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.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Please note our New! contact address is scribblers@btinternet.com . Please note all previous email addresses are now defunct.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
SLY TIMES AT FELIXSTOWE
Richard Cornwell, Felixstowe Editor of the Evening Star, has reported the case of a pub-crawling fox on the seafront at Felixstowe. The story can be found on the Evening Star website at http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/content/eveningstar/default/ If this was April 1st then the story would be taken with a pinch of salt - but no! This is the Christmas and New Year holiday period so there is no reason to disblieve this report.
The fox has been spotted and photographed at the Alex on the seafront, and later inside Bar 129 as it goes looking for food and titbits. Not phased by humans, the fox appears quite tame to the point that it has even been stroked. Well known to local anglers, it appears twice daily in it‘s search for food.
Next time you see him in one of the pubs along the seafront, buy him a drink, or, better still, something to eat!
For all your research and information for writers visit your local Felixstowe Library and the Suffolk Record Office . REPORT OF THE MEETING HELD 18th DECEMBER 2007
In the Chair: Dave.
Apologies for absence were received from Ken who is improving and hopes to be back with us in the New Year.
In attendance were Dick, Judy, Ruth, Rosie, Kay, Scott, Trish, Ally, Alex, Liliane, Tony, Peter, Morag, Jane, Stephen, Barry, and Dave.
SCRIBBLERS NEWS.
Appearing none the worse for wear, our intrepid hero Tony walked away from an A14 accident after hitting a steel ladder that lay across the carriageway at something like 70mph. The unfortunate thing was that a following car driving at excessive speed also hit the offending object and skewered into Tony’s pride and joy which rolled over and ended as a write-off. Great to see Tony in one piece though.
It appears that the last email sent round to all Scribblers members was not delivered to any of the yahoo account holders. The message from the Mail Administrator arrived this morning, too late for our meeting. So apologies, but that was out of our control.
Judy still has no launch date for her novel although things are moving forward but, with Christmas upon us, there is bound to be another delay. We will pass the launch date on as soon as we hear.
There have been a number of messages sent through to the Scribblers over the past week or two, or wishing season’s compliments to Scribblers old and new.
Our friend Mavis recently emailed to say that she may call in to a meeting sometime in the New Year. It would be nice to see her again and catch up on her news.
Former Scribblers secretary Marilyn Lamond sends her wishes from Dudley. Marilyn handed over to Dave as Secretary about eight years ago when she emigrated to Spain. After several years she and husband Steve returned to England and are now settled in the Midlands.
Cast your mind back twelve months or so and you may recall our talented writer Gordon who used to have us in fits of laughter with some hilarious adult versions of Noddy. Well Gordon has been working on his 'Nightmare at Norbridge' parts of which he shared with us at Scribblers. Now, at long last he has decided to try and make a few bob from it and posted it on Lulu, where you can purchase it.
Gordon says, "I have finally made a downloadable version of Nightmare at Norbridge available to the public on Lulu. (The self publishing site I mentioned to you a while back) Just in time for Xmas, should anyone have 50p to spare! All they have to do is type Lulu Publishing into their browser to bring up details of the site. I am hoping that sales will reach the 1000 mark by Xmas. I've made an encouraging start, currently being a mere 998 short of my target!"
Knowing Gordon, this will be an hilarious read...so go on, help him make his fortune!
We have heard from Kate who has been recovering from an operation she had some time ago. Kate has had a really bad time this year but is now looking forward to next year when she hopes she will come along to a meeting or two. She signed up for a UEA creative writing course, missed several of the classes but managed to complete he assignment which will result in a simple pass or fail. Knowing her love and use of the English language we think she should get pass. Let’s hope so!
Ruth sadly reports that the Woodbridge Writers Group has been disbanded after only a short time. It doesn’t seem very many months ago when the Scribblers went along to the Woodbridge Library to talk about the benefits of forming a Writers Group, and initially it seemed to be quite successful.
Les and Joan have invited the Scribblers to view their face book at the following link: http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=698194904&k=Z3M45262P43MXBFAYF5YS&r&v=2 Caz has been in touch several times recently both with Felixstowe Scribblers and also with Online Scribblers where she shared first place in the competition with Chris who made a fleeting visit from Cairns in Queensland. She wishes everyone the very best this Christmas and New Year although for her and husband Karl, it will understandably be very difficult.
She mentioned also young Liam Fairhurst who has been raising funds for CLIC Sargent and has now passed the £130,000 mark. Liam intends to cease fund raising when he reaches his thirteenth birthday in February but hopes in the remaining time to reach the sum of £150,000. Liam has had a successful operation to remove a tumour from his lung. An article in the Cambridge News has been copied onto our weblog and is worth spending a few minutes scrolling down the page and reading it. Liam’s website is at http://www.justgiving.com/liamsmile?page=4#donationtable
January still looks like being a very interesting month. Our first meeting is the AGM on the 8th January (that’s the second Tuesday of the month) followed on 22nd January (the fourth Tuesday) with the competition for the Bill Budner trophy that Rosie is keeping polished for us. Then it’s the CHRISTMAS SOCIAL on Tuesday 29th January 2008 at the Grosvenor in Ranelagh Road, Felixstowe. Menu’s will be available at the start of January when bookings and meal orders will be taken.
Moving into February our meetings will revert to the usual 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month. A draft programme of events for 2008 follows this report.
All meeting dates have been agreed with our hosts, Felixstowe Library.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Don’t forget that our official website at http://felixstowescribblers.com is up and running and we will soon be making some additions to it so please have a look from time to time. Perhaps you would like your potted history added. Food for thought?
Most up to date information is shown on our weblog at the usual address - http://nar8or.blogspot.com Don’t forget not only do we like to hear news of our old friends, but also your news or events you‘d like mentioned, local matters of interest too. Just let us know and we will include details on our weblog.
The Online Scribblers competition, dedicated to Jack Wilkinson, revolved around a picture that was posted in the competition forum at http://onlinescribblers.com The competition has closed, the voting cast and Caz, with her poem ‘Wally the Whale‘, written in memory of young Jack, shared first place with Chris, who keeps in touch way down under in Cairns, Queensland with ’The Sea Is Cold’. Unlike their previous competition which ended in a tiebreaker, Online Scribblers decided that with Christmas upon us, a tie would be the fairest result.
There If you are not already a member then you need to register, free of charge, by following the online instructions or emailing Vincent West the organiser@onlinescribblers.com Please mention that you are a member of Felixstowe Scribblers as that will speed up registration.
It is interesting to learn that Caz has written to The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society offering her poem for use in emphasising the plight of the Whales. They replied
‘Thank you so much for forwarding this beautiful poem, we are currently featuring a story on our website detailing individuals who are taking up the fight against whaling in their own way and I would love to post this poem in the story. If you are happy for me to do this, then there is no need for you to reply to this message. I’ll also circulate this to our team, and put it forward for our supporter’s magazines. Thanks once again for your message, it is only with the support of those people like yourself and Jack that we will see an end to the whaling for good.‘
NO HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT but….
The final meeting of the year was enthusiastically received with each member bringing along four words written on a small piece of paper. Into Dick’s hat they went then were drawn out four at a time. The idea was to write something that included the four words. Everyone was given ten minutes to accomplish this and then read out their creative works.
Impossible to make notes on, this exercise was a complete success with some well worked stories that ranged in length from about one sentence to nearly three pages of A4 paper!
With the first half of the meeting completed, it just left the Scribblers to enjoy the festivities at our little Christmas party.
Thankyou everyone who contributed to the food and drink, to Liliane for collecting the key once again and to everyone present for their great writing that provided another very enjoyable evening. Thankyou to every single one of you who has attended meetings throughout the year - it has helped to keep Felixstowe Scribblers so interesting.
Our next meeting, the first of 2008 will be held on Tuesday 8th January in the Café Libra at Felixstowe Library. This is our AGM which is scheduled to start at 7.30 pm. An agenda will be forwarded in the next email but, meanwhile, if you wish to have an item on the agenda then please let Dave know as soon as possible at scribblers.1@ntlworld.com
There have already been some constructive ideas that will be discussed at the AGM where you will have the opportunity to .
The AGM will provide you with the opportunity to debate and shape the Scribblers meetings and plans for the future. We all hope you will be able to attend.
Here’s wishing those under the weather a speedy recovery.
So until next time….
Merry Xmas!
***** FELIXSTOWE SCRIBBLERS 2008 PROGRAMME (subject to alteration)
All meetings are held at the Café Libra at Felixstowe Library (except where stated) start at 7.30 pm and will finish by 10.00 pm. Special evenings are shown.
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
19th Meeting
Committee Meeting to be arranged
March
4th Meeting
18th Writing exercise
April
1st Meeting
15th Meeting
May
6th Meeting
20th Anonymous competition for the Bill Budner Trophy
June
3rd Meeting
17th Meeting
Committee Meeting to be arranged
July
1st Meeting
15th Writing exercise
Summer Social to be arranged
August
5th Meeting
19th Meeting
September
2nd Meeting
16th Anonymous competition for the Bill Budner Trophy
October
7th Meeting
21st Meeting
Committee Meeting to be arranged
November
4th Meeting
18th Meeting
December
2nd Meeting
16th Ten minute writing exercise followed by Christmas party
****
To unsubscribe from the Felixstowe Scribblers email and information list simply email the secretary at scribblers.1@ntlworld.com
From the Cambridge News - Liam tops £130,000 - and aims to go karting
Liam Fairhurst backing the News appeal for the TCT on Monday.CHRISTMAS has brought some special gifts for amazing fundraiser Liam Fairhurst.
Liam, 12, is fit and well after a major operation to remove a tumour from his lung, and has taken his appeal for children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent to the £130,000 mark.
That caps an incredible year for the pupil at Soham Village College, whose fundraising triumphs have come in the midst of his second battle with cancer and earned him meetings with Prince William, Professor Stephen Hawking and Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Liam says his New Year's resolution is simple: "To stay cancer free."
He also has another priority - to get back on the go-kart he won after being named Most Courageous Child at the Cambridge Evening News Community Awards.
Liam, who will continue to raise money for CLIC Sargent, added his support to the News' £1 million appeal for a Teenage Cancer Trust unit at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge.
He urged generous Cambridgeshire residents to "get behind the campaign and make it as successful as mine".
A dramatic 12 months began on December 22 last year, when Liam started his appeal in memory of Jack Wilkinson, a friend who lost his battle with cancer at the age of 12.
Speaking to the News with parents Mark and Sarah at their home in Blackthorn Court, Soham, Liam picked out the highlights of his year as "getting the go-kart, meeting Prince William and getting cancer free".
A meeting with Professor Hawking, who has faced his own colossal medical challenges, lifted Liam at a time when he was exhausted by chemotherapy.
Liam said: "Stephen Hawking is an idol for me. The best thing was his positive mental attitude.
I asked him if he ever got angry.
He said that anger was a negative energy."
The youngster can look forward to a Christmas present from the Prime Minister. Mr Brown, who presented Liam with a Diana Award for dedication to others and praised him in a speech at the Labour Party conference, is keeping in touch and up to date with his progress.
In the New Year, Liam wants to persuade his doctors to let him back on the go-kart track as soon as possible.
Sounding like the next Lewis Hamilton, he said: "It has a top speed of 80mph and does 0 to 60 in three seconds. I've taken it to the top speed! It's a four-stroke, but it beats some two-strokes."
Mrs Fairhurst said: "He used to say that he just forgets about his illness when he is on the track."
While the last year has seen glittering highlights, there have also been tough challenges.
Liam was diagnosed with lung cancer in March, having previously overcome a tumour in his leg.
Earlier this month, he underwent surgery at Addenbrooke's to remove a onecentimetre tumour from a difficult position near blood vessels in his lung.
Liam, who needed to spend just five days in hospital, is full of praise for the care he received at Addenbrooke's.
He said: "I want to say a big thank you to Madnam Samuels, the surgeon who operated on me - a really big thank you!"
The Fairhursts have more thanks for all those who have helped them with messages of support and donations to the appeal.
Liam said: "If you go to some places as small as Soham, there isn't a community spirit. But here, everyone knows who you are and everyone knows what is happening. They make sure you are OK."
At Soham Village College, pupils and staff have contributed a staggering £10,000 to the appeal. Liam is celebrating breaking the £130,000 barrier at a special assembly at the school today (Wednesday, 19 December).
Mrs Fairhurst said: "Liam can't go out shopping in Cambridge - or even when we have been in London - without someone recognising him and coming up to him. It makes us feel that there is goodwill behind us.
"People ask if the attention can be too much for Liam. But it picks him up when he is feeling totally cheesed off.
"The community support has been fantastic. So many people have been working together."
The new year will bring more low-level chemotherapy for Liam through injections and tablets. Beyond that, there is one ultimate goal.
He said: "When you have reached five years, they say you are cancer-free."
Liam plans to bring his fundraising to a close some time around his 13th birthday in February, but would love to raise £150,000 for CLIC Sargent by then.
December is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and the Fairhursts believe Christmas is the ideal time to support charities.
Mrs Fairhurst said: "We have seen first-hand the effect that cancer can have on young people. Rather than send a Christmas card, why not give £1 to the Teenage Cancer Trust or CLIC Sargent?"
The money Liam has raised will help CLIC Sargent to provide specialist cancer treatment for youngsters as well as post-hospital social care and support for families.
Having met other youngsters struggling with illness on the children's ward at Addenbrooke's, Liam knows how tough things can be.
He said: "I've had a rough trot, but there are other people who have had an even rougher one."
Our next meeting, the final one of 2007, will be held on Tuesday 18th December in the Café Libra at the Library starting at 7.30 pm.
This will be a meeting with a difference - yes another meeting with a difference! There are no homework subjects to consider, but please take a pencil and paper along if you can, and also four words that will be placed in Dick's hat. Everyone will then pick one word out of the hat and spend ten mintues writing something on or about the word.
Should be fun to do and I'm sure the results will be excellent too!
Afterwards it will be on with the Xmas party just to round the evening off - thanks to all who have offered to bring some 'goodies' in. Ruth says that she has had a reprint of her book, The James Version, and this will be on sale at the special price of £5 as a late Xmas gift for someone dear, perhaps. It retails in the shops for £6.99.
Of course Dave can match that special price for 'Ipswich Speedway - The First 50 Years'!!!
Whatever happens, Tuesday should be a good meeting....
The writer said he would continue to work on his latest book
Author Terry Pratchett is suffering from a rare form of early Alzheimer's disease, it was revealed on the BBC NEWS 24 website earlier today.
In a statement 59 year old author Pratchett said it would have been "unfair to withhold the news" from his publishers and added that the condition was behind a "phantom stroke" earlier this year.
Last week we heard that Liam Fairhurst, the brave little soul from Soham, who has raised so much money for Clic Sargent, was to have surgery on December 4th or 5th. Caz has received a message from Liam's Mum that says:
"Liam has beaten his record + 5 days. After major surgery we are out of hospital. Await histology but Surgeon happy with operation and condition of lungs."
Cast your mind back twelve months or so and you may recall our talented writer Gordon who used to have us in fits of laughter with some hilarious adult versions of Noddy. Well Gordon has been working on his 'Nightmare at Norbridge' parts of which he shared with us at Scribblers. Now, at long last he has decided to try and make a few bob from it and posted it on Lulu, where you can purchase it.
Gordon says, "I have finally made a downloadable version of Nightmare at Norbridge available to the public on Lulu. (The self publishing site I mentioned to you a while back) Just in time for Xmas, should anyone have 50p to spare! All they have to do is type Lulu Publishing into their browser to bring up details of the site. I am hoping that sales will reach the 1000 mark by Xmas. I've made an encouraging start, currently being a mere 998 short of my target!"
Knowing Gordon, this will be an hilarious read...so go on, help him make his fortune!
Apologies for absence were received from Ken, Judy and Ally.
In attendance were Debbie, Rosie, Dick, Stephen, Jane, Scott, Morag, Alex, Liliane, Peter, Ruth, Tony, Barry, and Dave.
A warm welcome was extended to Debbie who came along for the first time after discovering the Scribblers on our website. A poet, who also writes short stories, Debbie is another refreshing addition to our group.
Welcome back to Scott who now hopes to be with us for the foreseeable future after all his dance lessons. Mr Cobbler, his shoe business in Felixstowe is now hotting up as the opposition shoe repairer has closed down and Scott bemoans that he will have to work for a living now!
SCRIBBLERS NEWS.
Ally wrote to apologise for missing another meeting. She says,
“I didn't write a piece on the theme Birthday either. Instead I went to Wickham Market to pick out two little kittens for my Birthday. It took us almost a week to decide on suitable names for the pair. Evelyn is a little black kitten with a white tummy and socks. We call her Evie most the time as she is usually purring and very affectionate. The other kitten is Grace. She was the hardest to name as she is so pretty, all grey with just a few dark stripes on her tail. She is a bit snobby sometimes and likes to choose if she will say hello or ignore you.
“You can't tell Eve off, even when she ran up the chimney and getting her down covered me in soot. I tried to wipe her down with a damp cloth but it freaked her out. She hates water. When you tell her ‘no going up the chimney’ she just looks at you and purrs and you can't stay mad for long. Grace is more laid back and is often quietly behaving in a corner. One night she managed to sneak in the bedroom before lights out and once we were tucked up in bed she jumped up to attack our feet. I have never heard her purring so happily before and kept asking Rob 'are you sure that’s not Eve in here?'
“The first week the girls didn't get on and wanted to fight each other but now they are settled in we can come home to find them cuddled up together. I love their individual characters. They are the best birthday present ever.”
I am sure that her note is a ‘Birthday’ homework in itself. So keep purring, Ally!
We also had a message from Ken who is feeling somewhat under the weather at the present time and hopes to be able to resume soon. He has been looking at the Online Scribblers site so perhaps we will see some of his work posted there during his absence. He wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Also unable to make the meeting, Judy apologises and sends an update on her book that everyone is waiting to see. Judy says:
“The book situation has improved dramatically. The useless girl that was in charge of publishing my, along with many other, books has been given the push - at last. Literally, she did nothing, leaving many of us seriously in the lurch. However, Bookforce have pulled three staff from the parent company and loaned them to Discovered Authors (same building) and I now have a super guy who is sorting it all out. Hope to have a launch date by the end of this week.” Here’s hoping for good news very soon.
Liliane reported that she saw Christine recently in Felixstowe. Christine still has visual problems but hopes that one day she will be able to attend a meeting once more.
We recently heard from our other Ken, of ‘The Lost Sock’ fame, up there in Lowestoft. Business has been slow due to all the bridge repairs in affecting the whole town but he is looking for a good Christmas and better things in the New Year. Ken sends seasonal greetings to all Scribblers old and new.
Alex attended a recent Wolsey Writers’ Workshop on script writing and says that the turnout for the guest speaker was quite disappointing. Every workshop he has attended has been extremely good and includes writing exercises. Well worth £10 of anyone’s money.
Ruth also mentioned that the course she attended was invaluable and the advice she had been given was that writer’s who try to get novels publishes are not given much credence but there are opportunities for new writers on the radio medium. Pay rates are excellent too.
On Tuesday 27th November Dave attended the WRITERS’ CAFÉ that was held in Starbucks, Ipswich. A thoroughly enjoyable evening in which he read ’Homeward Bound’ a story written as a homework assignment for the Scribblers. Starbucks was packed full of writers, and only the brave (and Dave!) read their work. With another event planned for March and two writers workshops being organised to coincide with the Ip-Art festival there are exciting times ahead for local writers. Perhaps this is an event that the Scribblers should be involved in.
Caz wanted to let you all read what Liam Fairhurst said on his Just Giving site. Liam, if you recall, began fund raising in memory of his friend Jack Wilkinson, Caz’s son, whom he met at Addenbrook’s. After Jack passed, Liam began a campaign to raise funds in memory of Jack and to date has raised a staggering £128,415.19, all going to CLIC Sargent towards a home where families can go for a holiday.
4/12/07 Well D DAY is nearly here my op is tomorrow and so I may not update this for a little while. I'm scared but know that once I get over this I can finally say 'IM CANCER FREE' Thanks to everyone who donated on STAR today to hear MARK squirm with some bugs and well done to MARK because you made my day!!! Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. This month is child cancer awareness month so rather than sending a card why not by one of CLIC SARGENTS 'SURVIVOR BEARS' which represent the 7 out of 10 children who survive cancer and the journey they go through in overcoming physical and mental disabilities. YOU can make a difference, you have made a difference and we can all continue to do so. Thanks for your support xx
Caz asks that we pray for a speedy recovery and that Liam has his wish to be Cancer free for 2008.
January is going to be an interesting month. Our first meeting will be the AGM on the 8th January (that’s the second Tuesday of the month) followed on 22nd January (the fourth Tuesday) with the competition for the Bill Budner trophy that Rosie is keeping polished for us. Then it’s the CHRISTMAS SOCIAL on Tuesday 29th January 2008 at the Grosvenor in Ranelagh Road Felixstowe. Menu’s should be available at the start of January when bookings and meal orders will be taken.
Moving into February our meetings will revert to the usual 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Don’t forget that our official website at http://felixstowescribblers.com is up and running and we will soon be making some additions to it so please have a look from time to time. Perhaps you would like your potted history added. Food for thought?
Most up to date information is shown on our weblog at the usual address - http://nar8or.blogspot.com Don’t forget not only do we like to hear news of our old friends, but also your news or events you‘d like mentioned. Just let us know and we will include details on our weblog.
The Online Scribblers competition, dedicated to Jack Wilkinson, revolved around a picture that was posted in the competition forum at http://onlinescribblers.com The competition has closed and all entries can be read in the competition forum and votes can be cast online for your favourite TWO pieces of work. Currently leading the pack is Caz with a poem. For fans of The Lost Sock you will find an entry mentioning the Thorpeness Monster. If you are not already a member then you need to register, free of charge, by following the online instructions or emailing Vincent West the organiser@onlinescribblers.com Please mention that you are a member of Felixstowe Scribblers as that will speed up registration.
The 1,500 word open themed homework assignments.
Liliane: Rapunzel: A humorous modern spin on the age old fairy tale including being taken prisoner by a Russian, discovering a hair tonic and eventually being blasted into space.
Stephen: The Christmas Break. Stephen’s first attempt at the long story in which he introduced and built up the characters Josh and Mel whom he was portraying and using excellent dialogue. A forerunner to a longer story.
The 500 word homework assignment on ‘Absent Friends‘.
Debbie: ‘Hope’ and ’Saucer Sky’. Two refreshing poems dramatically delivered holding the attention from the first word to the last.
Rosie: Break: Another clever contribution from Rosie - staring into the mirror when the story was still young and captivating but it all altered at page 48...
Dick: Never Again: Edith’s mood was as dark as the weather. Husband on the Oncology Ward with only three months to live. He recalls his love of daffodils…
Jane: What A Drag It Was To Know You: Once a constant part of her life, a friend for many years and an enemy too. A love hate relationship that she gave up after so much time.
Morag: The Coach Trip: Character building and setting the plot for novel number 18. Carl planned to take his mother to France. She was thrilled but had no idea of his fake passport or the real reason for the trip.
Alex: Shop Girl: Cleverly created story that was written in the female gender from a girl‘s viewpoint. It shared the feelings for her father who was a real bastard.
Peter: Surprise Meeting: A story with a twist in the tale. Folk always appreciate a party and with so many absent friends celebrating, it could only be Heaven.
Ruth: Innocence Lane: Brilliant work revisiting her novel about the father who believed he murdered his wife in his sleep. He finds his daughter in the bedroom where she had heard scratching from the wardrobe and thought it was a rat.
Tony: Inside The Semi-Detached Cave: Another instalment of this fantastic journey through the pen of a clever writer who mentions three words that pray on the mind - Morose, depressed and suicidal!
Barry: Absent Friends: Friends are spread all over the world, the family across the UK. Women use cars as a method of getting from A to B but men have a love of cars and can remember more about them than family birthdays..
Dave: Gone Missing: The friends who prepared the cottage for them when they returned from honeymoon. Had gone missing. Doorways bricked up, locks full of Polifilla, a missing suitcase and bells under the bed…
Thanks to Liliane for collecting the key once again and to everyone present for their great writing that provided another tremendous evening.
Our next meeting, the last in 2007 will be held on Tuesday 18th December in the Café Libra at Felixstowe Library. Start time 7.30 pm.
There will be no homework for this meeting. Instead please bring along four words each written on a small slip of paper. These will go into a hat followed by everyone drawing out one word then taking 10 minutes to write something about it. Remember this is Xmas and it should be fun!
Everyone has promised to bring along some drink or goodies for the little Christmas party after this.
Here’s wishing those under the weather a speedy recovery.
Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday 4th December in the Café Libra at the Library at 7.30 pm.
The open themed 1,500 word homework assignment will be read by Liliane and Stephen whilst the 500 word assignment for the rest of us is "ABSENT FRIENDS".
Talking of which, we have heard from Les who is currently away 'dog sitting' in Kessingland and have posted his letter on our weblog at http://nar8or.blogspot.com/. Les hopes to come along to our social at the Grosvenor in January and to a meeting or two in the New Year.
We have also heard from Ally who missed the last meeting as she was out choosing her birthday presents, two kittens that are now the centre of attraction in her new home. Ally will be missing again on Tuesday as the date clashes with her works Christmas meal, but will be back soon!
Our AGM forms the first meeting of the New Year so, after a relatively quiet year, Felixstowe Scribblers would like to receive any items that you would like to be included on the agenda, and also confirmation from committee members that they wish to continue serving.
A packed house recently savoured the warm and friendly atmosphere at Starbucks in Ipswich on an evening when many writers shared their stories and poetry. Dave, representing Felixstowe Scribblers, read out "Homeward Bound" a work that originated through the group's homework assignments. The evening was testament to the hard work of the Ip-Art team who organised a throughly enjoyable evening when old friends met up and new friends were made during the event. Another WRITERS’ CAFÉ is being planned for March 2008 along with two writers' workshops and a short story competition later in the year.
The Online Scribblers competition dedicated to our Jack Wilkinson has now closed and online voting is now taking place so if you'd like to read the entries and vote for your favourites then go to http://onlinescribblers.com
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 New!2009 programme is:-
All meetings are held at Felixstowe Library
Start at 7.30 pm and finish by 10.00 pm.
Suggested 50 pence donation per meeting, includes tea or coffee
January
20 Bill Budner Trophy – Anonymous competition for attending writers only
24 Social meal at Castle Lodge Hotel
25 Group session with Maureen Blundell at Castle Lodge Hotel
February
3 Meeting
17 Meeting
March
3 Meeting
17 Creative writing exercise
April
7 Meeting
21 Meeting
May
5 Meeting
19 Bill Budner Trophy – Anonymous competition for attending writers only
June
2 Meeting
16 Meeting
Beach Party Social to be arranged June/July
July
7 Meeting
21 Creative writing exercise
August
4 Meeting
18 Meeting
September
1 Meeting
15 Bill Budner Trophy – Anonymous competition for attending writers only
October
6 Meeting
20 Torchlight Halloween Meeting
November
3 Meeting
17 Meeting
December
1 Meeting
15 Creative writing exercise followed by the Christmas party.
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 Dave Feakes, scribblers@btinternet.com with your comments, additions and suggestions TA! The Scribblers.
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The Felixstowe Scribblers are an initiative created with the support of Suffolk County Council to help, support and encourage writers living in Suffolk.
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