Erskine Writers

 Tuesday 4th November

Apologies were received from Joyce, Linda, Lorna, Hilary and Joan

Sandra began proceedings by reflecting on Donnie’s funeral and thanking all members for their friendship and support. It was a wonderful service and a fitting farewell and tribute to, not only her loving husband, but also an active and popular member of Erskine Writers.

John Mac gave us news that the fourth book in his Moretti ‘seasonal’ quartet had now been published and was available. He warned prospective readers to buckle up as ‘Get Me Moretti!’ was a bumpy ride.

John H brought in a copy of his son, Martin’s, children’s book ‘Kindness’ which he had written and illustrated himself. It was more than well received and members could see the potential which the book promised.

The afternoon was given over to the results of our first competition, the Betty Munnoch Memorial Award for Poetry which was won by Brian with his offering of  ‘So said the Wind’, a clever compilation of sixties  performers and their songs, all of which contained the word wind and influenced a generation. Sandra M came in second with a wonderful poem entitled ‘Second Resurrection’ concerning the felling of a favoured maple tree and how shoots slowly emanated from the resulting stump. It stirred up feelings of grief, acceptance and new hope. Sandra R’s poem ‘Auntie Nellie’ relating a visit to an adored aunt suffering from dementia was awarded third while Jacky’s ‘Bubbly Waters’ was a highly commended portrait of the over sixties swimming club. Joan’s poem was also commended and will be read when she returns to the club.

Other offerings were Irene’s ‘Relief’, an observant work detailing a visit to the seashore and John H’s poem ‘A little Bit of Brit Abroad’ which was a humorous recollection of a family holiday to Benidorm. Morag’s piece ‘I am Noorullah’ was a contemporary, sobering yet ultimately optimistic account of an asylum seeker whom she had met whilst helping refugees master the English language and Rob offered us ‘Millie’.

Other poems were also read by members - Jacky’s ‘There Is Something Wrong With Mother’, John H’s ‘Friend I or Foe, Sandra R’s ‘Elf Lock’, Sandra M’s “Paradox of Love’, Rob’s ‘Bampi’s Saturday Morning’ and Marilyn’s ‘Nothing Lasts for Ever’.

A discussion was held regarding the SAW Conference and, with that in mind and the competitions within its brief, members are encouraged to bring with them next week a piece which particularly pleases them, on which they have worked and could be a potential entry. Any length, any genre , it can be read to the club and advice and help offered. This may well carry on to a further meeting but it is intended to encourage members to both enter SAW competitions and attend the conference.

Finally, will members let John H know if they intend attending high tea at ‘The Vanishing Willows’ on 18th November so that numbers can be confirmed.