Tuesday 21st October
In many ways this was a momentous meeting not least of which was that the group had the opportunity to welcome Sandra back to a session. Going through such a difficult and trying time, it would be difficult to underestimate the courage she showed as she re-took her chair as President and led the meeting in her indomitable way. Welcome home Sandra; we are here for you.
Also, the group took up residence at its new and, hopefully, permanent home. With all the required paperwork now in place, we met in the very comfortable surroundings of Inchinnan Parish Church and look forward to a long and fruitful partnership.
Apologies were received from Morag, Joan and Joyce and there were twelve members present. Numerous things were discussed prior to the airing of the latest offerings. We are due to play our part as adjudicators for the SAW flash fiction competition and it was decided that, when entries are received, they would be divided amongst us prior to having a group session where we can discuss our deliberations and come up with the correct decisions. Also, given the hospitality we are receiving from the church, a ‘tea rota’ was put in place, the initial participants as follows:
28th October Hilary
4th November John H
11th November Rob
25th November Irene
2nd December Lorna
9th December Sandra M
The topic for the day was a short story based on the sentence ‘I picked it up to have a closer look’. Rob opened proceedings with a tale entitled ‘Cwpan Sanctaidd Cymraig’, a story of the discovery of the broken half of the famed Nanteos Cup, the Welsh Holy Grail. This was followed by ‘Find of the Day’, Jackie’s account of a family holiday where an afternoon’s rock pooling ended with the discovery of a set of lost or discarded dentures - a a tale she really got her teeth into. Lorna’s piece ‘Sparky or Not’ related Emily’s story of discovering an abandoned kitten, hidden in a handbag whilst out jogging. Marilyn, orally, told us of a family heirloom which she passed on to her grandson, a watch which had been one of her husband’s treasures. Speaking of treasures, Sandra R gave us ‘Millie’ how an antique figurine bought at a fair for £15 turned out to be a piece of Coulport valued at £150! However this had no bearing on her love for her ornament but we were all left wanting to accompany her at future ‘bargain hunt’ trips.
John Mac gave us a chilling tale entitled ‘The Curse’ where the intermittent light and dark caused by a lighthouse gave the gradual creep of a troll across a bedroom floor an uncomfortable atmospheric feel. This was followed by John H and his piece called ‘The Legacy’ where time travel in a well appointed workshop gave the hero a better understanding of a beloved grandfather and Hilary ended proceedings with ‘Nothing isWhat It Seems’, a sobering tale of transporting water to needy places in the world which had a flavour of Verne’s ‘Journey To The Centre Of The Earth’.
Next week, we have our first workshop of the season when Roger Glass leads us on writing memoirs and biography. This is being eagerly awaited so get your personal anecdotes ready.
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