We Are On The Move!

Hello Young Writers.  Hope you are all okay and still  writing writing writing!  I am missing our Saturdays terribly and can only hope you decided to give Chatterbooks a try.  But of course you don't have to meet twice a month to carry on writing.  As I said to each and every one of you, anything is possible if you believe in yourselves.

Steve and I have finally found our new home in Essex and will be moving in a few weeks so we are very busy getting all packed up and ready to go.  There seems to be boxes everywhere; big boxes, medium boxes, small boxes.  Even though we only lived in Sutton for two years, and even considering the amount of stuff we have given to charity shops and scout groups, it is actually quite astonishing how much we have accumilated in that two years! 

Our new home is just a fifteen minute walk from the sea and we will be very close to five of our seven grandchildren - who are very excited about us moving into their neighbourhood.  With a bit of luck we will be all settled in by Christmas (we have already discussed where the Christmas Tree could go) and then I shall get back to my own writing - which has rather taken a back seat whilst we have been househunting etc.

It has been an exciting but quite tiring journey but it feels good to know we now have somewhere we like very much to move into.

I will try to do another update soon.  Don't forget to drop me a line if you want any help - or even just to say hello!  Take care.

Enjoying Summer!

Hello everyone.  Hope all is well.  Are you Young Writers still writing?  I sincerely hope so.  Don't forget to get in touch if you want any advice - or even just to catch up; it would be brilliant to hear from you.

I have had a busy summer.  After Italy, we went to Margate for a few days and spent a lot of time with our grandchildren Harry, Olivia, Jack, Isaac and Oscar.  We spent a whole afternoon on the lovely sandy beaches and almost a whole day in the Dreamland theme park.  And, just last week, we had our youngest granddaughter Sophie over for the week.  On the Sunday, we went to the top of The Shard which is the tallest building in Europe.  On Monday, we went the the Warner Brothers Studio in Watford to visit the "Making of Harry Potter" exhibition.  It was completely brilliant and we enjoyed it as much as she did!  On Tuesday, we went to London Zoo.  Now I am none too keen on zoos but I must say they do very well there.  The animals have plenty of space and are really well-cared for and there is an ongoing conservation programme to enhance their futures.  It is also very educational and a truly lovely place to have a picnic lunch like we did and an ice cream for good measure!  On Wednesday afternoon we went to Wimbledon Theatre to see Madagascar - the Musical.
It was packed solid with families, some with quite young children.  And on Thursday, we went to the London Sealife Centre on the South Bank, which is, quite possibly, the biggest aquairium we have ever visited!  On Friday we took Sophie home and met up with her mum and we we all had lunch together, so as you can no doubt tell, it has been a busy couple of months!

We still have a few things lined up; some day trips, a couple of weekends away and  a holiday in Cornwall.  And somewhere along the line, we will be moving house.  We are going to view some places in a couple of weeks so keep your fingers crossed for us.  I will let you know how it goes.

So now you know what I have been up to, how about the Young Writers telling me what they've been up to all summer! 

Best wishes everyone - and check back every so often for further updates.

HI GUYS!!!

Hello everyone.  As promised here is a little update for you.  Firstly, we had THE most amazing week in Italy.  The weather was brilliant and we enjoyed a speed boat ride, a trip on a gondola and a water taxi ride.  We saw lots of beautiful scenery - the view from our balcony was breathtaking with mountains, mountains and more mountains.  We loved every moment of it. 

When we got back, I sent out certificates to all those members who could not make it on 2nd June and, hopefully, they have all reached their destinations.  And, as far as my own writing is concerned, I am in the process of finding another company to bring the Yucketypoo books back into print, so keep your fingers crossed for me.  I am also looking at a couple of other projects so I am not being idle.

As far as the move is concerned, well, as I said, we are waiting until after our youngest granddaughter comes to stay in July before kicking the move into the next gear, but we are busy packing up and sorting out and have lots of stuff for local charity shops, so we are getting there, slowly.

I hope you are all keeping well.  Please let me know how you are all getting on.
All the best.

A MILLION THANK YOUS

Hello again all you lovely Young Writers, mums, dads, grannies and library staff.  Well - what can I say!  My last session at the library on Saturday turned into quite an occasion and I cannot find the words to express my extreme thanks and gratitude for all your wonderful gifts, flowers and cards.  I knew you would all come up with something but I did not expect anywhere as much as that; you truly spoiled me!

I just wanted to tell you all again what an absolute privilege it has been for me to run Addiscombe Young Writers for six years.  When I started it back in 2012 I had no idea it would run for so long; I figured a year or two, maybe three at most, and I was surprised and delghted when we got to our fifth anniversary last year, so if I hadn't been moving this year, it begs the question - how much longer could it have run for?

In all honesty, I had felt as 2018 began that I was kind of starting to run out of ideas to keep the group fresh.  We had covered just about everything suitable for the 6 to 11 age group and it was getting harder and harder to keep it interesting without getting too repetitive so I am not sure how much longer it could have gone on.  In a way, getting ready to move just  helped with my decision to leave.

A number of you asked me on Saturday if I would keep the blog going and I was none too sure it would be a good idea.  However Steve (he of the trophy dash) suggested I keep it going as a way for us all to stay in touch and that you might like to know how the move is and what I am up to with the writing, so I will give it another few months and see how we go.  That is, if you want me to.

Thank you all again for everything.  You all helped me on my journey as a writer, particularly a writer whose passion led to encouraging so many youngsters to pick up their pens and give ot a go.  Let me know how you get on too. Love you all to bits!!!

Picnic in the Park is TOMORROW!!!

Don't forget that we have our Picnic in the Park session tomorrow (26th May) so bring along your snacks and drinks and meet me at the Library at 9.30.  Parents are invited to stay for the full session.  We won't be going back to the Library afterwards.

Also quick reminder that my last session as Facilitator is next  Saturday, 2nd June, which is going to be quite an occasion.  Sara, who faciltates the Chatterbooks group, is hoping to also be present that day so if you have any questions, she will be delighted to help.  Plus there will be lots of Certificates, and work handed back and yummy CAKES for evryone to enjoy.

See you tomorrow then, same time, same place!

Booklet Coming Along ...

What started off as a Poetry Leaflet has evolved into a Poetry Booklet which, you will be pleased to hear, is almost finished.  Can't wait to hand them out on 2nd June!

Just a quick reminder that there is no Young Writer session this Saturay (19th May) as I have another commitment, so I will see you all next Saturday (26th) for our Picnic in the Park session.  Meet you at Ashburton Library at 9.30 as usual and we will set off for the park around ten minutes later.

Looking forward to seeing you then!

Picnic in the Park Coming Up!

Hi everyone. Great session last Saturday!  Good to see everyone getting really stuck into their story writing!  The assignment set was to take everything we have looked at since starting on stories again and use it all to create a brand new story.  And the Young Writers have plenty of time to do it because the next session is not until 26th May - which is also our Picnic in the Park day of course - so Mums, Dads and Grans, don't forget to fetch snacks and drinks along that day.  We will meet at the library around 9.30 as usual then head over to Ashburton Park for an hour or so and grown ups are allowed to come along that day and enjoy the outdoors!

The Saturday after that is of course my last day.  It is galloping towards us scarily fast but I am determined it will not be a sad day, nor will it be complete closure as I will still be contactible.  And hopefully,  Sara will be there on that day to answer any questions about Chatterbooks and the amalgamation and let you all know when the group starts up again.

I have told the Young Writers that they will all get certificates and awards that day and I will bring along some yummy stuff.  The poetry leaflet will also be finished and everyone will get a copy of that so we will definitely end the session on a positive note.

Looking forward to seeing you all on 26th.  Keep writing!