POETRY is the glue which has held the Untapped Writers group together for more than two decades.

It began at a creative writing course held in Colchester Sixth Form College where the seven strangers grew to be friends and decided to create an their own plans to develop their craft.

They still meet at each other’s houses once a week to this day - 21 years after Untapped Writers was established.

And when they congregate on the Headgate Theatre stage tonight, it will be their 21st annual performance.

Hot Potatoes is an evening of reflective poetry, prose and witty sketches with musical interludes from guitarist Tim Pells.

Of the group’s original seven members - John Talman, Jean Garrington, Jenny Spanton, Keith Mirams, Joy Harman, Fiona Ireland and John Evans - six are still going strong.

Sadly, Mr Evans, 88, who was the group’s oldest member, died this year, and Bryan Haylock was co-opted in ten years ago.

Mr Talman, 79, from East Bergholt said: “When we first met all those years ago, something clicked.

“We’ve had so much fun together and way back when someone suggested we should think of a way to perform what we do.

“Our Headgate show is meant to be entertaining, but we do have a tribute to John in this one which will be more serious.

“Everyone is slightly nervous beforehand, but it subsides once you’ve begun.

“Being together might help with confidence, but also it’s the audience’s reaction - laughs or applause - that helps.”

Gazette:

Being friends, they also travel together to writers’ festivals and events.

However, on reflection, they thought the group was becoming “too insular”.

It was at this point they decided to open it up to other budding and seasoned writers at the Myland Parish Halls, in Mile End Road, every six weeks.

Mr Talman said: “It’s quite good because it attracts a mixed bag of people and anyone can write poetry, but like lots of art forms you need to study it rather than just writing something that’s corny and rhymes."

Although the opening evenings attract regulars, the Untapped Writers are keen to broaden their reach in the hope of perhaps lasting a further 20 years.

Whatever their strategy in moving ahead, Mr Talman reckons it will be a tough decision.

He said: “It’s difficult because we’ve got to know each other so well, it works and there are no fallings out because we understand each other.

“Someone coming in, whilst we’ll welcome them, it’s for them to be on our wavelength and to put the same amount of effort in as it has to be consistent.

“We never miss a week unless there’s a really good reason because otherwise it can’t work.”

So for the moment the septet continues as it is, which is something they are all thankful for, especially nearing their annual show.

Mr Talman added: “It’s great people come to watch us year after year and we put our continued success down to the fact much of our writing reflects, and is inspired by, the sorts of everyday experiences people can identify with.

“We try, in equal measure, to make people smile, reflect and maybe even shed the odd tear."

The group will perform tonight and tomorrow afternoon at the Headgate Theatre, in Chapel Street North.

Tickets cost £10 and can be bought on 01206 366000.

The next Untapped Writers open evening is on Thursday, November 17 at 7.15pm.