Saltdean Scribblers hosted an evening of poetry, prose and music at Saltdean Library a free event and open to the public. I’m calling it a soiree because of the party atmosphere.
One short story called ‘Fish Pie’ by Marian Phillips reminded me of the writing of Nigel Slater, food and drama intertwined.
Rob Upward read a dramatic extract from his book ‘Ocean of Glass’ based on a family settling in the wild west in 1874. There is a display of photographs in the library from a trip Rob made for his research. His book is available on Kindle. 
Marian Tracy read passages from her pamphlet ‘Giant in the Doorway’ an evocative poetic account of living with a mother with a psychiatric illness. Part of the work was from a child’s point of view and part from an older perspective and although a sombre subject it was skillfully handled.
Dawn the librarian at the Library gave a lively reading from her work in progress as did Brian, the latter introducing us to the world of the flea circus.
There was an amusing tale about a journey on a cargo ship and other members read from the group’s recent anthology or from booklets they had self published. Don’t knock self publishing, it is the new thing on the block and amateurs and well known professionals are taking advantage of it.
Music from a lovely singer song writer Antonia Redding who has her own special style of singing and playing. As well as playing for gigs she would be a welcome addition to anyone’s soiree. After the refreshments an open mic session, which included a surprising a poem about Hitler, a philosophical rendering called ‘I’, a really funny duo reading Liverpool poets and a really lovely poem from Maggie Taraz bringing to life her memories of her childhood in Rottingdean and some more music!
The Saltdean Scribblers anthology sold out the first run and is now into it’s second. I believe Roger Bluff a member of the group funded this edition and all the money from sales will go to Marie Curie Cancer Care. At just £3.00 why not pop in and buy a copy before they sell out all over again. You could post one off to a friend as booklet for the beach and a good holiday read?
(sorry missed pics of most performers was just not organised enough in time)
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A more recent Library posts – 2014
https://annperrin.wordpress.com/2014/05/08/saltdean-scribblers-open-house/
Ann’s free puppetry workshops at the Library, featuring children making rod puppets are on youtube – type in Brighton films Ann Perrin.
Ann Perrin 