. Will try again.
Structure of meetings:
·
The provisional programme for 2019 was agreed.
·
Competitions: Will retain two Bill Budner, two Jack Wilkinson, and one
Mairead.
Mairead’s
will be held on the meeting date nearest to Halloween – this falls on 5
November next year.
·
Jack Wilkinson trophy - this is a very popular competition, but several
members agreed that it can be very difficult to judge when we follow the broad
writing remit that it currently has. Dave will ask Caz whether or not she would
be happy for us to devote one of Jack’s trophy nights to a story about children,
and the other to a story for children aged 7 – 11.
·
Homework themes - at next meeting (4 December) each member to bring in
three homework themes to add to our current selection.
Planning for the future:
·
Felixstowe Book Festival – Cathy to replace Mairead as liaison person
with Meg Reid, festival organiser. Agreed in principle that Scribblers would be
prepared to share an event with Orwell Writers’ League if there is not the
opportunity for each group to have its own slot.
·
Anthology: agreed that we will publish a further anthology next year.
Georgina will help Dave and Beryl with the editing process, and we will use
Gipping Press again. Sales – we will investigate alternative outlets for 2019.
Trophy winners’ stories to be included. All stories for inclusion to be with
Dave (emailed) by mid-February. Further details will be forthcoming at future
meetings.
Publicity to boost membership:
·
The consensus was that the group currently is at optimum numbers. With
an average attendance of between 8 and 11, there is always time for feedback
and discussion of work; larger numbers decrease this opportunity, to
everybody’s detriment.
·
Agreed that an annual publicity event would be appropriate. At the time
of the Felixstowe Book Festival, we could hire the library’s £5 per week
display space, to promote our newest anthology, plus books published by our
members.
·
Tony might be involved with Felixstowe Radio again next year – this
could provide us with an opportunity to have readings of some of our work
again.
Social events:
·
Will have the usual post-Christmas meal (Liz to organise), but there was
no interest in having a social event in the summer.
Any other business:
·
Writeathon – Dave suggested that we do an online writeathon – this was
agreed
·
Publishing experiences – at meetings where we have time, then any member
present who has had a book published could share their experiences with us
Meeting closed at 9.10pm.
Next meeting: 4 December, when the theme for the 1000 word homework is ‘They
didn’t even care’
