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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