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Margaret McConnell is not only our esteemed Honorary President, but a founder member (1969) of SAW, the first President, later the Secretary and for many years, Competition Secretary. While holding the latter office she was the victim of a burglary and at the Council Meeting the very next day, all were chastened to learn that the intruders hadn't fancied nipping off with our competition entries and had left them severely alone!
When Janetta Bowie wrote The History of SAW in l994, Margaret was thanked for hosting committee meetings in her home. Now, in 2008, she continues to make us welcome there and her enthusiasm for all matters relating to SAW remains undiminished.
Though now in her 90s and less mobile than before, especially since 2008 when she suffered injury when a banister gave way and the resulting fall broke her hip. This unfortunate circumstance meant that she was unable to attend the 2008 conference. You'll find this former teacher of English (Hutcheson’s Grammar School) both interesting and ever-ready with good advice. Furthermore, as the author of countless stories and articles, plus popular series based on her own long experience - she's still writing. Truly a lady of remarkable talent and an example to us all.
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Mary Edward -President-is a former teacher and Educational Development Officer, and was the author of many learning and teaching packages in that life. She is now a freelance writer of fiction and non-fiction,and is published in both. Her documentary history of migration, "Who belongs to Glasgow?" first published in 1993, was updated, reprinted and relaunched in 2008 by Luath Press, Edinburgh. She amended the text to reflect the changing demography of the city.
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Mary faithfully enters the annual Falkirk Festival Competition the Lady Short Story, but continues to find herself a runner-up, this year for the fourth time. What is it they say about always the bridesmaid...?
She is also currently President of Strathkelvin Writers' Group, a rewarding role in a lively and progressive club.
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Ann Maclaren -Vice President/Public Relations Officer
I have an MA in Hispanic Studies and a PhD in Literary Translation, but the academic life is not for me. I prefer staring into space in front of my computer, hoping for inspiration. I’ve had various articles and short stories published over the years: my creative impulse is usually sparked by evesdropping on other people’s conversations, (you have been warned). My other hobby is walking in the countryside. I’m in the process of a two year house move to Plockton, in the North West Highlands where hopefully – when I’m not entertaing all my friends who’ve promised to come and visit me - I will find the peace and tranquility to write a few best-selling novels, or at least finish the one I started years ago. I’m a past president of Strathkelvin Writers – this year I’m vice-president.
- Email: ann.maclaren@btinternet.com
Marc R. Sherland - Secretary - performance poet and writer with a number of published stories, poems and factual articles under his belt (that's what it is and not too much pudding). He was snared as a SAW member in 2005, elected secretary in 2007 and counts amongst his other commitments the Chairmanship of the Federation of Writers (Scotland) since its inception in 2006.
A firm believer in the written and spoken word he has performed in London's Albert Hall, on the streets of Edinburgh and in a garden at Callander. He is currently writing a novel featuring King Arthur, the Green Knight and others, doing what they do best on a field of green, betwixt bogs and megaliths. He was chosen in 2007 to be one of Glasgow's Hidden City poets and has two of his poems published in their 2007 anthology. Also in 2007/08 he was awarded the Erskine Writers' Group, President's Prize for services to writing in Scotland.
He is a tutor for the WEA (Workers Educational Association) and is the facilitator and organiser of the Tramway Theatre writing group the Word Factory. -
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Jacklin Murray- Treasurer.
Have suffered all my life from being in the wrong place at the wrong time, hence the Teasurers job with SAW. When eveyone else is running for their life I'm still wondering what's going on. I suspect that why I've managed to remain married to the same guy for so long.
Housework is sacrificed in the name of writing and my first 'breakthrough' came when I won a short story competition with BBC Radio Scotland Cover Stories. This led to Erskine Writers being featured on the programme. The short story I am most proud of : 'Belle's Disco - 1982' was accepted by New Writing Scotland 2005. Since then I've sold stories and articles and am working on a novel.
Doing the 'wrong place, wrong time' thing I wound up as co-ordinator for Erskine Summer Group and find that I enjoy every minute of it.
I'm a huge fan of radio and, from a writer's viewpoint, recommend it over TV as a source of ideas, information as well as entertainment. One of my favourite poems has the line (english translation): 'It's mither and the wireless, and they pass the day together.' According to my husband, that sums me up.
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Barbara Hammond - Competition Secretary
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English by birth, I have lived in Scotland since 1997. Originally invited to come to Scotland by the chemical company Zeneca to work as an engineering buyer in their Grangemouth Plant, I have stayed to become a full time writer.
I have two novels published 'Apollo in Tweeds' 2005 and 'The Root of Evil' 2007. My third book 'A Little Place in France' is due for publication in 2009. I am the editor of the ‘Writers’ Umbrella’ magazine a bi-monthly news-sheet for writers, with a membership that covers the whole of Scotland.
I do occasional writing tutorials, adjudications and speaking engagements.
I am a member of the Executive Council of the Scottish Association of Writers and the organisations Competitions’ Secretary.
Locally I am very active as secretary to the Falkirk and District Arts and Civic Council and as a tutor with the ‘Big Plus’ literacy and numeracy initiative in Falkirk. I am a widow with one son and two grandsons all of whom still live in the North of England. -
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Fiona McFadzean - Accomodation Secretary
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Fiona McFadzean has been the Accommodation / Affiliation Secretary for the Scottish Association of Writers over the last 5 years.
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Fiona has been writing for as long as she can remember, drama and poetry being her first loves. She has written sketches, revues, plays and pantomimes for amateur production. Her work has been performed from the wilds of Wigtownshire to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Sheffield.
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Fiona has helped to organise and run drama workshops within Youth organisations and for children with special learning difficulties within education.
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Recently she has acted with Borderline Theatre and has been involved with their secondary school workshops.
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She is an active member of Ayr Writers’ Club performance group.
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Previously Fiona worked to support students with special educational needs, enabling them to cope in the mainstream system, by modifying GCSE coursework in language and literature, tailoring it to their individual requirements.
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She has also been involved in writing work related training programmes, and editing in house newsletters.
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In spite of leaving school 2 years ago to concentrate on writing Fiona still hasn’t managed to complete her first crime novel, much to her disappointment. Perhaps the Pitlochry this time next year…..!!!
Email:fionamcfadzean@hotmail.com
Lesley Deschner - Affiliation Secretary
I joined Ayr Writer’s Club in September of 2004 at the suggestion of Fiona McFadzean, who told me that sanity was not a requirement for membership. This meant I was thoroughly qualified, and I haven’t looked back since- I haven’t got any saner either!
- I work 30 hours each week in a Cashmere Factory in Ayr (a soap opera) fulfilling the sometimes outrageous orders of our many customers (and, occasionally the many orders of our outrageous customers). Last year, following a period of family difficulty, I reduced my working hours to supplement the care of my disabled father (a drama). During this time, the help and support I received from the A.W.C. has been invaluable (a documentary) and involvement with the club has given me many an opportunity for laughter (a sit-com).
- I have been Secretary/Membership Secretary for the past two years and Vice President since the start of this session. I enjoy dabbling in all forms of writing. I have not been successful in the publishing area as yet (but then I haven’t submitted anything, which, I believe, is important), though I have had an article on the back burner for at least 18 months. I’m a keen Robert Burns fan and am heavily involved in the Holy Fair in Mauchline through my association with Mauchline Burns Club. I have been Jean Armour more times than I can count, Mary Campbell several times, as well as sundry other characters. It is commonly thought by those I see only at those times that I constantly wear period costume. At least this year, that isn’t the case.
- I hope to bring my sense of humour and simple (very simple) common sense while acting on behalf of S.A.W.Email: lesdes@talk21.com
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SAW Council 2007/08.....Former Office Bearers.....
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Silvie Taylor- Ex President 2006-2008 - hales from Broughty Ferry, Dundee, though a member of Perthshire Writers' Group for over 25 years. She started writing monologues for performance much earlier, and has since published articles, book reviews, fiction and poetry in a number of magazines, including those of D C Thomson and, in particular, The Scots Magazine.
She is a Fellow of Trinity College, London and an adjudicator member of the British and International Federation of Festivals. This has taken her to speech and drama festivals throughout UK, to Canada, Zimbabwe and on many occasions to Hong Kong. She wears both these hats with enthusiasm and says its all due to a lifelong fascination with words.
She derives great pleasure from her membership of SAW and was honoured to be the president in the years of 2006/08.