Embracing a love of writing
The CWA Hall in Woy Woy echoed to the sound of voices from different cultures: Aussies, English, Scots, Irish, Welsh, Dutch and Norwegian.
All were gathered together to embrace a love of writing, whether fiction or non-fiction, poetry or whatever.
It is always exciting to listen to further pages of the novel being written by two of our members. After all, it may be a winner one of these days.
The mentor, being of Welsh origin, added to the flavour of this enthusiastic group.
His wisdom and help plus his sense of humour plays a big part in the creative writing course.
The CWA Hall makes a thought-provoking background: the piano of early 1920s vintage has displayed on the already closed lid: "Please close the lid after use."
A young Queen is prominently placed on the well-polished top, along with many photographs accredited to the CWA.
Tables and chairs are always quickly readied for the class amid much fun and laughter.
The tea break takes priority: electric jug, cups and saucers are all left on standby.
Kitchen is strictly CWA standard and every effort is made to preserve this atmosphere.
Various modes of transport are available apart from private cars.
The railway station is some five minutes walk away, plus a good bus service is available.
Joy of joys is the local ferry service that ties up almost outside the CWA Hall.
The boat has on numerous occasions turned back to collect our teacher who gets engrossed with his students.
Many thanks to the Captain who puts up with all the shouting, waving and signalling as we cheer our teacher aboard the ferry bound for Davistown.
Woy Woy is such a picturesque part of the Central Coast and still manages to hold on to that old-world charm so lacking in this modern age.
On one occasion, our illustrious teacher forgot the CWA Hall keys.
A note left on the door stated: "We are holding the class at Ye Olde Woy Woy Hotel, two minutes from here."
That day our class was a resounding success, what the locals thought is another matter.
The coffee and snacks served at the hotel were second to none, plus no washing up.
Our 10-minute writing topic that day was exciting. We had plenty of material to work on.
Over 50 architectural students from the university swarmed around this quaint part of Woy Woy.
One student was patiently counting the bricks on the hotel wall.
On being questioned about the use of this painstaking task, his answer was that it was essential to the eventual drawing of the building.
Makes sense!
Or does it?
You can phone 4369 1187 for further information.
Helen Ross, August 1