SYLVIA KENT'S READING & WRITING FORUM: March 2013

BASILDON HOSPITAL RADIO TEAM VISIT THE CATER MUSEUM BILLERICAY

It was a great pleasure to welcome the outside broadcasters from Basildon Hospital Radio last week. The intrepid team from BHR1287 braved the bitterly cold wind to meet up with our Curator, Chris Brewster and Museum staff for an exciting morning. Chris was on fine form, outlining just some of our fabulous artefacts on display that relate to the history of Billericay in this beautiful 18th Century building.

Presenter Frank Toohey interviewed Chris about some of the exhibits (we have so many), but he particularly homed in to "Billericay at War Exhibition". From there, we moved to the Mid-Victorian sitting room, bedroom (which has a ghostly story) and kitchen displays. We were joined by new local journalist Rachael Hook from the Billericay Gazette (you can read all about it on page 2 of this week's edition). Every month, the Museum highlights certain artefacts and currently we are displaying some wonderful old books. We enjoy receiving visitors - check us out at www.thecatermuseum.com More pictures to follow.

A FASCINATING TV PROGRAMME PRESENTED BY ALEX POLIZZI

Have enjoyed watching Alex Polizzi, the British hotelier who presents The Fixer on BBC 2. Tonight's programme - the last one in the series - revolved around a garden nursery centre, a family firm that was heading for liquidation. Being a gardening nut, I particularly enjoyed this last programme with cameras sweeping the six acres with some of my favourite plants in view, however, the family's business acumen had much to be desired. Things turned out ok in the end - as they always do in Alex's projects.

I met Alex a few years ago at a media convention in London and discovered we shared the same birthday (though I'm many years' older!) She was interested in my time at Puritan Maid in London's Maddox Street, which was owned by her granddad then Sir Charles Forte (later Lord) a kind man man with twinkling eyes who asked me to dance at the annual Forte Ball. At around 5ft, he realised too late as I got to my feet that my height at 17 (and still growing), was over 5.6" so we must have made an odd couple. I'm looking forward to Alex's next series.

PHOENIX 98 FM RADIO MEETS PETER JONES

EAT MY BRUNCH

Just received a super quick copy of today's recording of BOOK CLUB from Michelle Ward, well known daily presenter with Phoenix 98fm. Eat My Brunch is her daily programme from 10.00 till 1.00pm Guest today was Peter Jones whose books are selling very well across Britain. We discussed book titles that are extraordinarily long, including one with a 670-word title. Pity the poor cataloguer.

Peter's Self Help books also have intriguing titles: try How to Do Everything and Be Happy which was seen on BBC TV The One Show. Other titles ready to roll are linked to eating (and remaining slim) and another to do with On Line Dating - watch this space!

JUST LOVE JANE AUSTEN

Our rather special Society of Women Writers and Journalists (established 119 years ago) www.swwj.co.uk has strong links with Jane Austen's home at Chawton in Hampshire. A visit to Chawton really brings Jane closer and our members often pay a vist.

Now the much-heralded Chawton House Library website is live! Visit www.chawtonhouse.org to see what all the fuss is about. The online shop allows you to buy gifts, supporter packs, and tickets to events online, whilst elements such as the ...new galleries and updated Novels. The Online area are easy to use and offer more of an insight into what the Library is currently up to. Follow Chawton on Facebook or email to give your feedback. If you like the website tell your friends.

Chawton House Library | Home to early English women's writing

www.chawtonhouse.org

Chawton's tenth anniversary conference 2013: 'Pride and Prejudices: Women’s Writing of the Long Eighteenth Century', Chawton House Library, Hampshire, 4th-6th July 2013

FOLKLORE OF ESSEX - ROUND THREE

Good to hear from one of my publishers that once again my book FOLKLORE OF ESSEX will go into a new print from next month. I enjoyed researching this book which covers the traditions of such a wonderful county - often besmirched - but a fascinating place full of intriguing stories, legendary characters, music, dance and song - yep, Essex is the place for two thousand years of amazing folklore. The book was also shortlisted for the prestigious Katherine Briggs' Award for the best publication in folklore studies - boasting over!!! Back to work!

MORE IMAGES FROM LAST WEEK'S LAUNCH OF ESSEX BOOK FESTIVAL

Fun to meet up with Thomas Magill from BBC Essex at Chelmsford Library last week - love Thomas' super accent - so distinctive. Here he is with another friend, the Essex publisher Audrey Snee, CEO Estuary Publishing. Audrey is to be our speaker in April at the Brentwood Writers' Circle.

Friday at Chelmsford had such a lovely party atmosphere and now, of course, we are doing the rounds and trying to meet up with other pals at the various Essex venues. So far, so good, and so many more events scheduled for this month - see www.essexbookfestival.org.uk

MEETING A GREAT WRITER AT COLCHESTER THEATRE TODAY

Anthony Horowitz with his fascinating new book OBLIVION

Over two decades, I've been privileged to meet some of the world's most celebrated authors and journalists, and today absolutely loved meeting Anthony Horowitz at Colchester's Mercury Theatre as part of the Essex Book Festival. This man is so talented in that he writes wonderfully, not only for children (I expect youngsters know his Alex Rider books, Diamond Brothers series and some scary fantasy books The Power of Five), but he also writes successfully for adults, too including Foyle's War (new series starting on TV soon), originator of Midsomer Murders and so many more books and TV programmes. His new book Oblivion was on sale today after a fascinating talk about his life, inspirations, passions and experiences and he happily signed copies for his young (and not so young) fans.