More Photos of Harrow Writers' Circle Party, people, hats, hilarity, magicians, English Xmas food

I arrived wearing a headband with two trees. But on arrival we were offered a choice of hats. I couldn't resist trying one on. Hostess Barbara supplied the hats. Angela (me) in oriental hat. You can buy hats cheaply in Poundland. After your initial outlay, you will have a supply for every Xmas or other party if you live in a house with cupboards or attic storage space. 

First convivial conversation. Members of other clubs meeting in 'Harrow' such as Pinner Writers, and so many friends and relatives of writers that I did not know everybody, or knew them from two different clubs or previous Xmas parties.  Indra Sikdar is a former committee member of Harrow Writers Circle and current president of Harrovian Speakers.

Of course, any writers' house is likely to be filled with books which form the background to any picture.

Standing is John Samson who was with his wife.

A lady in a black witches' hat, the sort you are given at Halloween parties.

More festive hats. Then festive food. Red and gold celebration paper plates and Christmas paper napkins.

Olives on sticks, smoked salmon on sticks, onion bajiis, sausage rolls, vegetarian rolls, chicken and other meats,  potato salad, green salad, rice, bread rolls and butter. You may wonder why I am bothering to list the ingredients of the buffet, which will not be unusual for any English Xmas party guest or reader. But you and I would get totally different food at a Christmas party in Singapore, such as rice with prawns, spicy noodles, meat in hot chill sauce, and maybe bean curd dumplings, then chopped oriental fruits and glutinous jelly desserts. 

A Hanukah party which Indra has been invited to, will be celebrating the oil used for the candlesticks in the re-dedicated temple, so will serve oily foods such as potato latkes (similar to what the Americans call hash browns) and doughnuts.

 If you were at the Harrow Writers' Circle party, here's a reminder; if you missed the party, at least you can enjoy the pictures of the people and place.

A red hat on the left; and reindeer headband worn by Indra on the right. (I don't know where he bought his, but you can buy reindeer antlers on headbands from Poundland in Harrow, and presumably their other branches.

Where did the lady in the centre get that wonderful jacket with the elaborate wavy collar! What make is it?

Indra Sikdar, centre. We've just eaten. Relaxing on the low sofa - if you can get out of it again. With food in a second room and kitchen, you have enough space and chairs for everybody. 

But when the magician performs, everybody crowds into one room and you need chairs for everybody in one room. To avoid delays, a quick count of the numbers of people and number of chairs. One person delegated in advance to be literally the chief mover and shaker. 

Toby's Success In Screen Writing, Selling Scripts and Onself and Film Production

On this occasion it was Barbara's son Toby. He is recipient of a scholarship at a university, having already written the synopsis of a film.  In the past he has given at least two talks to the Harrow Writers' circle about his career n film production, how you go the Cannes Film Festival to network and try to get funding. This is where it is handy to have practised your one minute in the elevator speech or pitch to introduce yourself.

Learning to Introduce Yourself

Indra, who I first met at the Writers' Circle, introduced me to the Harrow branch of Toastmasters International, a club for training speakers and practising your speeches and getting feedback. At your first meeting you simply say your name and why you came to the meeting, in one minute. (For example, 'My name is Angela Lansbury. I am a writer and give talks about my books and how to write, and I want to learn to write humorous speeches and do improv.' Then you do impromptu two minute talks answering a question on a topic. (This session is called 'Table topics' because some clubs put the topics on a table and you pick one.)

To find out about meetings starting in 2015, go to the websites of 

Harrow Writers' Circle

Harrovians Speakers Club