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Meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at Dancox House Club Room, St Clements Gardens, St Johns, Worcester from 7.30 pm to 9.30pm.
If you want to know more about Worcester Writers' Circle, please telephone Sue Round, Secretary 01905 619062.
Probably the oldest writers' circle in the country, we have grown from half a dozen enthusiasts in the dark days of the Second World War, to a thriving and productive group of people who share their experiences, successes and pitfalls at each meeting. We have a wide range of writers, some published professionals, some occasionally appearing in magazines, and many newcomers eager to see their name in print.
At a normal meeting, we read from our work, sometimes on a theme set for the evening and we offer advice and reactions. A cup of tea and a chat of course, and discussions about markets, successes and rejections. Sometimes we have a speaker from amongst our ranks, or a guestjoining us for the evening. Our interests are wide - stories, Westerns, nostalgia, poetry, biography, roofing and cats have all featured at our meetings. If you can get to Worcester, (that's the one in Worcestershire, England) give us a try.
A Big Word
by Phyllis Handley
Rose felt safe as she settled into an armchair on the front row and nearest to a wall. Now, no one could push past and accidentally knock her 'bad leg.'
The nursing staff had arranged several rows of chairs in their community room to face the small stage, and then placed a carol sheet on each seat. This afternoon the Salvation Army would be coming to her residential home to give their annual Christmas concert. Every year these concerts were always well attended, by staff, residents and families. So by arriving early Rose could now choose where to sit.
Six years ago at the age of seventy five Rose underwent a successful operation for a hip replacement. So every day she did some gentle leg excercises, and at all times very protective of her 'bad leg.'
“Can you read?”
Rose heard the child's voice behind her, but chose to ignore it as she didn't know any small children.
Then she felt a small hand on her right shoulder and a little more earnestly the voice repeated into her right ear “Can you read?”
Half turning her head Rose replied “Yes.”
Without any hesitation a small fair haired lad wearing a white jumper and blue jeans easily pushed himself between her 'bad leg' and the wall, placed a carol song sheet on her knee and pointing to it asked “What's that big word?”
With one finger Rose adjusted her bifocals, and looked down to where he was pointing “Alleluia” she told him.
“Oh Yes!” He said “I know that word,” and then stood there silently reading a few more words to himself. Suddenly he asked “Can I come and sit by you?”
Rose removed her walking stick3 from the empty chair by her side and gestured for him to come and sit down.
“What's your name?” She asked.
“Jamie.”
“Where's your mother Jamie?”
“Upstairs, helping Nan to write her Christmas cards.”
Rose realised she would be expected to know the identity of Nan, so tried another way of questioning. “Would you believe it Jamie I have forgotten your Nan's surname. What is it? Can you remember what it is? Mrs who?”
“Roberts. Margaret Roberts. Mr and Mrs Roberts. Grandad's name is John. My mum is called Margaret Jane. But everyone calls her Jane because they got muddled with Nan's name. My dad is called Nobbie because our name is Clarke. Everyone calls me Jamie but really it's James nearly the same as grandad's name.”
Rose couldn't control her smile or look of amazement at such a full, fast and unexpected reply but, nevertheless resisted the temptation to ask if he had any brothers or sisters. So stretching out her right hand towards him said “Hello Jamie. My name is Rose. Mrs Rose Turner, and it is very nice to meet you.”
Jamie's small hand managed to grip three of her fingers and with a solemn face, politely replied “And it's very nice to meet you.”
Rose did know and often spoke to his grandparents. They were quite young really, only in their sixties, but Margaret suffered with cataracts in both eyes. So to make life much easier for both of them, they sold their house and moved into this small residential home where there was twenty four hour medical support for everyone.
Jamie continued to concentrate on reading his carol sheet. “Are you all right with all the other words?” Rose asked.
“Yes thanks. I want a computer but my dad says I can't have one. Well, not until I can read and write properly. Mum says I should have one to help me with my school work. So Nan said she was going to buy one. Then during the school holidays, when mum is working, I can come here and use it. And I could come at weekends if I wanted to.”
“Will your Nan be able to use a computer?”
“Yes. She had one at work and she thinks with my help, she could learn to use one again.”
“So what does your dad think of that idea?”
“He thinks computers are taking over the world and cost too much money. But it's up to Nan and what she wants to do.”
“And what does your grandad think about it?”
“She shouldn't buy one. He always says it was using a computer that made her eyes go bad, and I should be careful using such things, because when I get older I could get carrots in my eyes the same as Nan. The doctor said she was unlucky to have two carrots at the same time, but when they are ripe enough, he has promised to pull them out for her. Then she will be able to see again.”
Once more Jamie's explanation made her smile but she hadn't the heart to correct him so instead, asked “Have you ever been to a carol service before?”
“No. Not a grown up one, but mum said I should come, because it will keep me quiet for a bit. I was in our school Christmas play, and our class sang some carols, and Grandad said it's all much of a muchness.”
“Yes, the carols will be the same. What part did you have in the play?”
“Because I shall be seven next August and tall for my age, I played Joseph this year. Last year I was an angel but I didn't say anything.”
“Did you have a lot of words to learn?”
“Yes. And our teacher said I was very good because I knew mine and lots of all the others. I had to say 'Look out Mary. We've got three strangers coming.'
“Look out Mary?” Rose enquired.
After a few seconds thought, Jamie slowly admitted “No. No, that's not right. I remember now. It was 'Look out of the window Mary, we have got three visitors coming.' Then Mrs Dance stamped her foot three times on the floor to pretend they were knocking on our door. Then I opened the door and said 'Yes gentlemen what can I do for you?' And Martin Smith said 'We are the three wise men and have travelled a long way.' And I said 'What for?' And he said 'We have come to see Mary and her baby.' And I said 'Why?' And he said 'Because we have brought three presents for them.' And I said 'What have you brought then?' And he said 'We have brought Gold, Mirth, and Innocence.' So I said 'Well in that case you had better come in.'
Again Jamie made her smile and once more Rose had no intentions of correcting him. Suddenly she decided his interpretation of the gifts sounded much better than the original ones.
Perhaps all through the years everyone had been wrong. Perhaps for the first time ever, it was this lad who had got it right. Perhaps God did say everyone is born full of innocence, and with a sense of humour, but the gold bit Rose couldn't work out. So decided perhaps it meant everyone has to work for their living.
The Salvation Army band and choir began to play and sing. For the next half hour the residents some standing others sitting enjoyed every minute. Rose remained seated and Jamie stood beside her. He did know or could read most of the words to many of the carols. Those
he didn't, and without any inhibitions loudly sang 'lar lar' to the tune.
Suddenly during one of the carols Jamie bent down to whisper in her ear and asked “Can I have one?”
Slightly bewildered Rose looked about to see what it was he wanted. She looked in the direction he was staring and saw their matron removing cling foil from several plates of mince pies. Jamie gave her a big smile when Rose nodded her head for yes.
The matron told everyone there would be a twenty minute interval before the Salvation Army continued with the second half. Everybody was to help themselves to the refreshments and asked those that could, please help those who couldn't.
“Shall I get yours?” Jamie asked “It will save your bad leg. And they are only paper plates, so it won't matter if I drop one.”
Rose didn't know what she was saving her bad leg for, or had it compared to a paper plate before, but it didn't matter. It was such a joy to talk to someone so young yet, in his own way so intelligent. She then decided that because of Jamie today she was enjoying one of the best carol services she had ever been to.
Leaning back in her chair Rose watched Jamie with a paper plate in each hand patiently waiting his turn in the queue. It was at that moment and in her own way she realised why the wise man gave Gold. We were all born with it. But somewhere, somehow during life we lost it. But Jamie hadn't. He had still got his. It was in his heart. He had a heart of Gold.
Copyright © 2004 Phyllis Handley