A Good Turnout

There were 24 members in attendance this week and the themes were "Time Stood Still" and "My Hero". Apologies were tendered for several members.

Prior to starting, Nik ammounced that he had been appointed as Chief Editor for Solstice Publishing and that his new appointment was effective as from 1st February.

Glyn announced that he had had replies from agents interested in his submissions and that his story "Kandahar" had been shortlisted for "The Page Turner" competition, the first prize being publication and a four figure cash sum.

Margaret read out two pieces, the first taking this week's theme and was a poem about how everyone has an age fixed in their mind at which they seem to stay. Her second piece was entitled "Home" and was very descriptive item about homelessness.

Alan's story was his version of a hero- St. George and how he came to fight the dragon. This was a well crafted script.

Glyn gave us another episode from his story "Kandahar" this time it was Brian's interview with the Adjutant who suspects that Brian does not want to face his demons. Again thia was a well observed piece of writing.

Douglas told the story of a man who wakes himself up with a scream. Thiswas a short chapter which left the members wanting more. Douglas explained that this was the start of a much larger item.

John Macgregor's tale "The House That Steve Built" was about two former workmates who meet and bring each other up to date with their lives.There were a few constructive comments which members thought could enhance the story.

Ann F read an excerpt from "Dementia Diary" and  was full of good observstion about her heroine's wandering mind.Again a well written piece with lots of play on words.

Mary K's poem "What's In The Pots" told of her efforts at making a pot of soup which turned into a hotpot. The end result being so good that she decided not to share the repast.

Anne G also read out a poem called "Merry England" and was a history lesson on "Elizabeth 1". This was extremely hmourous and was greeted with applause at the end of the reading.

Brenda took two past themes " Going Home" and "Waterfall" as her inspiration for a story about a soldier saying goodbye to a fallen comrade in Afghanistan. This was a different take on a well-written subject.

Heinke's tale entitled "The Other Side" encapsulated her off-the-wall sense of humour detailing a man's attempt at cooking for a guest. His attempt ends up a disaster causing a fire and their deaths conveying them to "the other side".

Rita also gave us a history lesson with an abridged biography of Genghis Khan. This detailed the changes Khan made for the benefit of his people. As was pointed out to Rita  she perhaps should have itemised some of his faults which would have presented a more balanced view.

Ian C