Three Gentlemen from Gerrards Cross

‘Three Gentlemen from Gerrards Cross’ by Ms Paige Turner
This week I led a workshop entitled ‘Unlocking Your Creative Unconscious’ at the Gerrards Cross Memorial Centre.
I asked the writers to bring in an object which had some resonance for them. We do all sorts of things with these objects and not necessarily the obvious. But one gentleman of 93 brought in his medals and told us about working as a mechanic on the spitfires during World War Two and the buttoned up shoes he wore as a child. Another gentleman, slightly younger, at 92 brought in his uncle’s memoir written during the Great War. His uncle was the clerk typist who recorded court martialled soldiers’ testimonies during the First World War. And as I threw out the idea of writing about ‘First Kiss’ this sprightly gentleman told us about his: 72 years ago. And Reader, he married her.
A third much younger gentleman brought in copies of a solitary letter sent by his father to his family during the Second World War. His dad said he had been a bit busy to write home: the letter was dated May 1940. He was busy at Dunkirk.
I am in awe of these Gentlemen from Gerrards Cross and adore stories. And on such a week of Paschendale Anniversary.
Performances of ‘Red Lipstick & Revelations’.
Gerrards Cross Philosophical and Literary Festival/Poems and Pints – Saturday 23rd September.
7.30 pm for 8pm at The Memorial Centre, East Common, Gerrards Cross, SL9 7AD. £8 to include a drink. Tickets available on the door and in aid of the Memorial Centre and Mind.
Contact Jan if you would like to read from and sell your poetry collection.
Hazlemere Library – National Poetry Day – Thursday 28th September 2017
10.30 am to 11.30 am. Free Entry