A China Sausage Dog

Tonight's meeting got off to a great start - Mary told the group that she had received a highly commended email following her entry to the Hay Short Story competition. The theme had been 'Lost'. Mary read her entry 'Pretty and Me', and we all thoroughly enjoyed it (ignoring her "are you bored yet?" question) Well done Mary!

After some quick introductions, tonight's special guest Lisa Blower read her winning entry 'Broken Crockery' which won her the Guardian's short story competition. She wrote the story from the point of view of a child, in tribute of her grandmother, who's bluntness she admired. When she received the phone call, she thought she'd been disqualified for mentioning Margaret Thatcher. She is now working on a novel, written from the point of view of a lady in her 70s, looking back over her life.

Enveloped from the past were handed to some members - back in October 2008, those present had to write what they aimed to achieve during the year. Did you achieve yours?

CW