We decide between ourselves what to write for the next month and try to write 200 - 600 words. At the meeting each author reads out their own work.

No previous experience is necessary - most people have never written before.

New members are very welcome, please contact the Group Coordinator via the link above for more details.

The Writing Group in session

And below is a short piece of writing by one of the group members on the topic of 'Something floating in the sea'

There’s something floating in the sea, what is it and how did it get there

The sea was the deepest blue; warm and inviting. It was so calm and relaxing as I floated on my back with the sunshine on my face. I splashed around for a while enjoying the sensation of the wa-ter holding up my body.

After a time I felt the wind getting up, which started to make the waves stronger. I looked up at the sky, it was turning darker by the minute. I started to swim back to the shore, but the waves were too strong. I started to panic as I was not a strong swimmer and completely out of my depth. What am I going to do, there was no one around to help, I was really scared by now?

I then spot something floating towards me. What is it? It looked like a clump of seaweed, but as it comes closer I can see it’s a child’s doll, covered with weed, its long hair matted and twisted. One arm is raised and I feel compelled to reach out for her. I grabbed her arm and immediately I felt something like an electric current running up my arm and through the rest of my body. What was happening to me?

The sea was getting wilder by the minute and my fear was worsening, I was sure I was going to drown. I then felt a hand tuck into mine and the next thing I knew, I was being dragged through the water at some speed. I couldn’t believe what I was experiencing, it was the doll pulling me to safety. Her face was now turned upwards, she was beautiful with the most arresting clear green eyes, which looked human.

Minutes passed and instead of feeling scared, I began to feel safe and trusted the doll to save me. I saw a large rock ahead rising out of the sea, which I guess we were aiming for. The doll then heaved me up onto the rock to safety and out of the thrashing waves. I gasped and caught my breath and saw the doll still floating in the water. She turned to me with those captivating eyes, then raised her arm as in farewell and then disappeared into the sea.

She had saved me no doubt, but I really couldn’t believe what had happened. What was she and how had she got there? After being spotted on the rock once the freak storm had passed, I was telling my rescuer my story when he told me that around 50 years ago a young girl had gone over-board and drowned taking her doll with her. Was she or the doll my rescuer?