Woking Writers Circle

A welcoming writing community where we share words and grow together and where creativity, feedback and encouragement come together

Category: Members

  • MINUTES OF WOKING WRITERS’ CIRCLE MEETING AT RED LION, HORSELL ON 15TH OF JANUARY 2026

    NEWS:

    1. There has been no update yet on the NatWest bank account application. Simona has followed this up and expects to receive an update on the status next week.
    2. Keith shared that he has entered two poems into a competition: one written as a tribute to Dylan Thomas, and another centred-on definitions of creation.
    3. Heather and Dave announced that they will be launching their respective new books at the Paper Moon Bookshop in Guildford on the 12th of March. All members are warmly invited to attend.
    4. It was also noted that one of Dave’s poems has attracted interest for adaptation into a song, highlighting the breadth and versatility of creative talent within the group.
    5. The Reading Group will meet on the 17th of February, where members will be discussing Staying On.

    READINGS:

    NATHAN read a poem titled “Where You Are.” Keith observed the use of contradictory lines, noting that while they might seem opposing on the surface, they worked very effectively together. He felt the length of the poem was appropriate and suggested a few edits to the ending to move it away from realism and towards a more poetic and impactful close, which Nathan took on board. Dave enjoyed the poem, commenting that each line opened up a new vista to explore. Liz described the poem as beautiful and enthusiastically “pro-found” (pun intended), agreeing that the repetition added weight and resonance. Simona noted that while the poem is subtly held together by an overarching narrative, the individual stanzas leap between different images. She acknowledged, however, that this sense of fluidity may come down to personal preference.

    Nathan also shared a haiku, which he had titled “Set Course,” though he noted the title was not strictly necessary. Keith appreciated the inclusion of scientific jargon and found it particularly enjoyable. Simona questioned the choice of the word “forged,” suggesting it grounded the poem on a less cosmic scale than the rest of the imagery implied.

    DAVE read two poems titled “Dream Scapes I” and “Dream Scapes II.” Liz found the first poem profound and tragic, praising the language and highlighting phrases such as “forgotten god” and “language.” She also noted the effective use of words with layered meanings, particularly “arms.” Nathan felt the poem echoed the simplicity and universality of Imagine and enjoyed the sense of recurring dreams running through it. Simona praised the second poem for its skilfully implied meaning, and both she and Nathan remarked on its melancholic tone, with an underlying sense of tragedy. The group agreed that each reader took something different from the second poem, and this openness of interpretation was widely appreciated.

    KEITH read two poems he has entered into a competition, for which the group wished him good luck. The first, “Nothing Gentle About This Night,” was delivered with great force and had a strong impact on the room. Simona praised the poem’s defiance and power, while Liz queried the use of the word “taciturn.” Keith’s second poem, “Creation,” left a deeper impression, with Simona commenting that it made her acutely aware of herself as the reader. Keith also shared a third poem, “America Today,” which sparked discussion within the group. While opinions varied, there was agreement that the final two lines were particularly lyrical and that the metaphor was very effective.

    LIZ shared a poem inspired by a jam advent calendar, describing it as a “jam moment.” Drawing loosely on themes from The Road Not Taken, she explored the idea of obsession and the notion that all roads ultimately lead to jam. Simona felt that the third section of the poem truly captured the journey and was her favourite part, though she noted that it took some time to arrive there and that the connection between the opening section and the rest could be strengthened. She also praised the craftsmanship of the metaphors throughout. Dave felt the poem appeared to be pursuing two competing goals, which developed into separate themes, and suggested this may have resulted in the poem being longer than necessary. He proposed that the piece could be split, noting that the two strands seemed to compete for attention and that the bridge between them might need rethinking. Keith suggested that having printed copies might help the group better visualise the journey Liz was taking the reader on.

    Next Meeting 19th February 2026

    Volunteers for jobs to be assigned via email

    Chairperson: Sarah

    Minutes: Simona

    Milk and Biscuits: TBC

    Wine: TBC

  • MINUTES OF WOKING WRITERS’ CIRCLE MEETING AT ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL, HORSELL ON 20TH NOVEMBER 2025

    Present: Simona, Liz, Sarah, Keith, Dave, Cathy, Natasha, Heather,

    Apologies: Alan, Tricia, Nathan, Harry, Teddy

    NEWS:

    1. Simona advised that subscriptions would be invited as soon as new bank details had been confirmed, but that meanwhile the financial position of WWC was healthy.
    2. Nathan had submitted an entry to a poetry pamphlet competition. Well done, Nathan.
    3. Dave’s poetry book, Poems in a Bottle, will be published on 5th December 2025 by Austin Macaulay. Dave will be the featured poet at the Woking Write-Out-Loud meeting on Thursday 27th November. (This will be the last meeting at the Fiery Bird.)
    4. Write-Out-Loud meetings will be held on Mondays at the Lionsheart Bookshop from January 2026. There will be no meeting in December 2025.
    5. Liz reported that the previous book considered by the Book Group, The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig, was enjoyed by all, earning a score of 8 out of 10. The Group is currently reading, Milkman, by Anna Burns.

    Readings:

    Keith had followed the Homework invitation to produce a piece in a foreign language, with his poem, Viva La Espana. This was much appreciated, with the humour around incorrect use of words – in this case ‘chicken’ – enjoyed by all. Keith’s second poem, Marloes, told the story of pilots flying out from this airfield during the 2nd World War, with some skilfully etched contrasts. In particular, the sudden activity when the bell rang after all the waiting, and also the unknown dangers awaiting the pilots which made them wonder if they would ever return to the ‘natural beauty’ of the base.

    Heather read her poem, The Light-Catcher, which described an unexpected visit from a ‘fickle and fey’ friend, who nevertheless brings laughter and joy when she turns up. The poem was enjoyed and the title seemed to fit. Heather had been thinking about the glass ‘dream-catchers’ (thanks, Liz!) when she came up with the title.

    Simona introduced her extremely powerful poem, Obsession, by explaining that she gets obsessed with certain songs and lyrics, an experience which was shared by other members of the group. In this case, the band was Sleep Token and their song, Hypnosis. All agreed that the poem succeeded brilliantly in conveying the trapped feeling of the writer, with its unrelenting language, including phrases such as, ‘fabricated reality’ and ‘fractured realities’.

    Dave talked about becoming obsessed with turning poems into lyrics and read a break-up verse/song. There was an interesting discussion about the synergy of music and lyrics and Dave outlined his considerable experience of collaborating with musicians representing totally different genres, including Rastafarian and country-style. The relationship between the creative arts is a vigorous and fascinating one, each having drawing inspiration from the other.

    Cathy read a piece capturing the humour and adventures of a trip she made with her mother to Munich. This was a hugely enjoyable and well-written piece which was greatly appreciated by all. Cathy deftly incorporated a fair amount of German conversation, but meanings were always clear from the context without the need for translation, which would have interrupted the story’s flow. There were some laugh-out-loud remarks from Cathy’s mother, who apparently had previously joked about having Semtex in her pocket when visiting Ireland during the Troubles, and in Germany thought an English map of Munich should show the street names in English. Simona suggested producing an audio version. A brilliant piece of writing!

    Sarah, continuing the multi-media theme, showed a beautiful video of clouds to accompany her prose-poem, Metal Bird. Sarah explained that she had not flown for many years due to caring responsibilities and experienced anew the wonder of flying when she was able to get away. This was a lovely piece of writing with a dream-like quality. Heather particularly enjoyed the thought that ‘usually we’re looking up’, but on a plane ‘we’re looking down’. The lovely singing to an ABBA song that followed confirmed what a talent we have in the group!

    Liz read her poem, Autumn, which she has entered into a Godalming writing competition. Everyone enjoyed this poem, with the thought-provoking idea of ‘lessening’ rather than loss. There were lots of interesting details, such as the leaves dropping and going into the ground to the mycelium layers beneath, highlighting the circle of life. Clever Liz had also managed to highlight ‘Godalming’ in the version she sent in – well done, Liz! Liz also produced verses in Romanian, German and Slovak, read by Simona, Cathy and the poet. The poem was a clerihew featuring ‘The Heavy Bear’.

    Next Meeting 18th December 2025

    Bring a Christmas carol you have written or another Christmas piece. There will be festive refreshments, and Simona will write out to members separately about this.

  • MINUTES OF WOKING WRITERS’ CIRCLE MEETING AT ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL, HORSELL ON 16th OCTOBER 2025

    Present: Tricia, Heather, Keith, Dave, Nathan, Natasha, Adi, Liz, Sarah, Simona, Catherine, Harry, Teddy 
    Apologies: Alan 

    NEWS 

    1. The Book Group will meet next Monday to discuss The Midnight Library, with a potential new member joining. 
    1. Heather joyfully announced the successful publication of her poetry pamphlet, sharing her gratitude and a few details about the journey to print. 
    1. The Fiery Bird venue has received another award for its community support, though it is sadly set to close in January. 
    1. Introductions were made for Teddy, who joined the group for the first time. 

    READINGS 

    Natasha read an excerpt beginning “Sparrowhawk, I know’. The group praised the vividness of her imagery and the emotional power of the reveal. Heather admired the rich description in the opening but suggested trimming adjectives to sharpen the prose. Dave noted that sensory experiences differ from person to person and that omission can sometimes enhance impact. Catherine enjoyed the twist but felt the explanation afterwards could be pared back. She also commented that referring to women as “girls” might read as infantilising, though the group agreed parents often continue using that term for their children. Tricia praised Natasha’s natural instinct for capturing animal consciousness. Adi appreciated the imaginative expressions, though found some slightly distracting, while Sarah noted how Natasha’s writing continues to develop with depth and confidence. 

    David shared two poems: “Extinction Blues” and “Modern Love.” The first conveyed a strong sense of desperation, with Harry admiring the musicality of the second stanza. Tricia sought clarification on some imagery in the opening, while Simona found the shifting perspectives a little confusing. Catherine mentioned an overuse of references to eyes, which compounded that sense of disorientation. Harry suggested reworking a few lines to enhance rhythm and poetic flow. The second poem, “Modern Love,” was warmly received — Tricia appreciated the sentiment, Heather found it clever, and Keith and Tricia both remarked that it served as a refreshing antidote to David’s previously more sombre work. 

    Keith read “Swing Thoughts from Abroad,” a humorous meditation on thoughts during a golf game, and “A Rose is Not Always a Rose by Any Other Name.” Catherine particularly enjoyed his inventive rhyme for “glaucoma.” Tricia noted his trademark wit and a playful duality in his portrayal of womanhood. 

    Adi presented “No Fall, No Rise.” Simona suggested that one of the central questions could be cut to maintain flow. Tricia observed that Adi’s style, almost abstract in its precision, conveys movement and flux effectively and perhaps reflects his background. Heather praised the repetition for its musical emphasis, and Liz remarked that Adi’s lyricism feels effortless. Adi explained that he writes intuitively and had not yet edited this piece. 

    Special Guest: Auntie Dawn delighted the group with a performance piece described as both witty and heartfelt. Adi called it beautiful; Harry enjoyed its humour; and Keith encouraged her to write a poem exploring the mind. Heather praised its honesty and craftsmanship, while Catherine found it marvellous and funny. Nathan likened it to Bob Dylan’s more whimsical songs, and David described it as “beautiful and funny at the same time.” Natasha noted its warmth and lack of bitterness, and Teddy said her reading style added real personality. Tricia called it an amazing poem and expressed a wish to meet her in person. Liz particularly appreciated the well-placed use of the word “sod.” 

    Heather read “Winter in London.” Keith admired the imagery and Tricia liked the way she used “pretending” to reflect seasonal denial. David described it as a poem that “packs a punch,” and the group agreed that it captured the essence of urban winter beautifully. 

    Catherine shared an original play, which sparked an engaging discussion involving Harry, Keith, and Tricia. Harry praised the effective use of dramatic irony, while Simona noted she always learns something new from Catherine’s writing. The suspense was handled well, and Tricia commented on the contrast between the family’s day-to-day worries and the daughter’s broader anxieties — a contrast Heather found especially thought-provoking. Keith called it “really interesting,” highlighting the realism of the characters’ interactions. 

    Sarah also presented a short play, structured as a video conversation. The twist was executed brilliantly, surprising and delighting the entire room. The group responded with high praise for both concept and delivery. 

    Liz read a poem begun at the Repair Café event, which she completed during the week. The piece reflected on mending — both literal and emotional — and the unravelling that sometimes can’t be repaired. Heather described it as beautifully crafted, while Tricia said it felt deeply authentic. Harry noted that its realism made the ending hit with a “gut punch.” David praised her ability to evoke the atmosphere of the room, and Sarah loved the imagery of “threading together” as both action and metaphor. 

    Teddy read two poems, “Light-Life” and “Threes.” Heather admired the phrase “beautifully obsolete,” and David said his favourite stanza stood out with quiet strength. Sarah said she could read “Light-Life” again and again, and Heather noted its layers of meaning. “Threes” was warmly received for its sense of closure and simplicity — Tricia found the ending evocative, Nathan praised its clean aesthetic, and Sarah highlighted its childlike perspective, rare and refreshing. 

    Harry concluded with two poems: “I Yearn for London Underground” and “Uncanny Finale.” Simona found comfort in the first, while David described it as unsettling yet powerful. Heather was intrigued by the poet’s fear of the overground. Tricia questioned the phrase “in a rush-hour blaze,” noting that “blaze” suggests fire or inferno and might need rethinking. The group appreciated his use of ouroboros. The second poem, “Uncanny Finale,” drew attention for its theatrical framing. Keith praised its stagecraft, while David questioned the inclusion of a “faux opera.” Keith interpreted it as commentary on life’s performative nature, and Tricia encouraged more exploration of the performing arts motif. Heather and David liked the singing imagery, Liz enjoyed the rhythmic “sag and stagger,” and Heather agreed that while the “faux” aspect might sound pretentious, it added texture to the piece. 

    Other Business 

    The next meeting’s homework is to write a poem in a language that is not your first language. 
    Minutes: Heather 
    Chair: Harry 
    Wine, Biscuits & Milk: Simona 

  • MINUTES OF WOKING WRITERS’ CIRCLE MEETING AT ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL, HORSELL ON 18th SEPTEMBER 2025

    Present: Simona, Liz, Sarah, Tricia, Keith, Dave, Nathan, Harry, Heather

    Apologies: Alan, Cathy, Natasha, Adi (Keith had sent apologies for the August meeting, but these were omitted in error)

    NEWS:

    Harry had enjoyed another competition success and was warmly congratulated. (Details to follow.)

    Liz had heard from the Woking News and Mail editor that he was interested in discussing a regular slot for Woking Writers’ Circle.

    Liz also reported that the Book Group had read The White Castle by Orhan Pamuk, which had not been enjoyed, earning a notional mark of 5 out of 10. The next book is The Midnight Library by Matt Haig.

    Heather reminded everyone that Write Out Loud would take place at the Fiery Bird on Thursday 25th September. There will be 2 more meetings at this venue before closure: October and November. There will not be a meeting in December, but from January 2026 WOL meetings will take place at the Lionsheart Bookshop and will be held on a Monday. Further information to follow.

    READINGS:

    Heather read her poem Rain Women, which was generally well-received, with some reservations about the slightly racy implications!

    Nathan’s poem, Come Autumn We Fall Again, was a beautiful piece, featuring sustained and original autumn imagery. There was some discussion about the 2nd verse, which did not quite sustain the dreamy mood of the rest of the poem. Sarah thought in terms of song lyrics and suggested adding other senses to enrich the autumnal descriptions. Liz wondered about punctuation, but apparently the technology used had decided against it.

    Nathan’s trademark Haiku was beautiful.

    Dave’s poem, The Human Condition, was extremely powerful and interesting, raising the question of humans seeking comfort from non-existent sources instead of trusting their own abilities/agency. The description of the ‘pagan’ ritual was vivid, but it was suggested that tension could be further increased in this part of the poem, before the woman spits out the ball. (And if that doesn’t make you want to read it or hear it, I don’t know what will!)

    Keith brought along his stunningly beautiful painting of wisteria at Wisley and read his poem featuring this. Everyone enjoyed this descriptive piece, which avoided cliché and walked hand-in-hand with the painting. There was a brief discussion about Ekphrastic poetry.

    Keith’s second poem, Being a Poet, was in a totally different vein and full of witty lines, recording all the things that Keith thinks about that he hasn’t done now he has achieved senior status.

    Tricia’s piece, Rebel’s Cause, was a moving tale about a young man, Olly, going to a Gaza march. He sustains a head injury that he appears to recover from, but then dies following an accidental shove while on the march. A classic case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. There was praise for the natural dialogue and Dave particularly enjoyed the suddenness of the ending.

    Liz read her poem, Arrival of Autumn, which was rich in imagery. Heather enjoyed ‘Short fuse burning, no backward turning’ which contrasted with the body of the poem.

    Liz’s second poem, He/She, was interesting and had a cathartic quality but was not in the least self-pitying. The mention of ‘Widow’s fire’ was a new concept for this innocent audience.

    Harry’s poem, White Lies of the Game, related to a poker game being played by ‘A quartet of kids’. This was a greatly appreciated piece, with humour – ‘no-one knows the rules’ and warmth – ‘a blithe ballad of adolescence’.

    Harry’s second poem, Pleasantries with the Arachnid, was startlingly original and very clever. ‘Competition-worthy’ indeed. It was agreed that it would make an excellent performance poem.

    Date of Next Meeting: 16th October 2025 at 7.30pm

    Chair: Tricia

    Minutes: Simona

    Wine: Nathan

    Harry: Milk and biscuits

  • MINUTES OF WOKING WRITERS’ CIRCLE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AT ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL, HORSELL ON 18TH SEPTEMBER 2025

    MINUTES OF WOKING WRITERS’ CIRCLE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AT ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL, HORSELL ON 18TH SEPTEMBER 2025

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

    APOLOGIES: Alan, Cathy, Natasha, Adi

    ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

    Our Chairperson, Simona, welcomed everyone and asked that the Minutes of the previous AGM on 16th May 2024 be approved. All present approved the Minutes with no changes.

    MATTERS ARISING

    Concern had been expressed at the previous AGM about heating deficiencies at the present venue during the colder months. A brief discussion took place about this issue and it was agreed to consider alternative venues in the longer term, but meanwhile the Committee would look at making the present venue fit for purpose: proposed by Heather and seconded by Simona and supported unanimously.

    CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT

    The report recorded that it had been a rich and rewarding year with new members welcomed and successes celebrated.

    WEBSITE REPORT

    Members’ poems and stories have been showcased and the website has proved a valuable point of contact in attracting new members. Looking ahead, the aim will be to encourage engagement with the community and with members generally.

    FINANCIAL POSITION

    Hilary is deemed to have resigned as Treasurer. Simona reported that the finances are in a satisfactory state, but subscriptions will be required soon. A clear message will go to members when this is appropriate. Meanwhile, no payments should be made as bank account details are likely to change. It was unanimously agreed to keep subscriptions at the current level, ie £35 per annum. The Chairperson, Secretary and new Treasurer will aim to meet and report back at or before the October WWC meeting, so that appropriate bank details can be notified.

    ELECTION OF OFFICERS

    Chairperson: Simona was proposed by Tricia and seconded by Sarah (and others)

    Secretary: Heather was proposed by Tricia and seconded by Sarah (and others)

    Treasurer: Tricia was proposed by Simona and seconded by Heather (and others)

    Website Officer: Dave was proposed by Heather and seconded by Sarah (and others)

    All officers were unanimously elected.

    Liz explained that she would like to stand back from the Community Liaison role due to personal commitments and it was agreed to leave this post unfilled, making reaching out to the community a shared activity. Liz had made a useful contact with Woking News and Mail, having a poem published recently. It might be possible to build on this, leading to regular publicity for WWC.

    ANY OTHER BUSINESS

    Liz suggested that consideration could be given to holding the occasional event outside the regular monthly meetings, eg workshops, breakfast/lunch meetings. It was agreed that this was a useful idea meriting further discussion.

    With no other matters to discuss, Simona closed the AGM.

  • MINUTES OF WOKING WRITERS’ CIRCLE MEETING (SUMMER PARTY) AT ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL, HORSELL ON 21st AUGUST 2025

    PRESENT: Simona, Liz, Nathan, Sarah, Tricia, Cathy, Dave. Natasha, Heather

    APOLOGIES: Amanda, Keith

    WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS:

    We were delighted to welcome newcomers Adi and Dave to our summer celebrations.

    The evening began with drinks and nibbles and lots of conversation, before settling down to some readings, with lots more socialising to follow. It had been agreed that unless feedback was specifically requested, the emphasis this evening would be on enjoying the contributions and spending time celebrating the vibrant writing community that is Woking Writers’ Circle.

    COMPETITION NEWS:

    Heather had previously circulated a summary of current competition opportunities.

    READINGS:

    We enjoyed a wide range of readings, including work from our newcomers, which was particularly welcome. We look forward very much to hearing much more from Adi and Dave.

    Natasha read a short story, Remarkable Tiny. The message of the story was that what matters in life is doing the best you can and making progress according to your own abilities, a message that came across strongly and with great charm.

    Sarah contributed a beautifully written nostalgic piece about a memorable fish and chips meal and there were further readings from Tricia, Liz and Heather which were greatly enjoyed.

    Date of Next Meeting: Thursday 18th September:

    AGM: 7.30 – 8pm (Agenda plus Note of AGM, 16th May 2024, to be circulated shortly)

    Readings Meeting: 8pm

    Duties to be arranged (this was a party!)

  • Fiddler on the Roof, Barbican Theatre, 17th July

    Fiddler on the Roof, Barbican Theatre, 17th July

    This review may turn out to be a total waste of time as the run of this brilliant production finished on Saturday, 19th July. BUT it was such a triumph – I didn’t spot a single empty seat at this matinee performance – that a further run at a different venue has to be a possibility. After all, before it came to the Barbican theatre, Fiddler delighted audiences at Regents Park Open Air venue.

    Directed by Jordan Fein, choreographed by Julia Cheng and designed by Tom Scutt, this glorious musical involved its audience from the very start. Many of the songs were familiar, including If I were a Rich Man, Sunrise, Sunset, but were given new and engaging life by an exuberant cast. The dancing too was, quite simply, breathtaking – for the audience, as well as the performers! I couldn’t tell you who I saw in the leading roles as they were definitely not household names and I didn’t splash out on a programme, but they were unbelievably believable in each and every role.

    Catch it if you can!

    Heather Cook

  • MINUTES OF WOKING WRITERS’ CIRCLE MEETING AT ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL, HORSELL ON 17th JULY 2025

    PRESENT: Liz, Natasha, Catherine, Alan, Harry, Nathan, Sarah, Simona, Keith

    APOLOGIES: Heather

    NEWS:

    1. The Summer Party will take place during the August meeting. Members are encouraged to bring and read short, fun, summer-themed pieces. A separate email will be sent to coordinate food and drink contributions. Everyone is warmly encouraged to attend.

    2. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held during the September meeting. During this session, the group’s financial situation will be reviewed and voted on. Nominations for available committee roles should be submitted ahead of the Summer Party in August.

    READINGS:

    NATASHA shared a short story titled “It Takes a Village.” Simona praised the context and setup but suggested the piece would benefit from less telling and more showing, along with stronger tension building. Harry felt Natasha’s descriptive writing excels in texture and noted her strength in developing real, believable characters, though he observed some overuse of pronouns. Alan recommended incorporating more dialogue to help express the protagonist’s emotions more vividly.

    SIMONA presented a flash fiction piece under 500 words, intended to evoke an unsettling morning experience. Harry appreciated the internal dialogue, describing it as believable, though he critiqued the use of capitalisation and found the onomatopoeia a bit weak. Keith felt the tension was effectively sustained and remarked on the story’s ambiguity between the real and the surreal. Sarah commented that the story captured something familiar but framed it in a way that felt disorienting. Alan saw an intentional leaning into themes of schizophrenia. Liz praised the immediacy and concise delivery, noting that the initial relaxed tone gave way to tension in a well-balanced manner.

    CATHERINE read her poem “Hey Google,” written in iambic pentameter. Inspired by her interactions with AI and poetic form, the piece cleverly mimicked an AI-generated style. She also compared it with an actual AI-generated poem, which was widely criticized for its lack of depth and weak metaphors. In contrast, Catherine’s poem was considered creative and entertaining. Harry particularly enjoyed the final lines, which captured the essence of an artificial voice in a witty and impactful way.

    NATHAN presented a dark nursery rhyme on the theme of “Feeling Small,” written as a personal challenge. Alan remarked that the poem seemed to call for illustrations, while Keith admired Nathan’s courage in exploring a new style. Liz welcomed the shift in his writing approach. Nathan also read a haiku titled “Return.” Liz found the final line possibly too cryptic, which sparked a lively group discussion on its meaning.

    KEITH shared three thematically linked poems centered on deities. The first, “Deities,” questioned accepted notions of faith and was received as thought-provoking. The second poem, “Pharaoh Poet,” speculated on why Tutankhamun’s tomb remained untouched for so long. The third, “When Dinosaurs Got Together,” humorously explored how sentient dinosaurs might have perceived religion. Harry noted the Nietzschean undertones, especially in the first poem, and related to its commentary on atheism. Cathy found the inconsistent rhyming patterns in poems two and three a bit distracting, while Simona enjoyed the playful imagination behind the dinosaur poem.

    ALAN read his short story “Heavy Presence.” Harry complimented the realistic, quippy dialogue, which he felt carried the strength of the piece. Simona mentioned she liked the name of the dog, and Catherine found the story grounded and believable due to the natural flow of the dialogue.

    LIZ read a poem she wrote at age 17, which Simona described as having an archaic tone yet a light touch. Catherine agreed with this impression. Liz then shared two found poems created during a workshop, inspired by a library and its contents. Simona found the imagery, especially around the use of cards, hard to connect with. Keith and Harry observed that the found poetry format has limitations and noted some lines felt clichéd. Catherine appreciated the exercise as a creative prompt but felt the final pieces didn’t stand strongly on their own without explanation.

    HARRY concluded the session by reading a poem which he intends to include in his upcoming anthology, titled ‘The Beating Drums’. Keith expressed some disappointment that the poem depicted a quiet acceptance of death instead of a defiant, rallying spirit. Alan asked what motivates the characters to carry on, to which Harry responded that it’s the raw sense of life itself—the one force keeping them moving forward. Catherine appreciated the ironic contrast between the image of beating war drums and the quiet resignation, noting that the poem handled this theme effectively. Liz also thought it was powerfully written and well executed.

    Next meeting: Summer Party, 21 of August, St Mary’s Church, Horsell.

    Homework: Rewrite an overused line, ‘every cloud has a silver lining’, in a more artistic/poetic and original way, in less than 50 words.

  • MINUTES OF WOKING WRITERS’ CIRCLE MEETING AT ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL, HORSELL ON 19th JUNE 2025 

    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 

  • MINUTES OF WOKING WRITERS’ CIRCLE MEETING, ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL, HORSELL ON 15th OF MAY 2025

    APOLOGIES: Sarah (DD) Simona, Alan

    PRESENT: Tricia, Liz, Nathan, Keith, Cathy

    NEWS:  

    1. Write out loud:  Liz, Nathan and Harry all read poems that were well received. 
    2. Liz was pictured in the Woking news and mail on the recently reopened railway bridge near St Johns, she was listed as a local poet. 
    3. Nathan received an honourable mention from the Dark Poets Society for a poem submitted and 3rd place for another poem submitted for mental health week. 
    4. Reading group: current books are Night Train to Lisbon by Paul Mercier and Orbital by Samantha Harvey. Next meeting to be held on 19/5/25. 
    5. Write out Loud’s meetings will be held online on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. 

    READINGS

    Nathan: read a beautiful poem entitled Music makes me reminisce. Liz really liked the beautiful timed words of affirmation, the last series of lines was cleverly done, the musical terminology linked well with the theme of reminiscence. A well-crafted piece full of lovely imagery. Nathan also read a Haiku for which Tricia suggested that lines one and three could be swapped around. It was also suggested that an alternative word to plants could be used to enhance the piece further. 

    Keith’s piece was titled A day in Italy. This was a humorous piece about a work trip that Keith made, it was very well written and articulate, although it was witty it was suggested that we need to be cautious about using language stereotypes as the main comical driver. The element relating to the old lady and the cats was very much enjoyed and it was suggested that this element could have been extended. 

    Tricia piece was a found poem (Crosswords) based on answers to a crossword puzzle. Some said it was reminiscent of a shopping list, Liz liked the lines totem pole, opinion poll and suggested that as it was so abstract, Tricia was the Dali of the writers group. 

    Liz’s poem, Spring Lines was meant as an anti-spring poem, with many carefully crafted literary references such as Coleridge, Wordsworth and the wind in the willows. The piece used a clever rhyme structure, but it was felt that the anti-spring message could have been a little clearer. Generally enjoyed by the group especially Nathan. 

    Cathy’s Shavian Alphabet, was a very well written piece about GB Shaws attempting to devise an alternative alphabet. Cathy researched extensively the history of different types of shorthand such as Pitman and her discoveries in linguistics was very illuminating. The piece was very interesting and led to a lively discussion about various different forms of shorthand and language development. 

    Next Meeting: Thursday, 19th of June at 7.30

    Writing Topic: Scent/Smell. 

    Wine: Keith 

    Milk and biscuits: Liz 

    Chairperson: Tricia 

    Minutes: Sarah/Simona