We celebrated the 700th meeting of the Group with sparkling wine and a very special cake commissioned from Sue Williamson.
Founder member Daphne Peters cut the cake and gave us a lively account of the Group’s origins and its different ‘homes’over the years before it settled into the comfortable YMCA Lounge.
The evening was rounded off by a satirical poem composed for the occasion by Cathy Grimmer and a gentler one by Eileen Walters.
Nick David from York Writers kindly offered to judge our Short Story Competition.
The adjudication provided plenty of food for thought. Nick explained his criteria for choosing the winning stories and then commented in detail on each of the twelve. His constructive criticism and the individual written critiques received by each entrant were very much appreciated.
Nick presented the Members’ Trophy to Maggie Cobbett for A Deal’s a Deal. In second place was Cathy Grimmer’s Without a Trace and Ella Benigno came third with Wartime Memories.
The meeting on 31st January took the form of a workshop session on constructive criticism.
Committee members bravely submitted fiction, non-fiction and poetry for the Group to consider. These pieces were deliberately unpolished and led to some lively ‘gloves off’ discussions.
It is hoped that this will encourage everyone to speak out at future Open Manuscript sessions, especially when the member reading is keen to submit the piece for publication.
The first meeting of the year (open MSS) was well attended.
As well as hearing a wide variety of pieces, we had a lively discussion about how to get over writer’s block and kick start the creative process.
Members and guests, including our very helpful hosts from the YMCA, enjoyed an evening of fun and games. The Chair’s Challenge, a literary quiz, caused some head scratching, but light relief was provided in the form of the game devised by our ingenious Secretary.
After the buffet came Christmas readings, some hilarious and others poignant, chosen by different members and the presentation of the President’s Cup to Maggie Cobbett. Unfortunately, our photographer (as well as manning the bar) was struggling with a newly acquired camera and missed the moment.
Merry Christmas to one and all and we shall look forward to assembling again in January.
The A.G.M. will be held on Tuesday, 8th November, to be followed by Open MSS and one of our regular book sales.
The £40 membership fee for 2011-12 is due on that evening. Please speak to Cathy if you wish to pay in two six-monthly instalments.
