The Woman Writer by Sylvia Kent

Sylvia Kent has written an account of Britain’s oldest society dedicated to women’s writing through its 116-year existence.

Although the Society of Women Writers and Journalists was created very much with women in mind, the concept was the brainchild of a man – an enterprising London philanthropist and newspaperman – Joseph Snell Wood. From its introduction on 1 May 1894, the Society has attracted the company of many of the world’s most famous women writers, journalists, poets, playwrights and associated creative people involved in the wider world of literature, film, music, theatre and entertainment. More than 200 women flocked to its first meeting and membership continued to expand year on year.

Given the small number of women in journalism at the time, almost every practising woman journalist must have applied for membership. Certainly the great names of Victorian media were there, such as American playwright, Pearl Craigie, Lady Sarah Wilson who reported from Mafeking on the Boer War, and Alice Meynell, who nearly became the first female Poet Laureate. Luminaries such as Vera Brittain, Marie Stopes, Richmal Crompton, Margery Allingham, Rebecca West, Radclyffe Hall, Elizabeth Longford, Nina Bawden, Jacqueline Wilson and numerous other well-known authors became members. Our Life President is Baroness Williams of Crosby.

· The first in-depth history of the Society of Women Writers & Journalists.
· Published to commemorate the centenary in 2010 of former President Joyce Grenfell’s birth.
· Explores the lives of some of the Society’s most famous members.
· Illustrated with 100 mono and colour photographs.

Sylvia Kent is a columnist working for Newsquest and a freelance writer. She is Archivist/Press Officer for the SWWJ, Vice-President of Brentwood Writers’ Circle and a Patron of the Essex Book Festival 2009/10. Sylvia has had six books published whilst supporting other writers, particularly in the field of local history, and is a Trustee at the Cater Museum, Billericay, Essex, England. http://www.sylviakent.blogspot.com/

The Woman Writer
The History of The Society For Women Writers & Journalists
Sylvia Kent
Published on1 November 2009 at £12.99
paperback original ISBN-10 9780752451596

Available from all good bookshops, Amazon and The History Press.
Direct sales – telephone 01235 465577 or http://www.thehistorypress.co.uk/
For information about talks or interviews, please contact
Kerry Green at The History Press on 01453 732 512

Local Brewery in Norfolk, England

On a recent visit to Acle, Norfolk, I had the pleasure of sampling a local beer that was being displayed at a small country market (in the Parish churchyard of St. Edmund no less.) I had to stop and visit with Jason who displayed a fine list of local brew. He gave me a brief history of the brewery.

The Tipples Brewery of Norwich offers ten fine beers with another five that are produced for special occasions. Some of the beers have intriguing names such as "Lady Evelyn which is one of three beers named after ghost stories from the Norfolk Broads. It’s made with a single type of malt so the ale a very pale golden hue. It gets a generous hop addition which lifts the delicate malt flavor. At 4.1% ABV, the beer has a crisp, dry finish which lingers long after the glass has been drained. This beer is available year round."

Another favorite is Topper which is a stout with lots of great flavor and I must not forget Moonrocket with has a heady 5% ABV. A new beer is scheduled for release called Black Forest at 6.3% it is flavorful, strong dark ale.

There are simply too many beers to describe here in detail, but if you’re in Norfolk...try visiting the breweries in Acle and Norwich. For more information go to: http://www.tipplesbrewery.com/

Argo Gold Mine, Idaho Springs, Colorado

The Argo Gold Mine is a must to see if you are visiting Colorado. For years and years, I have driven by and only last week ventured inside. There is a great presentation about gold, silver and other precious metals which is followed by a self guided tour. The mine celebrated its 116th anniversary this year and although much of the 4.16 mile mine is now closed, it is still a fascinating place to visit. The finale is a lesson in gold panning. To actually see flecks of gold in the bottom of the pan as I hit “pay dirt” was very exciting...and I got to keep it! By the way, there is also a museum and a gift shop at the mine.

The mine’s success began with Samuel Newhouse, a young Englishman who, with two other men began the tunnel with $100,000 seed money. An issue of the Idaho Springs News reported on February 10, 1893:

“The object of the corporation is to run a line of railroad west from Denver, through tunnels and over the range to the coast.”

The following excerpt is from the Denver Post, September 24, 1930.

“Samuel Newhouse, one of the great mining men of Colorado and other Rocky Mountain states, died Monday evening at his apartments in the Chateau De Marnes, near Paris, France...he was 77 years old.

For 51 years, the name of Samuel Newhouse in mining circles has been one to conjure with, and since the boom days of 1879 in Leadville he made many millions in Colorado, Utah and Idaho. For many years he had been a resident of Salt Lake City but was a resident of Denver from 1888 to 1896.”

For more information you may visit: http://www.historicargotours.com/history.html

The Auditorium (Formally the RLDS Auditorium)

Photo courtesy: Nancy Bishoff

A regular visitor to my blog is Nancy Bishoff and her husband Al. Both are originally from Missouri and had their graduation class at the Auditorium (formally the RLDS Auditiorium). When in Missouri, they often visit the site because it brings back such pleasant memories. Nancy feels the Auditorium is a “must see” for anyone visiting the area.

The following information is from wikipedia:

“Construction of the Auditorium was a massive undertaking, illustrating the vision of church Prophet/President Frederick M. Smith who provided the building's inspiration. Groundbreaking began in 1926 and the building was only completed in 1958.The Conference Chamber was originally supposed to be about 66% larger than it is today. It seats nearly 6,000.Construction was virtually halted during the Great Depression when the church struggled under a massive debt.

The Auditorium houses an Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ with 6,334 pipes. It is listed in the top 75 largest pipe organs in the world at TheatreOrgans.com. World Conferences of the church are traditionally held here every two years in the World Conference Chamber. It is also the site of an annual performance and broadcast of Handel's Messiah by the Kansas City Symphony and the Independence Messiah Choir. In addition to its use by the church, the Auditorium is made available for high school graduations and cultural events in the surrounding area. Numerous dignitaries have spoken in the Auditorium, from Independence native, Harry S. Truman, who spoke during his presidency, to the former Secretary of State, Colin Powell. Most recently, former United States President Bill Clinton gave the keynote address at the Auditorium commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Truman Presidential Library.”

Broncos Pre-Season Game

Just last Thursday night, I have the privilege of attending the second pre-season Broncos game of the season. Actually, it was my first ever football game since arriving in America all those years ago. In any case, there I sat in a suite at the 50 yard line (which I guess is really important) eating fabulous ribs, shrimp, crab and helping myself to a full complement of beers, wines and soft drinks. It was a "friendly" or "practice" game against the Cardinals, and I'm glad to say the Broncos won 19-0. Of course, I didn't know what on earth was going on and had to have the plays explained by our hosts each time. But what an experience! It is one thing to see it on the television - it's quite another to see it in real life!

Soon after this photo was taken, players ran from the mouth of the inflatable Bronco as flames shot into the air, and the crowd cheered. The Bronco cheerleaders did a fantastic job of rallying everyone and the game began. At intervals a rider on a spectacular horse galloped across the field to the cheers of the audience. I couldn't take my eyes off the whole thing - was fascinated in fact.

Baby "Doe" Tabor, Leadville, Colorado

The story of Baby Doe is fascinating! She must have been an exceptional woman, full of courage and determination, and well ahead of her time. She went from rags to riches and then back to rags. Honestly, Baby Doe's life is so interesting, I couldn't make it up if I tried. There's simply not enough room here to do her justice, so I encourage readers to purchase a book on her life, and also visit the site.

At a recent trip to Leadville, I had the opportunity to go into Baby Doe's cabin and look around. It's tiny inside but contains many of Baby Doe's personal items. Wonderful photographs of her and her family line the walls, her rocking chair sits in the corner with a kerosene lamp on a table, and her black, threadbare parasol is in a basket by the door. It's all that's left of a once fabulously rich (and beautiful) woman who once owned a mine called the Matchless.

Years after Baby Doe's husband died, she held on to the property hoping it would fulfil her husband's dream of once more "striking it rich" but it was not to be and eventually she was put in foreclosure. In the end, she lived alone accepting the charity and kindness of the present day owners of the Matchless Mine. It's where she died on March 7, 1935.

For more information on the activities and events in Leadville, Colorado go to:

http://www.leadville.com/history/tabor.htm

Arena de Verona

Photo and text courtesy: Theresa Francis.

On a warm July evening we join a few thousand others and stroll to the Arena de Verona. We climb the ancient stone steps to our unnumbered seats high above the stage set for Aida. As the seats are not numbered it is necessary to arrive well ahead of the performance. Along with almost everyone else we have a small picnic of cheese and wine. The atmosphere is amazing. Just before the performance begins at 9.15 the people in the plush seats down below start to arrive in their beautiful gowns and evening suits.

If you don't know this opera, it is the story of Aida, an Ethiopian princess enslaved in Egypt where she falls in love with Radames, a young warrior and captain of the guard, who feels the same way for her. When the Ethiopians, led by Aida's father King Amonasro invade Egypt, Radames is chosen to lead the Egyptians into battle.

The Ethiopians are defeated and Radames returns victorious. Among his captives is Aida's father. Out of his love for Aida, he asks the king to release the Ethiopian captives. The king agrees but refuses to release Aida and her father.

Aida's father persuades her to obtain information from Radames about how they can escape. Radames agrees to run away with Aida and tells her the position of the guards they must avoid. Aida and her father flee, but Radames is taken prisoner. He is sentenced to death and will be buried alive in a crypt. Aida returns and hides herself in the crypt to die with him. They accept their terrible fate, bid farewell to life's torment and sorrows and await their death.

Verdi's wonderful music and the voices of the performers fill the arena which is truly remarkable given that there are no microphones in use.

If you have never listened to the music, do try. I defy anyone to hear the 'Triumphal March' at the beginning of Act 2 and not feel their soul fly.