Before moving to Monmouth, Michael Mortimer had been a member of the Sinodun Writers meeting in the Oxford area. He soon missed this stimulation and so he wrote a letter, to be published in the Monmouthshire Beacon, seeking replies from any interested in forming a new group. There was a good response and as a result Monmouth Writers Group met for the first time on 1st March 1995. Only Michael remains of that first meeting although at least one of our existing members joined very soon after. Sue Anderson sadly passed away 4 years ago- she was at that first
meeting and was already an accomplished writer who, later on, taught in her own Creative Writing course in Monmouth. Stan Dowse was a hugely helpful member having been a tutor on Creative Writing for Open University. Another member of that first meeting was Jake Thackray who made over 1000 TV and radio appearances. Today, many may not remember him but a ‘Google’ search will give a great deal of information.
This would not have been possible 26 years ago because Google did not exist; indeed less than 1% of the population could access the internet. There were no smart-phones, no Ipads, no laptops and no broadband. There was plenty of sun because 1995 had the warmest and driest summer ever recorded. Telephone numbers were all changed to begin with ‘01’. You could either dial the number or the operator would get it for you. Sizewell B nuclear power station began producing electricity for the grid. No buying on line, no Amazon. Radios and Televisions were bought from Rumbelows – but no more - as all 320 stores closed.
The 26 years have been full of pleasure and a large number of writers have come and gone. Some became published authors and at last one ex-member became a national celebrity with many books still in print. The group has always had a policy of welcoming both new and experienced writers. At one point our oldest member was 90 and our youngest 15 (and what a good writer she was!)
