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.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Our Next Meeting
Hi Scribblers!
Our next meeting is rapidly approaching and will take place in the Cafe Libra at Felixstowe Library on Tuesday 4th March starting at 7.30pm.
The assignment this time is to write 500 words on either one of two topics, the choice is entirely yours to make. You can either write on "Money" or "Biscuits". Alternatively, if you are bold enough, then you can include both words in your homework theme.
Peter and Scott will provide the two 1,500 word open themed work.
Have you entered the Bill Budner competition yet? Time is moving on so I hope you will send your entries to Felixstowe Library.
The competition is for a fictional short story, starting with the first line : ‘It all started when…’, There is a maximum of 2,000 words. Entry is open to all, with separate awards for children aged (16 and under at the closing date).
Prizes will be awarded for the three best stories in each category, as follows:
1st prize £25, 2nd prize £15, 3rd prize £10
Entries much reach the library by the closing date of Friday March 14th 2008. Entries should be handed in or posted to the staff at Felixstowe Library, Crescent Road , Felixstowe, IP11 7BY, and clearly marked for the ‘Bill Budner Short Story Competition’. Full information can be found on our weblog by scrolling down the page.
There is also a competition running at Online Scribblers. That one is just for fun and the prestige of winning with a certificate awarded to the winner. Visit http://onlinescribblers.com
For all those people who missed Dick's lecture on the Ghosts of Landguard Fort - you really missed an informative and interesting talk that was so expertly delivered.
Apologies for absence were received from Ruth, and Pat.
In attendance were Dick, Di, Alex, Rosie, Tony, Les, Scott, Trish, Liliane, Stephen, Lauren, Peter, Morag, Barry, and Dave.
SCRIBBLERS NEWS.
Ruth takes her place in the Rushmere Players adaptation of Alan Ayckbourn’s Improbable Fiction that will run from Thursday 6th to Saturday 8th March at the Rushmere Hall Primary School in Lanark Road Ipswich. Tickets are priced £7 and can be organised through Tony or from the ticket line on 01473-604655.
Dick takes the limelight this weekend with a Coffee and Cake lecture at the Suffolk Record Office in Ipswich on Saturday. The talk is entitled The Ghosts of Landguard Fort and will start at 10.30am. The cost is £5.50 and tickets can be obtained in advance from the Record Office (01473-584541) or on the door on the day.
Scott has two important examinations looming very soon, one a dancing exam and the other a martial arts exam. Best of luck on both counts, Scott!
Thanks must go to Les and Trish for providing cakes and biscuits for the meeting.
Our small bank account has now been transferred to a fresh bank, although we still await the final closure of the original account. The majority of our small funds will be drawn out and deposited into the new account.
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. 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.
Presently there have been no entries submitted to the Felixstowe Library for the Bill Budner competition so I make no apologies in producing the details once again. Please remember this is a free to enter competition with the prize money in both adult and junior categories being donated by Bill’s widow Maureen. So please have a go and enter a story both for the chance of winning the cash prize and, of course, to remember Bill
Bill Budner Short Story Competition 2008
Theme – ‘It all started when…’
Entries are now invited for the Bill Budner Short Story competition, sponsored by Bill’s widow, Maureen and organized by the Felixstowe Scribblers.
The competition is for a fictional short story, starting with the first line : ‘It all started when…’, with a maximum of 2,000 words. Entry is open to all, with separate awards for children (16 and under at the closing date).
Prizes will be awarded for the three best stories in each category, as follows:
1st prize £25, 2nd prize £15, 3rd prize £10
Each entry must be the original and unpublished work of the entrant. All entries should be clearly typed in double spacing on single sides of A4 paper. The author’s name, address, daytime phone number and (if possible) e-mail address should accompany the story on a separate sheet of paper. These details should not appear on the entry itself. Please include age if 16 or under. Acknowledgement of entries will only be made if accompanied by a self addressed, stamped envelope or postcard. Entries will not be returned.
Competition entries should be handed in or posted to the staff at Felixstowe Library, Crescent Road , Felixstowe, IP11 7BY, clearly marked for the ‘Bill Budner Short Story Competition’, by the closing date of Friday March 14th 2008
The winners will be chosen by a judging team headed by Bill’s widow, Maureen. The judge’s decision will be final.
The winners will be notified by Monday 7th April 2008.
The Online Scribblers have their own competition up and running. The subject is “Happy Memories” so if you wish to enter please visit their website http://onlinescribblers.com To register, free of charge, follow the online instructions or email Vincent West at 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.
“An Excerpt from A Story in A Flat Minor”: Tony “Divided Loyalties”: Dick
THE 500 WORD “REVENGE” HOMEWORK.
“Barbie Sleepovers and Misleading Little Sisters”: Lauren “Missing Curls” : Peter “The Coach Trip” (Excerpt from her book): Morag “Remember Last Tuesday”: Barry “Someone Up There Doesn’t Like Me” : Dave “A Cold Desert” : Di “Drop Dead Gorgeous” : Rosie “A Dish Best Served Cold” : Les “Sweet Revenge, The Return of the Eclair” : Scott “Wendy’s Computer Revenge” : Trish “God is Good” : Liliane
What a tremendous evening of superb tales - one especially deserves mention, that of Lauren who at just 11 years old, provided a splendid piece of writing.
OUR NEXT MEETING:
Tuesday 4th March.
THE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT.
On the suggestion of Peter and Scott, the rules for a homework assignment have changed slightly. Instead of one subject word there are now two. You may choose to write on either subject or, if you wish, to utilise both subjects into your work. There will still be a maximum of 500 words and the subjects this time will be “MONEY” and “BISCUITS“. Could this be Peter’s way of wanting the subs increased to pay for some chocolate biscuits I wonder?
The open themed 1,500 word work will be read by Scott and Peter.
Our next meeting takes place on Tuesday 19th February and starts at 7.30pm at the Cafe Libra at Felixstowe Library.
The assignment is to write 500 words on "REVENGE", a subject that should deliver an array of payback tales. Also on the agenda will be the two 1,500 word open themed subjects that will be read by Dick and Tony.
Good luck to our friends Gordon and Rexie who celebrate their silver wedding anniversary this weekend.
Our weblog at http://nar8or.blogspot.com gives you details of our own Bill Budner writing competition that I hope you will be entering, free of charge but with cash prize incentives for the first three in both the adult and the children's section.
There is also Ted Walters International Short Story and Writing Competition some lovely news about young Liam Fairhurst ... and some from Caz too. So scroll down and catch up on the news.
At the end of the message there is the BBC Writersroom newsletter full of links to amazing information. Worth a read!
Oh and don't forget that Dick is giving a talk at the Ipswich Record Office next Saturday on the ghosts of Landguard Fort. Details will follow shortly.
Mark Catley Interview --------------------- Playwright Mark Catley went through the BBC Drama Writers' Academy, and is now Lead Writer of Casualty. He tells us about his work on the show. http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/insight/mark_catley.shtml
Paul Cornell Interview ---------------------- Paul Cornell has written for Casualty, Holby City, Doctors, and Robin Hood, but is probably best-known for his work on Doctor Who. http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/insight/paul_cornell.shtml Radio Comedy Q&A ---------------- 27 February 2008 Lenny Henry and Danny Robins will be talking with Kate Rowland at the Royal Court in London about writing their new radio sitcom. Tickets to the event are free. http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/insight/radio_comedy.shtml
Entries are now invited for the Bill Budner Short Story competition, sponsored by Bill’s widow, Maureen and organized by the Felixstowe Scribblers.
The competition is for a fictional short story, starting with the first line :
‘It all started when…’, with a maximum of 2,000 words.
Entry is open to all, with separate awards for children (16 and under at the closing date).
Prizes will be awarded for the three best stories in each category, as follows:
1st prize £25, 2nd prize £15, 3rd prize £10
Each entry must be the original and unpublished work of the entrant.
All entries should be clearly typed in double spacing on single sides of A4 paper.
The author’s name, address, daytime phone number and (if possible) e-mail address should accompany the story on a separate sheet of paper. These details should not appear on the entry itself.
Please include age if 16 or under.
Acknowledgement of entries will only be made if accompanied by a self addressed, stamped envelope or postcard. Entries will not be returned.
Competition entries should be handed in or posted to the staff at Felixstowe Library, Crescent Road , Felixstowe, IP11 7BY, clearly marked for the
‘Bill Budner Short Story Competition’, by the closing date of Friday March 14th 2008
AMAZING fundraiser Liam Fairhurst is among a group of youngsters helping draw up plans for a children's hospital in Cambridge.
Liam, 12, is on a children's board that allows young people with experience as patients to have a say on £80 million plans for a world-class children's centre at Addenbrooke's Hospital.
The board, called ACTIVE (Addenbrooke's Children and Teenagers' Ideas and Venture Enterprise), has 28 members aged eight to 18 and has already met twice.
A group of youngsters, including Liam Fairhurst, are helping to draw up plans for a children's hospital in Cambridge.Liam, who has raised £135,000 for children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent in the midst of his second battle against the disease, is putting forward his ideas on how staff should relate to young patients at the hospital. The Soham Village College pupil, who is full of praise for the care he has received on the children's ward at Addenbrooke's, is eager to see the new facility take shape.
He said: "We are going to put our ideas into what the hospital should be like. Some people are thinking about how it should look and some people are thinking about how the doctors and nurses should treat children.
"I am thinking about how doctors and nurses should speak to us. Sometimes, the way people speak to you - they treat you as a patient not as a person. But everyone at Addenbrooke's is very nice and supportive."
There is one feature Liam is particularly keen to see: "Blackout blinds, so you can actually get some sleep!"
Liam, who lives in Soham, is making good progress after surgery at Addenbrooke's to remove a tumour from his lung in December. He said: "Everything is going really well."
It is hoped the children's hospital will rank alongside major children's centres such as Great Ormond Street in London and Alder Hey in Liverpool. Building work could begin by 2010, with the first patients admitted in 2013.
It would provide facilities for parents to stay overnight, and would cut stress for local families who could otherwise be forced to stay in other cities for long periods while their children receive specialist care.
Caz received a card from Belinda and Geoff last week and a text yesterday. They are on holiday in Canberra and still missing their English friends. They are touring round visiting places named after towns they visited during their long stay in England.
Caz is also very pleased to report that her winning entry in the Online Scribblers competition,‘Wally The Whale’, has been published again this time in the EBlog of The Evening Star. She is chuffed they published the poemtogether with her comments. Power to the people and the PC!
Incorporating the REPORT OF THE MEETING HELD 5th FEBRUARY 2008
In the Chair: Dave.
Apologies for absence were received from Ruth, Morag and Barry.
In attendance were Dick, Tony, Rosie, Scott, Trish, Liliane, Les, Jane, Peter, Stephen, Barry, and Dave. It was welcome back to Pat who had to miss several meetings and a very warm welcome to 11 year-old Lauren and her father, Steven. Lauren loves writing short stories, and though she did not read this time, she hopes to when she attends her next meeting in March. She is in her school play which clashes with her next meeting.
SCRIBBLERS NEWS.
Ruth will be missing from the Scribblers for the whole of February as she prepares for her part in the Rushmere Players adaptation of Alan Ayckbourn’s Improbable Fiction that will run from Thursday 6th to Saturday 8th March at the Rushmere Hall Primary School in Lanark Road Ipswich. Tickets are priced £7 and can be organised through Tony or from the ticket line on 01473-604655.
Sad news from Morag that her mother was in hospital although the news is that there is nothing sinister to worry about.
It was a London hospital visit too for Barry who was to have a lumbar puncture but, quite bravely, he wrote his homework up in advance and forwarded it on so that it could be read out if time permitted.
Recently Lisa emailed to say sorry she had not been in touch for some months. She had never consciously decided not attend Scribblers but 2007 was quite a frantic year for her. During the latter months there were a couple of family bereavements and then she learned in October that her mum had cancer. Thankfully mum is better now but Lisa had to care for her following surgery to remove the cancer and that pretty took up all her time to the end of the year. 2008 is looking better. Her mum is fully recovered and her son is now at school five mornings a week so at last Lisa will get to write a little every day. She says, “My wish is of course to return to Scribblers regularly but if that doesn't work out it is great to know that I can show up every now and again even if it is just to catch up with you all and listen to your work. Please send my best wishes to the rest of the scribblers and hopefully I will see you in 2008.”
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…
…have launched their new competition, “Happy Memories” so please check their website http://onlinescribblers.com To register, free of charge, follow the online instructions or email Vincent West at organiser@onlinescribblers.com Please mention that you are a member of Felixstowe Scribblers as that will speed up registration.
Don’t forget our own competition either :-
Bill Budner Short Story Competition 2008
Theme – ‘It all started when…’
Entries are now invited for the Bill Budner Short Story competition, sponsored by Bill’s widow, Maureen and organized by the Felixstowe Scribblers.
The competition is for a fictional short story, starting with the first line : ‘It all started when…’, with a maximum of 2,000 words. Entry is open to all, with separate awards for children (16 and under at the closing date).
Prizes will be awarded for the three best stories in each category, as follows:
1st prize £25, 2nd prize £15, 3rd prize £10
Each entry must be the original and unpublished work of the entrant. All entries should be clearly typed in double spacing on single sides of A4 paper. The author’s name, address, daytime phone number and (if possible) e-mail address should accompany the story on a separate sheet of paper. These details should not appear on the entry itself. Please include age if 16 or under. Acknowledgement of entries will only be made if accompanied by a self addressed, stamped envelope or postcard. Entries will not be returned.
Competition entries should be handed in or posted to the staff at Felixstowe Library, Crescent Road , Felixstowe, IP11 7BY, clearly marked for the ‘Bill Budner Short Story Competition’, by the closing date of Friday March 14th 2008
The winners will be chosen by a judging team headed by Bill’s widow, Maureen. The judge’s decision will be final.
The winners will be notified by Monday 7th April 2008.
THE 1,500 WORD OPEN THEMED HOMEWORK.
“At the Fair” : Liliane “Alf” : Dave
THE 500 WORD “COMEDY” GENRE HOMEWORK.
“Politically Incorrect” : Pat “What Size?” : Scott “Two Hours On the Moon” : Trish “Bridge Over the Grand Union Canal” : Les “Something Fishy” : Jane “Comedy” : Peter “If You Don’t Succeed” : Dick “The Inn on the Square” : Tony “No Show” : Rosie “Humour” : Barry (read by Dick)
OUR NEXT MEETING:
Tuesday 19th February.
THE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT.
A maximum please of 500 words on “REVENGE”. Maybe time for some payback….?
The open themed 1,500 word work will be read by Dick and Tony.
......takes place on Tuesday 5th February at the Cafe Libra, Felixstowe Library. Starting at 7.30pm the meeting will see the resumption of the normal format following the AGM and the anonymous competition for the Bill Budner trophy.
The assignment is to write 500 words either in the genre of comdey or about comedy or humour, so here's hoping for a light hearted evening of entertainment.
I understand that Barry will miss the meeting as he is booked into hospital for two days but has already done his homework and forwarded it on so we should be able to let him have some feedback. Here's hoping his hospital visit will be a successful one.
I also hear that our good friend Gordon and wife Rexie are soon to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary - so good luck to them both!
Thanks to Ruth who made the arrangements, our Social at the Grosvenor was a pleasantly successful evening made all the nicer with Zoe joining us. Talking of Ruth, there's good news that she has now a new agent to help sell her books.
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.
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.
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