April 2026 Meeting

 Minutes of Hightown Writers  March Meeting 

28th April at 7pm

Garden Bar,  Bridgnorth Club

Chair: Sue

Attendees: Fiona  Suzie, Adam, Sue,  Jason, John, Jennie, Ruth

Apologies: Suzie, Marie, Stuart, Kath, Andrew, Irena, Ann and Michele. 

Introduction: 

We discussed our reading over the past month which ranged from Margaret Attwood to learning how to set up a new Facebook group to 'Characters and Viewpoints' - a handbook for all us aspiring writers. 

Jennie mentioned that a local author, Christian Toms-Arbel had been in touch with her with a view to talking to HTW about his novel and the process of writing. Christian Toms-Arbel lives in Shrewsbury, teaching English and Creative writing at college. He recently published his debut novel, The Mannequins, a psychological crime thriller set in the hills of Shropshire   We agreed that it would be good to invite him to a meeting. Jennie offered to correspond with him and to arrange a suitable date. 

Ruth told us of an upcoming poetry workshop run by the award winning poet Caroline Smith and Sue reminded members of  the Alveley screening, by Kath, of the film 'People's Emergency' on 1st May.

10 min Writing Task - to choose a postcard and write something inspired by the image or to write a postcard message to someone. Our writing ranged from descriptions of punting in Cambridge, the roses of Morville, 1950s teddy boys on the 'world's longest pier' in Southend to Japan; a thank you to a lover and a canal bargeman's thoughts from Cannock.

April's Writing Task - 'What's in an Name?' Those of us present read our work to the meeting. 

Jennie - explored more about the 11th century builder of Bridgnorth Castle, Guy de Belleme.

John - read 'Mindful Music Monday - which he has posted on Facebook.

Adam - traced the many names of the River Severn in his poem 'Sabrina' which followed an original  meandering layout when set out on the page.

Jason - wrote a story about an archeologist in Turkey deciphering her findings

Fiona - investigated the Celtic origins of her own name - and found it should never be shortened!

If anyone who could not attend wants to share their writing with members they should either post it directly on the blog or send it to hightownwriters@gmail.com to be shared through our blog.

May Writing Task:

Write something incorporating he words: "My thoughts exactly ... "

Next Meeting - 7pm, Tuesday 26th May, Garden Bar, Bridgnorth Club

Chair - Jason