West Sussex Writers’ Club was founded by Francis O'Hanlon in 1937; a journalist and non−fiction writer although it has to be said that from the word go, the club welcomed both fiction and non-fiction writers.

The constitution which was put in place all those years ago can be summarised as follows:

The objects of the club shall be;
To help the members in all forms of creative writing
To encourage members in their writing by an exchange of ideas and experiences. To give constructive criticism, to organise talks, competitions and work shops
To create public interest in members work and to suggest possible markets.

As the current Chair, I am happy to say that seventy two years on, we adhere very closely to this constitution and we would like to think − in fact we know − that many, many members have been helped by the club and have gone on to become very successful authors in their chose genres; June Tate, Jan Henley, Pauline Bentley, Pat Hopper, Fay Marshall, Pam Weaver, Alison Hawes, Carey Cleaver, Malcolm Welshman, Julie Coffin, Peter Guttridge, Beryl Fleming, Sue Walker and Sue Wright, to mention but a few.

Records show that initial membership consisted of no more than five − apart from Francis the others were recorded as Barbara Hector, Maida Butler, Vera Arlett and George King, and meetings were held in each other’s homes. Eventually, as membership increased, larger venues had to be found and the first recorded meeting outside someone'’ home was in a solicitor’s office in The Arcade. The club continued to meet during the war years and during the post−war period; meeting venues seem to have moved to local cafes by then.

From archives we know that Francis was still in the chair in 1946 (in fact he continued until 1952) and that same year, Reg Farndon, newly discharged from the Army, joined the club. He was still around in 1987 and thus holds the record as our longest serving member!

As far as rules and regulations went; after the O’Hanlon experience the new chair in 1955, Claudine Currey, suggested that chairmanship should be limited to a 3−year term. That was approved 22 to 6. The reason for this change is because it would appear that Francis had very specific political interests and was trying his best to introduce communism to the club − as communism has never been that big in Worthing, it would appear many members were opposed to his ideas! Whether this was the reason he founded the club in the first place will never been known but whatever his inclinations, we know that he invited a member of the Anglo−Soviet Friendship Society to the Club − this was in the war years − and in the 1970s, he was still writing about Anglo−Soviet relations in Worthing Gazette!

Interestingly it was never felt that the Treasurer’s post couldn’t be held longer than 3 years because the aforementioned Reg Farndon held that particular post for 16 years.

Anyway, longevity seems to be the order of the day because Maida Butler became chair in 1959; 22 years after the club was formed with her as one of the founder members. And Eileen Ganyon became secretary in 1965 and held that post until 1984... Eileen is of course an honorary member to this day.

As far as membership numbers go, from those humble beginnings records state that the club had 33 members in 1953, while in 1960 this had increased to 62; a significant milestone was passed at the 1986 AGM when the membership had increased to 100 (with Julie Coffin as chair); now of course, we have 112...

In 1962 the club settled down to a regular venue − the Norfolk Hotel in Chapel Road − and members were advised to enter by the special door, not through the hotel; clearly a tradesmen’s entrance for the writers!

The 60s is dominated by one very successful club member; namely Constance Cox. A dramatist and adapter of classics, she is probably best known for her adaptation for TV of The Forsythe Saga. In fact when she judged a drama competition in 1979, her own successes were so numerous that they warranted their own paragraph in the club bulletin.

And in October 1965, arguably one of the most famous writers to ever address the club was none other than Catherine Cookson. Her talk was entitled A Geordie and this Writing Business. Her claim to fame at that time was 7 Mary Ann novels, 2 films as well as being the broadcaster on Woman’s Hour. At the time of her death in 1998, her tally had increased to almost 100 novels selling 123 million copies; many of course having been translated to stage, radio and film. She was made a Dame in 1993.

In 1967, the club meetings moved to the Adult Education Centre in Union Place − the reason for this change was because by holding meetings in hotels it was noted that some members wandered off to the bar in the interval, never to return!

In 1971 Margaret May joined the committee having become a member four years previous, and she continued to serve dedicatedly for years and years acting as chair between 1994−1997 − offering her an honorary membership a few years ago was just a small token to say many, many thanks.

Another member who also needs to be singled out is Jan Henley who has been an absolute rock and who continues to champion our club at every available opportunity and for that we are thankful! She too was made an honorary member a few years ago.

It would appear that in 1977 when the club was 40 years old, it was the first time an anniversary was marked; a dinner at the Beach House Park Restaurant; 70 past and present members attended paying £1 each for a buffet.

In 1984; a new milestone was reached when the club hosted its very first Day for Writers’ conference; the brain child of the committee at that time. These conferences continue to prove very popular and the 21st Day was held in the summer of 2007 and another one is planned in the not too distant future.

In 1987 when the club was 50 years old, the occasion was marked by a poetry volume; “Green Leaf, Gold Leaf”. The entries for the volume included club poetry from prize winners of the Claudine Currey Cup; in fact it includes the 1966 winner of that particular cup and also shows the incredible versatility and talent of Fay Marshall whose poems appear twice.

In June 1987, news reached the club that Vera Arlett had died at the age of 92 − the last remaining founder member.

In 1990, the club was on the move again, this time to Heene Community Centre and the first meeting held there was presented by Simon Brett (incidentally, Simon became the club’s patron in 1992).

In 1991 Virginia McKenna gave a talk promoting her Zoo−Check work and related literature and also gave insight into a lesser-known side of her work; readings from her poetry. David Gemmell on the other hand popped along in 1994 to speak on the new topic of “fantasy”. While at the DFW 1995, Martina Cole featured as one of the speakers; she owes a huge part of her success to Margaret May who helped her on her way.

The 1996 AGM was not a happy event. The season 1995/96 had seen the club make an operating loss of £1,200 − something that could not continue even though the club had a reserve fund. Happily with Nikki Sheeran as treasurer, this loss was soon curbed and the following year the club made a loss of “only” £200. And happily with current treasurer, Rose Bray, losses are now a thing of the past!

With the enormous help from Lawrence Long, the club was awarded lottery funding of £3,300 in time for the Diamond Day for Writers in 1997 − a wonderful achievement to mark the club’s 60th year. In fact, Lawrence also helped produce a brilliant journal − Pen to Processor − to celebrate this particular birthday.

Another venue change was also on the cards and meetings are nowadays held in The Pavilion, Field Place.

And then in 2005, yet another incredible milestone was reached when It’s An ‘ology was launched amidst much fanfare at Borders bookstore in Brighton − this event was part of Brighton Festival Fringe and ensured that a capacity crowd (some couldn’t even find a seat!) listened to many members air their masterpieces from said anthology.

And, finally − for the moment at least − to mark the club’s 70th birthday in 2007, and following a short story slam event, the entries concerned were then recorded onto a CD with Simon Brett doing the honours of reading them all. The CD in question is entitled 70 − Not Out.

Happily the club continues to thrive and I know that everyone involved feels incredibly privileged to be part of such an illustrious history. Here’s to many, many more happy years!

Nina Tucknott
Chair of West Sussex Writers’ Club