Ripon Writers' Group

Our friendly group meets once a fortnight in the Lounge of the YMCA, Waterskellgate and is always open to new members from the Ripon area and beyond.

Whether your interest is in poetry or prose, novels, short stories, plays, wacky humour, a more analytical style of writing, or just listening for the time being, you're very welcome. Many of our members have been published, but some just write for the fun of it.

Themed evenings alternate with Open Manuscript sessions and we have a rolling programme of competitions, workshops and speakers.

Programme for 2009

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Tina Shingler

Our loss was Italy's gain when Tina moved over there earlier this year. She will be in Ripon for a few days over Christmas, however, and Audrey is holding an at home on 29th December for all those who can make it to catch up with Tina. Food provided, but BYOB.

Christmas party

The party went very well. In addition to the usual attractions - quiz, bran tub and copious amounts of food and drink - there was entertainment in the shape of a very slimmed down version of Snow White and a set of alternative verses for The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Theatre in the Round competition

Our adjudicator this year was Claire Cox, who has acted in many productions and directed several. Locally, Claire is very well known for her involvement with both The Ripon Rowel Players and Ripon Amateur Operatic Society.

Claire did a sterling job in appraising a very wide variety of entries. She awarded third place to Roller Skates at 70, Audrey Blackburn's account of being taken to see a German production of Starlight Express. In second place was Cathy Grimmer's Memories are made of this, in which Cathy recalled memorable - sometimes for all the wrong reasons - visits to the theatre. For the second time running, Lindsay Trenholme was the winner of the competition. Claire had found The Perfect Day, Lindsay's story about a small travelling theatre company, intriguing from start to finish.

Unfortunately, Lindsay was unable to be present to collect the Hilary Trenholme Trophy, presented in memory of her late mother and much missed former RWG member.

RWG members at Swanwick

2008 marks the Diamond Anniversary of the Writers' Summer School and Audrey, Cathy, Lindsay and I were there to enjoy it. We probably covered most of the courses and workships between us.

Lindsay and I were among the prizewinners, she for poetry and I for the first thousand words of a children's novel.

It isn't all hard work at Swanwick and Cathy was a sensation on the dance floor.

Helene's travels

One of our members, Helene Simpson, has been backpacking (and blogging) her way round the world and is currently in New Zealand. Her travels have made very interesting reading.

Swanwick successes

It's good to know that two of us will be amongst the prizewinners at Swanwick in August; Lindsay with her poem on the set theme of diamonds and myself with the first 1000 words of a children's novel.

Several competitions are advertised each year in the run up to that week of sheer indulgence for writers. 2008 sees the Diamond Anniversary of the Writers' Summer School and promises to be very special.

Annual Lunch 2008

There was a good turn out for lunch at the Black-A-Moor and for the coffee morning at the Michells' home that preceded it.

Both were an opportunity to bid farewell to Gill and Jim. When Gill was elected President at the 2007 AGM, she joked that this would accelerate their long desired move to Dorset and so it has proved. They will be sorely missed.

Thank you, Eileen, for passing on the photographs you took. The drawback, of course, is that you're not on any of them!

Select each thumbnail and move the cursor up to see the caption.

Mini-Saga competition

Our mini-sagas were judged by Jill Freeman, daughter of the late Twinks Perrugini Kenyon, in whose honour the competition is held.

As well as giving an excellent adjudication, Jill was happy to tell us about her mother's early career as a child actress in silent films and how Ivor Novello happened to become her godfather. After her marriage, Twinks carried her love of theatre with her wherever she went and inspired many others with her enthusiasm. She is fondly remembered by her old friends in RWG and in Ripon Am Dram circles.

Lindsay Trenholme's Take a Wedding Hat to New Zealand took third place. Audrey Blackburn's Fountains Abbery came second and I retained the trophy with The Homecoming.

Stella Whitelaw

In April, members and guests enjoyed a very informative and entertaining talk by Stella Whitelaw.

Stella took as her theme Aspects of short story writing. Having had hundreds of short stories published herself, she was in a very good position to list the dos and don'ts and to field questions. A prolific novelist too, Stella was also able to offer advice on expanding into that area.

Having twice attended Stella's courses at Swanwick, I heartily recommend her guides to writing and selling a synopsis and writing short short stories.

Article competition

The winner was Cathy Grimmer with her very practical article Don’t just survive separation – embrace it! 10 tips for living a better life. Our adjudicator, Rodney Noone of Harrogate Writers' Circle, congratulated Cathy on her achievement and presented her with the Jack Moss Bowl. Frances Demain (What if?) and Gill Michell (YHA assured) were joint runners-up and Audrey Blackburn (Waterton Park) came third.

Christmas party 2007

The party for members and guests went off very well. There were specially composed seasonal limericks (some quite unprintable) based around Christmas words distributed by Audrey at the last meeting, charades, a quiz (also devised by Audrey) and, as always, copious amounts of food and drink. There was also the traditional 'bran tub' for everyone to choose from on their way out.

Gill was happy to award the President's Cup to Lindsay for her many excellent contributions throughout the year. This was a poignant moment, as Lindsay's mother, the late and much missed Hilary Trenholme, had twice been the winner.

John Lythgoe won the draw for the Christmas pudding, made and donated by Ella. As everything Ella produces is superb, the pudding is sure to be a highlight of John's and Marion's Christmas dinner.

Short story competition

Our short story competition was adjudicated by playwright, novelist and short story writer Bernie Crosthwaite. Bernie chose Father of the Forest by Lindsay Trenholme as the winning entry and presented her with the Members' trophy. Unfortunately the photo I took of the presentation didn't turn out well and I'm pretty sure that neither Bernie nor Lindsay would thank me for posting it. In second place was Elizabeth Spearman's The Price of Fish and Cathy Grimmer came third with The route of all evil.

(Almost) all change at the AGM

The committee for next year is as follows: President - Gill Michell, Chair - Audrey Blackburn, Vice Chair - Maggie Cobbett, Treasurer - Cathy Grimmer, Secretary - Peter Hicks (no change), Added Member - Hilary Sharpe.

Consequences

Our Consequences evening resulted in eleven disgraceful stories, which Gill Michell has patiently transcribed from the hastily scribbled originals and passed over to John Lythgoe for editing and printing. A Stranger's Kiss is now on sale from John.

2007 Hint of History Competition

Our Hint of History competition was once again adjudicated by Ripon Grammar School's Head of History, Dr Elizabeth Sparey. Liz awarded Ella Benigno the Mary Rawnsley trophy for her Nostalgic Journey. Audrey Blackburn was in second place with The Jewels of Heaven and yours truly came in third with A Tidy Sum.

The 2007 Writers' Summer School

In August, Audrey, Elizabeth and I spent a week at the Writers' Summer School in Swanwick. We all enjoyed it very much and hope that other members may be inspired to go along next year for the School's Diamond Anniversary.

2007 Poetry Competition

The theme this year was Yorkshire. Lincolnshire's Poet Laureate, Pat Borthwick chose Lindsay Trenholme's poem Rhubarb and mine, Red Kites over Eccup reservoir as joint winners of the Susannah Carr trophy. Ron Williamson came third with his Leeds rap, Resolooshons.

After her adjudication, Pat read us a selection of her own poems, many of which have won competitions. Some are to be included in her new collection.

Talk by Jim Wight

In April, we welcomed Jim Wight, son of Alf Wight aka James Herriot. Jim has now retired from the famous veterinary practice in Thirsk and gave us a most entertaining talk about his life and writing. There was also time for a lively question and answer session. The photograph above shows Jim on the left with our chairman, John Lythgoe.

The Herriot Museum in Thirsk is a very interesting place, both for fans of the books and for anyone interested in the history of veterinary science.