A SHORT HISTORY OF CRAWLEY WRITERS' CIRCLE

Records show that Crawley Writers' Circle originated in April 1956. A mother
in Millbank ( Ifield) was the first hostess. I didn't join until 1963.
We met in the front room of a terrace house in Northgate. Sixteen young ladies
were crammed into that small room. Every meeting was jolly and relaxed.
Over the years the Circle moved around with different hostesses. Our number
grew to 40 which was impractical for both members and hostess.
We searched for a new venue and settled for the small committee room in
Pound Hill Community Centre. This was the time of the three day week. The
government had decreed that we could have low lighting but no power points,
therefore no tea and no heating in the depth of winter.
We took our own cups and two flasks of hot water, one for tea making. The
other flask filled a hot water bottle which we passed along the line of six members as
we huddled together under one large blanket.
We decided to move to the town centre. A librarian member booked one of
their rooms upstairs. We had six month's rent money.
One day a member arriving late couldn't make us hear her knocking so she
called the police station behind the library. The policeman threw gravel up at our
window.
When the money ran out the Circle moved to the comfort of my new home in
West Green in January 1974. We were there for over forty five years.
I joined the Circle in 2006 and enjoyed meeting other writers as well as
watching the seasons change in Beryl and Peter's well kept and beautiful garden.
Peter brought us our tea and biscuits half way through every meeting and we would
also admire the intricate doll's houses Beryl had made.
In late 2018 numbers had dwindled to a very small number and as a Circle we
considered folding. Undefeated, we booked the meetings room in Starbucks, Queens
Square and numbers slowly began to rise once more. In 2019 we moved to our
current location at Crawley Museum where the meetings continue to be held between
10am and 12noon on the third Wednesday of the month.
Members share short pieces of prose or poetry each month, the meetings are
relaxed and informal.
If you are interested in writing, either a beginner or with some experience
please come and try out our small friendly group.

New members are always welcome.