Tuesday 7th October

This particular meeting was held at our, possibly temporary, venue at Bishopton Library. There were a handful of apologies - Donnie, John Mac, John H, Joan, Morag, Lorna and Joyce meaning our turnout was eight. However, we were pleased that President Sandra was able to join us given what she and her family is undergoing at the present and, subsequently, even more delighted on hearing that Donnie had got home from hospital. Another point of ‘celebration’ was the fact that Irene has agreed to become our new Treasurer and that the paperwork has now been completed in order for her to take up her duties.

The subject for the day was a piece of writing which had been inspired by our recent field visit to the Burrell Collection. Sandra M opened proceedings with a charming poem entitled ‘AParadox of Love” in which she detailed her response to a panel of medieval stained glass which illustrated the story of Abraham and his near sacrifice of his son Isaac. A very thoughtful and concise piece of work. Rob also highlighted his reaction to the collection of stained glass, in particular the scenes of everyday medieval life. 

Jackie was moved by a Renaissance  bust of Mary Magdalene, and what her expression told us of her emotions. This led her to investigate the subject of facial expression along with body language ending with the comment that one ‘cannot tell a book by its cover’. Irene posed a quandary ‘What is my inspiration?’ , the eventual answer being a picture painted by Joseph Creswell of Sir William’s sister on a bicycle - a safety bicycle rather than, as she put it ‘the obscene penny farthing’! This was followed by Sandra R’s reaction to a painting highlighting the story of Judithand how she helped raise the siege if Bethulia. It was done in 1530 and showed the young lady sitting with an amused look on her face with the head of the Assyrian general Holoferne at her feet. This led to a wide ranging discussion amongst the group about a little known Biblical heroine.

Hilary followed with a treatise on boots and shoes entitled ‘Boots and Shoes Go Walking in Your Heart’ inspired by a pair of embroidered shoes from the late 15th and led her to look at shoes styles - and names - more generally which went down very well indeed. Brian was moved by a 16thc oaken English bed which may have been slept in by Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. (Haven’t they all!!) and this led him to discuss the importance of the bed in history and, indeed, in modern life. 

Finally, Jackie read out two pieces submitted by Morag. One was a wonderful poem entitled ‘Persian Paradise Carpet’ and the detail she managed to glean from the carpet was very comprehensive and the other was an extremely clever pice of work in which she composed a sketch, a dialogue between Mary Burrell, Sir William’s sister and a rehearsing ballerina from a painting by Degas completed in 1874. In it they compared their lives and it does give rise to an excellent topic for next year’s syllabus.

Next week we are in Erskine Parish Church on Rashielee Drive. The post code is PA8 6HS. The actual timing needs to be confirmed and I will text everyone once I have the details.

 Tuesday’s meeting was somewhat special as twelve members gathered in the foyer of the Burrell Collection in order to search for inspiration for a piece of creative writing. This was our first visit of the current session and follows on from the successful one we undertook to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery last year. As one can imagine we were spoilt for choice and the problem is what NOT to write about rather than find a subject. A late lunch was taken on completion of our tour and members chatted excitedly about what they had discovered. Results will be read out at our next meeting, 7th October, which is being held at the Bishopton Library at 2.00. Members are also reminded of John MacDonald’s book launch at Gavin’s Mill at 7.00 on Thursday 2nd October and to get their entries for the poetry competition in as soon as possible. 

 Erskine Writers Club AGM

Twelve members attended the Annual General Meeting of Erskine Writers Group, apologies being received from Lorna and Donnie.

The minutes from the AGM held on 24th September 2024 and were proposed as being correct by Sandra M and seconded by Jeannie.

The President’s report, given by Sandra, emphasised the importance of the club, not only to encourage creative writing but also as a haven of friendship, support and wellness. She praised all members especially those who had had work published throughout the year and referred to the ongoing problems of recruitment and premises. The report was proposed as being correct by Brian and seconded by Rob.

Rob’s secretary’s report gave a chronological history of the year - guest writers, workshops etc - and also gave a detailed account of successes both outwith the the confines of the group and in regard to our in-house competitions. He referred to the average number of attendees and gave some indication as to syllabus planning for the future. The report was proposed as being accurate by Joan and seconded by Brian.

It was with great sadness that Sandra read out Donnie’s Treasurer’s report. Due to ongoing health issues, Donnie has found it difficult and had decided to relinquish his role as treasurer and his stalwart service to the club was noted and our good wishes were passed on to him. The details of our financial situation were highlighted as were the strictures being placed upon it by our current premises at the Sports Centre. The report was deemed as being correct by John H and seconded by Jackie.

Morag has agreed to continue as Competitions Secretary but gave notice that this was to be her last year and members were encouraged to consider replacing her at the beginning of the 2026-27 Session.

Sandra will continue as President and Rob as Secretary. Nominations were asked for Donnie’s successor as Treasurer and, after some debate, Irene agreed she would consider it. Rob is to forward a specific minute from the AGM to Irene which should allow her to gain access to our financial records as the second signatory. The idea is that, due to bank charges, we leave the Bank of Scotland and take our account to the Post Office. Irene agreed to investigate how the Post Office operates and, on the 4th November at an arranged EGM, present her findings and give us her decision as to whether or not she takes on the role. 

The ongoing problem of premises was discussed. As from October 7th we will be meeting at the Bishopton Library and members are advised that our hours have changed somewhat and we will be STARTING AT 2.00pm and FINISHING AT 4.00pm. Whereas we are confirmed in the library, other options consider to be discussed as it can only host us three weeks out of four. John H will investigate Erskine Bowls Club and other venues such as church halls were put forward as potential venues for the ‘odd week’. There was also the possibility of Zoom meetings which were popular during the Covid confinement.

Jeannie told the club of her intention to leave and become a postal member as she establishes and leads a wellness group in Johnstone. The club thanked her for her commitment as a member, her leadership as President and wished her well for the future.

Continued thanks were intimated to Donnie for his work as treasurer.

Morag highlighted the fact that entries for this year’s Poetry Competition are to be with her by 7th October. They can be in any genre - maximum 40 lines long - and can be on any subject.

John H asked members from specific requests for the first workshop which is to be held on 28th October when Roge Glass works on memoir and biography.

Members were also reminded that John M’s book launch is being held at Gavin’s Mill, Milngavie on Thursday 2nd October 7.00-8.30pm, tickets from the venue.

Finally, next week, 30th September we have a field visit to the Burrell Collection and members are asked to MEET IN THE FOYER at 1.00pm.It is intended that  we will conclude at 2.30 with tea/coffee in the cafe. I have room in my car if anyone needs a lift. A piece of writing inspired by the visit will be the homework for our first meeting at Bishopton Library on October 7th.

 For a variety of reasons, numbers were low for this session - apologies having been received from Joan, Sandra, Donnie, Irene and John H. We were saddened to hear of Donnie’s ongoing problems and wish him a speedy recovery and return to the fold. The club was also saddened to hear of the passing of long-standing member Joan Fleming and her family are in our thoughts.

There was a general discussion on items for the AGM which is due to be held next week and ideas were also floated in relation to our forthcoming move.

The subject of the day was under the banner of ‘A Little Bit of Brit Abroad’ and the title was interpreted by members in a variety of ways. Brian opened the batting with his take entitled ‘When in Rome’ in which he gave us a detailed and fascinating history of the VEC - the Venerable English College - the seminary where priests from England and Wales are trained. He has a personal connection with the college as his younger brother was once the Vice-Rector. This was followed by Sandra R telling us of her reaction to be at a papal audience - one of overwhelming wonder - and I was particularly taken by her description of the toughness of the Swiss Guard. Jeannie read out a piece on how her experiences as a chambermaid in Norway had engendered in her a spirit of togetherness and how we should celebrate our cultural differences. This was followed by John M’s contribution entitled ‘The Barga Steps’ which detailed his attempts to purchase a holiday home in Tuscany and being shown around a potential property by a seemingly insufferable English couple. This led to a discussion on members’ links with Italians throughout  the world. Marilyn gave an impassioned defence of traditional fish and chips and the fact that no-one does it better that the British and, on a similar theme, Rob’s effort praised mint sauce and how the UK’s oldest ally, Portugal (in this case, Madeira) compromised its own culinary traditions to enhance a meal of lamb chops. Hilary spoke of the trials, tribulations and time taken in airports prior to an international flight in her her offering ‘If you’ve time to spare, go by air. Morag began her piece by highlighting the manners and approaches to certain situations which are quintessentially British but then came down hard on the fact that she detested the lack of punctuality which she occasionally confronted when abroad. She then read out Joan’s piece detailing a holiday in Magaluf, a pub in which to watch football and the reaction of her grandson following his first visit abroad under his own steam! Finally, Jackie (note the change in spelling!) gave us a poem entitled ‘Battle of Britain Two’ which highlighted the interminable morning fight for sun loungers around a hotel pool. 

As stated, next week is the AGM and members are encouraged to let us know of any additions they would like to see on the agenda or indeed wish to bring up in AOCB.

 The first active session of the season was well attended by fourteen members, apologies having been received from Lorna. Sandra opened proceedings with an update on the new venue and members were urged to give their opinions - in particular as regards to a morning meeting once in every four weeks. The intention of trying to win a grant from Renfrewshire Council was also highlighted and members are encouraged to notify either myself or Sandra of anything they wish to see included on the agenda of the AGM which is to held on 23 rd of this month.

    Joan then led the activity based around “double decker” writing where members blindly select a noun and adjective and write a short story on the result within a generous allotment of time. Sandra gave us ‘The Dancing Gardener’ - a refugee ballet dancer finds employment as a gravedigger in his adopted country. Donnie avoided the more salacious with his title ‘Willing Lovers’ but, in his stead, gave us a survey of modern music he had discovered later in life - in particular, the works of Mark Knopfler. John H’s offering entitled ‘Dangerous Child’ was an expose of a pupils relationship with a uplift and Brian’s piece ‘The Wronged Sister’ related the tale of a young girl who intends becoming a nun to avoid the constant harassment of her elder brother. As ever, Sandra R’s ‘The Scottish Guest’ was humorous laced as it was with her usual west of Scotland slant. John Mac’ story called ‘The Weird Corpse’ ended a on a cliffhanger much to the consternation of members and there was an audible scream in the room when he got to a particular point then declared had ‘run out of time’!! Marilyn’s piece on the “Horrible Date’ told of visits to the dentist in an attempted to cure her thumb sucking habit when a young girl and this was followed by Rob’s offering ‘The Innocent Colourist’ - a wrongly accused murderer finds solace in prison holding art classes. Morag gave us ‘The beautiful cat’ - a cat endowed with beauty and a social conscience and Jackie’ piece entitled ‘The Curious Mistress’ also ended as a cliffhanger as the lady in question was about to investigate the marital status of her long time lover. Jeannie gave us ‘The Uninvited Victim’ the story of a disastrous out door date one Arran. Hilary’s darkly comic work was based around the reflections of an old gentleman, his three whiskeys and the obvious secret he was guarding and Joan ended proceedings with ‘The Cowardly Invalid’ where a personal tragedy forces a man to confront the realities of his life. A good exercise which demanded quick thinking, imagination and a degree of discipline.

Time was also left to complete a similar exercise; on this occasion the blind selection was curtailed by flash fiction - a work of fifty words , no more no less. We were given:  Marilyn’s ‘Reluctant Victim’, Hilary’s ‘Scottish Bird’, John Mac’s ‘Devious Widow’, Irene’s ‘Weird Playmate’, Brian’s ‘Old Spirit, Jeannie’s ‘Desperate Disabled’, John H’s ‘Dangerous Colleague”, Morag’s ‘Desperate Child’. Sandra’s ‘Uninvited Writer’ and Rob’s ‘Good Looking Visitor’ 

Next week. ‘A Little Bit of Brit Abroad’ so have your string vests and knotted hankies ready!                                                   

 This was the first meeting of the new session and was well-attended by thirteen members, apologies having been received rom Joan, Jacqui and Irene. Club president Sandra gave a warm welcome and then updated us with the medical conditions of various members including Donnie (whose return to the fold was extremely gratifying) and long standing member John S to whom we send our love, prayers and good wishes. There was news of a potential overseas member an ex-Erskine resident, Peter McCartney. A nurse, he now lives with his family in Seattle, USA and has already published a book on Amazon by the name of “The Clyde Boys”. This can be found at https://amzn.eu/d/dlGDrs3 and we hope he can join us at some point through the wonders of technology. Sandra then gave us the worrying news that our current location at the Erskine Arts Hub, part of the Sports Centre was becoming financially unsustainable and, in all probability, we will have to move. She had already investigated alternative venues including the Muthu Hotel and, more promisingly, Bishopton Library and discussion with them were ongoing. There followed a discussion, led by Lorna, of gaining a grant from engagerenfrewshire.org with whom she had successfully negotiated on behalf of the tennis club and plans were put in place for Sandra and Rob to accompany her on her next meeting to investigate a potential claim on our behalf citing mental health welfare as justification. 

We then studied the forthcoming syllabus and highlighted competitions, guest speakers and two specialist workshops on recording biographical memoirs and humorous writing. Donnie then told us of his delight that distant family members from Albuquerque had actually read his family history which had encouraged them to visit Scotland; Lorna let be know that she had a new puppy, Daisy, who could well form the basis for future children’s books; Jeannie has now completed her MLitt thesis and awaits the results and in the meantime has had a poem published and John H has sold four of his artworks over the Summer period.Rob read out two poems he had been working on over the holiday Marilyn, a poem on hope and resilience and Jeannie followed suit with a beautiful piece of descriptive work on a Hebridean beach. Hilary then gave us the breakdown of her trip to Vancouver and her cruise to Alaska. Pride of place was reserved for John M who, in July, had launched the first two of his Italian detective novels in the beautiful village of Monteverdi, Tuscany.The  third will soon be coming and the UK launch takes place at Gavin’s Mill, Milngavie on 2nd October at 19.00 hrs. All welcome. Other dates for the diary are the beginning of the Bloody Scotland Festival on 12th September and the Gryffe Valley Book Festival between the 5th-12th September at venues around Houston and Kilmalcolm. Work starts in earnest nest week when Joan leads a workshop on the popular “double decker” writing.

Syllabus 25/26

NOTES

OM: Open Manuscripts- you may bring any work (in progress or completed) that you wish to share

with group

Competitions and homework will be 1500 words maximum for prose and 40 lines for poetry sub-

missions unless stated otherwise.

Erskine Writers Syllabus 2025/26

Date Topic Competition

Deadlines/Guest

Speakers/Leads

Notes

2nd September Welcome - Guide to the year

ahead, review of syllabus.

Open Manuscripts (OM)

Yearly subscriptions due

9tth September Double Decker Writing Joan Two words selected from two

bags randomly. One a noun,

the other an adjective. ‘The’

is placed in front of the two

words selected group to

write short story based on

the title they have selected.

16th September A Little bit of Brit Abroad Homework

23rd September AGM, review of post holders

+OM

Sandra, Rob, Donnie,

Morag

Planning for Burrell Collec-

tion visit

30th September Visit to Burrell Collection

1.00pm start

Sandra Discuss transport details for

visit

7th October Writing a piece in any genre

from inspired by visit to Bur-

rell Collection

Competition 1 Poetry

Entries to Morag by

midnight

Adjudicator Magi

Gibson

Homework

14th October Open Manuscripts

21st October I Picked It Up To Have a Bet-

ter Look

Short Story 1500 words

Homework

28th October Workshop on Biography and

Memoir

Rodge Glass

4th November Results and adjudications of

Competition 1

Competition 2 Teen

Fiction

Entries to Morag by

midnight

Adjudicator Vikki

GemmellErskine Writers Syllabus 2025/26

Date Topic 11th November OM 18th November Flash Fiction (Wordle) led by

John H.

25th November Workshop on

Humorous Writing

2nd December Results and adjudications of

Competition 2

9th December Christmas pies & Quiz OM

Christmas Limerick or Haiku

Christmas/New Year

Break

6th January Results and adjudications of

Competition 3

13th January Book Review 20th January OM

27th January What I think of Burns? 3rd February Recycling, updating, modern-

isation etc of any fairy

tale, nursery rhyme, myth,

legend or fable.

10th February Results and adjudications of

Competition 4

17th February Hilary’s Magic Mixtures Competition

Deadlines/Guest

Speakers/Leads

John H David Ross

Competition 3. A

memoir.

Entries to Morag by

midnight

Adjudicator Rodge

Glass

Competition 4 A Hu-

morous Article

Entries to Morag by

midnight

Adjudication by

David Ross

Hilary Notes

This is a specific addition

for anyone entering the

SAW competition and

wants feedback on their

entry

before submission or for

any previously heard

piece

which has been revised or

edited

Afternoon tea at Calders

3.00 - 4.30

Homework

Homework

Homework

HomeworkErskine Writers Syllabus 2025/26

Date Topic Competition

Deadlines/Guest

Speakers/Leads

Notes

24th February The song’s the story.

What is the story portrayed

by the lyrics of a

particularly favourite song?

Homework

3rd March In world of change the heart

remains constant

Local anchor holds.

Homework

10th March OM

17th March The Wearing of the Green Homework prose or poem

24th March SAW Conference feedback Open Manuscripts if time

permits

31st March Paired discussion groups on

Syllabus 2026/27

Easter Break

21st April Dialogue Exercise

A conversation with your

favourite toy

28th April Short Story 1500 words

The Fugitive or The Stray or

SOS

Homework

5th May Round Robin in class Homework (500 words)

12th May A recipe for…

anything OTHER than a

meal

19th May Garden party & prize giving