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

The Long Eaton & District Talking Newspaper greatly values the regular support we receive from the creative writing group called Just Write that meets at the Elephant Rooms in Draycott. Martin Sykes of the Long Eaton & District Talking Newspaper recently met with Huw Morgan and Jan Croft of the group to learn more about its history and activity of this group.

Jan Croft explained how the current owners chose the name of the premises.  The original barn was built back in Jacobean times, between 1603 and 1625, during the  period when James VI of Scotland inherited the English crown to also rule there as James I.  At that time, when circuses came to Draycott, the only building that was big enough to house the elephants in was this barn hence its current name of the Elephant Rooms.  It is the oldest building in the village.

It was originally used as a barn for agricultural use, but it had also 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 Morgan is the leader of Just Write, and he explained that the group was started by a man named Patrick and that Huw and Jan were a part of it. When Patrick moved up north in 2020, Huw was approached to continue the group, which he did.

The big change he made to the group was to invite members to read back their work once it was written. Patrick didn't do that, and Huw felt that was missing because it was really important that when people have written a piece, it comes alive through being spoken. 

Huw is always amazed at the sheer talent of the group. It's quite remarkable the range of work that people produce, and they surprise themselves, and that's what's so rewarding for members who grow and really push the boundaries of what they thought they were capable of doing.

Martin remembers some five years ago he had a phone call from Ian Wilkinson, one of the group’s members who told him about how the group works. At their meetings, members are given a theme by Huw for them to write a story in class which is then read it back. Optional homework is also set and read back at the following meeting.

Martin asked Ian if any of the group could record what they’d written, to which Ian simply said “Yes!”

From that moment on, Just Write started sending three recordings every three weeks to be included in the Talking Newspaper editions, which are enjoyed by their sight impaired listeners.

Huw has always been a creative person and when he was working, he worked in the creative arts and media business. When out and about, he often makes notes over the two weeks between sessions 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 people listening in so many different places. Apparently, Agatha Christie used to do that a lot. She always had a little notebook to listen to and note down conversations and characters. 

When asked what the greatest challenges and rewards were facing Just Write, Huw and Jan shared that group is constantly evolving and changing, by ensuring that new people join and fit in to the fun group.  

One of the rewards for the group is contributing to the LETN service and is honoured to be part of it.

The group goes out and about and has visited art galleries, exhibitions, go walking and plans to  visit D.H Lawrence's birthplace museum in Eastwood, all the time seeking inspiration for what they can write.

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

The rewards of belonging to a group like Just Write are huge because they meet in the Elephant Rooms, which is all about health and wellbeing, mental and physical, and just takes everyone who uses the premises to a different world.

The people that come into the group, come from a rich diversity of backgrounds, some are quite shy, they've not got confidence, others are confident, but everyone grows in confidence, particularly with the readbacks.

When the group hear a really good story, or poem, it encourages them and makes everyone feel good.