text: creative writing – wokinghamboroughlibraries
  Life in Lockdown Entries from the Children's Virtual Writing Club at Wokingham Borough Libraries
  Last weeks Challenge was create an account of what it's like to be a child living under lockdown.
  So thank you to Amber for submitting the following entry which can be viewed below:
  Life in Lockdown from Amber Age 10
  Hi, I'm Amber by the way. I am a normal 10 year old and this is my story of lockdown. I'm living in lockdown at the moment like I've told you. It is kind of weird and I wasn't really expecting anything like this to happen. There have been some ups but also some downs. Well, first I'd like to tell you about Home-Schooling. I do like it in some ways, but I do sometimes suddenly miss my friends. At the start we didn't have much work from school. So my brothers and I worked together with my Mum and we did things like painting, junk modelling, researching different topics. My favourite topic was probably Rivers. Now, every day we are set 3 things to do from school. I usually do my English first but basically; I get given a few little bits to keep me going. One of the reasons it is okay is because I get to go on the computer more, which is fun, but I still prefer normal school. Since May Half Term, I go into actual school sometimes as my mum is teacher. Teachers are Key Workers so when my mum is at work I have to go to school. We have a 'bubble', which is a group of up to 15 children and teachers we have to stay with for the day. Robin (my brother) is in my 'bubble' too. I think it was nice when we were allowed to start going to school a little as it is good to be around people my age. So, you get it, it is something I had to get used to, but I have got into a routine now.
  I'd like to tell you I've actually got some new hobbies. I have started to recycle lots of things like milk bottles, toilets rolls, and cardboard packages and I have got a toilet roll recycled animals' collection. Me and my brothers (Robin and Digby) have been busy recycling. I have made things such as milk bottle watering cans, spiders and fish made out of toilet rolls, and 1-10 panels like Strictly Come Dancing out of cardboard. I have been for more walks, runs and bike rides and I have enjoyed keeping fit. Sadly, parkrun has been cancelled as a result of social distancing (which means we have to stay away from other people by 2m, but not in our household). Some of my other new hobbies are gardening and baking. I have planted holly hock, cosmos and sunflowers and I've baked rice crispy cakes, banana bread, cupcakes and brownies.
  I know this sounds fun, but I've only told you the best bits. Lockdown has actually been caused by something called 'Corona Virus'. It is a Virus that mainly effects the elderly and/or venerable. Due to 'Corona Virus', we have had a few new rules, which we have to try our best to do. Like we have had to wash our hands often, keep distance and wash things used by multiple people from multiple households. At school, my teachers wash the computers, tables, and sports equipment we use. The NHS (National Heath Service) have been working hard to care for those that are sick. Scientists have been trying to find a medicine, cure, or something to lower the chance of spreading or getting the Corona Virus. Since the NHS having been working so hard, we have made a special time to clap to say 'Thank You' to them and other Key Workers. We've done it every Thursday at 8:00pm, though it has recently stopped. To show our respect and as a sign of hope, we drew rainbows and put them in our windows. We put cuddly bears in our windows too, so people can go on a bear hunt or a rainbow hunt. The main reason I don't like Lockdown is because I haven't really got to hug Grannie, Grandad, Auntie Becky, Uncle Stevie, Auntie Bobby, Grandma and all of my family outside my household. I really hope we get back to normal soon!
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  My Journey Wokingham Writing Competition
  Posted on May 24, 2020 May 13, 2020 by wokinghamboroughlibraries
  "Attention all budding story tellers and writers! My Journey is launching a new competition!
  Not all superhero's wear capes. Some ride scooters! Submit a story involving any superhero you like and their scooter and you have a chance of winning a brand new Micro Scooter.
  Open to all Primary school children in the Wokingham Borough. There is no word limit on the stories, so you can let your imagination run wild!
  The deadline for submissions is Sunday 31st May. Please email them to myjourney@wokingham.gov.uk along with your childs name and school.
  Terms and conditions for the writing competition are here
  Also be sure to visit https://www.myjourneywokingham.com/for more information about the borough-wide sustainable travel campaign that aims to help and inspire Wokingham residents, employees and students to travel by alternative modes.
  Posted in creative writing, writingLeave a comment
  Wokingham Writers Short Fiction
  Posted on May 14, 2020 May 11, 2020 by wokinghamboroughlibraries
  Members of Wokingham Writers Group have submitted some pieces of their work for our libraries blog on the theme of Isolation plus one on the theme of Memory. For more information about Wokingham Writers contact heather.dyson@wokingham.gov.uk
  Isolation by Keith Sheppard
  Derek Stubbs was going stir-crazy, and so was his springer spaniel, Lucy. There are only so many times you can walk round the same block without wanting to scream.
  He looked out of his window. The Avenue was full of joggers again, including that twenty-something from three doors up. OK, the weather was getting warmer but did she have to wear quite such skimpy shorts? He was sure she did it on purpose. The sight of those firm, young thighs was playing havoc with Derek's blood pressure. No. A walk in the countryside was what he needed to dispel all those impure thoughts.
  Andy Preston sat with his head in his hands, trying not to let his seven-year-old daughter see him cry. His beautiful, wonderful wife, Katie, she who made every day seem worthwhile, had COPD. They'd tried to isolate but somehow the virus had got in anyway. Her condition had worsened these last couple of days to the point she could hardly breathe.
  As the ambulance drove off, Maisie had looked up at him and said, "Mummy will get better, won't she?"
  Almost a week had passed and Derek had managed to convince himself that none of this was his fault. It certainly wasn't his fault the ambulance jumped the lights. There was no need for the driver to be quite so abusive, right in his face. Hardly social distancing, was it?
  It was certainly tragic about Mrs Preston but she would probably have died anyway. An extra half hour getting her to hospital couldn't have made that much difference.
  Derek gazed out of his window again. Probably safe now to take Lucy for another longer walk. Problem was, he really didn't feel up to it. He was feeling distinctly under the weather, plus he'd developed this annoying cough.
  Copyright © Keith Sheppard, 2020
  ISOLATION by Harry Dunn
  The clearing he found was surrounded by fifty metres of dense scrub and he painstakingly cut a tunnel through it to pitch his tent and camouflage it with the branches he had cut away. He knew no one would find their way through the thorny bushes to his hiding place. He was off grid and he loved it.
  His night forays took him to weekend holiday cabins dotted throughout the woods and as his skill at lock picking improved, he soon had a steady supply of survival supplies. He stole only what he needed taking flashlights, small gas canisters, tinned food, soft drinks, toilet rolls and books. His favourite was Robinson Crusoe.
  One night he returned to his den just as dawn was breaking. After unpacking his rucksack, he moved across to the board leaning against the rear of the tent. Scoring out the last number, he scratched 10,950 next to it. As he sat down on his tree stump seat, he realised it was going to be a big day. He'd been in his solitary existence for thirty years. The exact amount of time he reckoned he would have spent in prison for murdering that annoying old man.
  As he lit up his small stove to cook breakfast, he smiled at the thought of having served his time at no expense to the tax payer.
  Isolation – Heather Boncey
  "Everyone is complaining about being isolated. I am in my 80s and have felt isolated for years. First my husband dying and then my close friends seemed to start popping off on a regular basis. The children live at different ends of the country so I rarely see them and I have missed out on my grandchildren growing up.
  My eyesight got so bad I stopped driving a few years ago. Giving up my licence has been restrictive for me. I use my mobility scooter to get around to various lunch clubs and local meetings.
  Since this quarantine has started, I have more contact with my family. The children have set up weekly Zoom meetings at 2.00pm on a Sunday. It is marvellous I can see my children and grandchildren and even chat to their partners for the first time. I am learning more about their lives now than I ever did.
  My son bought me an iPad a few years ago and I have been using face time ever since. With these meetings we are together in our various homes and are able to all chat and laugh. We have even played a few quizzes too.
  I go out and clap on a Thursday at 8.00pm and talk, at a distance of course, to the neighbours and we are getting to know each other.
  My children have managed to get on-line deliveries for me and the Ocado van comes every couple of weeks. My neighbours have been wonderful too. They get me milk and vegetables in between and often leave me home cooked food too. One neighbour whom I hadn't even spoken to before all this cut my trees in the back garden last week."
  "It is so lovely to hear a positive story about this isolation" said Jeremy. "I am so pleased that you have rung into the radio station Joan and told us this delightful story. Hopefully it will give other listeners good vibes and ideas. Thank you for calling. Goodbye."
  "Can I just quickly say something else" I said "I just hope that it continues after we are all allowed out of this isolation."
  Isolation by Jenny Richardson
  The candle barely lit the room. Leaning towards to it, Jane checked her knitting needles to make sure she hadn't dropped any stitches. The wind howled around the house making the windows creak. She shivered. It was chilly in the room. She pulled at her cardigan to wrap it closer around her body.
  Click, clack, click, clack, the sound of the needles seemed loud in the quiet room. Leaning back in her chair, she sighed. Her hands were aching. Hours seem to pass so slowly in the winter months.
  Jane could only just make out the face of the clock in the gloom. Quarter to six, time for tea. She picked up the candle and went into the kitchen. Placing a pan on the cooker, she heated some soup. Standing close to the flame, she took advantage of its warmth. Feeling quite alone sitting at the kitchen table she ate the soup and crusty bread, absent mindedly, rolling breadcrumbs between her thumb and forefinger. Tea over, Jane headed back to the lounge, but before entering the room, she stood and listened. Nothing.
  The candle cast long shadows on the wall of the lounge as she entered. Sitting down in her chair she pondered…
  I wonder what other people do, during these long, dark evenings?
  Picking up her knitting, she checked where she was on the pattern. Suddenly, the lounge door flung open. Jane jumped out of her skin, stabbing her hand with one of the needles.
  'Hi Mum, what are you doing sitting in the dark?' It was her daughter, Bryony. 'The power's back on. Came on over an hour ago.'
  Bryony flicked the light switch and the room illuminated.
  'Well it's about time,' replied Jane, shielding her eyes from the strong light.
  'Turn on the TV love, we can watch the news.'
  Copyright © Jenny Richardson, 2020.
  Isola by Laura Sheridan
  In my dreams I see it: An island. Isola. It's green with trees. A stream runs alongside a woodland track. Birds flit amongst the branches and small animals hide in the undergrowth.
  All these people. All these bodies crammed onto the streets. How has it come to this? World population was supposed to decrease, but those foretellers of humanity's fortune got it wrong again. At the last count we were up to fourteen billion.
  I squeeze myself into the spreading, raggedy queue finding a gap between an obese woman and an old guy in a dirty vest. The woman's skin is larva-pale and pulpy, the flesh jiggling on her arms. She's almost bare, just a sarong wrapped round her middle and a pink bra. Her sweat has a sour smell. The old guy is muttering something to himself. His breath stinks of fish.
  Yeah well, we all stink. Can't help it. So many of us, we've overheated the planet. It can't cope any more so it's given up. Left us to our own destiny. Can't say I blame it.
  If I didn't have to go out for food, I wouldn't leave the flat. It's not exactly palatial – two rooms with a small shower space in one corner – but it's mine alone. I don't let anyone in. It's not much, but it's my haven.
  The queue shuffles forward but it's not orderly. People slip in wherever they like. There's a woman with a baby strapped to her front and she's stepped out in front of that bald guy. He's not happy about it. I hear sharp words – see the glint of light on metal. He has a knife.
  She retreats, blubbering words of apology.
  I stand and wait and dream.
  Isola. My island. My sweet isolation.
  One Day by Linda Fawke
  I'm a rational person. I understand we must isolate, why two metres is no longer a measurement but a barrier. I accept waiting in a queue outside the supermarket for half an hour. I know there will be no flour. But it's messing with my head. I sleep badly. I panic over silly things. I burnt the toast yesterday and it felt like a catastrophe.
  (First published by Spelk https://spelkfiction.com/2018/07/11/memory)
  Posted in creative writing, Uncategorized, writingTagged Author, writing groupLeave a comment
  Diary Entries from the Children's Virtual Writing Club at Wokingham Borough Libraries
  Posted on May 12, 2020 by wokinghamboroughlibraries
  Last weeks Challenge was create a Diary Entry.
  So thank you to children that have submitted the following entries which can be viewed below:
  Story of Edward
  Once there was a boy and his name was Edward. He woke up in the morning and had cheese sandwich for breakfast and then he went outside. He played basket ball but soon he got bored and went inside. Soon he got hungry and ate chocolate . After he ate chocolate he went upstairs and did some maths. After he did maths he had lunch and enjoyed tomato soup. Then we played the keyboard. After he played the keyboard he watched TV. After that he climbed a tree and then he had dinner. Soon after he went to bed with snuggles and stories. Good bye.
  Bhav , Age 7
  The new theme is ….
  Mythical Beasts – either chose a made up beast or create one to write about.
  Describe what it looks like, how it gets about, where it lives, what it likes to eat and what it likes to do in its spare time. Don't forget to give it a name!