'Just Write' - Martin Sykes speaks with Huw and Jan from The Creative Writing Group

The Long Eaton & District Talking Newspaper greatly values the support they receive from the creative writing group called Just Write that meets at the Elephant Rooms in Draycott. Martin Sykes of the Talking Newspaper met Huw Morgan (who leads the group) and key member Jan Croft to learn about the history and activity of this group.

Jan explained that the premises where they meet are called the Elephant Rooms, because back in Jacobean times, somewhere between 1603 and 1625, there was a period when James VI of Scotland inherited the English crown as well as James I.  

At that time, when circuses visited Draycott, the only building that was big enough to house the elephants in, was these premises which are now called the Elephant Rooms and is the oldest building in the village.

It was originally used as a barn for agricultural purposes, and had been used as a dairy, a joiner’s workshop, coffin makers, an inn, and more recently the Beetroot Tree art gallery before it became the Elephant Rooms.

Huw said that the group was started by a man named Patrick, and he was a member. When Patrick moved away, Huw was approached to continue the group which he did.

He brought about changes by inviting members to read back their work to each other once written which Patrick hadn’t done, and Huw felt that was missing because he felt it was important that when people had written a piece that it comes alive through being spoken. The group moved in 2020 to the Elephant Rooms in Draycott.

Huw is always amazed at the sheer talent of the group that produces a remarkable range of work, and that's what's so rewarding for members who grow by pushing the boundaries of what they thought they were capable of.

Martin remembers some five years ago, Ian Wilkinson, one of the members, rang him to tell him about the group and what they did. That Huw gave them a theme to write a story about that they then read back to each other, but after that nothing more happened.

Martin asked Ian if any of the group could record what they’d written, to which Ian simply said “Yes!”, and from then on, Just Write have been sending three original  recordings every three weeks to the Talking Newspaper that are included in their editions that are enjoyed by their sight impaired listeners.

Huw worked in the creative arts and media business and often makes notes in a little book about things he’s heard on the radio or television or overheard that inspire him to create themes for the group. 

Huw enjoys people watching and listening in many different places. Apparently, Agatha Christie used to do that a lot. She used to always have a little notebook and listened to conversations. 

Such is the attraction of Just Write that they currently have many members including someone from North Yorkshire who regularly joins them on-line.