MEETING REPORT AND NEWSLETTER
http://felixstowescribblers.com http://nar8or.blogspot.com http://onlinescribblers.com
For all your research and information for writers
visit your local Felixstowe Library
and the Suffolk Record Office .
FELIXSTOWE SCRIBBLERS NEWSHEET
Incorporating
the
REPORT OF THE MEETING HELD 16th OCTOBER 2007
In the Chair: Dave.
Apologies for absence were received from Judy who is away on another sailing trip.
In attendance were Morag, Tony, Rosie, Jane, John, Ruth, Pat, Trish, Liliane, Kay, Alex, Dick, Peter, Ken, Barry and Dave.
A Sad Event:
The Scribblers were saddened to learn of the recent death of Allen Williams, one of our senior members of Felixstowe Scribblers. Allen, who had been ill for a very long time, passed away whilst staying with one of his daughters in his beloved homeland Wales.
A Welsh rugby fan and a former rum bosun in the Royal Navy, Allen was a published writer in several Technical Journals. A master of mirth with a love of dialogue, Allen first attended Felixstowe Scribblers about five years ago and was a popular contributor to the Anthology with his play "Rabbits". He was a tremendous character with a very special sense of humour, Allen's wealth of stories based on both personal experience and creativity ensured great interest and amusement at Scribblers.
His daughter Sarah writes:
“Over the last three years he has had two scrapes with death and serious injury. Kidney cancer in 2005, falling off his mobility scooter last year, whilst eyeing up the ladies playing tennis at Woodbridge tennis club.
“This year, he was diagnosed with lung cancer, and there was no escape this time. He died peacefully in his sleep in West Wales, on Thursday 11th October.
He continued to write his often very bawdy stories up until the end of last year, and judging by the weight of paper in the multitude of files in his house, my sister Nicola and I will have a lot of reading matter over the next few years.”
There is a special chair in Felixstowe Library that Allen used whenever he was able to attend, a poignant reminder of a such a lovely character. Rest in Peace, Allen.
A warm welcome to Jane who is currently in the process of relocating to Woodbridge from Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, staying in Suffolk during the week and returning to Hertfordshire at the weekends. Jane has dabbled a bit for a long time but began writing more seriously about a year ago when her son started secondary school. Since then she has written some short stories, one of which has been bought by People's Friend. The others have been rejected several times over!
Jane is a local being brought up in Ipswich but left when she was 18 although she remains a lifelong ITFC supporter. She has been seeking a writing group to attend and stumbled across the Scribblers. Testament to her enthusiasm she even participated in the homework assignment.
A warm welcome back to John, a visitor to Felixstowe who regularly stays at Ruth's parent’s hotel. This is the second visit to Scribblers for John who, believe it or not, is in his nineties and although quite hard of hearing, takes an active part in our meetings.
Scribblers News:
Judy wrote:
“How sad about Allen - he was a super chap, I got to know him well during the period that I collected him and took him home - some of his wartime stories were positively hair raising - nothing to do with war, more about having indecent relations with sheep in wellies! - typical Alan eh? I assume the funeral will be in Wales, it was his favourite place and his homeland.
"I won't be at Scribblers on Tuesday as we are going to the boat for one week but I will definitely be at the next meeting so will do the long piece and will read you an excerpt from my Burma book, I've started toting it about though it is only in first draft form. My first bound copy is languishing in the post - I feel as though I have been waiting for ever!”
We know that our livewire Les has not been too well lately and recently we exchanged emails and in the subject line he had typed in ‘Decrepit Old Git’. For a moment I thought he was addressing me! Les wrote:
“I have had to give scribblers a miss lately as I think my brain has seized up, must be this damned epilepsy; the last couple of meetings I attended were agony for me as I could not decipher anything that was being read; it was all a blur, and as for writing , well everything I have written recently has been complete and utter crap, to put it mildly so I am postponing becoming a best seller for a while although I do miss coming to meetings and would love to return to the fold, but you will have to forgive me if I have to leave half way. Hope you understand, all the best Les.”
Maybe we’ll see Les at a future meeting and certainly hope he’ll be able to attend the next social event.
We hear that Kate is now on the mend and is attending a creative writers class in Ipswich so here’s hoping that one day soon she will make it back to Scribblers. It also sounds as if Liz, who attended for a few meetings earlier this year, is also on the course.
Caz has asked me to thank all the participants and sponsors of the recent Jack Wilkinson Memorial Walk in aid of Cancer Research with already £2,000 raised.
Talking of funds, our treasurer Peter, says that a letter from our bankers states that we are to be charged £1 for all deposits into our account. It may mean less banking of the small amounts we collect at meetings.
Our friend Chris in Australia has regularly emailed in ‘homework’ for our meetings but recently time has not allowed us to read it out. It seems a shame that his work is not being shared, but if you would like to read any that he has sent in and return comments or feedback, I am certain it will be appreciated. In a small world, Chris saw my ‘Ipswich Speedway The First 50 Years’ on the website and wondered if Colin Barber, co-author, was the same Colin that he went to school with in Felixstowe just a few years ago. Guess what? It is!
THE CHRISTMAS SOCIAL: will be held on Tuesday 29th January 2008 at the Grosvenor in Ranelagh Road Felixstowe. Menu and bookings will be available for our first meeting. It will be a good idea to order your meals in advance so that the chef knows what to expect! More details nearer the time.
SPONSORED COMPETITION
We mentioned at the last meeting about the competition that Maureen Budner ran in memory of her husband Bill. Morag has been in touch with her and reports that Maureen is happy to sponsor another short story competition. She has concerns about involving our Library staff who are so very busy these days but will discuss the competition with Morag in the coming weeks. It is probable that the library will be a collection point for entries with Maureen and friends acting as judges. Competition details will probably be released in February.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Our official website at http://felixstowescribblers.com is now up and running again thanks to Alex. We hope to make some additions to the site soon so please have a look from time to time.
Most up to date information is shown on our weblog at the usual address - http://nar8or.blogspot.com Don’t forget that if you have any news of our old friends, or if you have some news you would like to share, then let us know and we will include it on our weblog.
News coming from Online Scribblers organiser Vincent West that a new completion will begin at the end of the month and will be the last one of the year. Members can log on to http://onlinescribblers.com for information as it appears, or, if you are not already a member then you can either follow the instructions of their home page to register or email the organiser@onlinescribblers.com
The 1,500 word open themed homework assignments.
Barry: Angels: This was a dream sequence where Walter, a custodian was enthralled at the views through the canyon. The weeping rock formation, the storm, the swollen river. Walter in a poncho, was aware of something above him and was scared to look. Suddenly a mountain lion dropped just ahead of him…Dramatic and easy to visualise. Smell the fear!
Tony: The Pedals Of Power: I always rains at 7.10. Newts Day night is always the coldest. The protagonist needed a bath and was sent to the monastery, a haven for the very rich only. There he discovered many strange things like mirrors, shower heads and soap though he didn’t know it. Yet another of the amazing and humorous words of Perry Tratchett (aka Tony)
The 500 word homework assignment on ‘London‘.
Rosie: Seared: A graphic historical account of the Great Fire of London, with amazing description that draws one into the heat of the story.
Jane: The Garden Party: An appealing account of the Queens Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, complete with Earl Gray tea and tiny excuses for cucumber sandwiches.
John: The Mirror of My Mind: A hand wiped away the rain from his brow in a sale room and lot 69 was his! A mirror which his wife loved yet in the mirror he recalled from happy times, the coming of Hitler and the sadness of his brother and family. An emotional true life story.
Ruth: The Gift: There was blood on the needle, a death sentence. His name was Brook - whoever called their child that? Remember the men with rings, hotel rooms - how society judged. This a story of Brook and his nurse.
Pat: A Wig and Dreaming: William was woken by a mobile phone on the train but he hadn’t finished his prayer. Why, he wondered, did the Squire, a man from the past, go to such a strange place? A tale with a modern day irritant - the mobile phone on a train journey.
Trish: London Blitz: The Second World War. London. The sirens and folk heading for shelter in the dingy, smelly underground stations. The camaraderie that existed and the hope that London would not be beaten.
Ally: Congratulations: The first day on London Ward. Megan had terrifying images and had lost the will to speak. The loving care that eventually began her revival when she mouthed the word ’congratulations’.
Liliane: London is Not My Favourite City: A true account. Liliane was a refugee in May 1940 at 6½ years of age. The blitz became a nightmare prison. She liked the sights but hated the depressing East End.
Kay: London Town: Powerful vocabulary in a verse expressing memories of the City where she lived that, in Kay’s own inimitable style incited imagery in the mind.
Alex: Untitled: The train slowed and stopped. She looked anxiously into the darkness. The train was late and she was dying for the loo. The compartment stock had no toilet and eventually the train crept into the London station. Relief!
Dick: Maybe It’s Because I’m a Londoner: The heart of the media, Fleet Street where Dick’s aunt was born in a flat above a restaurant. From being sad as she looked back she became morose because of an unpublished letter to the Daily Mail..
Peter: Cover Street: He wondered how the man got off after running over and killing his sister in a London Street. He wanted to kill him. He took a gun the policeman dropped on his back seat, followed the killer, shot him on a busy street and pushed him under the wheels of a lorry...
Ken: I Hate London (but not as much as Liliane): Seamus had a job set up for him in London. His father did not want him to go but Seamus wanted to pay his way. He’d be back in three months but as he left he whispered ‘I love you’ to his father.
Dave: A Flash of the Past: True story from 1967 - almost bumping into the Royal Family on a far from secure Liverpool Street Station.
Morag: First Impressions: Miss Conroy, a teacher was not cultured like others at the school, her speech peppered with Cockney rhyming slang. Headmaster wanted rid of her before Parents Night but she stayed and proved invaluable..
Thanks to Liliane for collecting the key once again, and for a wonderful set of stories that made the evening into a really enjoyable Felixstowe Scribblers experience.
Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday 6th November in the Café Libra at Felixstowe Library. Start time 7.30 pm.
The 500 word homework theme is ‘WATER‘. which should help our creativity flow onto the page.
Judy and Trish will provide the open themed 1,500 word homework assignments.
So until next time….
Keep Scribbling!
For all your research and information for writers
visit your local Felixstowe Library
and the Suffolk Record Office .
FELIXSTOWE SCRIBBLERS NEWSHEET
Incorporating
the
REPORT OF THE MEETING HELD 16th OCTOBER 2007
In the Chair: Dave.
Apologies for absence were received from Judy who is away on another sailing trip.
In attendance were Morag, Tony, Rosie, Jane, John, Ruth, Pat, Trish, Liliane, Kay, Alex, Dick, Peter, Ken, Barry and Dave.
A Sad Event:
The Scribblers were saddened to learn of the recent death of Allen Williams, one of our senior members of Felixstowe Scribblers. Allen, who had been ill for a very long time, passed away whilst staying with one of his daughters in his beloved homeland Wales.
A Welsh rugby fan and a former rum bosun in the Royal Navy, Allen was a published writer in several Technical Journals. A master of mirth with a love of dialogue, Allen first attended Felixstowe Scribblers about five years ago and was a popular contributor to the Anthology with his play "Rabbits". He was a tremendous character with a very special sense of humour, Allen's wealth of stories based on both personal experience and creativity ensured great interest and amusement at Scribblers.
His daughter Sarah writes:
“Over the last three years he has had two scrapes with death and serious injury. Kidney cancer in 2005, falling off his mobility scooter last year, whilst eyeing up the ladies playing tennis at Woodbridge tennis club.
“This year, he was diagnosed with lung cancer, and there was no escape this time. He died peacefully in his sleep in West Wales, on Thursday 11th October.
He continued to write his often very bawdy stories up until the end of last year, and judging by the weight of paper in the multitude of files in his house, my sister Nicola and I will have a lot of reading matter over the next few years.”
There is a special chair in Felixstowe Library that Allen used whenever he was able to attend, a poignant reminder of a such a lovely character. Rest in Peace, Allen.
A warm welcome to Jane who is currently in the process of relocating to Woodbridge from Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, staying in Suffolk during the week and returning to Hertfordshire at the weekends. Jane has dabbled a bit for a long time but began writing more seriously about a year ago when her son started secondary school. Since then she has written some short stories, one of which has been bought by People's Friend. The others have been rejected several times over!
Jane is a local being brought up in Ipswich but left when she was 18 although she remains a lifelong ITFC supporter. She has been seeking a writing group to attend and stumbled across the Scribblers. Testament to her enthusiasm she even participated in the homework assignment.
A warm welcome back to John, a visitor to Felixstowe who regularly stays at Ruth's parent’s hotel. This is the second visit to Scribblers for John who, believe it or not, is in his nineties and although quite hard of hearing, takes an active part in our meetings.
Scribblers News:
Judy wrote:
“How sad about Allen - he was a super chap, I got to know him well during the period that I collected him and took him home - some of his wartime stories were positively hair raising - nothing to do with war, more about having indecent relations with sheep in wellies! - typical Alan eh? I assume the funeral will be in Wales, it was his favourite place and his homeland.
"I won't be at Scribblers on Tuesday as we are going to the boat for one week but I will definitely be at the next meeting so will do the long piece and will read you an excerpt from my Burma book, I've started toting it about though it is only in first draft form. My first bound copy is languishing in the post - I feel as though I have been waiting for ever!”
We know that our livewire Les has not been too well lately and recently we exchanged emails and in the subject line he had typed in ‘Decrepit Old Git’. For a moment I thought he was addressing me! Les wrote:
“I have had to give scribblers a miss lately as I think my brain has seized up, must be this damned epilepsy; the last couple of meetings I attended were agony for me as I could not decipher anything that was being read; it was all a blur, and as for writing , well everything I have written recently has been complete and utter crap, to put it mildly so I am postponing becoming a best seller for a while although I do miss coming to meetings and would love to return to the fold, but you will have to forgive me if I have to leave half way. Hope you understand, all the best Les.”
Maybe we’ll see Les at a future meeting and certainly hope he’ll be able to attend the next social event.
We hear that Kate is now on the mend and is attending a creative writers class in Ipswich so here’s hoping that one day soon she will make it back to Scribblers. It also sounds as if Liz, who attended for a few meetings earlier this year, is also on the course.
Caz has asked me to thank all the participants and sponsors of the recent Jack Wilkinson Memorial Walk in aid of Cancer Research with already £2,000 raised.
Talking of funds, our treasurer Peter, says that a letter from our bankers states that we are to be charged £1 for all deposits into our account. It may mean less banking of the small amounts we collect at meetings.
Our friend Chris in Australia has regularly emailed in ‘homework’ for our meetings but recently time has not allowed us to read it out. It seems a shame that his work is not being shared, but if you would like to read any that he has sent in and return comments or feedback, I am certain it will be appreciated. In a small world, Chris saw my ‘Ipswich Speedway The First 50 Years’ on the website and wondered if Colin Barber, co-author, was the same Colin that he went to school with in Felixstowe just a few years ago. Guess what? It is!
THE CHRISTMAS SOCIAL: will be held on Tuesday 29th January 2008 at the Grosvenor in Ranelagh Road Felixstowe. Menu and bookings will be available for our first meeting. It will be a good idea to order your meals in advance so that the chef knows what to expect! More details nearer the time.
SPONSORED COMPETITION
We mentioned at the last meeting about the competition that Maureen Budner ran in memory of her husband Bill. Morag has been in touch with her and reports that Maureen is happy to sponsor another short story competition. She has concerns about involving our Library staff who are so very busy these days but will discuss the competition with Morag in the coming weeks. It is probable that the library will be a collection point for entries with Maureen and friends acting as judges. Competition details will probably be released in February.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Our official website at http://felixstowescribblers.com is now up and running again thanks to Alex. We hope to make some additions to the site soon so please have a look from time to time.
Most up to date information is shown on our weblog at the usual address - http://nar8or.blogspot.com Don’t forget that if you have any news of our old friends, or if you have some news you would like to share, then let us know and we will include it on our weblog.
News coming from Online Scribblers organiser Vincent West that a new completion will begin at the end of the month and will be the last one of the year. Members can log on to http://onlinescribblers.com for information as it appears, or, if you are not already a member then you can either follow the instructions of their home page to register or email the organiser@onlinescribblers.com
The 1,500 word open themed homework assignments.
Barry: Angels: This was a dream sequence where Walter, a custodian was enthralled at the views through the canyon. The weeping rock formation, the storm, the swollen river. Walter in a poncho, was aware of something above him and was scared to look. Suddenly a mountain lion dropped just ahead of him…Dramatic and easy to visualise. Smell the fear!
Tony: The Pedals Of Power: I always rains at 7.10. Newts Day night is always the coldest. The protagonist needed a bath and was sent to the monastery, a haven for the very rich only. There he discovered many strange things like mirrors, shower heads and soap though he didn’t know it. Yet another of the amazing and humorous words of Perry Tratchett (aka Tony)
The 500 word homework assignment on ‘London‘.
Rosie: Seared: A graphic historical account of the Great Fire of London, with amazing description that draws one into the heat of the story.
Jane: The Garden Party: An appealing account of the Queens Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, complete with Earl Gray tea and tiny excuses for cucumber sandwiches.
John: The Mirror of My Mind: A hand wiped away the rain from his brow in a sale room and lot 69 was his! A mirror which his wife loved yet in the mirror he recalled from happy times, the coming of Hitler and the sadness of his brother and family. An emotional true life story.
Ruth: The Gift: There was blood on the needle, a death sentence. His name was Brook - whoever called their child that? Remember the men with rings, hotel rooms - how society judged. This a story of Brook and his nurse.
Pat: A Wig and Dreaming: William was woken by a mobile phone on the train but he hadn’t finished his prayer. Why, he wondered, did the Squire, a man from the past, go to such a strange place? A tale with a modern day irritant - the mobile phone on a train journey.
Trish: London Blitz: The Second World War. London. The sirens and folk heading for shelter in the dingy, smelly underground stations. The camaraderie that existed and the hope that London would not be beaten.
Ally: Congratulations: The first day on London Ward. Megan had terrifying images and had lost the will to speak. The loving care that eventually began her revival when she mouthed the word ’congratulations’.
Liliane: London is Not My Favourite City: A true account. Liliane was a refugee in May 1940 at 6½ years of age. The blitz became a nightmare prison. She liked the sights but hated the depressing East End.
Kay: London Town: Powerful vocabulary in a verse expressing memories of the City where she lived that, in Kay’s own inimitable style incited imagery in the mind.
Alex: Untitled: The train slowed and stopped. She looked anxiously into the darkness. The train was late and she was dying for the loo. The compartment stock had no toilet and eventually the train crept into the London station. Relief!
Dick: Maybe It’s Because I’m a Londoner: The heart of the media, Fleet Street where Dick’s aunt was born in a flat above a restaurant. From being sad as she looked back she became morose because of an unpublished letter to the Daily Mail..
Peter: Cover Street: He wondered how the man got off after running over and killing his sister in a London Street. He wanted to kill him. He took a gun the policeman dropped on his back seat, followed the killer, shot him on a busy street and pushed him under the wheels of a lorry...
Ken: I Hate London (but not as much as Liliane): Seamus had a job set up for him in London. His father did not want him to go but Seamus wanted to pay his way. He’d be back in three months but as he left he whispered ‘I love you’ to his father.
Dave: A Flash of the Past: True story from 1967 - almost bumping into the Royal Family on a far from secure Liverpool Street Station.
Morag: First Impressions: Miss Conroy, a teacher was not cultured like others at the school, her speech peppered with Cockney rhyming slang. Headmaster wanted rid of her before Parents Night but she stayed and proved invaluable..
Thanks to Liliane for collecting the key once again, and for a wonderful set of stories that made the evening into a really enjoyable Felixstowe Scribblers experience.
Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday 6th November in the Café Libra at Felixstowe Library. Start time 7.30 pm.
The 500 word homework theme is ‘WATER‘. which should help our creativity flow onto the page.
Judy and Trish will provide the open themed 1,500 word homework assignments.
So until next time….
Keep Scribbling!
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