How It All Began

The founders of the TVWC, Barbara Smith, Dorothy Winters and Joyce Robinson, met on a creative writing course. Not wishing to lose contact with each othe at the end of the course, they joined a group of writers based at the Wilson Centre in Reading. It was felt that there was a problem in that, if anyone was sick or went on holiday, it was several weeks before they got together again. After some discussion, they decided to set up a separate group, meeting weekly. So, the Thames Valley Writers' Circle came into being in 1993. Barbara lead our Circle until her death in April 2020.

Our Constitution

1. The Circle is open to all adults (18 and over), who live or work in Reading, its surrounding areas and to corresponding members. 2. The aim of the Circle is to stimulate, encourage and enable all those who wish to write for their own enjoyment and/or to publish their work. 3. Membership of the Circle shall be subject to the approval of the Committee holding post at the time, to the rules of the venue and the payment of the attendance fee. 4. Fees are determined in relation to the charges of hiring the venue for use of its accommodation and amenities. Payment will only be made on attendance. The Circle retains the right to raise other funds for its administrative costs. 5. The Circle will hold a Bank/Building Society Account at the branch agreed with the Treasurer at the time. The accounts will be inspected annually and presented to an Annual Meeting for approval. The Annual Meeting will also hear reports on the Circle's work during the year, appoint members to a committee and consider resolutions which members wish to discuss. Notice of these should be circulated at least two weeks in advance. 6. The committee will consist of a Convener, Secretary, Treasurer and at least three other members, one of whom shall have responsibility for publicity. The Secretary will prepare a report each year for presentation at the Annual General Meeting. 7. The quorum for voting at an Annual Meeting shall be not less than 51% of registered members. Registered members will be those who have attended at least three meetings during the preceding 12 weeks. Other members may attend but not vote. 8. From time to time the committee may set up working groups to perform set tasks: e.g. the preparation of an anthology or a collection. They may co-opt members to the committee when necessary or appropriate. 9. The constitution may be amended by resolution to the Annual General Meeting if it is supported by at least two thirds of those members present and able to vote. Such amendments should be with all members at least two weeks prior to the meeting. 10. The committee shall have power to act in the Circle's interest subject to ratification by the members. A special meeting may be called either by the committee or by request from at least five members and subject to notice of two weeks.

The Committee

The Circle is overseen by a committee which is elected at the AGM, held on the last meeting before the summer break. Below are the current members - click/tap an image for an enlarged photo with their name and position.

NAWG Affiliation

The Circle is a member of the National Association of Writers' Groups (NAWG). This entitles members to free entry to annual NAWG members’competitions as well as the opportunity to take part in the annual NAWG conference and workshops with leading authors. NAWG also helps member groups in a variety of ways as, for example, they did in the Covid outbreak, by pulishing notes on how groups could use Zoom for meetings.