Felixstowe Scribblers 2021

The days have sped by since the last meeting - at least we have managed to endure a couple of days or so of sunshine! Really perks you up!

Next Tuesday, 18th March we host the first Jack Wilkinson Memorial Trophy for attending members only. Run on slightly different lines to the BB trophy, the quest is to write up to 1,000 words as a story (or poem) for children.or, alternatively, a story that has a child as an integral character. Members will be asked to read out their own work before choosing their favourite story of the evening. When votes have been cast the writer with the top marks will be presented with the trophy which will be held for six months. In the event of a tie then Caz will have the casting vote. It will not need to be engraved as the winner will also be presented with a certificate for their achievement. The meeting starts at 7.30pm.

Please note that I made an error in saying that Derek's work could be read out as an entry despite him being away on holiday. It was my mistake and on this occasion his entry will be allowed.

After the last meeting notes were sent out I received the following from Cathy which referred to those notes:

'I just have to say I agree completely with Dave's comments - it was an amazing session. Thank you everyone for making it so thought provoking, albeit in very different ways.'

I understand the Felixstowe Book Festival programme will soon be available - we all need to talk about the anthology and hopefully a few minutes can be allotted at Tuesday's meeting.

Hope to see you all at the meeting on Tuesday.

Until then,

Keep Scribbling!!!

Felixstowe Scribblers Meeting Report for 4^th March 2014.

In attendance: Caz, Barry, Suzy G, Derek, Martin, Tony, Cathy, Beryl, Liliane, Richard, Dick and Dave.

Apologies were received from Carolyn, Clive, Katy and Susan F.

It was nice to see Suzy back with us again after missing a number of meetings. Along with everyone else she helped to make this yet another fantastic meeting, Maybe the subject matter helped make it so but it brought out so many true and touching words, flash fiction, blank verse and creative fiction. This is what our Felixstowe Scribblers circle is all about. It is just a shame that there were some faces missing but, as they say, c’est la vie.

Something to look forward to is the new competition for the Jack Wilkinson Memorial Trophy. The basic rules are that the competition is open to members only, up to q 1,000 words or poem for children or, alternatively, a story that has a child included as an integral part of the story. Members will be able to read their own work out then, like the Bill Budner competition, you will choose your favourite. When votes are counted then the person with the top marks will be awarded the trophy. In the event of a tie then Caz will have the casting vote. The trophy will not be engraved; instead the winner will receive a certificate for their achievement.

There is a reminder that from 1^st 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.

A new book by Ray under his nom de plume of Jack Giles 'Rebel Run' is now available via Kindle or e-reader.Although listed as a western - this is not a run of the mill book. It is set against the backdrop of the American Civil War when a bunch of Confederate soldiers escape from a prison of war camp. Although fiction the Regiments, Battles and some of the named characters were real - ie: 'Stonewall' Jackson etc.

Thank you everyone for loaning me their homework which makes enjoyment of meetings and ease of note making so much better.

Now for the much awaited revelations on married life!

Caz: Mr & Mrs: Just over two years ago my husband and I were invited to the wedding of Tae and Gill. The invitation came at a difficult time and whilst we both intended to attend, I did not wish to take my grief to the happy event so did not go. Gill dosed herself with drugs before her marriage as she had relapsed from her cancer. I had a friend who allowed the couple to stay at their house in Portugal free of charge, a lovely gesture. Recently my sister phoned to say that dear Gill had passed away. Karl and I attended the humanist funeral. Just thirty six years old and someone who always had a smile, we were able to say goodbye to her. In their short time together she had made her husband Tae so happy. Now she has gained her angel wings.

Dave: Should I?: Here was a tale about me, a married man who notices some change in my wife Jenny, early in our marriage. One day she drops her mobile and I hear it ringing. The display shows someone called Tony. Her secret is out. I go out and get drunk. Crash out on the sofa. Next morning Jenny is still asleep in bed, laying on her back. I take a pillow and as I start to cover her face her eyes open... (and no folks, this is not true!).

Suzy G: Two: Blank verse: A marvellous piece of verse that we ensured was read twice. The first lines are, When 2 feet turn 2 pedals, turn 2 wheels, there’s wind in the air and freedom of the road. The verse continues placing bricks and mortar with 2 hands; then 2 oars dip together the boat rides the tide; when the fiddle and 2 ears listen; when one joins with one they form one more 2, sometimes 2 can become one more version of one.

Martin: Five poems: Flash fiction: Together: Each season of the year mentioned, in a world full of wonder and excitement, of babies kicking inside, azaleas blaze a fiery red, and snowflakes fall as we say goodnight from this world to the next: Hand in hand together, my woman: Monument to the Women of World War Two: Martin visited the monument in Whitehall and was struck by its simplicity – then wondered how some of today’s young women would cope in similar situations. I was Audrey Hepburn’s double: I was lucky to get the part. It didn’t pay very much but I gt to keep the black Givenchy dress. I struggled with my weight, she was lucky to be so slim. I found out she lived in Arnhem in the war and deserved her breakfast at Tiffany’s, Ghost Town: The town where I was born died and they buried it in a field. Martin names the companies that have closed and been lost, they are typed in the shape of a cross. It would make a wonderful permanent monument in the town – Ipswich. Untitled: Martin’s final piece is entered in a competition and cannot be published in whole or part until after the competition.

Richard: Oh What a Lovely Dress: Peter valued his morning ritual saying ‘Bye’ to his wife before he walked to the sociology department where he remained a lecturer. A builder’s merchant was delivering roof trusses to a neighbour and Mrs Eliott needed help to drive past the lorry. ‘I’ve got nothing against women as such...’ The driver said. Peter reflected on those words. The eureka moment that could be the cornerstone of his career. At a social departmental gathering Peter’s students observed and recorded guest’s conversations. A woman in a party frock scrutinizes another woman’s party frock for between five and eight seconds. A survey of males showed they took no notice of their fellows’ appearances. On average a wife speaks three hundred and sixty three words a minute at a drinks party, the men, just thirty seven. Peter’s work, ‘Some insights into the male female nexus,’ was published and provided his promotion.

Tony: Flight of the Eagle: Shinola stood upon the huge rock and cursed the heavens. Then she cursed the inhabitants of the city her army was laying siege to, the trebuchet that launched the rock she stood on and finally she cursed fate for her husband who was crushed beneath that very rock. ‘Carry your servant Ankara to dwell in heaven that I may join him at some later time.’ She took his sword and declared herself Chieftain of the Eagle then led her army to the city sewers and a tunnel entrance. Her troops advanced though the city until they discovered the army encampment and the trebuchets. She attacked. The fighting was brutal and losses great on both sides. Just after the sun had risen both sides stopped fighting and stared to the sun, obscured by the silhouette of an eagle rising to the heavens.

Liliane; Sixty Years of Bliss – Well Almost: It’s 60 years since I married Frans and so we celebrate here on the Riviera with all our descendants. We married in 1900 as twenty year olds and through those years there have been two world warsand many changes. When Frans was out fishing I had an affair with my step-brother Gerard and was never sure who was my Jan’s father. We had four other children definitely Frans’s. Jan was a punishment for my sins, he had a boy over in the Congo by a native girl. All our children did all right though and I have almost lost count of the number of our grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Frans doubted travelling here for our celebrations but is enjoying it with our memories and all the young ones around.

Barry: Kindred Spirit: Laura 5’6”, 37 GSOH looking for an Ian Hislop type. Humour is important, I was interested as I had been trying to date all the lonely heart ladies in the paper. She was a potential friend, lover. I checked my dating lists to make sure we hadn’t met before and, if we had, what name I used. I dialled the paper’s number and left my message, Adrian, 5’9”, GSOH and my phone number. Eventually she called back, left her phone number and I returned the call to arrange a date. We met in the Queens Arms car park, I thought this could be the one. We chatted until the barmaid closed the pub. We had a connection. I never looked at the Lonely Hearts column again. That was 30 years ago. Laura is my Kindred spirit.

Beryl: A Complex Man: Beryl thoughtfully provided a reading aid for the Yiddish words in her story. Bascha begins working in Sam’s delicatessen shop where the customers are exclusively female and only want serving by the owner himself. Mrs Klein seems upset when she arrives and is asked what is troubling her. Her daughter Maisie is getting married in June and is moving out of London she says. ‘When will I see her again?’ Sam asks where Maisie is moving to and she says Stoke Newington, in the middle of fields. Sam replies it is not far away and anyway by the time they are married there will be a bus from Whitechapel to Stoke Newington. Mrs Klein gathers her order and leaves the shop much happier than when she arrived. Bascha says how kind Sam is to his customers.

Dick: Marrying Julie Andrews: My late wife and I hailed from Palmers Green and I can still remember our first meeting. She was frantically digging the garden in front of her Aunt’s house. She came from the North Circular Road area, had the looks of a happy Julie Andrews and appeared a fun sort of person. She told me her name was Ann. Later I asked my father to visit her Aunt to see if Ann would help with refreshments at the church dramatic society. She agreed, then at the after show party we got to know each other. I received regular invites to tea at her parents house and then eighteen months later on Christmas morning at home, and with both sets of parents present, I got down on one knee and asked Ann to marry me. To my utter joy she said ‘yes’.

Derek: The Blue in My Sky: This is such a moving work I hope I can do justice with my few words. I was sown in your midnight kiss, when trousers flared and grew long, we dance slow so close that night as love blossomed. An exchange of vows I stood, a sapling tall, upright. You were the blue in my sky. Then came the headaches, the illness. Cancer creeps up. You fought it with courage, dignity, humour and our love grew stronger in the time we had left. That Arctic chill when you slipped away in deepest sleep, my roots withered in total despair. But time mends if minds allow, I must live for you, for you are the blue in my sky. A true and moving account.

Cathy: What Can I Tell You?: The cop glared at me, sympathy gone. I glance at Craig’s body on the floor and ask that the police cover him up. I sit at the kitchen table opposite the cop who wants to know about my husband. He said ‘You’ve just killed your husband, called 999, gave us the knife and said you’d killed the bastard.’. I could tell him, instead pulling out Craig’s laptop, opening it up, I entered his password. Pictures of child abuse are repugnant, but when the image is your own child... ‘He was a paedophile officer,’ I said and I know the cop understands why I did what I did.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday 18^th March when we will compete for the new competition, the Jack Wilkinson Trophy. The homework assignment is to write up to 1,000 words on any subject for a children’s story – see details above..

Until then,

Keep Scribbling!