PLYMOUTH PROPRIETARY LIBRARY
WRITERS GROUP
The Plymouth Proprietary Library
Writers Group is based in the oldest library in Plymouth, founded in
1810. The original building was a masterpiece of the classical
architect John Foulston (1772-1841) but was destroyed in the Blitz in
1941 (see
www.devonheritage.org/Places/Plymouth/TheProprietaryLibrary.htm
).
Members immediately set about relocating the library and the
establishment now exists in a spacious early Victorian end of terrace
villa on North Hill in Plymouth. In its heyday, the Library attracted
many of the great thinkers and academics of the day and that legacy is
respected by a dedicated team of staff and members who keep British
tradition at its core. Literary lectures which abounded in the 19th
century are in place again today with the Thursday 'Lunchtime Lectures'
run on a variety of genre by authors and academics in the atmospheric
Committee Room.
The Writers Group was founded in 2009
when it was felt that with the oncoming Bicentenary Celebrations
(1810-2010), the oldest institution in Plymouth should be marked by the
advancement of literature and a focus on the Plymouth Proprietary
Library as a literary centre for the heart of the city. The Group aims
to cover:
- A themed topic every month (for
short story and poetry writing).
- Competition writing for fiction,
non-fiction and poetry (in various genres). Script writing is also
encouraged.
- The Open Read for people who have
their own work they wish to be heard (maximum time limit of 10 minutes
allowed).
- Constructive criticism of texts.
- To further the personal aim and
confidence of writers in a friendly atmosphere.
- Promotion of Plymouth Proprietary
Library as a literary centre for the City of Plymouth.
-
Twinned with the Minneapolis Writers Workshop
USA to expand and enrich the exploration of literature.
Plymouth Proprietary Writers Group are
also members of the following Associations:
- The National Association of
Writers Groups.
- The Poetry Society.
- The British Haiku Society.
- The Anglo-Japanese Tanka Society.
Plymouth Proprietary Library Writers
Group welcomes adults of all abilities, from the novice to the
established writer (the effect is cyclic - as we all learn from one
another). From writing short stories and poetry on pieces of art work
or photographs to exploring the adventure of composing a poem in a
traditional or contemporary style soon makes the time pass and
participants enjoy the challenge of something different on each
occasion.
The Plymouth Proprietary
Library Writers Group is FREE to all members of the library. Non-members
are welcome for a trial period and then encouraged to take membership to
secure a place in this increasingly popular Plymouth literary group. (Books and other services are only available to library
members, details of which are available at Reception in the Issue Room).
We meet on the first Saturday* of each
month* from 10:00am to 12:00 noon in the Library. Tea/coffee/biscuits are
served. The Library is easily located by being adjacent to Plymouth
High School for Girls and is served regularly by buses which stop
outside the school.
*Please check with the Library on Tel: 01752 660515
before attending should an event such as a Bank Holiday affect opening
times.