ESSEX TOURISM & LEISURE SHOW 2012

Now in its 17th year, the Essex Tourism & Leisure Show, organised by Visit Essex, takes place on Thursday 23 February 10.00am-3.30pm.  The venue is the Crowne Plaza Five Lakes, Tolleshunt Knights, Maldon, Essex CM9 8HX

This great show with over 90 exhibitors is going to be fabulous.  Visitor attractions and destinations rub shoulders with cruise companies, hotels, tour and coach operators and firms who arrange short breaks and great days out. There is something for everyone. In the Taste Essex area, "try before you buy" local produce include scones and jam from Wilkins of Tiptree, super cakes from their Patisserie, and a wide variety of pies, sausages and fabulous food from the county.

Each year, the number of visitors increases (free admission, by the way)  and Brentwood Writers' Circle will be there as usual with our chairman, Colin Taylor and his team who will be on hand for any visitors who want to meet published authors and learn a little about the business of writing and publishing.   Here is our organiser, Carol Jolly.

Visit Essex will be supporting the Sam Bearman Trust. Proceeds will be donated to the Big Bear Fest. For further information and FREE tickets to the show contact www.TourismAndLeisureShow.co.uk or email carol.jolly@essex.gov.uk or 01245 435152.

Laurence Gladwell seen here in his Office Supplies' shop, displays his unique RETRO VIP AREA with some fascinating ephemera from the 40s, 50s and 60s - some wonderful artefacts, music and films of the era.  Laurence's shop is open every day and you will find him on Facebook and Twitter, too.  8A High Street, Billericay. www.retroprez.eu. Shop contact number above.

A DIAMOND QUEEN AND THE SWWJ

Many of my fellow writers are currently working on the forthcoming Diamond Jubilee celebrations and it is lovely to be able to add my own perspective.  Have managed to snap our Queen and Prince Philip several times and as far as our Society of Women Writers & Journalists' organisation is concerned, those members before me (it started way back in 1894) have enjoyed meeting members of the royal family at some of our gatherings.   This pic of Her Majesty in Westminster alongside our then president Joyce Grenfell was taken in 1969.

 I am happy to add Arthur Edwards' pic of our Queen (with his permission) showing his own little grandchildren and I love these gorgeous newly minted stamps (above) which show the essence of this great lady. 

This special collection marks the first time that official portraits of the Queen as she appears on stamps, coins and banknotes have been brought together. I love them.  Hope you like them too.

FRONT PAGE FOR PIPER

We love it when one of our writer friends receives a little extra publicity, so what a pleasant surprise that Trevor Stansfield, editor of  The Resident, chose Piper Terrett's new book VICTIM SUPPORT as his front page story.

VISUAL SOLUTIONS VIA THE BEST PHOTOGRAPHER IN TOWN!

Writers need photographers at some point in their career.  Whether for a eye catching front cover, or indeed for pictures for newspaper features.  For this we often turn to professional photographers and one who has been of great help with technical advice and huge kindness in helping illustrate a couple of books is Ron Poulter, one of the best in the business.

He is a full time professional photographer, based in Basildon, Essex. Blending experience and quality with the advantages of digital technology, Ron delivers affordable, fast, high quality solutions to people's photographic requirements. A real hard worker, Ron has completed assignments for hundreds of newspapers and national PR companies.  His remit ranges from Press, PR and Commercial to Social Events, Portraiture and Aerial photography are brilliant. Take a look at some of his amazing images on his  website www.visualsolutions.org.

VOICES OF HORNCHURCH

It's almost on the bookshelves!   Patricia Pound is delighted to introduce her brand new book - her third, entitled  VOICES OF HORNCHURCH and it is a wonderful read.  Hornchurch was once a rural Essex village.  However, it has now been swallowed up by Greater London.  Pat has worked hard in interviewing some of the town's most interesting folk and their stories, set within ten chapters, are fascinating.  Her photographs and ephemera are also first class.  Here is the famous bull's head looking down from the east wall of St Andrew's church (courtesy of Christine Sutton). Pat will be signing books at various venues when her latest creation hits the major bookshops. ISBN 978-0-7524-6036-9 £12.99 published by the History Press Limited of Stroud

OUR FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE JENNIFER WORTH

It was with pride mixed with sadness that members of the Society of Women Writers and Journalists viewed the BBC 1 Television programme on Sunday, CALL THE MIDWIFE. Written by our member, the late Jennifer Worth, whose life is played out in the film by the lovely young actress, Jessica Raine, the film was so poignant for her family and close friends.  Do watch the next episode on Sunday at 8pm.  The older Jennifer's voice brings Vanessa Redgrave into the production.

Trained as a very young nurse, Jennifer became a midwife, ward sister and night-sister from 1953 until 1973. Jennifer knew the East End of London, particularly Poplar, so well and the film producer and director have faithfully kept to the themes of her book.

Having written so movingly about the beginning of life, Jennifer’s last book In the Midst of Life explored the complexities surrounding how we die. Written with passion and conviction, this book is about the mystery, the beauty, the loneliness and the aspirations of death.

Here are a few of my photographs taken at our SWWJ Summer Festival in London's Royal Over-seas League.  It was a privilege and pleasure to have Jennifer' company. She enjoyed meeting our Life President, Shirley Williams (Baroness Williams of Crosby) and our then chairman, Jean Morris and we loved chatting with her.