An eventful evening: Felixstowe Scribblers Report of (un)Meeting 4th October 2005

First our sincerest apologies as the meeting that was due to take place this evening started with a mini crisis because the keys had not been collected from the Library. A complete oversight caused by a string of events that had happened that day. Normally I would not mention names but I understood that Liliane was so very upset when she arrived at the Library to tell Alex the news that I felt it might be nice to ask if you see her between now and the next meeting to give her your support. Liliane has been an absolute diamond amongst us over the past months so please send out your good thoughts to her.

At this point I would like to mention that I have telephoned Liliane to make sure she is alright and told her not to worry as these things do happen from time to time. I think she was a little happier after our little chat.

Alex, another star in our midst, thought extremely quickly and within a short time had managed to come up with a solution. Somehow he persuaded mine host at the Grosvenor to allow the meeting to go ahead in their small room - even down to 'moving' some of the customers out to make way for the Scribblers.

After rounding up the Scribblers from outside the Library they tied to go ahead with the meeting. In Alex's words 'It was just frankly too noisy and with no other reasonable accommodation available at the Grosvenor we abandoned the meeting after Judy's reading at about 8.15pm. Too many people were unable to hear anything.'

Concensus of opinion was to not set a homework for next time but instead to run the whole meeting again including Judy's work once more, on the 18th October at the Library.

Apologies were received from Rachel who is spending some quality time down in Devon this week. Bill [B] has an important meeting to attend at the Lakeside Country Club, Frimley Green, Surrey, where they hold the World Darts Final - so treble nineteen, treble twenty, bullseye and out! Morag was unable to attend and so too was Christine. Understandably Jack and Caz were not able to be at the meeting whilst Dave sent his apologies as he is away celebrating his 36th wedding anniversary.

In attendance were Liliane, Alex, Dick, Judy, Kate, Scott, Lisa, Ann, Tony, Gordon, Les, Zoe, Peter Ken and new members along for the first time, Barry, Charlotte and Bill [S]


MUSICAL MAYHEM


Tony's evening of musical mayhem last Saturday drew several Scribblers together and whilst things were a little hazy the last report received was that Ken, Geoff, Belinda, Scott and Amy were the last to leave at around 2.00 am the next morning! A good time was apparently had by all. Not that Scott can remember!

THE ONLINE JOTTERS onlinejotters@yahoo.co.uk

Jan has forwarded a report and three-month plan for the Online Jotters that includes an exciting announcement to be made soon. Encouraging news is that 20 people have already signed up as members and with Jan emailing many writing circles in the country it could be that even more will be joining in the near future. Jan will release details at the appropriate times so watch out for emails from Yours Truly and keep an eye on the website for developments.

As far as the writer's tennis is concerned it started off with quite an impact but has slowed down. The idea behind this is for members to write their 50 words for the next part - or as many parts as you wish. The direction of the story depends on YOU, so if you think its moving in the wrong direction, your 50 words could alter its course and eventual outcome. So if you haven't tried yet, or would like another go, email your attempt to onlinejotters@yahoo.co.uk

There have been some emails that seem not to have been delivered to the address so if you have sent one in without any response please email scribblers@ntlworld.com We need to make certain nothing is going astray.

THE WEBSITE http://nar8or.blogspot.com

Have you all noticed the efforts that Alex has put into the website with all the interesting and some devastating local news which really adds to the site? Or the new Google search facility that makes 'surfing' the site or the web an absolute doddle? As reported last time, we have purchased a domain name and our new site is under construction. Once it is completed we will have a website second to none.

Any comments on the existing weblog or thoughts for the new website please inform Alex or Dave as soon as possible.

Incidentally at the last meeting it was reported that there had been 1,000 hits on the site since it began. Hits on the site are steadily increasing to approach the 1,400 mark. For the sake of interest many have been from the United States and Canada, from places like Ecuador, Brazil, Philippines, Hong Kong, Bangladesh as well as Estonia, Portugal, France and other European countries.

Our new website is now being constructed and this may be viewed at http://felixstowescribblers.com Click on the word test at the bottom right hand corner to enter the site. Anything you spot that is not quite right or would like to suggest then please email Alex at fswebsite@hotmail.co.uk

On the subject of websites and URL addresses, I have just received a communication from the Writer Resources editor at Dmoz
http://www.dmoz.org/Arts/Writers_Resources/ complaining that Felixstowe Scribblers had three URL websites listed there - none of them our official weblog. These emanate from a different source and are causing some problems with our own site. I have replied and ensured that the correct URL is listed and suffice to say this was quickly amended.


JACK and CAZ

The latest news is that Jack has to go into Great Ormond Street hospital on 12th October for an operation. All the Scribblers will want to wish Jack all the very best and will be thinking of him and his parents, Caz and Karl.

THE NEXT HOMEWORK

Remains the same as last time and will be aired properly at our next meeting. So if you haven't already done homework on the garden table and chairs [see the website for the pic], now is your chance to do so. A maximum of 500 words on the subject please.

Both Judy and Les will still have their opportunity for the 1,500 word open themed topics again, with Judy able to read hers again for the benefit of all members.

Mind you, if you have all done this homework assignment, please remember that out meeting on 1st November will have a spooky Halloween theme so now's your chance to spend a little extra time compiling something to scare the wits out of the rest of us!

Our next Felixstowe Scribblers meeting is in two weeks time on Tuesday 18th October at the usual 7.30pm start time at the Felixstowe Library.


Until then,


Keep Scribbling!