PW_1_2022

Cultural Corner

50 Shades of Blue: Gimborn 2021

Enjoying the grounds of Gimborn Castle

Neil Hallam , Editor 50 Shades of Blue was the theme for our writers’ first post-covid return to Gimborn. This is the title for a charity book project, instigated by Chair of the Section UK Writers’ SIG, David Lewis. O ur IPA Section has chosen The Thin Blue Line as its 2021 charity, and mental health is an increasing worry for serving and retired Officers and Staff. David purloined the raunchier “Grey” title, to A Police launch passes by on our river trip

cover a selection of 50 pieces of writing about mental health, the triggers that come from our career choice, and its effects on IPA members and their families. The Writers’ SIG and the Gimborn Writers’ Seminar were both Section UK initiatives, driven by our VP (Culture), Sean Hannigan. But, when our growing band of creative people attracted members from outside the UK, we expanded it to become a Global Writers’ Forum. With members from England, Northern Ireland and Germany, our third Gimborn Seminar had a very international feel.

David and Ulrike enjoying our mid week excursion

Mid-week, Gimborn Seminar Manager Ulrike Neuhoff, joined us for a boat trip along the Rhine, from her home city of Bonn. Amidst an intensive classroom week, this relaxing afternoon provided a relaxing, and welcome interlude to our week in Germany. We would not be writers if such an excursion did not inspire some writing, and we hope to produce a Visions of Bonn publication with the fantastic work our group produced. Running alongside us at Gimborn was a much more active course, introducing NGO (Non Government Organisation) workers to the dangers they will face in taking aid to the world’s many conflict zones. The nature of their roles meant the delegates all spoke English, and they proved a great addition to our Gimborn experience. Their members judged some of our writing competitions, and joined us for an evening of music and poetry to end the week. A final word must go to the staff of IBZ Gimborn, and Ulrike in particular. Travel under covid proved to be a complex and ever changing bureaucracy. Ulrike made sure we had the latest information, and even took a group of us to get our pre-return test certificates.

The thread of 50 Shades of Blue wound its way through the week, as our delegates kickstarted David’s project, by producing heartfelt stories of their own experiences. Some wrote poetry in keeping with the theme, while others provided informative and practical information. In just a single week, the nine seminar delegates have taken us almost halfway to the target of 50 contributions. If you would like to add to the other half, please let David Lewis know. Despite the very worthwhile task set for us by David, we also included a wide range of writing and publishing lectures. Professor Tony Granger explained the complexities of the ISBN book numbering system, as well as describing the innovative ways he has marketed his financial planning guides. David (Doz) Hughes delighted us with his paintings and photography, showing how they complement his writing as book illustrations and covers. Mark Thompson and his publisher Claire Christian joined us by Zoom from England, taking us through the process of editing, proof reading, and selling his novel Dust in three languages. As Police World Editor, I had to be part of the week, describing my ongoing guidebook projects, and running a workshop based on my work as a Police Advisor to an ITV drama series.

Changing weather during our river trip pleased the photographers in our group

POLICE WORLD Vol 67 No.1, 2022

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