Felixstowe Scribblers Report of Meeting 19th July

Apologies were received from Judy who is now on an
extension to her 'leave' from Scribblers somewhere, I believe in the Norwegian
area. She expects to be back during September. Lisa is also away on
holiday but should return for our next meeting. Apologies too from Caz
and Jack (see below).

It was welcome back to both Sue and Christine.
Sue, as you will know from previous reports, has had a fascinating holiday in
Canada chasing the Mounties, or was it chasing over the Rockies? Christine has
been on holiday then helped her daughter with a move of home.

Joining them in another bumper attendance this evening
were Kate, Dick, Peter, Les, Liliane, Ann, Louis, Scott, Gordon, Ken, Morag,
Ruth, Diane, Mark, Ellen, Belinda, Mavis, Tony, Alex, Jacky and Dave.

Regarding the size of the group there had only been one email
follow-up since the last meeting and that was from Ann, that if we exceed 15 in
number then we should split the group into two. This would give both groups the
opportunity for feedback on everything written.

However, better management of time produced a nice flowing
meeting that I believe everyone enjoyed. The tea and coffee break was good with
new members and old mixing and conversing in a really lovely atmosphere. There
were feedbacks from the readings and, the main thing was that the meeting still
finished before 10.00pm.

Unless we have another sudden influx of members I think we will
maintain our present format which still allows for two 1,500 open subject
pieces. Any comments in favour or against would be appreciated at scribblers@ntlworld.com

Spotted Jacqui Loose outside the library chatting to
Belinda. Jacqui, of course, produced that wonderful work 'in collaboration' with
the Scribblers for her fine art degree. This work can be viewed at the Ferry
Boat Inn (see our website http://nar8or.blogspot.com )

There were two surprise visitors to the Scribblers at the start of the
meeting. They were Denise and her mother Mrs Grilli. Denise, who works
for UNESCO (United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in Paris, contacted the Scribblers perhaps two years ago asking for
information on the origins of the name 'Felixstowe'. Our own historian
Doreen Rayner supplied some information and Denise and I then linked up
live on Radio Suffolk courtesy of our friend Rachel Sloane. This evening's visit
was very brief and didn't allow any time to chat with Denise.

Let's all wish Les the best of luck next week as he goes into
hospital for an operation. Just leave the nurses alone Les!!! - and get well
soon.

Caz reports that Jack has had a very tiring week
starting off at Great Ormond Street hospital on Sunday and then, after a day
back in Felixstowe was off to Addenbrooks for another session of chemotherapy.
Poor Jack and Caz must be absolutely exhausted. Let's keep sending out the
wishes for our young member Jack who, in his eleven years, has really been
through the mill.

At the other end of the age scale Allen has not been
with us recently. We understand he isn't too well and can't get here as his lift
(Judy) isn't available at present. Let's think about Allen too and hope that we
will see him again when Judy gets back into the country again.

Morag tells me that the Little Lemur site at www.littlelemur.com announces in their
News section, that the latest novel by best-selling author Morag Clarke, will be
available soon. A great booster for Morag after recent a bout of exploding
washing machines, gas leaks and the worry over daughter Lindsey who was on her
way to work at Great Ormond Street hospital when the terrorists bombs exploded
in London. Fortunately Lindsey was safe. Incidentally we should all congratulate
Morag (and cough up the cash) for completing the Race for Life in London on a
very hot day in a time of just 38 minutes for the 5Km,

You may already have noticed some addtions to our website that
Alex has included. Isn't he doing a great job? By now hee should now be
liasing with Jan about adding a section or page for the forthcoming
Felixstowe Scribblers - Online Jotters section. An invitation will
shortly be sent out to members to join up and respond by email to onlinejotters@yahoo.co.uk It would be
good if you could pass details on to anyone you know with an interest in
writing.

Ken thanked everyone who gave him some really good feedback
on his script 'Coven.' The first episode will soon be sent off with a synopsis
for each of the final two episodes.

And talking of episodes…filming Felixstowe TV's mini drama
serial… has finally begun with the first action taking place last
Sunday. The writers were all present with Tony and three other members of
the cast running up and down Bent Hill about six times in the blazing sunshine.
Spare a thought for Dick and Dave playing the old geezers (according to
Felixstowe TV). They had a terrible time sitting on that seat on the prom
watching the time pass by…

The next scenes will be shot this Sunday (meet outside the
Waverley Hotel at 09.30 and anyone interested in being an extra please meet
there. Also, for current information and mugshots view the website at

http://www.felixstowetv.co.uk/miniserial/.

Does anyone know anything about the Ipswich Writers
group - if it is up and running and when and where the meetings are held,
please?

A date for your diaries. Tuesday 23^rd August
at the Grosvenor in Ranelagh Road Felixstowe - not so much a happy summer social
but more of a farewell for Belinda and Geoff. For those who don't
know, they have been in England for a considerable time researching their family
history in the Ipswich Record Office. Belinda and I chatted about writing and
hey presto, she soon became one of our valued members who now promises to join
the Online Jotters as soon as the invite comes out.

Please will everyone who wishes to come along for a meal and a
drink let me know as soon as possible so that the necessary arrangements can be
finalised. Menu details will follow shortly. Thanks.

***

And so to the readings. (This time without feedback I am
afraid).

Liliane read out 'The Black Cat' and Ruth 'The Woman
Before Me' which were the two open themed subjects.

Louis who selected the topic "Secret Desires" produced
'Curiosity Killed the Cat'. Scott read out 'Lonely' followed by
Gordon and his 'Overcoming the Opposition'.

Ken decided it was safer to do his own homework this time (please see
previous report) and read out 'The Way We Judge'. Mark read out
'A Life Spent
Well'. Diane wrote the first of several works entitled 'Secret Desires'.
Others with the same title were read out by Ellen, Belinda, Mavis and
Christine.

Tony read 'Beyond House and Home', Jacky 'Walberswick in August',
a poem dedicated to the memory of Gary Unwin Rose who drowned two years ago.
Dave shared 'Just One More Time' and Kate another entitled 'Secret
Desire', whilst Alex read 'In the Bunks at Night' his distinctive
style.

Sue read out her poem 'What Nonsense' and Dick, 'Let Me Be
Noticed'. Peter shared his 'Desires or Wishes' whilst Les and Ann
both read out work entitled 'Secret Desires'.

Morag read Jan's 'Secret Desires : In confidence.

Dave read Margareta's 'Why I shall not reveal my secret desire -
yet.'

Quite a diverse evening and one which was devoid of the kind of secret
desires that were expected!

The new homework assignment is 'Sunday Fun' set by
Dave from a notice on the wall of the children's section of the Library
where we are currently gathering. There is a strict maximum of 500
words for this whilst the open themed work will be read by Sue and
Ken with a maximum word count of 1,500.

From now onwards every member, in turn, will be offered to the
opportunity to write a 1,500 word story in future. And a diary will be kept for
this.

Our next meeting is in two weeks time on Tuesday 2^nd
August at the usual 7.30pm start time.

Until then,

Keep Scribbling and sending out your thoughts to those in
need..

Dave.