Tim Flanagan gave us an entertaining talk on writing for the Press, interspersing ‘nuts and bolts’ aspects of his chosen profession with amusing anecdotes about highs and lows experienced over the years. One of the highs was being sent over to the Falklands in 1983 to report on the work of our local regiment of Royal Engineers. His visit coincided with Valentine’s Day and he took with him loving messages from the families left behind, returning with commissions from some of the soldiers to deliver flowers and chocolates to their wives. To avoid any unfortunate misunderstandings, Tim made sure that his own wife Liz accompanied him on those visits!
From 1977-88, during which time he became chief reporter for the Harrogate Advertiser, Tim worked for Ackrill Newspapers. He recalled a few faux pas in the laying out of some editions of the newspaper, the worst probably being when the obituary of a much loved grandmother appeared in the classified advertisements under Light Removals. On another occasion, the omission of a few words from the original copy resulted in a highly distinguished defence counsel, who just happened to be the son of the current Mayor of Harrogate, being dubbed ‘an habitual drug user’.
Tim spent the following three decades working in public relations, but has ‘bookended’ his career by becoming a senior reporter and ‘our person in Ripon’ for the Stray Ferret . This is very appropriate, because Tim, now resident here, has a huge knowledge of the city and surrounding district. With an ear permanently on the ground, he is often the first to cover local news as well as writing about seasonal, social, cultural and political events.
When his busy schedule permits, Tim enjoys sharing his poetry and prose at open mic sessions and he has contributed to Ripon Poetry Festival anthologies.
There were ten entries for this popular competition, in which a complete story must be told in exactly fifty words. Adjudicator Anne Powell said that she had found it hard to pick a winner from such a strong field, but Peter Page’s A1 versus Mount Olympus was the one that, due to its wit and topicality, most took her fancy. Carol Mayer came second with Da Vinci’s ‘Codex on the Flight of Birds’, the only entry this year to be written in verse. Third was Hoodlums in the Hood by Sheila Whitfield, the hoodlums in question being magpies.
Unfortunately, Peter was unable to attend the meeting to receive the Twinks Perugini Kenyon trophy, which will be delivered to him as soon as possible. Twinks was a keen member of RWG and her daughters take it in turn to adjudicate this competition inaugurated thirty years ago in honour of their late mother.
Anne is a writer herself and read some extracts from her novella Simple Dame Fairfax. It seems that there is far more to Mr Rochester’s housekeeper than is explained in Jane Eyre and several of us have bought copies to read Anne’s interpretation. She writes under the name Anna Bransgrove and copies can be ordered from bookshops or from Amazon.
Although our numbers were sadly depleted at this milestone meeting by health issues or other commitments, those of us who made it enjoyed celebrating together. It was good to spend an evening reminiscing about past events and former members as well as reading some of their and our writing.
Our President, Joe Peters, whose late wife Daphne founded the Group over 43 years ago, had the honour of cutting the celebration cake.
This year’s RTF features poetry and storytelling amongst its many other offerings.
The poetry walk with Mary-Jane Holmes will take place on Thursday, 3rd July between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Readings from the newly-published anthology, in which some of us are featured, will be held on Saturday, 5th July at the Portly Pig (12 noon to 1 p.m.) and The Little Ripon Bookshop (3 p.m. to 3.45 p.m.)
There is also an opportunity to learn from Ripon Theatre Festival’s storyteller in residence, Peter Chandra.
Full details can be found here: www.ripontheatrefestival.org
This mind-stretching exercise has long been popular with our members. For the meeting on Wednesday, 11th June, the idea is to bring along a piece of writing incorporating at least five of the items above. Even better if you can fit in all six.
To clarify, the back row has a mini-stapler, a tin of Brasso and a bottle of dark soy sauce. At the front are a screwdriver, a duster and a pillow case.
Good luck!
Sheila Whitfield won the competition with ‘Fare of Our Forebears’, her original take on this year’s theme of food, choosing to delve into how our ancestry might shape our preferences. Maggie Cobbett was runner up and Peter Page came third.
Leah Fletcher of the Hornblower Press did a fine job as our adjudicator, but the presentation of the trophy had to wait until its return from the previous winner.
Joe Peters, our Life President, was very happy to do the honours.
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