Friday 15 August 2014

#Swanwick66: A Final Chapter

Day six was, as always, a day of 'finals': the final chance for the early risers to gather in the chapel for Lift Up Your Hearts, or by the lake for Meditation. And no, I didn't make either of these - I was too busy slaving over a red hot keyboard, writing yesterday's blog post.


 It was the final day of the specialist courses:, and in the short story one, Della gave us a masterclass in the available markets. I'm sure I'm not the only one who left there enthused to start submitting once more.

There were the final short courses of the week and in the crime writing one, Simon gave us a feast for our senses where loud noises were the least of our fears; and presented us with riddles; which like all the best examples of this genre, are easy once you know the answer.

At the AGM, we voted in our committee for 2015: Michael O'Byrne (Chair); Maria Hennings Hunt (Vice-Chair); Paul Budd (Treasurer); Pauline Mason (Secretary): Katherine Bolton; Rachel Contini; Cathy Grimmer; and Ian Martin. Good luck in the coming year, guys.

The gathering on the lawn for the Dregs Party was even more colourful this year, with lots of 'posh frocks' and dickie bows in evidence. Mark and his Minstrels entertained us for the final time this year.

I think the less said about Swanwick Does I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue the better, although my lasting memories will be the bemused looks on the Top Writers' faces - and the sound of 200-plus kazoos playing the William Tell overture badly - very badly indeed!

The official part of the evening finished with the traditional Auld Lang Syne - and, yes, Katy, we got the hands right, although the words were a bit iffy, especially in verse 2.

So, that's it for 2014. To the Committee and all the other volunteers, a huge vote of thanks for another brilliant school. To the white badgers, we hope to see you again soon. Likewise to all school members who weren't able to be here this year.

And to anyone who's never heard of the Writers' Summer School and wonders what on earth has been going on for the past week, it's a long story - a 66 year story so far - and will be continued in August 2015. 

[Normal service on Elizabeth's Page will be resumed on Monday!]

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