-
MINUTES OF WOKING WRITERS’ CIRCLE MEETING AT RED LION, HORSELL ON 15TH OF JANUARY 2026
NEWS: 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…
-
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: 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…
-
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 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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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: 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…
-
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: 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…
-
MINUTES OF WOKING WRITERS’ CIRCLE MEETING, ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL, HORSELL ON 17th OF APRIL 2025
PRESENT: Simona, Liz, Alan, Nathan, Cathy, Harry, Heather APOLOGIES: Tricia, Sarah, Hilary NEWS: WRITING COMPETITIONS: It was agreed that for a period of 3 months, the Minutes would include a section on current writing competitions, to see whether WWC members found this useful. No attempt would be made to provide a comprehensive list, or to give full details of each competition as these are available on the relevant websites. WWC members might find it helpful to obtain the monthly magazine, Writers’ News, which runs its own competitions and provides information about many other opportunities. READINGS: Simona read a short story,…
-
Mouse Time
By Heather Cook Please join us in celebrating our dear Writers Circle member, Heather, and her winning 2nd prize in this year’s Arundel Literary Festival Poetry Competition with Mouse Time: My year is not your year. I know no clocks, alarms, appointments; I do not measure time, imposing order so that I might live forever. I was born and I shall die as prey, skulking in shadows, quivering in ditches. I am less tense on summer days, feasting on fare carelessly dumped. I eat to live. No scheduled meals for me; mouse time is marked in hungry rumblings, the need…
-
MINUTES OF WOKING WRITERS’ CIRCLE MEETING, ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL, HORSELL ON 20th OF MARCH 2025
APOLOGIES: Tricia, Keith, Alan PRESENT: Catherine, Harry, Nathan, Liz, Heather, Simona, Sarah NEWS:1. Heather shared her latest project which she hopes to publish into a pamphlet which stemmed from her battle with cancer. The pamphlet will be titled Beware the Exploding Yoghurt Pot, where she aimed to capture raw thoughts, balancing light-heartedness with some darker aspects of her experience. 2. Heather also celebrated winning second prize in the Arundel Poetry Competition, part of the Arundel Literary Festival, for her poem Mouse Time. 3. Liz reported on her book group’s recent discussion of Blindness by José Saramago. The group found it…
-
Art, Music and Literature – The medium is the message, a blogpost by Keith Elliot
I have been thinking about the series of haikus presented a few meetings ago, and one of my poems which were both supposed to be picture prompt responses. I realised that unless you see the picture it is difficult to know whether the poem is describing the picture or your personal response to it. Ultimately if it is a poem then it must be judged on its literary merit, irrespective of the source of inspiration. As both a painter and a writer of poetry I believe that the “medium is the message” (Marshall McLuhan). It may be a cliché, but…
-
MINUTES OF WOKING WRITERS’ CIRCLE MEETING, ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL, HORSELL ON 20th OF FEBRUARY 2025
APOLOGIES: Nathan, Heather, AlanPRESENT: Katherine, Tricia, Tony, Liz, Sarah, Keith A round of introductions and a run though of how the meetings are managed, took place for Tony, a visitor for this month. NEWS: READINGSKeith shared a blog article he wrote, inspired by Liz’s previously presented series of haikus capturing her experience of the ‘Frameless’ exhibition. Keith’s piece encouraged readers to reflect on the medium of writing itself. Simona praised it as well-written and engaging. Tricia suggested a few improvements, and Katherine commented that non-English poetry may not always adhere to the expectations of rhyme and rhythm, which sparked a…