Well the final night of our truncated, covid restricted and Zoom assisted season took place last night with Cathy McSporran adjudicating the short story competition (featuring a teenage protagonist). She was full of praise for all seven entries who all created a variety of believable teenage characters. Tony’s story of identical twins and teachers mixed up with historical witch trials and Witchfinder Generals took the top slot. Tony was on puppy duty so Isobel got to read it out. Morris, partly due to sound issues, passed on reading his story appropriately called ‘Don’t Talk About It’. Colette though saved the day by reading out her tender romance ‘The First Time’.
The winners (of course everyone’s a winner really) were:
1st Place…………….: Tony Watt (The Clock Stops)
2nd Place……………: Morris Lindsay (Don’t Talk About It)
3rd Place……………: Colette Hannigan (The First Time)
Anywho, there was a bit of spare time so the group spent ten minutes writing (or polishing off) their ‘Spring’ stories – which was the homework from last time. As usual the imagination of GWC flowed with great aplomb. We began with Margaret’s eulogy on Spring getting to work on the bare earth, left by a weary Winter, and planting the seeds of Summer. Then there was Grahame’s rather melancholic depiction of a modern office life that knows no seasons followed by the hilarious tale of Paulo’s schoolmate Andy Coil (nicknamed ‘Spring’). Laurie reflected on gambolling lambs and longer evenings and Collete had Spring arriving on a wing and a prayer.
Well that just about wraps it up for this strange season for GWC. Graham gave us a final update from SAW. Even though the online SAW conference was a great success, it was hoped that by next March things would be back to normal again. He also pointed out that SAW’s membership is not as ethnically diverse as it might be – something perhaps we can all work on.
On a final note I would like to give a big shout-out to Grahame for all the hard work he has done over the past year. Organising SAW’s online conference, rebuilding our website, helping getting Edith’s book published and providing (at his own personal expense) the Zoom account that enabled GWC to continue on in this covid year. So on behalf of everyone in GWC, thanks again Grahame!
Ho Hum, onwards and upwards.