SYLVIA KENT'S READING & WRITING FORUM: June 2014

OUR ANNUAL ALL DAY EVENT IS ON THE HORIZON - 5 JULY - VISITORS WELCOME

Today's local edition of the Gazette that reaches at least half a dozen towns is helping to advertise our special day of writing on Saturday 5 July 10-4pm. Here is the essence:

PATRICK DENNEY'S SUPERB NEW BOOK 'COLCHESTER MEMORIES'

As I'm an avid fan of local history, it was a pleasure to read this latest book by Patrick Denney. He obviously knows much about Britain's oldest recorded Roman town of Colchester and is one of the leading researchers of its history.

Patrick is a Blue Badge Tourist Guide and is also secretary of the Friends of Colchester Museums. This latest book delightfully reproduces the recollections of at least forty five people, half of whom were born before 1920 and the interviews took place over a period of more than twenty years.

Many aspects of life are featured in the selected extracts, including memories of growing up in an age without modern conveniences: no television, video games or even telephones, in some cases. Patrick has included tales from his interviewees of lives spent simply, sometimes in very straitened circumstances when every single penny was spent in keeping families fed and clothed.

The illustrations and photographs used in the book are wonderful, some amusing, but often poignant and the book gives us glimpses of a world that has long gone, maybe for the better. However, there is such charm and simplicity herein which will make the reader think a little differently about our so-called sophisticated modern times.

The class of 1950 from Old Heath School, Colchester

Amberley Books £14.99 ISBN 976-1-4456-1854-8
www.amberley-books.com

ON THE TERRACE AT THE PALACE OF WESTMINSTER

Always a pleasure to meet fellow writers and media folk at the Authors' Licensing & Collecting Society events. This year we were invited to attend the All Party Writers Group Reception held on the Terrace at the House of Commons. Always so well organised by Barbara Hayes and her team and guests were well looked after. With a fabulous view of the London Eye, boats making their way down the Thames, food and wine absolutely gorgeous, we were more than happy. Sat with my favourite peer, Baroness (Jean) Trumpington (and will read her best-selling memoir Coming up Trumps), and had some photos taken by top London photographer Matt Crossick.

Baroness Trumpington and SWWJ's Pamela Birley

SWWJ guests at ALCS summer party Jean Morris and Pamela Birley

Lord Taylor of Warwick with yours truly
By kind permission of Matt Crossick

SWWJ Patron Lord Quirk

D-DAY MEMORIES FROM ARROMANCHES IN FRANCE

Thoughts are with a few of our friends from Essex who are today now at Bayeux in Normandy. Some are connected with our old Brentwood Memory Club to which lots of veterans from the Essex Regiment used to visit during the 1990s. Many are no longer with us but have left us their written personal memories of their experiences during World War II. Members of the local branch of the Royal British Legion are in Normandy, too, along with our Queen. Have visited Bayeux years ago and wish I could have been there today. Such atmosphere and moving pictures on TV this morning. Photos to give us food for thought!

CHOICE & CHANGE - NEWLY HATCHED BOOK BY CHES MOULTON

Ches and Lucene Moulton welcoming guests at his book signing on Wednesday 4 June

So many new books arriving from publishers these days for review. Rarely do we have the opportunity to meet the authors, so what a lovely change to gather at the signing of Ches Moulton's book CHOICE & CHANGE this evening at Hutton Poplars Hall - wonderful venue. Ches is a Brentwood-based therapist and coach and very much an inspirational speaker. He specialises in working with people who suffer from stress and dysfunctional relationships and is extremely successful in what he does.

Musicians Bill Farrow and Richie Milton meet David McDonald, Director at Silver Island TV

And that is what Ches' book is about. People and the way they think! As Gill Tiney, the author of Step Up, commented: "You will read this book and recall many memories which unknowingly have shaped your life. This insight will give you back the control you lack and the choices to make it better. Ches tells us that "The greatest journey is that which is taken within us".