The annual Short Story Competition is judged this year by literary agent Julian Friedmann who is a longstanding partner in the Blake-Friedmann literary agency and who has given us a presentation in April 2017.

Don’t be scared – all existing officers are willing to go on serving. However, if you fancy a turn at an office, do step forward. The formal business will be followed by a Twitter Competition – telling a story in 280 characters, which includes spaces and punctuation. Box of chocolates for the winner.

Ingrid Jendrzejewski received a BFA in Creative Writing and a BA in English literature and then switched tracks to study physics. She returned to creative writing in 2014 and has since won 11 writing competitions, judged three short-story contests, had around 100 pieces published, and been nominated for a Pushcart Prize, Vestal’s VERA Award, and twice for Best Small Fictions. She has served as Nonfiction Editor and Editor in Chief of the Evansville Review, and is currently a reader for the online journal JMWW.

This is a members-only competition. Bring along a printed story of not more that 250 words. It must have a title, although this is not part of the word count. Stories will be read aloud anonymously by a single reader to ensure a uniformity of delivery. Members will then cast votes to determine the winner.

Saturday 7th July, from 6 to 10 pm at Mulberry House, 23 High Ditch Road, Fen Ditton.

Bread, cheese, butter and soft drinks will be provided, but we ask that you bring a dish (sweet or savoury, as you choose) to share, and such alcoholic drink as you wish. There will be a charge of £5 per head. You are welcome to bring guests. Bookings by Saturday 30th June to Harry Goode harry.huguette@ntlworld.com

Una McCormack teaches Creative Writing at Anglia Ruskin University. She is an expert on Science Fiction and Fantasy, author of a number of tie-in novels to Star Trek and Dr Who.

Our travel writing group, Stephanie Green, Sally Haiselden, Francoise Hivernel, Seeta Siriwarena, Jane Wilson-Howarth, will present their latest book, "50 camels and she’s yours", a collaborative project.

This anthology is aimed at travellers of all styles: arm-chair, wishful thinkers and adventurers alike. It is particularly aimed at women who think , ‘Oh, I wish I could do that!’ Come with us and be in spired by the extra ordinary journeys of five ordinary women: two medical doctors, a teacher, an accountant and a psychoanalyst as they travel the five continents.

Workshop by Will Tate. More details to follow.

Simon Hall is a BBC Television and Radio News Correspondent, and an author of crime fiction.

He has been a broadcaster for twenty five years, covering some of the biggest stories Britain has seen.

His books - the tvdetective series - are about a television reporter who covers crimes and gets so involved in the cases he helps the police to solve them. Seven have been published.

Alongside his novels and stories, Simon is a tutor in media skills and creative writing, teaching at popular Writers’ Summer Schools such as Swanwick and Winchester, on cruise ships and overseas.

Now 49 years old, he began a broadcasting career as a DJ on the radio and in nightclubs, then moved into radio and TV news. He worked in Europe, London, Ireland, and the south west of England, before settling in Cambridge.

Simon lectures on careers in the media at Cambridge University, and in schools and colleges. Amongst his proudest achievements, he includes the number of young people he has helped into jobs in broadcasting, and aspiring writers into publication.