PRESENT: Simona, Liz, Nathan, Harry, Sarah, Keith, Tricia, Natasha, Heather 

APOLOGIES: Alan, Catherine, Hilary 

Welcome and Introductions: 

We were delighted to welcome Natasha to the meeting. Natasha had previously attended a WWC meeting, but had not met everyone, so introductions were made. Natasha writes mainly short stories and book reviews. 

Competition News: 

Heather circulated a summary of current competition opportunities (attached for those unable to attend) and will continue to do so on a monthly basis.  

NEWS: 

  1. Nathan had won 3rd prize in the Poem Stellium Mental Health Awareness Week Poetry Competition with his poem, Bridge of Freedom and received an Honourable Mention in the Dark Poets Competition. 
  2. Harry was commended for his poem, Learnings from 25 years of ADHD in the Binstead Prize, South Downs Poetry Festival. 
  3. Liz provided an update on the Book Group’s activities. Isabel Allende’s book, Violeta, had been enjoyed by Tricia. The next book to be considered by the Book Group will be Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. 
  4. Liz reported that the Ambassadors Theatre had announced a new open mic event, the first of which takes place on Monday 30th June. Entry is free and the event takes place from 7.30pm to 10.30pm. 
  5. Write Out Loud’s monthly open mic poetry event will take place on Thursday 26th June at 7pm at the Fiery Bird, Woking. 

READINGS: 

Nathan read his prizewinning poem, Bridge of Freedom, which was greatly appreciated. In fact, Nathan’s audience couldn’t understand why he hadn’t been awarded 1st prize. It was interesting that this poem had a regular rhyming scheme which added to its power without in any way limiting its emotional range and depth. The poem finished strongly with a stand-alone final line. Nathan also read a trademark haiku – Tainted, which was enjoyed, while there was recognition of the discipline imposed on content by the strict haiku ‘rules’. Nathan said that he often writes a haiku to relieve writer’s block and was encouraged to write a short article on this subject for the WWC website. 

Nathan had also written a poem inspired by thoughts shared with him by Simona on the subject of Home and what makes somewhere (or possibly someone) feel like home, in particular considering the totally different sensory experiences associated with town and country. Simona read this beautifully evocative and moving poem. 

Keith read a prose piece, The Summer of 69, (Bryan Adams) which provided a vivid picture of his time in the Butchery department at Butlins, Bognor Regis (the ‘last resort’) before starting Art College. Everyone enjoyed Keith’s lighthearted but acutely-observed memoir and in particular the characters that populated it, brought to life so vividly by Keith’s spirited delivery. The New Victoria theatre better watch out! There were some lively and memorable anecdotes within the piece, including the baked beans episode which resulted in a child finding and inflating a Durex at breakfast time. 

Heather’s poem, Dusky Pink Dress, was a rather muted affair by comparison, but was generally enjoyed for its dreamy nostalgic quality and imagery. 

Tricia had used the Homework topic of Scent to inspire her poem. The poem began with exploring a cat’s world of scent and considered the different world inhabited by humans, where scents such as coffee would be a significant attraction for many. The poem cleverly and persuasively conveyed the navigation of different worlds by scent and was enjoyed by all. 

Liz had also been inspired by the Homework theme and had written a beautiful and perceptive poem, Roses, about the roses in her front garden. It was noted that not once did she describe the colours of the roses, other than ‘the red bud’, leaving listeners to form their own picture. The scent of the flowers was conveyed sensitively and skilfully as passers-by and others paused, breathed and found a measure of peace. 

Sarah contributed a beautifully written piece about a visit to Jane Austen’s house at Chawton and about the marriage proposal that Jane received and initially accepted, before turning down her suitor, Harris. Sweet peas (not called that then) with their implied fragrance featured prominently throughout Sarah’s piece, particularly in Harris’ proposal letter, where thoughts were aired about the wedding arrangements. All agreed that this was lovely, gentle writing, entirely appropriate to the subject matter.   

Harry read two very different poems, Burning of the Witch, and Iambic Escape. The first poem is an informal sonnet and follows the iambic pentameter structure, but was also a very powerful piece which certainly made one listener feel quite uneasy! The sentence, ‘I’ll chase your eyes’ was the stuff of nightmares for this sensitive soul! There was an interesting discussion about witchcraft and associated rituals. Harry’s second poem came as light relief – a tongue-in-cheek mockery of the poet’s yearning to perfect his use of the iambic pentameter and thus honour his poetic forebears. Very clever and very amusing. 

Date of Next Meeting: Thursday 17th July at 7.30pm 

Homework: A poem written in Iambic Pentameter.

Chairperson: Harry 

Minutes, Milk & Biscuits: Simona      

Wine: Nathan