Joan Sumner, President, reports on the Edinburgh Writers’ Club 70th Celebration in their new venue at the Edinburgh Grosvenor Hilton…
Faed’s painting of Walter Scott and his friends at Abbotsford was the inspiration for the party, which developed into a lively literary salon with a tremendous buzz of conversation as people mingled, their glasses of wine and slices of cake in hand.
Alanna Knight MBE, Edinburgh crime writer, and Frank Ross, Lord Provost of Edinburgh gave interesting (and commendably brief!) talks. Frank selected the free raffle, the prize of a year’s membership going to a new member.
The committee’s surprise for everyone was our mystery guest, Ian Rankin. He cut the celebration cake with Alanna, making a beautiful quip about EWC allowing two crime writers the freedom of the knife!
Over fifty people turned up – a mixture of guests, existing members, and other writers finding out more about the club now that it meets in a fully accessible venue. Ian, Alanna and Frank worked the room, separating to contact all the mini-groups that kept gathering and reforming to meet and chat.
In true EWC tradition, nobody was left to stand or sit on their own. Maybe it is because writing is an intense, solitary occupation boring the pants off family and friends that makes it a treat to talk about it to other writers!
If you are a writer, near or far, why not join us? Our membership secretary sends out regular writerly updates so even if you can come to only a few meetings we keep in touch.
For more information, go to: www.edinburghwritersclub.org.uk
Photos courtesy of Olga Wojtas. Pictured: Joan Sumner, Alanna Knight, Ian Rankin & Frank Ross.