BACK in June 2017 Phoenix Ladies had very much enjoyed an excellent demonstration and talk from Neil Alcock of Vineyard Pottery, the success of which lead to a workshop day being arranged with Neil, to take place in February this year. 9 ladies (with several others who had hoped to be there struck down by the seasonal lurgy) spent the day modelling clay and making pots and dishes that will be fired by Neil and then painted at a later day. As a winter event day, it was generally agreed that, with Neil’s help and guidance, it was a very sociable, successful and productive day.

The speaker for our March meeting, Lynne Hackles, an author, gave a talk entitled “the £2 that changed my life”. She described how she came into publishing by chance after writing a winning letter for a women’s magazine. Enthused by this success she began writing magazine articles, short stories and books. Her subject matter is invariably drawn from her own personal life experiences. She has also engaged in Ghost Writing for others. In a bid to support aspiring authors she published her book “How to Turn Your Personal Experience into Profitable Prose”. This has achieved considerable success and is a recommended text at Oxford University to guide novice writers. Lynne is currently busy sharing her passion for writing by talking to groups, running writers workshops and publishing widely. She interviews writers for Writers Magazine for which she has a regular column. Lynne was thanked for her a most lively, entertaining talk delivered with considerable humour.

Our next meeting on the first Wednesday of April in the Village Hall, will feature a talk by covert surveillance operator investigator and criminal investigator Cameron Addicot. All ladies are very welcome and for more information please contact Barbara (870791) or Ali (870179).

ALISON RUSHWORTH