Newsheet and Report of Meeting

FELIXSTOWE SCRIBBLERS NEWSHEET

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.

So until next time,

Keep Scribbling!