We were well represented in this year’s anthology, with Sheila among the judges and poems by Solvig, Maggie, Ian, Carol, Christine and Denis included.
This afternoon saw us at Thorpe Prebend for our annual showcase, introduced by well known Ripon poet Paul Mills. Ian, Kate, Ros, Sheila and Maggie read a selection of their poems, both serious and humorous. Maggie also deputised for Carol and Pam for Peter, neither of whom was well enough to join us. In addition, audience members Caroline and Bill asked if they might read and we were happy to invite them to take a turn.
It has been a busy weekend, with some of us also attending other events in the packed festival programme, including the posthumous launch of David McAndrew’s ‘Collected Poems’. He and the late Elizabeth Spearman, both long term members of RWG, were two of the leading lights behind the First Ripon Poetry Festival and will always remain in our thoughts.
Just a reminder to members that nominations for the 2022/3 Committee open tomorrow.
Please take a look at the Constitution if you’re unsure about what is required and check whether the person you wish to nominate for a particular position is willing to stand.
Here is our Chairman as you’ve never seen her before and (with luck) never will again. Fortunately, it was only for a few hours as part of the fancy dress evening – Another Night at the Movies.
Ian cut a more respectable figure, seen here receiving his trophy from our former Treasurer and current Chair of Swanwick, Cathy Grimmer. Coming first in the short story competition was a great achievement.
Both had a very busy time down in Derbyshire and will, no doubt, have a great deal to say about their experiences at the next meeting.
Her ‘extra’ life has often figured in Maggie’s contributions to our meetings over the years, and now she’s put together many of her experiences in this memoir, available from Amazon as a download or in paperback.
As she has often said, for a writer with the ears of a bat, eyes (albeit through specs or contact lenses) of a hawk and an ever ready notebook, the job has afforded plenty of inspiration for stories and articles.
Many congratulations to Ian Gouge, winner of this year’s ‘Swanwick’ short story competition, the theme of which was ‘community’. We shall look forward to hearing Ian’s story in due course.
Following in the footsteps of other RWG members past and present, Ian will be enjoying a free place at the Writers’ Summer School next month and will, we’re sure, derive a lot of benefit from it.
Well done, Ian!
The inaugural competition in honour of former member Janet Barclay was adjudicated by her son Philip and won by Solvig. In the photograph above, our competitions secretary Susan is presenting the magnificent trophy donated by the Barclay family in loving memory of their mother.
Philip, who is currently working in Azerbaijan, emailed his remarks to us. He mentioned that it has been just over a year since his mother died and how much she had enjoyed being part of the group. She also really enjoyed comic writing herself, hence the genre chosen in her memory. Turning to the entries he wrote,
‘There were seven entries: 3 short stories – one of them quite like a play; two dramatic scenes, maybe veering towards screenplays for a comedy sketch, an essay and a poem. Most of the pieces had a timeless feel.’ After a brief reference to some recurring themes, he then went on to say, ‘The one thing they all had in common was that I read them all with pleasure’.
Maggie concluded her reading of the adjudication text by sharing Philip’s notes on each individual entry and announcing the results, which were as follows:
Joint 3rd ‘The Lemon Squeeze’ by Louise Joyce and ‘Welcome to my World’ by Susan Perkins.
2nd ‘Why? A Question of Power Tools’ by Carol Mayer.
1st ‘Fairness and Justice’ by Solvig Choi.
We are very grateful to Philip and look forward to maintaining contact with the Barclay family.
Our Chairman gave an illustrated talk based on her long experience of writing ‘fillers’ for a wide variety of publications. Originally odd little bits and pieces used to fill spaces between main articles, these have taken on a life of their own and can be a very useful source of additional income for writers.
Maggie’s little handbook, pictured above, was offered at cost to members not already in possession of a copy.
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