A NEW WRITING GROUP

Every term, I turn up wondering who else will be there. Will enough people be interested in what I do to make the group viable. Hiring a gallery space at the arts centre is not cheap. It needs a certain number of attendees to make it viable.

And, every term for the past seventeen or eighteen years now, writers of varying sorts bravely walk through that door.

Today was no exception. Except... yes, it was a little different.

Moira, who was one of the founding members of the group (and to whom a debt of gratutude is owed), decided to "retire" after thirty years as a group member. I hope she will keep on scribbling anyway. Ellie, who had a big impact on the group in a much shorter time, left to work on her crime novel and attend another course. Ellie... it was a pleasure. All the best!

A few of the regulars didn't turn up, and it would have been a struggle to fill the two hours. But Donald, Sharon, and Mags came along for the first time. Three very different talents who I am sure will enrich the creative mix that is the group. Mary came back after missing a term or two. John, who popped in at the end of last term, must have enjoyed it, so he came came back. Andy popped in (to meet a challenge set by Sian). Bobby, Rosalind, and Sian made sure we didn't sink too far below their usual excellent level.

With so many new, or new-ish, voices, it felt a bit like a new group! Which... excites me. It's a chance to go back to basics - and hopfully have a fresh new set of outcomes.

Here we go! (Again!)

(The picture is Christine's We'll Prescribe You A Cat, which is on display in the HAC reception. Hopefuly, she'll be able to rejoin us next term.)