It’s midnight now – far too late to be blogging really but I am sitting with a final glass of wine toasting the evening and looking back…
It’s 7pm – people are gathering at Bishop Auckland Town Hall and Library for the launch of Knives – a collection of short stories by Wendy Robertson, and published by Iron Press – I look across the room and see old friends arriving from HMP Low Newton, I look again when I realise that a very special friend Caroline , who I hadn’ t expected to see is among them. I am there beside her immediately – big hugs all around. I regret that I haven’t seen her in so long and I am reminded cliche though it is (but of course all cliches have their origins in truth) – how we shared the good times and the bad – we really did – the laughter and the tears, lots of both, and believe me there are times when that is so very important in prison. She was the best support a manager could have and I miss her (even though I’m no longer a manager!). Derek is there too: he took over from me as Head of Learning and Skills and is always so generous in his praise of what went before, such a gentleman – another special friend also, Lesley, who looks well and lovely as always. Charlie and his partner Katie are there and Ann – all of these people, so kind and supportive to the women in Low Newton and doing such a great job.
Also there are friends from Wear Valley Writers – a really superior (and I do believe it to be superior) writing group run by Peter Walters – among them Hilary, Wayne, Lisette, Alison, Joe… and newly made writing friends who have come all the way from Easington : Mary, Mavis, Susan, Chris, Agnes and Freida.
Famous writers! Sharon, Pat, Fadia and Kitty – many writers and readers from across the region in fact, and of course Peter, founder of Iron Press
It has been a privilege to do an ‘In Conversation,’ with Wendy and to be part of what feels like such a successful evening – but the best of it all were the people – the friends
I raise my glass to the people who came – without them, without you all, mentioned or unmentioned -and please forgive my omissions but it is very late – it would have been nothing.
Thank you and now to bed – I will think of you all in the morning, when I am lying in and you are at work
and PS – Gillian, thank you for the book!
Sounds like a great night, Avril. Wish I’ d been there. Ahh, another time?
Have a really productive, happy time in France. Our flight paths will cross but hope to catch up in July/Aug. Meanwhile, there’s always the blog!
Hi Avril
It was wonderful to be in conversation with you about KNIVES and to explore again, amongst all those friends, the inspiration and insights obtained in working in such a unique environment with such amazing support.
I hope people enjoy this collection as much as we have enjoyed discussing it!
Wendy x
Hi Avril, We certainly had a great night with Wendy and you. Also today at Easington Writers workshop, a whole day was so wonderful. You are teaching us so much. All of us at Easington Writers have progressed since you came to us with Wendy. Love your blog. keep it up. I am looking forward to reading about your ‘adventures’ in France. Hope your cold is soon better. Write on your blog about the journey,, forgot to ask if you are going by air or ferry. I got on to Wendy’s blog but could not leave a comment because I could not find a way to do it. It is not the same as yours which is at the bottom of your blog.
Love Mary
Mary – to comment on Wendy’s blog you just click on ‘comments’ at the end of the post and it will take you through the process. Although Wendy and I are very much looking forward to France we will be delighted to be back in Easington in July. I think the Tall Tales project will produce something very special.
Avril