MEETINGS, COMPETITIONS and ACTIVITIES

OUR CURRENT WRITING COMPETITIONS

Our August writing competition is POETRY. The theme is: Image.

You are invited to choose an image - it could be a photograph or artwork or you may wish to write about an image in your mind (you will need to put a note on your entry as to what this image is or simply use the word "image" in your piece), and write a poem (in any poetic form) inspired by your choice.

You will need to be clear on whether your chosen image is in the public domain (that can be freely reproduced to illustrate your poem) or whether it remains in copyright (that will require you to note on your entry the image with a link or details as to where this image can be accessed). If you are unclear on the copyright of the image you have chosen, best check with the registered owner of the image (if known) to seek permission to reproduce, and record this permission on your entry please.

Competition rules:

Minimum of 12 lines; maximum of 48 lines.
Maximum of 2 entries per person.
Please ensure your entry(s) is given a title.
Please do NOT place your name on the entry.
Be clear on the use of your chosen image - your image must be checked for copyright and ownership; and permission to use. Please see above note.
Please make sure your chosen image is included in your entry(s), or a link is placed on your entry(s) to allow the reader to access.
Please ensure your entry(s) does not use derogatory terms, words, phrases, or language likely to cause offence.
All entries to be submitted in pdf or word.doc format.
All entries must be new - that is to say NOT previously written, read out or published anywhere (and that includes online) or entered into any other competition.
All entries to be Emailed to: ianwelland@hotmail.co.uk
Deadline for entry(s) is 7pm on Friday 22 August 2025. Any entries received after deadline will not be accepted.
Please note, any breach of the competition rules will result in your entry(s) being withdrawn. NO correspondence will be entered into.
Scoring of competition entries will commence at Noon on Sunday 24 August - details to follow in due course.

You should receive an acknowledgement via Email that your entry has been received.

If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact Ian. ianwelland@hotmail.co.uk

Watford Writers competitions are only open to those on our current Email circulation list.

Thanks to our Jan for the excellent suggestion for this month's poetry competition.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL WHO ENTER!

MEETINGS and ACTIVITIES

FRIDAY 22 AUGUST 2025

August writing competition - deadline for entries: 7pm

SUNDAY 24 AUGUST 2025

August writing competition scoring starts from Noon.

Deadline for scores is Friday 29 August at 7pm.

MONDAY 25 AUGUST 2025

AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY

NO MEETING

MONDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2025

OUR FIRST MEETING OF THE MONTH SHALL BE AT:

QUAKERS MEETING HOUSE, 150 CHURCH ROAD, WATFORD, WD17 4QB

(Chairperson: IAN)

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EVENING STARTS AT 7:30pm

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Live at the Hall!

OPEN MIC NIGHT

(Chairperson: IAN)

An evening with a slight twist!

Are you working on a play, poem, novel, non-fiction, biography, autobiography, article? Have you written a song and would like to share with the group - lyrics or even perform? Maybe you are about to give a presentation, a lesson, or lecture - want to share this with the group?

Well, tonight will be a relaxed informal evening and a chance for you to take to the stage, either individually or as a group of performers! ...go on, have a go!

You can book your reading slot by emailing me: ianwelland@hotmail.co.uk or just turn up and register your interest on the night.

As the evening will be informal, the seating arrangement on the night will echo the informal intention of the evening as well.

PLUS:

We shall be announcing the results of August's writing competition; and setting our September writing competition theme.

SUBSCRIPTION PRICING STRUCTURE:

£5 per person (Hall only)

£5 per person (Zoom only)

£10 per person (Hall and Zoom)

PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN CUP FOR TEA / COFFEE

MONDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2025

ZOOM MEETING

Starts at 7:30pm

(Chairperson: DAVID)

Reading out of August's competition entries.

MONDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2025

ZOOM MEETING

Starts at 7:30pm

(Chairperson: SUMI)

MANUSCRIPT NIGHT

Are you working on a novel, non-fiction, biography, autobiography, poem, article? Manuscript night is the perfect way to present your latest work and receive excellent critiques from fellow group writers.

If you would like to read up to a 1000 words (a little more to complete a chapter), then you are welcome to book a reading slot by emailing Ian: ianwelland@hotmail.co.uk

Note:

We are offering the opportunity for your work to be read ahead of the meeting, so that on the night you can receive a more in-depth critique from fellow writers.

Please can you ensure your work is double-spaced, and in word-doc or pdf format.

Details on where to Email your manuscript extract to follow.

WEDNESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2025

KIDS LIT

Zoom Meeting. Starts at 7:30pm.

(Chairperson: CHRIS McD)

Please click here for details on how to join the meeting.

MONDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2025

ZOOM MEETING

Starts at 7:30pm

(Chairperson: MIKE)

Results night for our September competition; and reading out of competition entries. (tbc).

MONDAY 29 SEPTEMBER 2025

ZOOM MEETING

Starts at 7:30pm

(Chairperson: tbc)

Theme to be decided.

MONDAY 6 OCTOBER 2025

OUR FIRST MEETING OF THE MONTH SHALL BE AT:

QUAKERS MEETING HOUSE, 150 CHURCH ROAD, WATFORD, WD17 4QB

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EVENING STARTS AT 7:30pm

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THEME TO BE DECIDED

(Chairperson: DAVID)

PLUS:

We shall be setting our October writing competition.

SUBSCRIPTION PRICING STRUCTURE:

£5 per person (Hall only)

£5 per person (Zoom only)

£10 per person (Hall and Zoom)

PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN CUP FOR TEA / COFFEE

MONDAY 13 OCTOBER 2025

ZOOM MEETING

Starts at 7:30pm

(Chairperson: MIKE)

Theme to be decided.

MONDAY 20 OCTOBER 2025

ZOOM MEETING

Starts at 7:30pm

(Chairperson: PAT)

Theme to be decided.