Swanwick 2017 – I Have Returned!!

Its been a while since the last blog, which is more to do with the the prep work I had to do as committee member for the 2017 Swanwick Writers Retreat at the Hayes Conference Centre. And this particular week has been a busy one.

My job this year was making sure that both the evening entertainment and the extras featured in this year’s programme had been sorted out with everyone present and correct. We had the open prose and open poetry evenings as well as the morning meditations.

Our fancy dress theme was the Wild West, and because I was used to line dance many years ago, I had my outfit at the ready. Page to Stage is another big event well organised by Liz Hurst.

My own Swanwick Buskers Night, one of the most popular entertainment events, turned out to be even more successful than before. We had some incredible performers so thanks to everyone for doing their bit, and to my evergreen host Dennis Bryant, who work as M/C was an absolute joy.

In between as the festivities, there was writing to be done. The courses available covered everything and fiction or non fiction writer could want. The guest speakers were Page to Stage. Bit like the Oscars Best all excellent, and more importantly, meeting new people and catching up with old friends simply captures the magic of the place.

I will round off with the famous dregs party. Its a great excuse to dress up to the nines and enjoy a few drinkies on the lawn before dinner and our Swanwick awards for the Best Writer, Director, Actor and Actress. We rounded off with a few musical numbers.

So Let’s also round off the blog with a few photos from the Dregs Party. Any excuse for me to pose in my new tux with lot’s of beautiful women. Roll on next year.