WARMEST WISHES TO FINOLA HOLIDAY, ONE OF OUR SWWJ BEST POETS ON HER ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY.

Both East and West Sussex enjoy a remarkable literary past. Their list of legendary writers and poets includes Hilaire Belloc, William Blake, HG Wells, Lord Tennyson and a host of other illustrious characters who once lived and worked in this area.  

Finola Holiday pictured in London receiving a new award

In modern times, numerous members of the prestigious Society of Women Writers & Journalists have excelled themselves in publishing their best selling books across all genres. The latest collection of poetry emanates from Hove resident Finola Holiday, who celebrates her centenary on 23 February. Finola's work spans a lifetime of award-winning publications.  

Finola has long enjoyed success in regional and international poetry competitions. She won the ‘Sussex Poet of the Year’ prize and the ‘Edna Bourne-Jones Cup – an award of the Downland Poets Eastbourne - as well as the ‘Slipstream’ and ‘Ver Poets’ competitions and on three occasions, the prestigious SWWJ Lady Elizabeth Longford. 

A ‘Nest of Tigers’ is the title of Finola’s latest collection of poetry, crafted over years spent in remote places in different continents.   Some of her poetry belongs to the landscape of art and others to the tangible world of tide and change, while others exist only as images reflected in a darker glass. Finola’s latest eclectic work has brought reviews from respected leading poets: 

Susan Skinner: Finola Holiday presents the people or the objects in her poems with an eye for enchantment and an ear for rhythm that combine to give her poems an appealing vision.” 

Stella Davis: They are stand-alone good, and clearly the work of a poet who knows what she is doing!   A good strong voice with things to say and a confident sense of form in which to express them. 

Publisher: SWWJ/SCRIPTORA

Available on Amazon

Price: £7.00

 

CAN IT BE SIXTEEN YEARS SINCE HILARY MANTEL PAID US A VISIT IN BILLERICAY

Tonight on our regular BBC 4 radio programme Front Row and mention, yet again, of books, films and authors.  The work of Hilary Mantel was discussed, particularly her best-selling book Wolf Hall which our Billericay BookTalk group also coincidentally discussed today. Here is Hilary in 2009 at Billericay where we shared a lovely evening talking books, reading and writing, and of course, the Essex Book Festival. Looking forward to this year's events during the summer. Will keep you posted. 

THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF LITERATURE REMEMBERS OUR WONDERFUL POET FLEUR ADCOCK

 

The Royal Society of Literature members will remember our British poet Fleur Adcock on Wednesday 19 February at the London Library. Sadly she died in November 2024, but her poetry lives on. 

Wonderful to meet her and other respected poets at an ALCS evening gathering a few years ago.  Here she is with Sir Derek Alcott and Wendy Cope at the House of Lords. We enjoyed a super evening.   

In  remembrance of Fleur, the RSL is hosting a discussion of her writing and legacy with a panel of speakers including Neil Astley, Wendy Cope and Lorraine Mariner, chaired by Rachel Long, and interspersed with recordings of the poet reading her own work. This event, developed in partnership with the London Library, will mark Adcock’s 91st birthday. 

LATEST INFORMATION ON OUR FUN WALK TRUST EVENT DESTINED FOR THIS SEPTEMBER

 

FUN WALK PRESS RELEASE

February 4th 2024

Registration Opens for 2025 Fun Walk

The Trustees of The Fun Walk Trust are inviting local charities and community groups to register for this year’s Fun Walk which will take place through September. Supporters can do their walk individually or organisations can host an event on any day during the month, to raise money for their project or good cause. The event is free to enter, and support is provided including posters, finisher’s certificates and sponsorship forms so participants can focus on fund raising.

The Fun Walk’s BONUS POT is supported by donations from local businesses and individuals, and last year provided a 30% bonus to each participating charity/community group in addition to the monies they raised in sponsorship. Last year’s donors included Brown & Carroll (London), Sanctuary Housing, Greater Anglia, Tunnelcraft, Butyl Products Group, IFE Global Logistics, Mr Barrie Stone and others.

John Baron, Chair of Trustees, said:

“With the generous help of our Bonus Pot donors, The Fun Walk Trust raised over £100,000 last year for local charities and good causes, bringing the total raised to over £1,635,000 since 2002. Participating in the Fun Walk is a wonderful way to boost unrestricted funding and support their initiatives. Any non-profit organisation which benefits the community may apply to take part. We encourage all to spread the word.”

Organisations are encouraged to register at https://thefunwalktrust.co.uk/