Report of Meeting Held 1st February 2005

Apologies for absence were received from Judy, Doreen who has a League Friends Hospital committee meeting, Sharon, Keith on a London course, Avril, whilst both Caz and Les were unwell.

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In Attendance : Our special guest Chris, from Felixstowe TV, along with Scott, Alex, Gordon, Ken, Belinda, Morag, Richard, Peter, Sue, Tony, Dick, Dave and a special welcome back to Christine and also to Liliane after her visit to Australia.

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Members and Other News:

Felixstowe TV and the mini-soap series. Chris explained how Felixstowe TV currently operates. If you haven't already viewed the site then please do so at the very interesting felixstowe TV site It has no fictional dramatic content but this is what hris would like to remedy, and that's where the Scribblers come in!

He explained his exciting plan to produce between six and ten episodes of a drama, obviously locally based, with each part running between five and ten minutes maximum. The theme is completely open and could involve more than one story line. Once the plots have been agreed then it would involve a meeting with Chris, before being passed to local amateur actors with Tony's help, for the scripts to be learned and then filmed on location in Felixstowe. He would be looking for increasing numbers of viewers as the series progress.

Obviously care would have to be taken over the content and language in the scripts and whether or any children would be included. There should be no great problem finding actors to play the parts,

It was agreed that we should have at least three parts written before going for filming. Chris intends to release each episode on a weekly basis so this is where we must ensure that we don't slip up. We would have to ensure these production targets are met.

It was agreed that the homework set from this evenings meeting would be for around 250 words or so on our personal ideas for possible scenes / scripts. These will be discussed and brain stormed to agree a theme and plan the next stages.

There is a lot of excitement in the group! Perhaps this could prove the first step to a new career for us all!

Visit felixstowe tv for yourself at http://www.felixstowetv.co.uk/.

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The New Year Social Evening at the Grosvenor was another exceptional success. Twenty-four of us including members and partners in our own room which was divided into three tables of eight that communication a little easier than the times when we have been on one long table. The venue itself was easy to reach with a car park immediately opposite but not quite as easy as Les and Joan who live but a couple of doors down the road. The food was good and so too was the company! Despite the snow outside, it was a great night and one we hope will be repeated during the summer months. Thanks to Caz for arranging the evening.

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Talking of Caz she was live on BC Radio Suffolk last Friday nominating the Grosvenor for the 'Salt and Pepper Award' on Rachel Sloane's afternoon show.

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This may seem to some as Caz's own report, but once again she has topped us all with two poems being read out on Radio Suffolk during January and being described as their 'Poet in Residence'!

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It was nice to see Allen at the meal, thanks to Judy and Ron who provided his transport. Allen is currently working on his autobiography which will span from the 1930's to date. I'll bet it will be a cracking good read if some of the homework he has shared with us, is anything to go by!

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Now the website demands special mention. As you will be aware, Alex has been working hard on our website and has now been slipping in some images and photographs as well. There may be some other pictures added in the near future too - the pre Xmas meeting at the Library and the party at Geoff and Belinda's.

The site also contains Judy's LIVING WITH THE THAI HILL TRIBES which shewould like feedback on. I know she has had two personal responses so far and here is also a comment on the website too. Please, if you have a few minutes spare, have a read and let Judy know what you think. It is a good read!

The ite is looking more professional and will go from strength to strength once we have omain name. A reminder the site can be viewed at

felixstowe scribblers website

Comments and suggestions direct to Alex, please on any aspect of the site.

alexpricea@hotmail.com

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It is noticeable how Richard has been coming up with some terrific work lately, could it possibly be anything to do with the course he is on - the Open University 'Start Writing - Fiction'?

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Rexie, Gordon's wife, has been raising money for the Children of Pulilan Foundation in the Philippines. They recently staged a karaoke in which Gordon was sponsored to 'sing' a dozen songs. Gordon thanked everyone who sponsored him.

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Alex celebrated his 35^th birthday last Friday at 'The Alex' on
Felixstowe Sea Front. As the Scribblers were unable to attend, Belinda kindly baked a special birthday cake for a belated celebration - candles included!

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Don't forget that if you want to sample a modern adult type novel or a book of poetry by Dee Rimbaud then contact Dave. These are available in pdf files and would be forwarded in that format.

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Similarly, to the Mills and Boon readers amongst the group - there surely must be some! - they are on the lookout for new writers and have sent a comprehensive 22 page set of guide lines. Again anyone interested contact Dave.

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A reminder that a 50 pence fee per meeting operates from now. This entitles everyone to a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit.

Will everyone please bring their own mugs with them for future
meetings…

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The homework assignment….

With Les calling off sick, Tony read one of the four parts of his well-scripted play "Floating in the Wind". Dick, Sue and Belinda read the other parts.

This was an enjoyable play, with clear, crisp dialogue, and, unless the listener caught on at the very outset of the play, all was later revealed at the end that the characters were all dead - spirits in the
afterlife.

Easy to listen to and visualise the characters as one would in a radio play, it would obviously have provided a great deal more had we watched it performed on stage. It told the story of the four from childhood and on through their lives until their untimely deaths in a coach accident on the way to a West Ham away match at Liverpool.

There was some discussion and comment at the end - well after the applause had died down! Tony would appreciate as much feedback as possible, so if you would like to comment please let him know at the next meeting.

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For the rest of us the subject was "Felixstowe" and Christine opened with "Hamilton Road Prominadus" based on her views looking out of Wimpeys window.

Liliane, just back from Australia, still had the old homework theme about the police and provided a humorous tale called "Cat Rape"!

Peter provided "The Magnetic Ghost" whilst Sue read out Margareta's "Felixstowe Magic Necklace".

Richard read Caz's "Felixstowe" and Ken delivered "The Applicant". Alex provided "Spirit of Felixstowe" and Belinda wrote about a character "Felix Stowe."

Dick wrote of "Self Sufficient Walton" whilst Tony
recited a short poem "I Must Go to the Sea Again".

Scott wrote about the "Felixstowe Sunday Market" whilst Gordon managed to peck his way through the laughter with "Felixstowe". Dave rounded it off with "Diary of a Traffic Enumerator."

Apologies to Doreen whose lovely contribution was not read out but I hope she won't mind it being pasted in below.

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The next Scribblers meeting will be on February 15th at
7.30pm

The homework is to write your idea for the Felixstowe TV soap either as dialogue, story or thoughts.

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A committee meeting will be held at Caz's on the 8^th at 7.30 pm.

Keep Scribbling,

Dave