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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.
Heelmarks in the Sand
by Tony Robinson
"Something to read? You're a good boy, John - and Bob's a good boy too,
Jane's a good girl - and Gwenyth is - and Angela - and Sue."
Thus did the lady president address the scribblers' band,
At Worcester Writers' Circle, the oldest in the land.
"Before we start to read," said Phyll, "I need to have a word;
"Our speaker's visit on the 12th has had to be deferred,
A family bereavement - of course we understand;
"Let's have ideas for changes to the programme we had planned."
A look at wartime Worcestershire was what the group decides,
Evacuees, and ration books, and so much else besides;
With German prisoners of war, some working on the land.
And tales of Naughty Nancy, and of footprints in the sand.
Of Naughty Nancy? Who was she? And why the funny name?
A lady of the night, no less - a lady on the game.
The magistrate came into court, a fat cat, looking grand;
"We're going to fine you seven and six - please try to understand
"You're a very naughty Nancy, and I want to make it plain -
We shall treat you more severely if we see you here again."
He smiled, and winked, and Nancy hid her giggles with her hand,
Then paid her fine and left the court to walk by Severn Strand.
The war was good for Nancy, and her reputation grew,
Americans, South Africans - and anybody who
Could pay her at the going rate - in dollars, francs or rand -
She was happy to oblige them - leaving heelprints in the sand.
The soldiers left the City with the ending of the war,
And Nancy's private enterprise was popular no more.
She bought a home in Devon, and she spoke to women's groups,
And said her wartime job had been "to entertain the troops."
She lived for many years in the seaside home she'd planned,
Then turned up her toes in Worcester, leaving heelmarks in the sand.
But every 3rd of August, so the local legends claim,
The ghost of Nancy walks abroad, and plays the mating game.
She leads a willing partner to the River Severn's strand,
And she demonstrates the joy of leaving heelmarks in the sand.
And not far from the river, some hundred paces west,
St John's is said to be the place for Nancy's final rest;
But the ghost of Naughty Nancy will soon lie for evermore,
At peace beneath the checkouts of a Tesco superstore.
Copyright © 2004 Tony Robinson