Literature

 Reading Group Led for many years by Viv Rudd, the group meets once a month on the third Thursday in the Proctor Room from 7.30-9.30pm. The group also organises a secondhand book sale on the second Saturday of every month to coincide with Souper Saturdays. Money raised goes towards centre funds.

Contact Viv Rudd 01747 851619; reading@shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk

Poetry Group Formed in 2010 by published poet Pam Kelly, the group meets in the Proctor Room once a month on the fourth Thursday at 7.30pm. There is no charge but participants must be members of the arts centre.

Golden Wedding

by Pam Kelly

Occasionally with great embarrassment

He pressed his sexual needs upon her.

Sorry he had to bother her, he said

And she accepted this like all the rest,

The price she had to pay, with fortitude.

They never did it nude and longsince any passion.

Always in bed and, heavy with clothes and guilt,

They made love in a fashion

And quickly turned away, pretending sleep

Both feeling deep relief that it was over

Until the next time.

Books by Pam Kelly, all published by Brimstone Press, are: On the Edge (2006), Fiesta (2007), Other People (2007), Papering Over the Cracks (2008), Caught in the Crossfire (2008), Paziols: Living in the Land of the Cathars (2009, illustrated).

Contact Pam Kelly 01747 850789; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Creative Writing Group An ad hoc group formed in 2008 following a short story-writing competition organised by the Centre and judged by author Fay Weldon (pictured right) who now lives in Shaftesbury. The competition resulted in the publication of ‘A Box of Chocolates’, a book of 50 short stories contributed by some 30 local authors, including several centre members. See below.

Shaftesbury-based writer and website designer Jennifer K Oliver has revived the group and its dozen or so members now hold regular get-togethers in the Proctor Room at SAC to discuss writing and getting published. The meetings are held every fortnight on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 6.30pm - 8.30pm. Jennifer can be contacted at:

Contact: Jennifer K Oliver This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

or writing@shaftesburyartscentre.org.uk

Copies of ‘A Box of Chocolates’, with a foreword by Fay Weldon, are for sale at the centre box office at £5. All proceeds go towards the centre.