10 Minute Task: Wetlands

Wetlands (1) From Florida up through the Carolinas and Virginia, the Intracoastal Waterway is the slow travel route along the Eastern Seaboard of the United states. Near Charleston, South Carolina, it is shadowed by cypress swamps and long abandoned rice fields. Here in the 18th century Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox, led his guerrilla fighters …

10 Minute Task: Train

Train (1) A train of thought: A song title, "It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry". A train journey. 1973. Yugoslavia / Bulgaria border. Midnight. Doors locked. Armed soldiers checking visas. All OK. Train fills with local travellers. Sparse conversation. Maps discovered. Excitement. "Where are you from?", "Where are you …

10 Minute Task: Loan

For our 10 Minute Task for August Sue gave us the word Loan. Pieces on that theme will appear on this page as they are shared. Loan (1) moan phone loan groangive a shark a chanceand he'll take you to the bone Loan (2) It’s not really mine. But I’ve had it for so long, …

What we thought about “The Old Man and the Sea”

There were eight of us at our meeting on Thursday 20th July where we discussed "The Old Man and the Sea" by Ernest Hemingway. The three words we chose to describe our reaction to the book were: Sad, Atmospheric (very) Direct, Darwinian, Dramatic Happy calm book Lacking moral complexity Enthralling, Emotive, Masterly Direct, Conversational, Romanticised …

What we thought about “The Trial” by Franz Kafka

A bit like the nightmare that describes Kafka’s The Trial, we reassembled to discuss the book, this time with three people (Barbara, Peter and Leader Andrew C). We did wonder whether the book itself was to blame but decided it was just that time of year when everyone is away. A hot night led us …

Carers Week 2023

Carers Week 2023 runs from June 5th to June 11th. The annual event hosted by Carers Trust is an opportunity to raise awareness of those who care for family, neighbours or friends who couldn't cope with everyday tasks due to a physical or mental illness or disability, frailty or affected by substance misuse. Caring for …

10 Minute Task: Rain

For our first online 10 Minute Task Sue gave us the word Rain. Here are the pieces that have been produced so far. Rain (1) It was a summer Eurocamp holiday in France with the kids. It was, of course, raining so a trip out rather than a day on the beach. A visit to …

10 Minute Task: Chair

At our first meeting our 10 Minute Task was to produce a piece of writing based on the word Chair. Below are some of the pieces of work produced. Please leave kind and thoughtful comments below. Chair (1): The Chair Mid Century. Ercol. Tweedy brown and orange. Plastic covered springs under an uncomfortable cushion. When …

What we thought of “Fair Stood the Wind for France”

At our meeting on Thursday 20th April we considered "Fair Stood the Wind for France" by H.E. Bates. The meeting was led by Peter. The three words people chose to describe the book were:  Contemporaneous, Sad, Tender Page-turner, Evocative, Heartening Suspenseful, Thought-provoking, Impressionistic Vivid, Memorable, Good-read Gripping, Atmospheric, Surprising East-to-read, Vivid, Sentimental Full-of-danger, Tender, Fierce THE QUESTIONS …

What we thought of “To Kill a Mockingbird”

At our meeting on Thursday 16th March we considered "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. The meeting was led by David and, as  usual, we started with three words to describe the book: Atmospheric, Brave, Compelling Rich, Shocking, Enjoyable Twain meets Grisham Enjoyable, Brilliant, Classic Tragic, Funny, Compelling Rite of Passage Fascinating We then considered the …