Monday 8 October 2012

CWA Northern Chapter - Silver Jubilee Week-end


I had a memorable week-end attending the Silver Jubilee celebration of the Northern Chapter of the Crime Writers' Association in Pickering, North Yorkshire. Our convenor, recently retired former DI Roger Forsdyke, didn't allow a torn achilles tendon to interrupt his arrangements for what began as a celebratory lunch and turned into a rather longer and thoroughly enjoyable celebration that was blessed with excellent weather.



I attended the first meeting of the Northern Chapter back in 1987 - along with my then fiancee, now my long-suffering wife. That meeting was set up by our first convenor, another ex-cop, Peter Walker, who is most famous as author of the books on which the enormously successful TV series Heartbeat was based. And it was great to see Peter, along with his wife Rhoda, this week-end. The idea that partners of writers should be made welcome was Peter's original concept, and a very good one too. It has helped to enhance the social aspect of the Chapter, and has generated many long-lasting friendships.

Peter and Margaret Lewis, two authors and also publishers, were also at that first meeting and not only did they become great friends, a few years ago they actually published one of my books - Dancing for the Hangman. Meg Elizabeth Atkins and her husband Percy Moss were also founder members of the chapter, and it was lovely to see Peter, Margaret, Meg and Percy once again. Sadly, Robert and Louise Barnard, whom again I met that first time 25 years ago were unable to attend due to Bob's poor health, but Bob did write to Roger.to wish all his friends well - sentiments that were very warmly reciprocated. We also remembered the great Reginald Hill, who with his wife Pat was another founder member.



A highlight of the week-end (in addition to the excellent hospitality of the White Swan Inn) was a superb talk about an extraordinary double murder case by Detective Superintendent Steve Smith from North Yorkshire Police, who is pictured at the top of this post along with Roger. Special thanks to Roger and his wife Penny, as well as their son Toby, another police officer, for arranging such a tremendously enjoyable event. Amongst many others, it was great to catch up with Stuart Pawson, Lesley Horton and Sherlock expert David Stuart Davies. We look forward to the next 25 years!


8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Martin - I'm very glad to hear you had such an enjoyable time. Thanks for sharing those wonderful 'photos, too.

Kacper said...

Sounds like a lovely time all around - so many great writers!

I was very pleased to see Meg Elizabeth Atkins mentioned - I discovered her books just this year, and have been devouring them steadily. She's really a remarkable writer of highly atmospheric novels that deserves to be better known - I hope she hasn't retired from writing, though her last novel appeared in 2005.

Pauline Rowson said...

This looks superb, wish I could have come but I'm way down in the south, we must get a lively chapter going down here on the south coast.

Frances Brody said...

I couldn't be there this time so am glad to hear all about it. Sounds like a great day. Thanks, Martin.

Martin Edwards said...

Thanks very much, Margot. I hope one day you will get to the North of England and be able to join us!

Martin Edwards said...

Hi Kacper, I'm glad you enjoy Meg's books and I will certainly let her know. I'm sure she'll be pleased.

Martin Edwards said...

Hi Pauline, yes, let me encourage you!

Martin Edwards said...

We missed you, Frances, but it was good to see you at Bramhall the other day.