We are a long established Writers Circle based in Felixstowe, Suffolk. This Weblog will be about us, Writing, Writing Competitions, Writing in Felixstowe, life and generally what we are up to as a Group and individuals and what interests us.
We are based in Felixstowe but our membership comes both from a wide area within Suffolk and we also have many 'online' members from around the UK, Europe and the US.
"David Mitchell was no doubt celebrating last night, when it was announced that he was in the running for the £25,000 Costa (formerly Whitbread) novel award with Black Swan Green. He may be less pleased this morning to find out that the same book has won him a place on the shortlist for the Literary Review Bad Sex award."
Apologies for absence: Gordon, Louis, Lesley, Ken, Zoe and Ruth.
In attendance were Debra, Christine, Liliane, Morag, Judy, Les, Tricia, Alex, Kay, Tony, Dick, Dave and new member Barry.
Owing to some computer problems this report will be rather briefer than usual. Hopefully services will return to normal soon.
MEMBER’S NEWS:
A warm welcome to Barry, author of the children’s book, ‘Sidney the Scammell’, a lovely book with some beautiful illustrations. Barry has been following the fortunes of the Scribblers through the website and decided to come along for his first visit.
It was good to see Les back in action and, despite his sciatica, was on top form. Christine too, returned after missing a meeting whilst Tony, now in between shows, was back where he belongs – at Scribblers.
Louis was on nights somewhere out in the draughty countryside whilst Gordon had to attend another function which he was unable to escape.
Ken was tied up at work and Lesley was unable to attend whilst Zoe had a church meeting to attend.
Ruth was at the new Woodbridge group but explained it was rather disappointing with only three writers attending. The group formed after the Scribblers evening there. It does meet one Tuesday a month and starts at meets at 6.00pm.
MEMBERS ACTIVITIES
There was some discussion on the progress of the outline plays that were submitted to Felixstowe TV some months ago. The latest news is that there is some movement now and there seems to be a likelihood of one of three stories being adopted. One is from Les whose outline story based at Landguard and another from Kay, her story centred on the Spa. No final decision has been taken, but it is likely that we will hear in the forthcoming weeks.
Talking of Felixstowe TV, does anyone recall the two old characters Bill and Bert in the Lost Sock? Well watch out! They could re-appear somewhere near you quite soon!
The autumn competition has obviously closed now but voting online - and for offline members too – has been extended until Saturday 2nd December so, if you haven’t already done so, then please cast your vote. The winner will be announced both on line and at our next meeting on 5th December when another competition will be launched.
Don’t forget to keep up to date by logging onto the weblog where information and news will be displayed. If you have any news, views or items that you would like included then please email them to Alex and myself.
THE PLATFORM
Very brief this time – with apologies.
Judy : Antigua : Memories of a visit there in 1994
Dick : Things That Go Bump In The Fort : First draft of the pamphlet outlining ghostly goings on at Landguard Fort.
Kay : Metamorphosis : A collection of thought.
Alex: Backspin : A tale of a DJ.
Barry : Introduction of book : based on true event of lost aircraft in Australia.
Trish : The Bitch Bitch Bird & Felixstowe in Winter : Two poems.
Les : Romance in the Dordogne, Dreams to Treasure & To The Next Generation: Three poems.
Morag : A Birthday to Remember : A Maori type 50th.
Liliane : Aunt’s Flat : A description.
Christine : This Old World, Drunken Seafarer & Go Back to Your Dreams : Three poems.
Debra : Turn Again : Bedroom tales. Dave : Humbug : Sweetshop timeslip.
THE NEXT MEETING :
Tuesday 5th December, 7.30pm at Felixstowe Library. HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT.
1,500 word open themed topics to be presented by Tricia and Barry.
This scam has been confirmed by Royal Mail and is especially relevant as Christmas is fast approaching: A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a premium rate number).
DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize. If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed £15 for the phone call.
If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 0207 2396655 or ICSTIS (the premium rate service regulator) at www.icstis.org.uk, or your local trading standards office
Our next meeting is on Tuesday 21st November at Felixstowe Library starting at 7.30pm. The homework assignment this time is different to usual. The whole of the homework is open-themed with results, with your permission, going into the online anthology. Any subject, photos and/or illustrations will be accepted to enhance the work. Somewhere between 500 and 600 words if possible. The longer work will be presented by Judy and Dick.
Don't forget to vote for the Halloween competition entries. Details of closing date for votes and a new competition will follow. Go to http://onlinescribblers.com
A reminder too that we are compiling a tribute to 'Our Jack' which will hopefully be available online in PDF format during December. If you wish to submit a piece for inclusion please send it as soon as possible to jack@onlinescribblers.com
One of Jack's friends, Liam, is doing a sponsored swim in December and wants to do it in Jack's memory. CLIC have agreed to use the funds in his name so please have a look at his website http://www.justgiving.com/liamsmile Caz has emailed the following information -
"Liam's fund in Jack's name is now in excess of £2,400 and they aim for £10,000!!It is fantastic that this money is being raised in Jack's name and he would wonder what all the fuss is about!
1. It is hoped there will be a GALA event arranged after Liam's swim 2. One of Caz's mates is wearing an old style uniform all this week and so farhas raised £500. 3. Liam and Mark have succeeded to auditions for a Dragons Den type showwhere they'll pitch for £50,000 for CLIC (again in Jacks name)- not on TVtill January if they get through auditions!! 4. Following celebrity contacts are being made; Frankie Detori, GeriHalliwell, Jimmy Saville, Manchester UTD and Everton football clubs andRichard Parks from FAME ACADEMY 5. Schools in Soham are doing non uniform day (date to be arranged butpossible revenue of £2000 and we're trying to extend it to offices throughSTAR RADIO.) 6. Awaiting several charity cheques from companies in London 7. BUCKETS and boxes are being place at ELY RAILWAY STATION and again hopeto extend this."
How wonderful all this is. Apart from being for Jack, Liam really deserves a tremendous amount of praise for all his own courage.
"ARTS and heritage experts are to gather in Felixstowe for a brainstorming session to look at turning an historic Napoleonic fort into a million pound-plus attraction for visitors and residents.
The “scoping day” is to take place on Friday and will look at a wide range of ideas for the Martello Tower on the resort's south seafront.
The area around the 19th century fort is to be turned into a maritime park with some housing, but councillors believe the tower could be turned into a prestigious arts centre for the resort."
Felixstowe Scribblers Report of Meeting 7th November 2006 This report will be briefer than most, but two family bereavements in the course of three days has meant that personal time has been greatly reduced. Services will soon return to normal. Dave.
Apologies were received from Kay, Christine, Mavis, Debra, Les and Tony.
In attendance were Gordon, Alex, Ruth, Judy, Morag, Lesley, Ken, Liliane, Tricia, Dick, Kate, Louis, Zoe and Dave.
SCRIBBLERS MEMBERS NEWS
Mavis has had to withdraw from our Scribblers activities for the time being because of ongoing commitments on Tuesdays.
Kay sent in apologies for her absence after promising to do one of the 1,500 word pieces but had to withdraw to support her daughter Rita at a careers evening in Ipswich.
A message from Les "Hi Dave and fellow scrubbers, sorry you have had to miss my scintillating company, this Sciatica is a bugger, had to miss my ballet & tap classes as well, bits are falling off all over the place, I have to look behind me when I'm out walking to see if I've left anything behind, and I'm afraid I shall have to miss the next meeting as well, Joan and I are off to Kessingland, pet sitting for 18 days. I'll try to write something before I go and send it to you, don't expect anything very funny though, what was the subject again? Tears of joy? Love to all, Limping Les, (What's left of him. )"
Congratulations to Dick whose 'memory' homework "Lest We Forget Old Comrades" has been accepted into the Imperial War Museum archive. A poignant poem at this time of remembrance, it deserves this recognition and will be recalled and read throughout all time.
We had a long and informative email from Belinda and Geoff back in their homeland down under. Good to hear from them. They work as security guards at present at many public functions including the Kylie Minogue concert. Belinda has joined a writing group and hopes to get back to her wonderful creativity soon. They send their love to Scribblers new and old.
Tony called in to the meeting to sell some tickets before dashing off to rehearsals for THE DRAMATIC AQUARIUM that includes "The Hole" by N.F.Simpson and a series of short plays and sketches. The event will be performed at the Rushmere Players fish and chip supper at Rushmere Primary School, Lanark Road, Ipswich on Friday 17th & Saturday 18th November at 7.30pm. If you hurry there may be some advance tickets left. They cost £7.00 and can be purchased from Tony.
Pause for thought. Having relocated the meeting to the new café area in the Library for the evening, Allen's chair has re-appeared. Judy will try and find out how Allen, our most senior member is doing after overturning his disabled scooter.
A WARNING has kindly been sent in by Gordon and is really worth passing on to your friends and relatives: - Royal Mail Postal Scam This scam has been confirmed by Royal Mail and is especially relevant as Christmas is fast approaching: A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a premium rate number). DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize. If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed £15 for the phone call. If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 0207 2396655 or ICSTIS (the premium rate service regulator) at http://www.icstis.org.uk/, or your local trading standards office.
OTHER NEWS :
A questionnaire has been received from Suffolk Coastal District Council entitled : Consultation on future use of Martello Tower P.
SCDC is looking for a new use for this Martello tower. A report some three years ago suggested its best use would be for a cultural space. £300,000 is secure to restore the fabric of the building but further funding would be essential for conversion to a new use and running costs.
The questionnaire asks: 1 If we think Felixstowe would benefit from a new arts/cultural space in the Martello Tower P. 2 If yes, what sort of cultural facilities should be included? 3 Who should be the main users of the tower? 4 Whether Felixstowe Scribblers would be interested in using it 5 If so, what for?
This raised some heated debate and comments over the release of the questionnaire just as the Herman de Stern building is demolished.
The last competition, Halloween has closed and voting is now taking place on line. If you haven't already voted then you have the opportunity to do so now. Details of the final voting date will be released very shortly.
If you have any news or items you would like to include on either the weblog or the new site then please contact Alex at fswebsite@hotmail.co.uk as soon as possible.
THE PLATFORM: Readings of members' work. 1,500 word open-themed topic.
Louis produced an excerpt from his story 'Glue Sniffing' that already has some 80,000 completed words. It revolves around a university murder in Russia.
Dave shared 'Looking for Love', based on the 1960's escapades at a party.
500 word assignments.
Kate read out two poems, the first 'Care Home' written about the terrible experiences of Dave's brother-in-law. The other 'The Not Sleeping of Women'.
Dick shared an unusually bloody "factional" tale 'The Blade of Injustice'
Tricia's 'Goodbye' revealed some of her memories of how the Sultan of Oman improved the country but sealed his fate when giving women the vote…
Liliane added more family revelations from a letter 'August 1960. My dear Ellie.'
Ken's 'Revolutions' was extremely gripping stuff surrounding a group of terrorists in a bank.
Lesley's first attempt at creative writing 'Revolutions' was from the viewpoint of a tramp outside an office, watching a man and woman's liaison.
Morag's 'The Waiting', the revolution of the clock, anxiously waiting, until the driving examiner awarded the pass.
Judy shared photographs and a story from her trip to 'Burma', of the family man, his bullock and a grinding machine in the production of toddy.
Ruth shared another part of her 'Sacrificial Man' with the thoughts of Alice who had been sectioned after her mother remarried and had another child. (Ruth has begun a re-write of this on the suggestion of her agent meaning that some 30,000 words have been cut…)
To Alex, an apology. His work began, 'In the 1960s' but I failed to make notes.
THE NEXT MEETING : 7.30pm at Felixstowe Library on Tuesday 21st November starting at 7.30pm.
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT : Something different this time. The whole of the homework is open-themed - with results going into the online anthology. Any subject, photos and/or illustrations will be accepted to enhance the work. Somewhere between 500 and 600 words if possible.
1,500 WORD OPEN-THEMED WORK will be undertaken by Judy and Dick.
This scam has been confirmed by Royal Mail and is especially relevant as Christmas is fast approaching:
A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a premium rate number).
DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize. If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed £15 for the phone call.
If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 0207 2396655 or ICSTIS (the premium rate service regulator) at www.icstis.org.uk, or your local trading standards office
The next meeting will take place at Felixstowe Library this coming Tuesday, 7th November. Start time 7.30pm. Homework assignment was set as around 500 words on "REVOLUTION".
Caz texted me that one of Jack's friends, Liam, is doing a sponsored swim in December and wants to do it in Jack's memory. CLIC have agreed to use the funds in his name so please have a look at his website that already shows donations totalling over £1,000. http://www.justgiving.com/liamsmile
Writers' News will carry a tribute to Jack in their January 2007 issue.
Observe the surge on the night of the 31st and morning of the 1st.
From the Evening Star....
At Felixstowe, there were spectacular scenes as the waves struck the prom and shot 30ft into the air at the resort's West End in Sea Road, and at the East Beach swept across the prom and into Undercliff Road East.
Spectacular video footage of the scene was taken by Evening Star IT technician, Stephen Doick and can be seen exclusively on the Star website.
Mr Doick, of Queen's Road, Felixstowe, said: "I always drive to look at the water on my way to work and I was really surprised today.
"The water was almost touching the top end of the pier and I was fascinated by the whole thing so I got out and videoed it.
A link to this exclusive Evening Star content is provided for your convinience.
"Some of the beach huts had been moved because of the power of the sea; I have never seen it like this before.
"It the worst and most dramatic its been in Felixstowe and I go down every day. It was fascinating to see and I could have watched it all day."
Sections of prom were damaged as coping stones were lifted and ripped from their positions, beach huts smashed together, and a Peter's Ice Cream kiosk badly damaged. Gardens were also flooded as the sea reached the floodgates.
Today marks the start of NaNoWriMo -- the national novel-writing month. The challenge is to write an entire novel in one day. NaNoWriMo has a bunch of community stuff and infrastructure to get you writing.
Interested? Then why not join us at one of our meetings?
We meet on the First and Third Tuesday of each month at the Felixstowe Library in Crescent Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7BY., meetings start at 7.30 pm and we endeavour to be finished by 10pm.
The 2008 programme is:-
January 8th AGM
22nd Anonymous competition for the Bill Budner Trophy
29th Christmas Social meal at The Grosvenor 7.00pm for 7.30pm.
February 5th Meeting and 19th Meeting
March 4th Meeting and 18th Writing exercise
April 1st Meeting and 15th Meeting
May 6th Meeting and 20th Anonymous competition for the Bill Budner Trophy
June 3rd Meeting and 17th Meeting
July 1st Meeting and 15th Writing exercise
August 5th Meeting and 19th Meeting
September 2nd Meeting and 16th Anonymous competition for the Bill Budner Trophy
October 7th Meeting and 21st Meeting
November 4th Meeting and 18th Meeting
December 2nd Meeting
Remember, membership is FREE, so why not come along? We ask for an optional donation of 50p per meeting to help towards running costs but that does include tea or coffee and a biscuit!
New!IMPORTANT - you can help.....do you know information or content that would help other readers of the Felixstowe Scribblers Weblog?...mail us at fswebsite@hotmail.co.uk with your comments, additions and suggestions TA! The Scribblers.
Sponsored Links
The Felixstowe Scribblers are an initiative created with the support of Suffolk County Council to help, support and encourage writers living in Suffolk.
Eastern Angles brings its unique theatrical vision to this first stage adaptation of Loius de Bernieres' latest novel.
Apologies for absence: Gordon, Louis, Lesley, Ken, Zoe and Ruth.
Spectacular video footage of the scene was taken by Evening Star IT technician, Stephen Doick and can be seen exclusively on the Star website.
![[ Registered ]](http://www.diarist.net/registry/button.gif){kind=small}
