Meeting held 3rd June 2010
Suggested theme: Saint Boniface
The June meeting was exceptionally well attended. We missed Iain, no doubt polishing his sgian dubh for July. The subject was Saint Boniface. Not everyone attempted it, least of all John whose accomplished poem “He that is down need fear no fall” remains baffling. Robert gave us a polished “Ash “Trees” and a somewhat querulous Boniface. Penny provided a luminous account of the mobbing of a barn owl, almost echoing Robert Frost. Roy, a welcome newcomer, told us a wonderful story about his acrobat father in old age, as well as providing a vivid record of a year in Cornwall, which he said has “ghosts in its stones”.
I wrote about Boniface, to m mind the greatest Devonian in recorded history. Elizabeth gave us her “Mayday” – belated but vivid. She also concocted a convincing minute of a meeting to commemorate Boniface, said to have taken place in Crediton in 1756. Stephanie offered a mystical encounter between Boniface and his brother. Jean told Boniface’s story in verse and Sue in prose.
Finally, in complete contrast, Mike unleashed the spectacular tale of Ruby Rottenbox. I cannot repeat anything he said for fear of prosecution. But his Rabelasian romp was hilarious, and a fine piece of writing. A few participants donated additional material.
Charles O’Hagan