Tuesday, July 28, 2015

FOCUS ON: South Devon Chapter


This month we welcome the South Devon Chapter and learn a little of their history, activities and plans for the future

Marion Lindsey-Noble answered our questions

How long has your chapter been running?
We are based in Exeter and this present group began to meet in September 2010. However, one of the older members recalls that they had started a group in the 1990s when they used to meet for a coffee and then went together to some sort of talk, lecture or discussion they had organised. This seemed to have fizzled out after a while and was only revived in 2010. Not many of our current membership knew about this,

How often do you meet?
We meet on the second Wednesday every month from midday to an extendable 2.30pm. If RNA events encroach and if all are in agreement we shift the date 

Are you an itinerant group or do you always meet at the same place?
Our venue is Wetherspoons in South Street, Exeter

How many members attend your meetings? You say you meet at Wetherspoons. Can we therefore assume food is involved?
The number of attendees varies enormously, anything from six to twenty-six. Yes, we do have a meal but everyone orders by themselves. For our Christmas lunch in December me usually book for nearly thirty people.

Is your chapter open to non-members of the RNA?
We like to welcome all writers but we do encourage new members to join the RNA. Our meetings usually last from two to three hours.

Can you give us an outline of some of your activities?
Quite a number of our members belong to local writers’ groups. Some organise literary festivals or even Literary Prize competitions like the Exeter Novel Prize. We’ve had no guest speakers in the past two years and none are planned at present. Somehow we find we have enough to chat about amongst ourselves and often don’t even get round to speaking to everyone present.

What would you say makes your chapter of the RNA so special?
This RNA group is brilliant! Everyone is open, generous with advice and sharing experiences. I have learnt such a lot, and the compassion never ceases. Every time I wonder whether I should give up writing altogether, I go to one of our meetings and come home buoyed up, full of renewed confidence and many great ideas what else to try next. It’s a great group!

Does your chapter have a website, Facebook page or Twitter account?
We correspond via Yahoo groups under Exeter meetings and have a new Facebook presence under Exeter Chapter

Who is the contact for new members?
Jo Beverley is our group organiser and can be contacted at jo@jobev.com


You are obviously a cohesive and supportive group. Thank you, Marion, for sharing with us today.

Marion’s new book, The Banyan Tree, sequel to The Green Sari, will be published in September 2015. If you’d like to join her at the launch on 19th September please let her know in the comments sections and she will be delighted to send you an invitation.


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Elaine Everest & Natalie Kleinman

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