Upcoming FWS Events

Membership of the FWS is free but we are always grateful for any donations which enable us to carry on our work.

You can donate by :

BACS transfer (Preferred)

to Bank of Scotland Federation of Writers ( Scotland)

Sort Code 80-22-60

A/c no. 12874968

Or by cheque payable to Federation of Writers Scotland

and send to Mark Wightman, treasurer FWS

5 Ashley Court,

Linlithgow,

EH49 7BD

or by Paypal

Or directly through Paypal’s own site https://www.paypal.com/uk/home to treasurerFWS@gmail.com where you can donate a different amount. Please make sure you indicate it is a donation. Thank you

THANK-YOU MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

As we start 2021, I thank all Federation members for your support during the year we leave behind. In particular, I wish to pay tribute to our Board members below. To be effective as chair and deliver the many facets of our organisation’s work, I need a good team behind me. All of us are volunteers.

Publicity: Anne Clarke (Newsmail), Caroline Johnstone (Social Media), Sue Burnside (Website), work tirelessly to keep everyone informed of events, competitions and successes. We welcomed Sue in 2020 taking over from Ruth Aylett  who managed our website for many years. We are very fortunate to have such a committed team. My thanks especially to Caroline for her work on social media.

Competition: As well as this newsmail, Anne Clarke efficiently runs our annual Competition. Thanks to judges Finola Scott, Charlie Gracie, Sheila Templeton, Mary Ann Kennedy and Stephen Barnaby.

Minute Secretary: Howard Singerman, diligently organises and records our meetings and was instrumental in obtaining our charitable status. (SC049724)

Treasurer: Mark Wightman maintains our finances and we appreciate his steadfast commitment.

Anthology Team: Thanks to last year’s Team Lead Anne Connolly for an inspirational and productive contribution. Welcome to Janet Crawford, the new Lead for 2021. Janet is also part of our Events Team. Appreciation to Alan Macglas, Emma Mooney, Sheila Templeton and Neil Leadbeater too.

Events: Without a Co-ordinator for most of last year, the team had to pull together to ensure events took place. Marie Therese Taylor organised attendance meticulously for many years and is now taking a well-deserved break. Latterly, Lesley Traynor and Rose-Ann Fraser Ritchie became our temporary joint co-ordinators bringing their enthusiasm to a full diary of events this year.

Membership: Marie Therese continues as Membership Secretary with support from Anne Clarke.

Education: More thanks to Ailie Hunter (Convenor), Lesley Traynor (Young Writers) Marcas Mac an Tuairneir (Gaelic+Young Folk) for undertaking their roles and raising awareness of important issues.

Makar/Scriever: Our 2021 Makar, Jim Mackintosh, and Scriever, Leela Soma, are now in place and both are actively planning a great programme for 2021. Thanks to Finola Scott and Charlie Gracie who undertook these roles so wonderfully well last year.

Ambassadors: Etta Dunn, Anne Connolly and Marc Sherland are omni-presents, supporting and sharing their experience. Marc delighted us with his inimitable and amusing hosting at Tinsel Tales

Volunteer: Could you be part of our team to fill our volunteer vacancies to organise Events, become our Social Media admin, or provide support for our Anthology Team? We need folk to commit their time especially and you don’t always have to become a Board member. We are a great group and very supportive of each other. It’s no exaggeration to say many of us have become lasting friends throughout our association with the Federation. Contact me at dandj@harleycs.plus.com. Comments or feedback are always welcome too.  

Jenifer Harley, Chair

Members of the Federation of Writers( Scotland) enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of readings on Thursday 17th December 2020. The poetry and prose readings covered a range of topics from birth to death and everything in between, with moods from sad to joyous and ultimately optimistic. The event ended with an official welcome to the new Makar and Scriever, Jim Mackintosh and Leela Soma, and a message of celebration and thanks to the outgoing postholders, Finola Scott and Charlie Gracie. Thanks, too, to MT Taylor and Marc Sherland for their captivating compering and to Jenifer Harley for her gracious organisation. Thanks, too, to all of the contributors. It was noted that the virtual nature of the event ensured its inclusivity, another cause for optimism in these strange times.

Watch the event here https://youtu.be/FvEl62Yb6ZU

Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year !

latest entries

And watch out for information on Tinsel Tales, an online festive reading 17th December 2pm

New Makar and Scriver Announced

A message from our chair Jenifer Harley

I’m delighted to tell you that the votes have been cast and their inauguration will be at Tinsel Tales (via Zoom) on 17 December 2020

Our new Makar will be Jim C Mackintosh
Our new Scriever will be Leela Soma.

Congratulations !

Watch the virtual launch of the latest FWS anthology Saturday 7th November 2020. Congratulations to all contributors.