SYLVIA KENT'S READING & WRITING FORUM

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

Thursday, November 30, 2017

OUR LATEST SPECIAL GUEST ON PHOENIX 98FM RADIO IN BRENTWOOD NOW STREAMED AROUND THE WORLD

It may have been snowing outside, but Phoenix 98fm Presenter, Michelle Ward,  made sure our BOOK CLUB guest, the writer and magazine editor CAROL CANNAVAN and I were warmed up with hot orange chocolate as we whisked through the myriad of topics we had prepared to chat about during Michelle's morning radio show.
During November, both of us have been reading, reviewing books, giving talks and signing our wares, alongside writing our own material. It has all been rather hectic.  Carol, of course, has been editing our super SWWJ magazine, packed full of exciting writerly things coming up in the New Year.  

Do check out Carol's upcoming news regarding her book which has been revised and I believe there will be some rather good news for apprentice (and professional) plumbers - a vital and most necessary career.

 I've just heard that Carol has a promotion on the e-book version between 1st and 5th December – it can be downloaded freely.  Here is the link: A Career in Plumbing – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Career-Plumbing-Carol-Cannavan/dp/1518688128/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= – the e-book is usually £5.75 and the paperback is £9.99.

Oh, I forgot we are also making a film linked to my latest book  BARKING & DAGENHAM FROM OLD PHOTOGRAPHS and I have been given permission to interview some of those doughty local folk I met two or three years ago.  Watch this space!



Thursday, November 23, 2017

RESEARCHING AND HAVING FUN AT HAVERING MUSEUM 19 HIGH STREET, ROMFORD

Congrats to Ellen & Peter Owen at Havering Museum and their hardworking team for last night's enjoyable annual Corporate Evening - brilliant way to showcase a museum (or any place for that matter) in a congenial atmosphere, good food and the opportunity to network with friendly local business folk.
 
Their history hubs are fascinating and well worth a visit, particularly with Titantic and Suffragette links (both topics I am researching), so many thanks to Havering Museum and their vibrant Chamber of Commerce & Industry friends and supporters.

www.haveringmuseums.org.uk 
 
 


Sunday, November 12, 2017

THE SONS OF THREE COUNTRIES REMEMBERED

Taking their bow!  Playwright Dawn Knox (blue dress) with Stephen Metcalfe MP (far right), Basildon Mayor and DOT Production cast plus volunteers and Bob Sheridan and his team
Saturday 11 November was such an appropriate date for the final part of the FORGET NEVER PROJECT - SACRIFICE AND LEGACY which commemorated the centenary of the Great War.  The Woodlands School auditorium at Basildon was packed!


 
Local MP Stephen Metcalfe started this project in 2014 with support from Basildon Borough Twinning Association and Basildon Borough Heritage Group, alongside a dedicated group of volunteers from the local community and schools in the area. Since it started, the project has reached out and touched thousands of people's lives, not only in Basildon Borough, but also in their twin towns of Heiligenhaus, Germany and Meaux, France.

My fellow SWWJ member Dawn Knox was the author of this highly individual play which saw its fourth performance last night. It has attracted enormous audiences in the above twin towns. Three individual young men are remembered. George Burnett from Wickford in Essex; Albert Kiekert from Heiligenhaus and Louis Vallin from Meaux.  We learned about this trio of militia and their families; their hopes and dreams and we know, from archived letters, that none of them wanted to kill their contemporaries in this 'War to End all Wars'. Alas, the English and German lads died in the trenches; the French boy lived to tell his tale.

The performers from DOT Productions were superbly directed by Andrew Lindfield and the actors: Natalie Scotcher who played the narrator/nurse, Zac Hamilton - George Burnett;  James Le Lacheur - Albert Kiekert; Christopher Walthorne - Louis Vallin and Andrew Linfield the British Sergeant.  The pianist and composer was Senne Jonckers and soloist was Neel Hannes.  They had travelled from Belgium and joined the group Fricklesome Amset consisting of Peter Klaus, Hannes Johannsen, Rike Ullenbaum and Sebastian Zimmermann provided glorious music. The students of  Lee Chapel Primary School and the Woodlands' School choir were the tops. What a superb group of young people and what a wonderful performance! 

                                                                 

Wednesday, November 08, 2017

HELLO NEW YORK TIMES - APPRECIATE YOUR INTEREST IN OUR ESSEX TOWNS

Just a little gathering of some of our excellent Essex writers attached to the Brentwood Writers' Circle which celebrated its 75 years of membership last year. Check out their website and learn some fascinating history.
image courtesy of Julie Gowers)
www.brentwoodwriterscircle.org
www.swwj.co.uk

 
o

BILLERICAY'S MUSEUM IS OUR SECRET GEM - LOCAL HISTORY REALLY MATTERS

With thanks to the editor of The Resident whose monthly journal keeps Billericay's residents up to date on community matters. For more detail of The Cater Museum at 74 High Street, Billericay, check out our website
www.catermuseum.co.uk