SYLVIA KENT'S READING & WRITING FORUM

A history and lifestyle journal www.swwj.co.uk

Thursday, January 29, 2009

THE SWWJ WELCOMES PENNY - OUR NEW EDITOR



What a lovely surprise to receive the January issue of THE WOMAN WRITER under the brand new editorship of Penny Legg. What a fascinating writer with so much experience of life, travel (she lived in Bangladesh and the British West Indies) and so many other places. A freelance journalist and photographer, she somehow manages to enjoy numerous hobbies; she's a PADI Master scuba diver, she directs amateur dramatics, loves ballroom dancing and Scottish country dancing and seems to like us at the Society of Women Writers & Journalists - which is great!Penny lives in Southampton and makes the journey to London regularly to meet us and plan some of the wonderful events coming up this year. For people (we now welcome men to the Society), who love to write, do check out our website at www.SWWJ.co.uk and see what's on offer for professional writers and those wanting to learn more about this, the oldest and most prestigious of writing organisations.

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BOOK SIGNING TODAY


Folklore of Essex in its new gold cover is now on sale at Waterstone's Bookshops in East Anglia and East London. Lovely to see so many fellow writers. Thank you for coming!

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Wednesday, January 28, 2009

FOLKLORE OF ESSEX





The History Press (Brimscombe Port, Stroud, Glos) has now relaunched my FOLKLORE OF ESSEX this week. Originally, published in 2006, it helped in the creation of the Channel 5 TV series, 'County Secrets'- presented by Dr Jonathan Foyle.

My book has been updated and is again on sale at most bookshops, particularly Waterstone's. The colour of the bookcover has been changed from mauve to gold and it is updated. This is perfect timing, bearing in mind the latest national publicity for our famous Mayflower Morrismen who performed superbly on probably the coldest Saturday so far this winter, at Barleylands Farm last week. They celebrated the ancient Plough Monday dances and brought colour and fun to a huge audience. The ISBN number is 9-780752-436777 or make contact with me. Book signings coming up.
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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

LYNFA PLANS NEXT JAPANESE TRIP



News from our good friend Lynfa Phillips who is planning her next trip to Japan. Lynfa and her group will be visiting Shikoku this time. In addition they’ll visit Tokyo, Kyoto, Kobe and Fukuoka on Kyushu. Lynfa is looking forward to visiting the coal mining museum on Fukuoka which reminds her of her own early life as the eldest daughter of a coal miner in the Rhonnda Valley. On her last visit she was shown around the coal mine by the director. She took with her DVDs and information re “The Big Pit” to Mrs Tomoko Isaji, who is trying to create a mining heritage museum on Hokkaido, the furthest north of the major Japanese Islands.

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AIR TRAINING CORPS' SPECIAL EVENING






The Billericay Air Training Corps held their ‘Dining In’ evening last Saturday. Excellent meal followed by presentation of many trophies and certificates by our Padre, Brian Gennings who oversaw the enrolment of new cadets. The commanding Officer, Flt Lt Steve Horncastle made presentations of the achievement awards by the cadets including ‘gliding solo’ certificates. Dancing followed with time to mingle with cadets and their families – we even had a chance to see ‘Michael Jackson’ in action! The cadets will be busy with ATC projects flying, gliding, target shooting and many other worthwhile activities during the coming year.
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Thursday, January 22, 2009

DOWN YOUR STREET IN SAFFRON WALDEN


This town in Essex is one of our most picturesque and Jean Gumbrell, a fellow SWWJ enthusiast is a super writer and an historical expert on the area. Her newspaper columns were very popular during the 1980s. The town is well known across the world due to the industry of Saffron being produced here from medieval times. Sixty years ago,two thousand evacuees were billeted her and then American airmen were stationed here. Even after such a long time, many of them make nostalgic trips back. Jean writes beautifully about Saffron Walden's history and how wool,weaving and malting brought prosperity to the town. So many changes have occurred here - as they have everywhere - but Jean has managed to capture many superb memories of a very special place in her book DOWN YOUR STREET.

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Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Margaret goes dancing


We all know how wonderful dancing is for the body and soul and over the last year, Margaret has discovered the joy of belly dancing. Music, costume and ambience are great to lift the spirit and trim the waist. Margaret and her fellow dancers thoroughly enjoy their weekly meetings and she's even pictured on their latest CD. May even join them!

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

A LONDON LINE-UP


Simply can't get this picture to our super ladies in this line-up - so am using the quickest method. We all enjoyed a great trip to London's New Cavendish Club before Christmas and here is a snap of some of our great Essex girls (all excellent writers, too)!

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Monday, January 19, 2009

SHENFIELD IN WINTER

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Sunday, January 18, 2009

SHENFIELD POND



WINTRY SHENFIELD


This is my recent photo of our old pond on Shenfield Common on which we used to skate - dangerous really! Don't think I would chance it these days. This is an image taken late summer and recently, requested by ex-pat readers currently enjoying the heat of Australia and South Africa.

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Tuesday, January 13, 2009

DAILY MAIL NOTE ON OLD TIME POSTMEN

Thanks to all who made contact re my note published in the Dail Mail yesterday. For those who want copies of the photo, I will transmit as soon as I can.

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CITY LIT SERIES - OXYGEN BOOKS



Message from friends Heather Reyes and Malcolm Burgess with latest information on their new company www.oxygenbooks.co.uk. They’ve met so many interesting writers, booksellers, librarians, translators and publishers across Europe while working on their city-lit series that want to keep the conversation going. Hence http://thecity-litcafe.typepad.com
They hope that friends will drop in and join in the talk with guest writers about your favourite city books along with writers and much more.

Feel like something different? Then pick up the city-lit series ...
'An inviting new series of travel guides which collects some of the best writing on European cities to give a real flavour of the place.' The Bookseller

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JANET CAMERON


Shame that runner up in the SWWJ John Walter Competition, Janet Cameron, couldn’t travel to London from her new home in The Gambia to appear in the line-up (below. We celebrate her success with a photo taken at last year's award ceremony when she received her prize from Princess Michael.

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Sunday, January 04, 2009


TARGET WRITERS

PRESENT

FREE SEMINAR


on


HOW TO WRITE AND SELL YOUR BOOK


Fiction, memoirs or non-fiction. Everyone welcome.

Refreshments from 7pm

Tuesday 13th January 2009


7.30-8.30pm.Old Sergeants’ Mess, Bisley Camp, Queens Rd.

To book your place, join the group or any queries

contact Silja anytime: Tel. 01483 489490 Mob. 07906 994226siljaswaby@hotmail.com

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SILJA SWABY


http://www.islandhttp://www.islandreefjob.com/applicants/watch/bZSFHNNYTHUreefjob.com/applicants/watch/bZSFHNNYTHU

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Saturday, January 03, 2009

TENTH ESSEX BOOK FESTIVAL



IT'S COMING! The 10th Book Festival looks as if it will be the best ever. Meet Melvyn Bragg, Joan Bakewell, Frances Clamp, Roy Hattersley, Kate Atkinson, Helen Dunmore, Jonathan Gash, Barbara Erskine, Jojo Moyes, Martin Newell, Alison Weir, Xinran, Andrew Summers, Adele Parks, John Sutherland and many, many more great writers, poets, journalists and a sprinkling of literary critics. The Festival is managed by Essex County Council Libraries in partnership with Essex District and Borough Councils - also Thurrock Unitary Council.

Patrons this year will be Germaine Greer, Francis Wheen, Barbara Erskine and yours truly.

Box Office opens on Monday 5 January 2009 Tel: 01206 573948 or book online at www.essexbookfestival.org.uk

BBC Essex Radio with broadcasting team Ray Clark and Angela Lodge will be at Chelmsford Library on Thursday 5 March 2009 from 10.00 till 12 noon and there's a chance to meet some of the Essex authors and Reading and Writing Group members. There are activities, quizzes and prizes to be won - and a chance to take part in the instant story created on the day specially for the Festival, so do come and meet us all.

Programmes are now available in Essex Libraries. Any queries? email answers.direct@essex.gov.uk

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