New READERS AND WRITERS GROUP

New READERS & WRITERS GROUP

In association with

Come to the Historic Town of Tamworth in Staffordshire to join in this exciting new group.  If you like reading novels of any genre, write a blog or have inroads into publishing please do get in touch or come along and share your passion and knowledge.

There will be a chance to hear from a guest Author, Blogger or Publisher and ask questions as well as share your thoughts about the latest book you have read, pick up tips, have fun, eat cake, drink coffee, tea or even something a little stronger!   

 

The first meeting will be on Tuesday 21st February 2017 at 

 

River Tame, Tamworth Castle Grounds

Guest Speaker will be : Kim Nash,

award winning Publicity & Social Media

Manager at Bookouture; and a regular Book Blogger

 

2nd meeting will be on  21st March with Guest Speaker Carol E Wyer, Award Winning Author of the comical Mr Grumpy series, Life Swap and Little Girl Lost.

 

3rd Meeting will be on May 23rd when it is hoped Crime Book Blogger/Reviewer, Noelle Holten will be with us. 

 

To Book your place please go to Facebook - Readers & Writers Group, Tamworth Staffs

 

or Ring/Text : 07980650038

 

or Email : sueflint13@hotmail.com

 

 

Note to Authors : If you would like to be a Guest Speaker please do get in touch.

 



 

Christopher's Bistro,
The Peel Hotel, 13/14 Aldergate, Tamworth B79 7DL

www.the peelaldergate.com

 

Dickens of a night

Last night I experienced a wonderful cultural evening.  The setting was Tamworth Town Hall built in 1701, the upper chamber where many a meeting will have been held.  The room housed a beautiful horseshoe table and pictures of men of old hung on the walls giving grandeur to the setting.

Having lived in Tamworth for 40+ years this was my first glimpse of the Mayor's Chambers.  The Mayor, dressed in his gold chain of office, gave my husband and I a private viewing of the silverware cabinets in the Mayor's Parlour.  Such a beautiful building, well kept and probably under used.  The treasures glistened behind glass and the curator pointed out the oldest piece.  I hope it is well alarmed!

The Tamworth Literary Festival organised a Dickens' Penny Readings evening as it was thought Dickens came our way in years gone by and read his works and promoted his books.  An actor/reader posed as Dickens (2nd from left) and gave voice to the life of someone we have all heard of but probably know little about his private life.  We will have, perhaps seen films or stage plays of his books, some may even have read or studied his bound works.  Our Dickens, in fine voice, told his life story and mentioned his works, his loves and marriage, children, poverty, travels etc.  It was fascinating and very realistic.  Then he gave us a rendition of a scene from 'Oliver Twist' where poor old Nancy and the horrible Bill Sykes met their ends.  I could 'see' the happenings in my minds eye as the narrator put various tones to his voice and actions with his hands.

The audience had been invited to dress in costumes of the times.  Alas only a handful of the 40-50 people attending participated but looked so very elegant as you can see in the photo.  Mulled wine and mince pies were enjoyed by all afterwards.  Thanks to the Committee Members of Tamworth Literary Festival for a lovely evenings' entertainment.

Christmas is coming

The cards are made ready for writing; presents are bought, wrapped and ready for giving.  Different food items are appearing in my kitchen - dates in their long clear plastic boxes and mince pies in red tins, freshly baked.

"When shall I put the tree up?" swishes through the canals of my brain on a daily basis.  I always think two or three weeks is long enough.  You see it's all about dust.  It seems more noticeable at this time of year now that its cold and I spend more time indoors.  It's the frosty bright sunshine that does it - beaming in through the windows that need cleaning yet again, casting its rays around my lounge and highlighting the dust that I only wiped away the day before.  If I put the tree up now the baubles will need dusting too!  Oh my, I must be getting old!

I sometimes think I have lost my Christmas sparkle.  I love Christmas but after 60+ other Christmas's, it becomes a bit 'samey'.  And yet it is that sameness that is so lovely.  I've tried the going away at Christmas, I tried the Christmas Day meal out, I've been ill at Christmas and I've celebrated with friends and family.  I think - 'next year I'll do something different', but then the following October comes around I haven't planned ahead and so the days towards Christmas start to speed up and, other than be organised with cards and presents, I've not left time to plan anything different.

I don't worry about Christmas though.  Some people get so stressed.  I avoid the shops and supermarkets as much as possible each December.  I let everyone else queue up at tills and fight over car parking spaces.  Everything always gets done, everyone gets what they want and more, and stuff they don't really want too!  Its fun opening present whilst still in pyjamas and fluffy dressing gown next to a glowing fire and twinkling lights.

Then the News on tv shows refugees, war torn countries and people suffering in far off places and my life feels indulgent and privileged, not ordinary at all.  My floater coffee and chocolates for breakfast which warms and comforts me is luxurious whilst somewhere in the world another child dies from malnutrition or gunfire.  Am I supposed to ignore it?  It's hard.  It's a crazy world we live in. 

So my thoughts and prayers continue to plead for PEACE and GOODWILL towards all.  I do my bit and hope that the little giving, praying and sharing that I do helps not only those near and dear to me but all those I will never meet. 

Wishing you a happy and healthy season of Advent, may Christmas Angels surround you and keep you safe, warm, healthy and happy.