Ottery Writers have published an anthology of their work, which was launched at the town's library on Friday, September 22.

The authors read out their short stories and poems that are included in the book, covering a variety of subjects.

The programme began with a nature poem recalling a blackbird singing. Another piece of work consisted of the sharply perceived reflections of a shop assistant on her customers. One writer had been inspired  by tumultuous times in Tudor Ottery, and other writing covered artefact theft by museums, monkeys eating banana slices, meditations on the Ottery Coleridge Statue.

There was a mystical story about faerie ointment, a light-hearted tale on living with dementia, and a more serious, thought-provoking poem about homelessness.

John Hall, the chair of Ottery Writers, said: "There was much applause. For some, being published was a new experience; for others it was reading one’s own work in public for the first time and overcoming nerves. Magnificent refreshments by the Library Friends were provided, and a great evening had by one and all."

Ottery Writers support local writers and welcome new members. They meet in the Ottery Council Meeting Room from 7pm on the second Monday each month. It is a thriving group, now over 10 years old, with writers producing a variety of different genres.  Anyone interested in joining can just come along.

The Ottery Writers’ ‘Anthology’ is now available for £10 from the Curious Otter Bookshop. All profits go to support Ottery Library.