I thoroughly enjoyed visiting Dagenham Library today. What a super, lively audience and I was delighted that they knew the area about which I had been researching over the last few years.  Many lived locally, some had travelled back to the town to have their books signed and I was able to collect more stories for my collection. Many expats have bought my book and have also added their own recollections.

Such a learning curve producing my first ever PowerPoint presentation in double-quick time and, despite last minute hiccups with computer, think I know the drill!



What was on the site before the Library was built? The old  Church Elm pub

I did appreciate the warm welcome and being looked after by the lovely Lena Smith and her staff. Heard on the grapevine that our old pal Martina Cole will be visiting the library in March, so may pay another visit then as part of the audience (if they will have me back)!  

Lena Smith and yours truly Monday 23 Feb
 

LISTEN TO BBC ESSEX THURSDAY MORNING WHEN OUR OWN "LITTLE GUY" MIKE TAKES THE MIC

Brentwood Writers' Circle members enjoyed hearing tales from the silver screen and the Royal Shakespeare stage when Southend boy Mike Edmonds paid us a visit last week.  So many fans made contact after the short feature appeared in the Brentwood Gazette last week (see earlier posting below). 

Mike illustrated his talk with some wonderful photographs and spoke from years of experience, the first film being Ken Loach's famous Black Jack, then in children’s TV show Maid Marian and Her Merry Men, and films - Flash Gordon, The Dark Crystal, Who framed Roger Rabbit, Time Bandits (in the role as Og), Return of the Jedi (as Ewok Logray), as well as the operator for Jabba the Hutt’s tail, Star Wars and of course, Harry Potter, among many other performances.

Tomorrow morning 19 February - from 10.00am on the  Dave Monk Show we can all hear more from this entertaining actor, when he calls into the BBC Essex Studio in Chelmsford. Don't forget to listen!  

MIKE EDMONDS PAY OUR WRITERS' CIRCLE A VISIT

Brentwood Writers' Circle enjoyed the company of actor Mike Edmonds from Southend at our February gathering.  Several of our members are studying writing for the stage and film, so what a great opportunity to learn of Mike's success worldwide in films such as Star Wars, Harry Potter and numerous other films.

Here we see him with our chairman, Helen Finch whose latest book is very selling well.  Our Writers' circle at Brentwood has been popular for more than 74 years and continues to attract aspiring scribes.   

LATEST EDITION OF OUR SUPERB WOMAN WRITER MAGAZINE

I'm sure, like me, SWWJ members look forward to receiving the latest issue of our magazine.  Today's delivery is quite a read and I will absorb the content later as there is so much to read.  

I love this front cover, as it includes a photograph of Chawton House, originally home of Jane Austen's brother Edward Austen Knight (courtesy of Chawton House Library). I was fascinated when I paid my last visit to Chawton. Through our Liaison member, Pamela Birley, we have been associated with Chawton House Library for some years.  It is a registered charity as an independent research library and study centre, focusing on women's writing in English from 1600 to 1830. A beautiful place that stays in the memory.  

To learn more about the SWWJ and what we do, why not check us out at www.swwj.co.uk?