Felixstowe Scribblers Report of Meeting 20th September

Felixstowe Scribblers Report of Meeting 20^th
September 2005

Apologies were received from Ruth who is having to baby-sit. Sue has had to go to Harwich to collect her son from the ferry after he and a friend had their bikes stolen in Holland. Judy is back in England but unable to make the meeting. Dick is away on holiday. Christine sent her apologies. Jack and Caz were unable to attend after a very tiring time having been first at Great Ormond Street and then at Addenbrooks for the last week. Understandably they are very tired and need time to rest.

A special welcome to Zoe who came along for the first time this evening. Zoe is a poet who has been published in a church magazine. In attendance with Zoe were Alex, Ann, Morag, Liliane, Diane, Scott, Peter, Les, Mark, Gordon, Bill, Belinda, Rachel, Tony, Ken, Mavis, Kate and Dave.

ADIEU BELINDA.

A somewhat sad evening as this was Belinda's last meeting before she and Geoff leave Suffolk at the end of the month to jet off to their other home 'down under'. On behalf of the Scribblers, Morag presented Belinda with a pen as
a small reminder of her days with all her friends here at Felixstowe. It has been both refreshing and rewarding with Belinda in our group. Her contributions to the literary work have been excellent and, along with Geoff, have played
leading roles in our social calendar. Our sincerest thanks to them and the very best of wishes for their future. Future meetings just will not be the same. Stay in touch Belinda, and don't forget to join the Online Jotters!

MESSAGES FROM SCRIBBLERS

I have heard from Richard who is still unable to get along to our meetings but hopes to make his return in the not too distant future.

Our friends Keith and Sharon have wanted to continue attending scribblers, but their work commitments have got in the way and unfortunately continue to do so. Keith's boss asked him to study for his Certificate in Education then placed a Health and Safety course and now that's complete, he's sending him on a Basic Skills level 4 specialism. Keith still teaches photography at the Suffolk College and his evening classes are so popular that he now runs them two evenings a week one being on a Tuesday night.

Sharon 's colleague went off sick towards the end of the academic year, which meant she had to do his teaching as well as her own. The college then decided that there wasn't a need for two psychology lecturers and Sharon is
now the only psychology lecturer in the A level centre and has started this academic year with 160 psychology students!!! She also teaches psychology on both Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

As you can see this means they are unable to come to Scribblers at the moment. Sharon says 'We do miss you all and we have been reading the news letters that you send us, so that we can keep up to date with all that is
happening and we have been taking a particularly special interest in Jack's progress. We are both hoping that one day, we will be able to return will try and complete some of the homework now and again and email it to you. Both Keith and I send our regards to all the scribblers and hope to see you all soon "

Now if they aren't hectic lifestyles, I don't know what is!

THE ONLINE JOTTERS INVITATION

"How many Scribblers have home PC's, are online but yet to join Online Jotters?" asks Jan.

"Here is an Invitation for Ann Belinda Caz Christine Diane Dick Geoff Gordon Jack Judy Kate Ken Les Liliane Lisa Mark Mavis Morag Peter Rachel Ruth Scott Sue and Tony to become members.

"Yours truly asks you to get in touch onlinejotters@yahoo.co.uk All that is required to become a member is your full name e-mail address and location."

There was much interest shown at the meeting and it seems that some will soon be joining our merry little throng. Don't forget to join in the Writers Tennis too. The latest additions are on the website.

TALKING OF THE WEBSITE http://nar8or.blogspot.com

Alex has been adding all sorts of interesting news, competitions and images to the site. He is working very hard on this but has found that some of the comments that are being posted under some items have not been in the best of
taste. Unfortunately the blog system is open to anyone at all to view and add comments. We are considering adding a disclaimer to the website along the lines that 'any offensive comments, or those containing bad or foul language,
derogatory remarks or unconnected issues [such as advertisements] will be removed.' That should cover us both legally and morally.

Alex also informs me that we have now purchased our domain name and the new website will soon appear even whilst it is 'under construction'. Keep an eye out for details.

THE IPSWICH GROUP

Alex also reported that he went along to the recent meeting of the new group. Everyone there (well all 7 of them) were really lovely and are all absolutely super writers - but as a group it's very, very raw and entirely different to the scribblers. Overall there are currently nine members. Alex has included a report on the website.HAVE YOU PEEKED AT IT YET?

That's Gordon and Rexie's site http://gigglebits.blogspot.com

DON'T FORGET

Some Scribblers gather at the Alex on the seafront after the meetings for an informal chat over a drink - the invitation is open to everyone after meetings so why not come along? It nicely rounds off a pleasant evening's entertainment. Great idea of Alex's….

AND SO TO THE READINGS!

Belinda read out one of the two long pieces for the final time. Entitled 'Transplanting Sensations'; it highlighted with the whole emotive subject of organ transplants. Peter followed with 'its Only Money' that dealt with the subject of obtaining a bank loan.

As far as 'Sensations' was concerned, this seemed an easy enough subject to write about and yet some members felt it was a rather difficult task.Bill, with 'Random', Mark with 'Sci Fi' and Scott with 'Bad Luck' all read work prepared for earlier meetings. Les, Ann, Mavis, Morag, Liliane and Kate all produced work entitled either 'Sensation' or 'Sensations'. Both Ann and Kate's work will form part of the novels they are writing. Rachel read 'Smelly Memories', Gordon 'Smear Campaign' and Zoe a sweet poem 'Waking'. Alex surprised us with his work that began 'He was dead…' Diane read out a report of her visit to Henham Park which forms part of her degree course, Tony shared 'The Tank' and Dave 'Life on the Line.'

There was just time to include Jan's short poem 'Rejection' which was read by Ken. We just had to fit it in to appease the number of occasions Jan's homework that has not been able to be read out.

THE NEXT HOMEWORK

The new assignment was chosen by Belinda is something entirely different. She has produced a photograph that needs you to decide on what has, or is about to, happen to the scene, or the people. Be it a story or a poem, there is a strict maximum of 500 words. Alex will post the photograph on the website for those who have not received a
copy.

There will be two 1,500 open themed pieces. Judy has asked to write some of her seafaring experiences down whilst Les will produce the other long work.

Our next Felixstowe Scribblers meeting is in two weeks time on Tuesday 4^th October at the usual 7.30pm start time.

Until then,

Keep Scribbling!

Dave.