Allstrom
NOSTALGIA: Books & Words Group is ten years old
On 16 March 2011, a public meeting of 33 discussed a proposal to establish a group to organise and promote literary events in the district. Its aim was to be event focused, complementary to existing groups of readers and writers. With a unanimous vote of support, Books & Words Group (BWG) was up and running.
An organising committee was elected comprising:
Lorraine McLoughlin (president), Kerry Rochford (secretary), Jill Langford (membership officer) and Janice High (treasurer), along with Louise Allstrom, Jude Bonell, Susan Oliver, Ineke Hill, Sue Curran and Jacqui Salkeld as committee members.
The team’s first challenge was to develop a program for the upcoming Leafy Sea Dragon Festival and by April 2011, Hooked on Books owner Louise Allstrom and the Books and Words Group were inviting readers and writers alike to 18 events including author talks, writing workshops, and literary panels and readings, mostly to be held in various parts of the book shop or nooks and crannies of the Courthouse.
Many will remember the risqué Oscar Wilde style play read by Mark Allstrom and Peter Fitzgerald in flowing drag outfits and curly tresses? Poets Jude Aquilina, Louise Nicholas and David Barnes read to acclaim and Kristen Weidenbach, Liz Harful, Katrina Germein and Lorraine McLoughlin gave author talks. In addition there were six writing workshops, a Scrabble competition, a political soapbox, and four sundowner sessions with book talk aplenty amid linking glasses.
Over the years since, a wide variety of events have been held. A visit to our website http://booksandwordsgroup.weebly.com/ will remind readers of some of the highlights. BWG has had many successes, large scale and small, but the most amazing thing is that it continues to offer delights for those who love reading and writing, and value the wonder of words. In 2016 Chris Stokes took the reins for three imaginative years of programming, followed by twelve months of rotating chairpersons, and now BWG’s lively new president is David Panter.
NOSTALGIA: Books & Words Group is ten years old
On 16 March 2011, a public meeting of 33 discussed a proposal to establish a group to organise and promote literary events in the district. Its aim was to be event focused, complementary to existing groups of readers and writers. With a unanimous vote of support, Books & Words Group (BWG) was up and running.
An organising committee was elected comprising:
Lorraine McLoughlin (president), Kerry Rochford (secretary), Jill Langford (membership officer) and Janice High (treasurer), along with Louise Allstrom, Jude Bonell, Susan Oliver, Ineke Hill, Sue Curran and Jacqui Salkeld as committee members.
The team’s first challenge was to develop a program for the upcoming Leafy Sea Dragon Festival and by April 2011, Hooked on Books owner Louise Allstrom and the Books and Words Group were inviting readers and writers alike to 18 events including author talks, writing workshops, and literary panels and readings, mostly to be held in various parts of the book shop or nooks and crannies of the Courthouse.
Many will remember the risqué Oscar Wilde style play read by Mark Allstrom and Peter Fitzgerald in flowing drag outfits and curly tresses? Poets Jude Aquilina, Louise Nicholas and David Barnes read to acclaim and Kristen Weidenbach, Liz Harful, Katrina Germein and Lorraine McLoughlin gave author talks. In addition there were six writing workshops, a Scrabble competition, a political soapbox, and four sundowner sessions with book talk aplenty amid linking glasses.
Over the years since, a wide variety of events have been held. A visit to our website http://booksandwordsgroup.weebly.com/ will remind readers of some of the highlights. BWG has had many successes, large scale and small, but the most amazing thing is that it continues to offer delights for those who love reading and writing, and value the wonder of words. In 2016 Chris Stokes took the reins for three imaginative years of programming, followed by twelve months of rotating chairpersons, and now BWG’s lively new president is David Panter.
