MARCH 1 - LAUNCH OF 2012 ESSEX BOOK FESTIVAL

Authors and publishing luminaries arriving in Essex today ready for the launch at Chelmsford Library tomorrow of the greatest of Book Festivals.  Of course, there have been eleven successful years of this Book Festival as part of the Essex CC Library Services, but this year, with support from Arts Council, England and local partners, it has become a  registered charity, overseen by a board of voluntary trustees, all who love literature. Why not pick up a free catalogue from your local library and find out more about us at  01245 347456 or via info@essexbookfestival.org.uk.  Better still come along and meet some of us tomorrow in Chelmsford.

BRENTWOOD GARDENERS' SEED SWAP

Last Saturday's Seed Swap at the Brentwood Theatre brought so many interesting folk together. I took along some Thompson & Morgan beetroot seed and came away with some exciting unusual herby seeds that I will start off soon.  This is such a wonderful idea to save money and meet like-minded gardening nuts. Money was raised during the morning to help support the Sensory Garden in King George's Playing Fields and I hope to get down there soon to find out how it is all going on. The supersonic radio gardener for Phoenix 98FM Andrew Babicz was there offering some good advice and again, it was lovely to meet him and his pals.

2012 TOURISM & LEISURE SHOW

Carol Jolly has pulled it off again!  She and her team at Visit Essex  produced a fabulous Tourism & Leisure Show today at Crowne Plaza Resort Colchester at Five Lakes.  It was great to meet up with many friends and learn more about Essex business and tourism and the Brentwood Writers' Circle is grateful for the hospitality shown to our team.  Here are a few pics of the day.

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.

FREE ADMISSION - 10.00am - 3.30pm

It's hard to believe that the Tourism & Leisure Show is now in its 17th year, and continues to be a driving force in the group travel industry.

This year's show had the most amount of visitors attend ever, and next year's event promises to match this, if not exceed it!  The show provides visitors with inspiration for great days out and short breaks in the East and South East of England, London & beyond. Over 90 Exhibitors, ranging from riverboat trips to castles, historic houses to high rope adventures, are able to meet visitors first hand, and offer them free advice and literature, and an insight into their wonderful attractions and hotels.

Throughout the day, visitors will also enjoy demonstrations, presentations, give-aways and tastings of food produced in Essex, including the wonderful jam and scones from Wilkins of Tiptree. Visitors can also take part in the competition run by Visit Essex, which will offer some fabulous prizes, and the numerous other competitions organised by the exhibitors.

There are also free gifts given out between 2.30pm - 3.30pm by some exhibitors, so grab yourself a momento - vouchers will be given out on the main doors!  Each visitor will also be given an exhibitor catalogue, so if you miss someone on the day you will have the means of contacting them after the show.

Florida Coaches will run courtesy coaches from Witham railway station to the venue, on the hour and half hour starting from 9.30am.

Kirby's Coaches will also be running a coach to the venue which will leave their depot in Rayleigh at 10.00am, however, there will be other pick-ups within Essex. Call 01702 777777 to book your place. Mann's Coaches of Kent will also be providing a courtesy coach to and from the Show, with pick-ups throughout Kent - please call 01474 358194 to book your place.

For FREE tickets call Carol Jolly on 01245 435152 or just come along on the day! If you'd like to register for FREE automatic tickets for next year's show, (sent in January 2012) please select Free Show Tickets.

DON'T FORGET TO TAKE A LOOK AT OUR GALLERY OF PHOTOS FROM PREVIOUS SHOWS!

Further information available from Carol Jolly 01245 435152 or 07584 480072

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.