By Carolyn O’Connell (March 2023)
I joined the VRWG after I moved from London in 2017, I was looking for a writing group and was welcomed by Bob and Marian, Liz and particularly Tonia (sadly missed by all) who introduced and came with me to several events in Northwich. Cheshire was new to me after years of writing and having a Pamphlet “Between Bamboo” published by 2002 and a collection “Timelines” Published by Indigo Dreams by 2014. Some the poems were chosen to appear on the Busses. My first poems were written on a manual typewriter and then a wardresses – finally I got a desktop and started to submit electronically!
I started writing seriously in the early 1990’s and found poetry a very natural way to write, inspired by events, surroundings such as seeing a man on a bench and it inspired the following poem:
The Sleeper on the Bench
In the public gardens
among lunching workers
he lay prone on the bench,
asleep. They sat well away
fearing contamination.
He did not look a tramp
despite the bottle
adjacent on the floor,
Clothed from head to toe
in palest blue: short hair,
clean face, trimmed beard
He was a paradox unanswered
condemned by sleep.
When I started to write seriously after my children were older- Between Bamboo is dedicated to them and my husband – I joined the Poetry Society and went to many events and nights in the Poetry Café, Torino Poetry and Rhythm & Muse as well as Stand up’s and the Ormond Poetry in Kensington & Richmond – I’m still a member of this group and we Zoom.
Being a member of the VRWG, together with the Mid-Cheshire Stanza, has helped me settle in Cheshire and I love the meetings: listening to other voices for it welcomes all writers and in the meeting I listen to their work: everything from Bobs crime to Memoir & Fantasy, also before the Lockdown my first visit to Gladstone’s was wonderful. I have also been fortunate enough to be included in the yearly anthologies.
What of the future? I hope to get another Pamphlet or Collection out it’s a “Goal” but difficult this year as so many publishers have cut back but I’ll still enjoy the celebration of the 20th Year of the Group, its Celebration at Winnington Hall in April, Bob & Carol’s hosting of the Summer Party, the Tonia Bevans Award Ceremony and Christmas Party!
I’ll be challenging time and continue to submit to magazines & publishers, go to meetings at the Blue Cap and keep writing, submitting and valuing the friendship, hard work and fun of this group who have helped me to connect and settle in Cheshire since I came after a difficult time and the loss of my husband.
Vale Royal Writers' Group Blog 