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, March 28, 2008
Our Next Meeting
Our next meeting is nearly with us and will take place in the Cafe Libra at Felixstowe Library on Tuesday 1st April starting at 7.30pm.
The meeting will revert to our normal formula after the very enjoyable writing exercise we had last time. The homework theme is to write up to 500 words on "SWORD" - in any genre. The subject was drawn from the hat from all the words submitted at our last gathering.
The 1,500 words will be provided by Jane and Les.
Taking the chair for the first time will be Barry so hope you will give him an easy and enjoyable evening!
There has been a real landmark recently set on our weblog which has now surpassed 10,000 hits - praise indeed to Alex for all his efforts setting up the site in the first place and keeping an eye on proceedings.
Just another plug for the Spring Writers' Cafe at Starbucks. Last time it was a fantastic evening so why not go along? Please remember to book though! Details follow.
Hope to see you all on Tuesday,
Until then,
Keep Scribbling!
****
SPRING WRITERS' CAFÉ @ STARBUCKS, BUTTERMARKET, IPSWICH. TUESDAY APRIL 8TH AT 7.00PM
a.. Read your own work, in public in a café atmosphere b.. Join like-minded people and share two hours of creativity and inspiration c.. Listen to, and participate in an eclectic and fascinating evening of local literature
Reading places at this free event will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. But it is essential to book so email now to ensure you are part of this exciting evening - please remember to say whether you wish to read.
Here is the up to the minute news of Liam the lad who has raised nearly £150,000 in Jack’s memory….
I wanted to share with you the following that I have just received from Sarah (Liam's Mum).
"Recent scans on Liam’s lungs have shown that the tumour they set out to remove in December is still there and more than doubled in size (roughly 3cm in diameter). This would appear to indicate that the chemo is not holding the disease and he has therefore been taken off of it. However there were no other tumours or re-growth in his lungs and providing the MRI on his leg show a similar result ADDENBROOKES have agreed to surgically remove the remaining tumour on 23/04/08. Ironically the increase in its size will make it easier to find and with good sections taken around it, Liam will then go straight into remission with no further chemo or treatment.
We are hoping that this remission will be long lasting if not indefinite, but if further tumours appear Liam will be placed on a PHASE 2 trial as and when the needs arises and trial are available. Although apprehensive Liam like us just wants this thing out so he can get back to normal (although we would argue he is doing a great job of being normal at present.)
He has been nominated for two national fundraiser of the year awards, one of which he is short listed for (the ceremony taking place in July) and has nearly hit £150K. We are grateful for all the support we as a family have received from you and count you all as an integral part of his amazing recovery this far.
Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers."
We, as you, will continue to pray for this lovely, amazing, incredible young lad and his family.
FELIXSTOWE SCRIBBLERS NEWSHEET Incorporating the REPORT OF THE MEETING HELD 18th MARCH 2008
In the Chair: Alex.
Apologies for absence were received from Ruth, Lauren, Steven and Zoe.
In attendance Jane, Peter, Dave, Dick, Tony, Rosie, Les, Scott, Kay, Liliane, Barry, Alex and Stephen.
Here are the minutes from the Felixstowe Scribblers Committee Meeting Minutes held 11.3.08
Present Dave, Barry, Peter, Ruth, Morag, Alex and thanks to Dick for hosting.
Bill Budner Competition entries trickling in, response weaker than hoped for.
Email from Caz No sponsored bike ride in memory of Jack – this year a just giving website. Sponsored Walk 14.9.08 this year.
Treasurers report Funds moved from A+L to HSBC. Will seek annual audit. Peter has contact.
Dave seeking to move house after Easter. Dave will probably be absent some meetings.
Website and weblog now back up to date after a hiatus.
Peter will be absent May and fist meeting in June.
Socials numbers down for the January Grosvenor social, not sure why. Date fixed for next year as 27.1.2009 Discussion on changing format of Christmas Social having a guest speaker. Maybe Tessa West or Maureen Blundel. Maybe move to Castle Lodge Hotel – possibility of offering Speaker overnight accommodation.
Woodbridge WG started up again. Not being advertised. Group of completely new writers is full at present.
Meeting Structure Itinerary of 2008 meetings issued. 20 minutes to be given over to writing exercise. Enough variety and innovation for now.
Competitions considered to be enough for now.
Writers Café spin off event from Ipart 07 next on April 8th. Attendees report event excellent.
Collaboration and events Frustration Art on Prom event not more relevant to S. S maybe to book stall for AOP 2008.
Possible Future Projects Possible collaborations with Pulse, Ipart, Felixstowe TV, AOP and other local festivals discussed. Possible group to be put together to work on Play. Provisionally Dave, Dick, Barry and Peter. Ruth to make preliminary call to IpArt. Discussion was made on possible grant applications. Agreed not relevant to FS and pleased group self funding.
Anthology Aspiration for future Biennial Anthology. Group liked idea of hardback.
Membership Secretary New role for Barry. Will keep in contact with dropped out members.
Felixstowe Library Dave to give Itinerary of 2008 meetings.
Incoming Emails volume mercifully down. Alex offered to share duty. Dave and Alex to discuss separately.
Children’s writing group demand in area for this noted but agreed really beyond what Scribblers can help with for a number of reasons. U18s to be accommodated on ad hoc basis.
Long Pieces Dick to keep log
Rotating chair. Chair to rotate again starting alphabetically on Mar 18th with Alex
Minutes Ruth questioned do we need them. Meeting split. Much discussion. Decision to retain them for present.
SCRIBBLERS NEWS.
Caz emails : A justgiving page in Jack's memory has been set up. it's here at www.justgiving.com/jackwilkinson Caz and Karl are doing the Ride for Life in memory of Jack again this year on 18th May. Any donations would be gratefully received. If you feel you support charity elsewhere please ignore this e-mail. Lots of love and thanks Caz
Gordon and Rexie have emailed to say that their daughter Karen's new book is at YOU TUBE, - just type in PORL under the search engine and you will be able to view the page.
Lauren is absent as she is performing in her school play - good wishes to her!
A provisional plan for change to the 2009 Xmas social resulted in Ruth contacting Maureen Blundell (Liberato) about our January get together and she’s put it in her diary. Ruth also spoke to her parents and says:
“They could do a 3 course meal (home-cooked, of course!) with coffee and chocolates in the lounge afterwards, for £15. We could have a Saturday night if you think it would attract more people?
“Maureen was happy to talk for free, though her travel costs would be around £20 (I thought we could take this from our Scribblers account, if the committee agree?).
Maureen could also run a writing workshop or individual tutorials on the day before or after. I thought we could find out if the group would be interested in this?”
There is an interesting new local website http://www.cwgroup.org.uk/ and is well worth a look. The group itself is based at Hadleigh.
THE BILL BUDNER COMPETITION:
After a slow start Morag reported
“I collected 49 entries and took them to Maureen Budner on Saturday. 30 were from children (including several from Ruth’s group at the Orwell) and the rest were from adults, from afar afield as Norwich, Colchester and even Australia – so news travels.
Maureen is delighted with the response, and will get back to me as soon as possible with the results. As usual, I have numbered all the entries, so they are all anonymous, apart from the children from the Orwell, who wrote their names and addresses on the back of each piece. Maureen says she will give them encouragement for taking part.”
That is a boost in entries after last years initial competition.
The platform:
Les: Forget random bottle chemistry: Untitled: Humorous crime caper.
Scott: Pebble Total Daffodil Filth: Untitled : Funny animal story
Kay : Promotion cliff polkadot recalcitrant: Untitled: Young woman’s career adventures
Liliane: Belligerent shallow message transvestite: A tale of cross dressing
Barry: Friends Bogy Aquamarine disaster: 2 Tales of the marines
Alex: Piccolo, Registration Unsung Parsnip: A serious and a humorous poem
Jane: Plankton, Negligee, shadow, ocean: Untitled: 2 sisters catching up and a murder mystery
Morag: Catacombs, Puddle Diary Phantom: A ghost story, atmospheric stylish
Peter: Bastard, Dickhead, Luck, Venue: Never Again: a public speakers travails
Dave: Sacrifice, Bright, Hunchback horse: Untitled. A little girl aspiring to be a pop star falls in love with a horse
Dick: Greated body steel sword: A saga of knights and assassins
Tony: Parkwarden Abacus Airport vomit: ‘Child of airfix’ Humorous tale of growing up
Stephen: Parkwarden hunchback sacrifice cliff: Tale of a hunchbacked parkwarden
Rosie: Foolish hometown economy sadness: Fighting talk and fish tanks: a tale from real life
All agreed it was a most invigorating meeting.
Next meeting Tuesday 1st April
Homework subject - 500 words on 'Sword'
1,500 open themed assignment Jane, Les
Thanks to Alex for providing both sets of minutes.
Until next time,
Keep Scribbling!
*****
SPRING WRITERS’ CAFÉ @ STARBUCKS, BUTTERMARKET, IPSWICH TUESDAY APRIL 8TH AT 7.00PM
Read your own work, in public in a café atmosphere
Join like-minded people and share two hours of creativity and inspiration
Listen to, and participate in an eclectic and fascinating evening of local literature
Reading places at this free event will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. But it is essential to book so email now to ensure you are part of this exciting evening – please remember to say whether you wish to read.
There will be about 15 readers and the following are guidelines for those reading:
The reading can be poetry, prose, or a dramatic monologue
The reader will briefly introduce themselves before they read
You have 5 minutes to read your piece
There will be two 10 minute breaks during the evening
Creative Writing Groups: "CWG offers a variety of local writing courses and workshops for both novice writers and those wishing to enhance or develop their writing career.
Our aim is to help writers of all capabilities experience the over-whelming satisfaction of seeing their work in print. After all, what is the point of writing if it is never going to be shared with anyone else?
Based in Suffolk, CWG offers full courses, day workshops and five day residential and non-residential courses in the Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex area."
Our next meeting is rapidly approaching and will take place in the Cafe Libra at Felixstowe Library on Tuesday 18th March starting at 7.30pm .
This meeting will be a little different from before. Instead of a writing assignment and theme, this time all you are asked to do is provide four words, each written on a small but separate piece of paper. These will be dropped into a hat then each writer will draw out four words which will then be included a short writing exercise. At the end of the allotted time the work will be read out.
On the only previous occassion we have used this exercise, it worked wonderfully well, proving that we are really a talented group of writers! It should be fun!
The Bill Budner competition has now closed so I hope that you managed to get your entries in to the Library on time. Now we need to wait for Maureen Budner to judge the entries. Best of luck everyone!
The committee gathered last week for a very constructive meeting with decisions taken that will be very interesting - all will be revealed in due course!
Also please scroll down the page to see details of the Starbucks Writers Cafe. Last time it was a fantastic evening. Why not go along? Please remember to book!
East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH)'s Fundraising Page Page creator: East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) Page closes: 10th Mar 2010 In memory of: Jack Wilkinson
About our charity : East Anglia's Children's Hospices East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) cares for children and young people with life-limiting conditions, meaning they are likely to die before they reach adulthood. Its services also offer support to siblings and other family members helping them to come to terms with the loss, both before and after the death of the child. Charity Registration No 1069284
Donations to date: £ 215.00
Our personal message:
Our son Jack was a kind, loving and generous youngster who enjoyed life to the full. Sadly, Jack never got to play Oberon in his Junior School Play, the much sought after part because after being in remission for eight years, his cancer relapsed when he was eleven. Whilst going in and out of hospitals for over a year, Jack smiled his way through some very difficult times, always thanking everyone, for everything they ever did for him.
Jack with the help of props such as googly eyes and plastic spiders, hidden under his baseball cap, in an amazing, generous, caring way, helped those caring for him, to smile their way through his treatments. Our Darling son lost his brave battle and died on 11th August 2006 age 12.
Jack loved wildlife with a passion and people and always put others before himself. Jack knew supporting charity was important, helping children in their illnesses, as he had first hand experience. Jack managed to raise hundreds of pounds in sponsorship, for East Anglia Children’s Hospices, by cycling twenty five miles through Thetford Forest on two occasions, in The Ride for Life, aged nine and ten, which was Jack’s way of helping .
We can’t help Jack now but please help us to continue to raise money in Jack’s memory, to help other children with life limiting or threatening illnesses on their difficult journey. We’ll be sad not cycling with Jack again this year but his incredible and caring spirit lives on. Thank you.
Caz and Karl Wilkinson
*Total donated online: £215.00 Amount raised offline: £0.00 Plus Justgiving has reclaimed Gift Aid of: £57.82
SPRING WRITERS' CAFÉ@ STARBUCKS, BUTTERMARKET, IPSWICHTUESDAY APRIL 8TH AT 7.00PM
a.. Read your own work, in public in a café atmosphere b.. Join like-minded people and share two hours of creativity and inspiration c.. Listen to, and participate in an eclectic and fascinating evening of local literature
Reading places at this free event will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. But it is essential to book so email now to ensure you are part of this exciting evening - please remember to say whether you wish to read.
In attendance were Stephen, Morag, Debbie, Rosie, Di, Tony, Scott, Dick, Liliane, Kay, Alex, Lauren, Steven, Peter, Jane, Ally, Les, Barry, and Dave.
SCRIBBLERS NEWS.
At seven-thirty it looked as if there would only be a small turnout for the Scribblers meeting. It was, after all, a very cold and inhospitable night. However, not to be outdone, the Scribblers arrived in their droves with an amazing attendance of nineteen. It was nice to be able to welcome Ally, Kay, and Debbie back to our group.
It was great to report that Scott and Aimee have passed their dancing exam and now look forward to their martial arts exam this weekend. Well done on the first, and best of luck on the second one!
Alex recently bumped into former Scribblers Sharon and Keith who wished to pass their wishes on to the group. They are both excellent writers but their heavy commitments at Suffolk College meant that attendances with the Scribblers became impossible. An amazing photographer, Keith teaches the subject.
This report was delayed until after attending the Rushmere Players adaptation of Alan Aykbourn’s ‘Impossible Fiction’. All I can say is that our Ruth is equally as good an actress as she is a writer. A really splendid show that was based on a Writers’ Circle - any likeness to Felixstowe Scribblers is completely unintentional.
Thanks must go to Steven and Lauren for providing cakes for our meeting. Lauren is currently rehearsing for her school play and will miss our next meeting. Best of luck Lauren!
We received an enquiry about a nine year old called Megan who has written a 4,000 word fantasy story that she is selling to family and friends for a £1 a time. It is possible that a copy or two will be available for us to read and perhaps provide some feedback. It is also possible that one evening soon she will come along for a little while with her parents to meet us and either read from or talk about her book. What Megan is looking for is a writing group for younger children but there do not seem to be any available anywhere. That is a great pity as even her school seems not to have any interest in providing writing clubs. At £1 a go, who would like to purchase a copy of Megan’s story?
Last but not least tremendous news from Jane… After having a story accepted by People’s Friend a year ago, it was finally published in this months edition. Appearing on page 11 it is entitled ‘Moving in the Right Direction’. Well done, Jane - here’s to many more published stories.
The Bill Budner competition closes for entries this coming Friday so, if you haven’t already entered then hurry up! The clock is ticking as they say. Details of the competition follow at the end of this report.
The Online Scribblers “Happy Memories” competition also finishes on Friday. 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.
Dinner For Two : Peter Certificate to Thrill : Scott
THE 500 WORD “BISCUIT or MONEY” HOMEWORK.
Gerald’s Raid : Dick Holiday Letter Number Ten : Liliane All Heart and Starlings : Two poems by Kay Crazy for Cash : Lauren Taking the Biscuit : Jane The Haunted House : Ally The Mighty Pound : Les The Sweetest Thing : Barry That Takes the Biscuit : Dave The Tea Tree : Debbie The Last Role Theory : Rosie What Money Can Buy Me : a poem by Di The Things We Do For Timothy Whiteboots : Tony
OUR NEXT MEETING: Tuesday 18th March.
COMMITTEE MEETING: Our committee will meet at 7.30 pm on Tuesday March 11th
THE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: One of our special meetings with a short writing exercise. Our first, before Christmas, provided a great deal of fun. This one will be no different!
The homework is simply to provide four words, each written on a small piece of paper - these will be dropped into a hat (usually Dick’s) then each writer draws four letters out and has to include them in their writing.
Until next time,
Keep Scribbling!
*****
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.
Last year I read from a book of stories, Call It Tender, published by Salt Publishing, at Browsers bookshop in Woodbridge. Browsers kindly supplied drinks and there was no entrance charge. There were a lot of questions and some discussion; it was a successful evening in all respects.
This year I'm reading at Browsers again from what will be my new book, The Most Serene Republic: love stories from cities (Salt Modern Fiction), on Friday 9 May at 8 pm. Browsers will again make it a very congenial setting, I'm sure, and of course there will be the opportunity for questions and discussion too.
John Saul reading from The Most Serene Republic: love stories from cities (Salt Modern Fiction) on Friday 9 May, 8 pm, at Browsers bookshop 60 The Thoroughfare Woodbridge
About the book and publishers
The Most Serene Republic: love stories from cities Hardback, to be published April-May 2008 http: www.saltpublishing.com
The author
John Saul's short fiction has been published not only in the UK but in Australia, Canada, France, Germany and Ireland; in the prestigious New Writing series and several anthologies brought out by Serpent's Tail. His previous collection Call It Tender was described by The Times as 'witty and playful', proof that 'the short story is not only alive but being reinvigorated in excitingly diverse ways'.
Save Felixstowe Countryside A plan has been announced to build 1620 dwellings on the Colneis Peninsular, from Trimley to Felixstowe, (the sites are shown in red on the map above). The consultation regarding this plan ends on 28th March 2008. You can make your views known by going to the web page at www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/yourdistrict/planning/review/corestrategy/furtherissues then scrolling down to 'Have Your Say' and click on Submit your comments…. The consultants David Lock Associates hired, at great expense, to produce a plan for Felixstowe clearly stated that these areas 1,4 and 5 should not be developed, stressing the need to include this land as part of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Other consultants, Opinion Research Services, concluded that Felixstowe had no need for additional housing. For more information about these areas, which are grade 1 & 2 farmland, classified as “Environmentally Sensitive Area bordering an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty see http://www.felixstowecountryside.co.uk/ and http://www.groups.yahoo.com/ and type ‘Bittern’ in the Find a Yahoo Group box. The Save Felixstowe Countryside action group meets at the Half Moon public house every Thursday evening at 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome. On 11 March at 7.30pm at Walton community hall, High Road (next to the Falcon PH) Felixstowe Town Council will present their case for supporting this green field development Finally the East of England Development Agency are rewriting their Corporate Plan, and asking for local people to comment. You can do so at http://consult.eeda.org.uk/portal/corpplan/ by the 5th March 2008.
Thursday 27 March at 7.30pm The Cut, 9 New Cut, Halesworth, Suffolk
CONNIE BENSLEY & DEAN PARKIN An irresistible mix of wit and heart.
Connie Bensley never misses a trick in her poignant, funny takes on the everyday lives of men and women. She’s published six collections - her most recent, Private Pleasures, (Bloodaxe) came out last year. They're refreshing books that make you laugh out loud, that you can’t put down. A keen observer of human foibles and failings, but without malice or bile - she's continually startled by our absurd behaviour, her own included, and just has to share it. A huge favourite with audiences at the 2007 Aldeburgh Poetry Festival. Read one of Connie's poems at http:///
Her poems are sharp, intelligent, vulnerably immaculate, and they make much of their impact by pulling the shreds of whatever carpet remains from under your feet. John Mole
Suffolk’s own Dean Parkin is currently poet-in-residence on BBC Radio Norfolk’s Roy Waller Show. His first short selection of poems Irresistible to Women (2003) contained offbeat, tender and entertaining stories of communication breakdowns. The human comedy develops and darkens – sisters’ boyfriends, domestic obsessions, deathbed misunderstandings – in the poems from his new second publication, Just Our Luck (The Garlic Press) which is launched tonight. Sample some of Dean’s poems and ‘sonic tinkerings’ at www.myspace.com/deanparkinpoet
Tickets £7 from the Box Office at The Cut (open Tues-Sat 11am - 2pm) or ring 0845 6732123 http:/// Supported by the Limbourne Trust
IMPROBABLE FICTION BY ALAN AYCKBOURN AND ADAPTED BY THE RUSHMERE PLAYERS
The whisper is that this production centres on a writers' circle and includes in their cast, one of our very own Felixstowe Scribblers - Ruth. Worth going along to watch, I'll bet!
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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