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.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
GOTCHA!
The Royal Navy this evening brought to an end the saga of the WWII bomb. Thanks to their expensive underwater technology in Remus,the erstwhile bomb was located and was finally detonated approximately 1.5 miles from shore. Local television cameras recorded the explosion that could be felt on land, as the spout of seawater shot around 150 feet into the air.
For a look at the event, from start to finish of the whole saga since the bomb originally washed up on the shore, go to Felixstowe TV who have provided some really excellent footage and reports.
And thanks should also go to the Royal Navy for their perseverance in locating and dealing with the wayward bomb.
The missing 1,000lb WWII bomb that lays somewhere on the seabed is still missing. In an effort to detect it, the Royal Navy have brought in their impressive underwater device named Remus. This covers a defined search area of the seabed scanning for the bomb. Anything that looks remotely like it will be identified with divers going down to examine the item but, so far, no luck.
If you would like to see more of their amazing device then log onto Felixstowe TV where there is a weeks supply of newsreel on the bomb including an excellent filmed explanation of Remus.
Well worth a few minutes to view it.
Well done Felixstowe TV for keeping us all in the picture!
Day five and even using the most expensive underwater device to scan the seabed, the bomb is still missing.
Questions have been asked over the reliability of the GPS location as the search area has been increased. Felixstowe, Suffolk and much of England awaits the final outcome.
Just as a little reminder, the bomb, photographed by Miles Wakefield, of Team Van Oord and published on Felixstowe TV. looks just like this.......
We have an extra week to wait until our next meeting. Because of the 'extra' Tuesday in April, the next time we meet will be on Tuesday 6th May in the Cafe Libra at Felixstowe Library starting at 7.30pm.
The homework theme is for 500 words on "FARE" or "FAIR". Fair enough?
We received a very big 'Thankyou' from Caz for the donation we made from our tea and coffee fund towards the Ride for Life in memory of Jack Caz and Karl will be doing the ride on 18th May. You can see, and possibly donate on line to the cause by going to the website where further details and donations are shown. The website is at www.justgiving.com/jackwilkinson
We have heard that young Liam Fairhurst has had a long operation in his battle against cancer and a copy of the Cambridge News report and picture can be viewed on our weblog at http://nar8or.blogspot.com.
The results of the Bill Budner competition have already been circulated, but this has brought some good news from a Scribbler of old, Geraldine Rose who has just won the Irish post Journalism prize with an article called 'Making skeletons dance.' Geraldine is absolutely thrilled and will be off to Listowel to collect her prize at the end of May. Recently our friend Belinda won the Online Scribblers competition too, so many congratulions to the winners all. Well done!
Who has been following the bomb saga at Felixstowe this week? Five days now and the Navy have managed to remove the bomb from the beach and then let it slip away into the unknown. The weblog believes this may not be a German bomb after all but more like an Australian one that's gone walkabout.... No doubt we will hear a lot more on the subject until the bomb is located and finally detonated. Were any of our Scribblers evacuated on Monday? I have a feeling that two of our friends may have been and I wonder how they coped during those worrying hours when a large area of Felixstowe became an exclusion zone?
Had an email from our Cairns based friend Chris the other day. He says that he is pre-occupied with writing. partaking in a ‘Women’s Weekly Short Story competition’ in Australia with two stories of not more than 5000 words both written from a women’s viewpoint. He's also collaborating in writing a book on the History of Stratford-the one down under and not ours-and a book of his own short stories which he is thinking of getting privately printed. On top of that he does the occasional piece for scribblers and online scribblers too. Chris thought it worth mentioning that none of this would have happened if he had not come along to the Scribblers meeting last July and received such support for his piece on the cats. That was the turning point! If people who knew about writing liked it, he said, maybe he should do more of it, especially as he enjoys it so much. Chris rounded off by sending his best to the 'troops'.
Guess we get the blame for his refreshing interest in writing!
Liam Fairhurst, well known to Felixstowe Scribblers as a friend and fundraiser in memory of Jack Wilkinson, has undergone further surgery in his battle against cancer. Liam and Jack met at Addenbrooke's when they were undergoing treatment for cancer and when Jack passed, Liam began his tremendous fundraising campaign.
Here, in full, is the report that was published in the Cambridge News.
CHAMPION fundraiser Liam Fairhurst has undergone nine hours of surgery in his latest round of his battle with cancer.
The brave 13-year-old had major lung surgery at Addenbrooke's Hospital to remove a tumour.
Liam's father Mark told the News Liam was unconscious for 24 hours following Wednesday's operation.
However, he added he was now conscious. Mark said: "I would like to thank the medical staff and the surgeon, Mr Samuels. The operation was successful.
"The operation has gone well and hopefully marks the last of his cancer."
Liam's incredible fundraising efforts while battling cancer last year has seen him hit the headlines across the country.
The Soham Village College pupil has raised an amazing £145,000 for cancer charity CLIC Sargent, with money continuing to pour into his appeal. His inspirational example has also seen him meet with Gordon Brown, Princes William and Harry and Professor Stephen Hawking.
The Prime Minister was so impressed with the Soham teenager that he even mentioned him in his first Labour Party Conference speech in September.
He also has donated a bottle of whisky - autographed by his entire Cabinet - for Liam to auction online, with bidding now standing at £1,000.
Wishing Liam well last week, Mr Brown said: "Liam is a fantastic young man who is constantly a great inspiration to others, and he continues to make a huge effort to improve life for other children with cancer."
Liam has also supported the News's campaign to raise £1million for a specialist teenage cancer ward at Addenbrooke's Hospital.
He is also 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.
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. Published: 24/04/2008 12:51:02
The elusive unexploded bomb still lays somewhere on the sea floor some two miles out at from the Felixstowe shoreline. Despite the Royal Naval staff knowing the GPS location, their divers have still to find the bomb. With zero visibility it means a virtual finger tip search or a trawl of the seabed to find it.
and that when the bomb is found and detonated, they will be able to see a spout of water estimated to be some 200 feet in the air. The imminent danger was removed when the bomb was towed out to sea and residents are assured of their safety.
Here in Suffolk we have a well known phrase - "Cor blast me, boy!" - which seems an appropriate invitation from the bomb to the navy.
At the time of writing, the 1,000lb German bomb has done a disappearing act making one or two folk wonder if this could be an Australian bomb gone walkabout?
On a more serious note, the bomb has slipped it's buoy and is on the sea bed but because of the very poor visibility, the divers have to locate it by touch. Whether it is found tonight or tomorrow, the earliest expected detonation will be tomorrow (Thursday). It is approximately two miles from shore so it poses no further danger to Felixstowe residents.
Now identified as a 1,000lb German bomb from World War Two, Felixstowe and its residents need to wait until Wednesday morning at the earliest for the bomb to be detonated.
With the bomb having been moved a mile out to sea, the half-mile exclusion zone from the sea front has been lifted meaning that all the evacuated residents have been able to return home as Felixstowe gets back to some normality.
The news of the bomb has generated a great deal of newsreel on our Felixstowe and this may provide a real boost to the our local holiday trade. Let's hope so!
ADULT 1st Ruth Dugdall - Old Dogs & New Tricks 2nd Kayley Lyndle - Off the Beaten Track joint 3rd - Morag Clarke - Suspicious Minds joint 3rd - Una McMorran - The Waiting Room
CHILDRENS 1st - Harriet Avery (aged 14) - It all started when... 2nd - Emily Sims (aged 11) - Cooking up Trouble 3rd - Megan Payne (aged 9) - Valentina the Doctor`s Daughter
Maureen Budner judged the competition along with a librarian friend and her son, using a point system. She was thrilled with the number of entries and enjoyed doing it.
So hearty congratulations to the winners who will be contacted in the very near future.
Felixstowe residents are being asked to evacuate their homes in a mile exclusion zone from the beach after an American World War Two bomb - reputed to be a 500lb device, was dredged up at 06.30 today.
The culprit, shown here, appears on the Felixstowe TV page and was photographed by Miles Wakefield, of Team Van Oord.
Courtesy of the Ipswich Evening Star comes the image to spread fear into the unsuspecting visitors to Landguard Fort, Felixstowe.
About to launch a series of ghost tours of the Fort, The Man in Black is well known in these parts...
It is, as you will see from Richard Cornwell's report, none other than Richard, 'call me Bert' Bradshaw, one half of the old geezers from Felixstowe's "Lost Sock" film.
Why not visit the Fort one Sunday afternoon? You can be sure there will be a welcome from The man in Black and some of his friends....
FELIXSTOWE SCRIBBLERS NEWSHEET Incorporating the REPORT OF THE MEETING HELD 15th April 2008
In the Chair: Dave.
Apologies for absence were received from Di and Trish.
In attendance Dick, Rosie, Ruth, Morag, Liliane, Alex, Peter, Les, Lauren and Steven, Barry, Tony, Jane and Dave.
THE BILL BUDNER COMPETITION: An update on the competition is that the judging should be completed any day now and hopefully the results will be available by the weekend. An announcement will be made first and foremost on the weblog and members circulated. Best of luck to all entrants in both age groups.
SCRIBBLERS NEWS.
Di was at the Ipswich Record Office continuing her palaeography course and sends her wishes to all Scribblers. Looking extremely well, she has just returned from a three week holiday visiting her parents in South Africa.
Trish also sent her wishes to the Scribblers. Unfortunately family problems have really made her attendance impossible over the last few weeks, but hopefully she will be back in the fold at the first meeting of May before going on a well deserved holiday.
The Felixstowe Scribblers had an impromptu collection for our Jack’s Just Giving fundraiser for EACH. The cheque, amounting to £25 will be delivered to Caz in the next few days.
Spare a thought for Jane whose Hertfordshire house sale fell through on the very day contracts were due to be exchanged. Here’s hoping her luck changes soon, and also wishing her a happy birthday on Thursday.
Talking of birthdays, then Tony celebrated his in style by providing cream cakes for everyone. First time everyone burst into s happy birthday chorus. Thanks for the cakes and hope your birthday goes well. Alex missed our last meeting as he was in Germany whilst sickness prevented him from attending the recent IpArt Spring Writers Café at Starbucks In Ipswich. Dave attended and read ‘Greta’s Journey’, one of sixteen writers ti read their work. It was a fascinating and diverse atmospheric evening that had a full house once again.
The Ipswich Arts Festival runs from June 28th until July 13th and will include three different writers’ workshops during the fortnight. Details of the events will be released early in May. Check out the website for more details including the 2008 Short Story Competition that has cash and book tokens available in three categories, Adult, Young People (ages 12-16) and Children (ages 7-11). The subject is for a 500 word story on ’Migration’ whilst the children’s competition calls for 250 words on ’Journeys’. http://www.ip-art.com/news_details.php?id=26
Lauren: Random Story Part 2 Morag: The Coach Trip (continued)
These were two extremely good readings, Morag continuing with another section from her novel whilst Lauren provides a tremendous grasp of dialogue
The Themed 500 word assignments on ‘Migration‘:
Liliane: Just Another City Jane: Moving On Alex: In Front of the Wave Peter: Sea and Country Les: Henrietta’s Holiday Barry: The Caribou Dave: Migration Dick: Plains Thunder Rosie: Road Trip Tony: Nil Book Central Ruth: Bloodstain
Nearly all these stories were based on the homework theme and, subject to following the entrance instructions, would all provide fine entries to the IpArt writing competition. So get posting them in - competition closes on Friday May 16th. You will need to submit two copies of the story printed on white A4 paper with contact details (name, address, phone number and email address on a separate sheet of paper - young people and children must also include the school name, year group and author‘s age).
Send your entries to: James Young, The Corn Exchange, King Street, Ipswich IP1 1DH
Another enthralling evening of creativity!
Next meeting Tuesday 6th May - that is in three weeks time.
Homework subject is 500 words on “Fair or Fare” whilst the two volunteers for the open themed 1,500 word work are Liliane and Dick.
Taking the chair next time : Dick.
Thanks again to Tony and also Lauren and Steven for providing the cakes again.
Our next meeting is rapidly approaching and will take place in the Cafe Libra at Felixstowe Library on Tuesday 15th April starting at 7.30pm.
The homework theme is drawn from the new IpArt writing competition that coincidentally has a maximum of 500 words on the subject 'MIGRATION'. Our homework can obviously be entered in the competition providing all the conditions are met and full details will be available at the meeting on Tuesday. Cash prizes are up for grabs!
The 1,500 word open assignments will be undertaken by Lauren and Morag.
Talking of IpArt, the writers evening at Starbucks last Tuesday was an unqualified success with sixteen writers being given limited time to read their short stories and poetry. A thoroughly rewarding evening.
I am sorry that the results of the Bill Budner writing competition have been delayed because of illness in Maureen's family but the winners will be announced as soon as possible on the weblog - so keep watching for news.
We have a message from Caz who, although not attending Scribblers at the moment, mentions a fundraiser that will be held at the Holiday inn, London Road, Ipswich on Friday 4th July st 7. -7.30 pm. There is a sit down three course meal plus two Cabaret shows all for £30 a head. Information on the evening is available by emailing agerbas@willis.com Extra proceeds from the night will be donated to EACH in memory of Jack.
There was also a nice tribute from Liam Fairhurst's mother featured in a recent copy of Pick Me Up Magazine about Liam and Jack's wonderful friendship that developed when they met in Addenbrooks.
Had a message from Susie Enoch one of our writers who also appeared in the infamous Lost Sock. She has retrained as a therapist and launched her own company with details as follows:
I am writing to tell you about a new website which may be of interest to you and some of your colleagues in the Felixstowe Scribblers.
The main purpose of the site is to give writers of all standards the opportunity to publish their work on the web, for all to see and read, whether it be just a single poem, a short story or a full-blown novel. Visitors to the site will be able to download what they want to read and will be encouraged to provide feedback to the writer, thereby giving him or her the opportunity to make amendments to the text, if they so wish, online through password-protected access. Site statistics will also be available to all contributors and visitors, showing at a glance which works are the most popular and which may need some rethinking.
Writers will always own and control their own work and will be able to remove it altogether at any time if they so wish. They will also be able to decide whether they want to make the full text available for free, or whether they want to make a small charge for it.
I am delighted to be able to tell you that the new site is almost ready, but before launching it to the public at large we want to test it thoroughly with the help of existing writers. We are now actively looking to recruit 100 writers, of all standards, who would like to have their work uploaded onto the site, whether it be a full length novel, a short story, or a small collection of poems. In return for their help we will of course waive the normal registration charge but, more importantly, those works will be the only ones to appear on the site when it is launched to the world at large later this year. We expect to generate a lot of interest in the launch and have already had some very encouraging comments and support from well-known names in the publishing business.
As you would expect, we are writing to a number of Writers' Circles and Groups, but we must limit the test to 100 contributors only. We will, therefore, have to operate a 'first come, first served' policy.
If you think that some of your members might be interested in this opportunity, please let me know as quickly as possible.
I am sorry to report that there will be a delay in announcing the winners of the Bill Budner competitions. This is because of an illness in our sponsor, Maureen's family, coupled partly by the volume of entries received.
I am sure that the results will be announced as soon as possible but hope you will accept the apologies for, and understand the reasons causing this delay. Please keep watching the weblog for fresh information
FELIXSTOWE SCRIBBLERS NEWSHEET Incorporating the REPORT OF THE MEETING HELD 1st April 2008
In the Chair: Barry.
No apologies for absence were received.
In attendance Jane, Dick, Rosie, Tony, Morag, Liliane, Scott, Les, Lauren and Steven, Ruth. Peter, Dave, Stephen and Barry. Megan and mother Penny.
There was a warm welcome to our guests for the early part of the evening, 9 year old Megan and her mother. Megan has written her first book entitled “Letitia Meets The Tooth Fairy”. She wrote the book following on from some school work and produced it, complete with its graphics and puzzles on her own. An enterprising young lady she has been selling copies for £1 in aid of her own computer fund. The story itself is very good, and flows quite well. Written for children in her own age group it is pleasantly surprising how well she uses the vocabulary.
Three of the Scribblers read the book and gave her a little bit of feedback which will hopefully help in her future work.
Megan emailed to say “Thank you for the hints and comments about my book. I can't wait to see you again I really enjoyed meeting all of you last night and listening to the stories even though I didn't understand what they meant.” She also mentioned: “I would like to read Mr Watershed's children’s story when he does one.”
For those unsure who Mr Watershed is, it is our one and only Les who decided his work should not be read out until after the Watershed! I am certain he will forward a copy of his children’s story to Megan in due course.
THE BILL BUDNER COMPETITION:
I am sorry to report that there will be a delay in announcing the winners of the Bill Budner competitions. This is because of an illness in our sponsor, Maureen's family, coupled partly by the volume of entries received.
I am sure that the results will be announced as soon as possible but hope you will accept the apologies for, and understand the reasons causing this delay. Please keep watching the weblog for fresh information
Our best wishes are with Maureen and her family.
SCRIBBLERS NEWS.
Kay and Morag did an interesting interview on Felixstowe radio at the weekend with Anne Pearse and Denise Doggett, about their radio ‘soap’ which is going to be broadcast soon, on both Felixstowe radio and Ipswich radio. Anne read some of her historical novel set in Felixstowe which may have been influenced after a homework assignment two or three years ago at Scribblers!
The programme will be repeated Sunday at 7pm and Monday at 3pm – and possibly the late night slot at 1am!!! See www.felixstoweradio.co.uk for details.
Our Australian friend Belinda has won the recent Happy Memories competition with Online Scribblers. Well done Belinda. Since moving back home she has won two of our competitions!
Dave won an in-house competition to become a guest editor for the staff magazines - details will follow in the course of time.
The platform:
The Open 1,500 word work:
Jane: A Special Recipe Les: Imitating Katherine Walker
The Themed 500 word assignments:
Dick: It could Have Been Like This. Rosie: Modern Man’s Metal. Scott: Dark Time Lauren: A Random Story Steven: Alan Greenacre’s Camelot Morag: The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword Liliane: Swords in the Cards Tony: Chapter (Swords) Peter: April Sword Ruth: Poxy Pox Barry: The Diary Dave: The Dig
Another very interesting meeting!
Details follow for the SPRING WRITERS’ CAFÉ and also the BBC writersroom newsletter
Next meeting Tuesday 15th April
Homework subject is 500 words on “Migration” This has been selected because of the new IpArt short story competition - with cash prizes. The subject word is Migration and the maximum word limit is 500. That will fit in nicely with our own homework and could lead to a glut of entries from the Scribblers!
Volunteers for the two 1,500 word work are Morag and Lauren.
Thanks to Barry for providing the minutes and to Lauren and Steven for providing the cakes again.
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 The readings must not be offensive!
New Look -------- The BBC writersroom website has a new look and feel - check it out for yourself. http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/
Lenny Henry and Danny Robins ---------------------------- Lenny and Danny talk about writing their Radio 4 Comedy series Rudy's Rare Records. http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/insight/lenny_henry_danny_robins.shtml Matthew Graham and Ashley Pharaoh --------------------------------- On Monday 14 April, the writers and creators of Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes will talk in London about their writing. Tickets are free, but there are only a few left... http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/insight/monastic.shtml
Ashes to Ashes script --------------------- And you can read the script for the first episode of Ashes to Ashes - as well as the first episode of Life on Mars - at our Script Archive. http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/insight/tv_drama.shtml
Blog ---- Abi talks about writing for Casualty and EastEnders, including the elusive scene 20a. Join the conversation. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/writersroom/
I am sorry to report that there will be a delay in announcing the winners of the competitions. This is because of an illness in our sponsor, Maureen's family, coupled partly by the volume of entries received.
I am sure that the results will be announced as soon as possible but hope you will accept the apologies for, and understand the reasons causing this delay.
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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