How to go about this? The Douglas Adams approach, perhaps: a huge pot-bellied pig materialises from another dimension so abruptly it crushes the old lady dead in her living room. Or Daphne du Maurier meets Jane Austen: last night I dreamt I went to Pemberley,’ says Zena. To judge the contributions, group leader Olaf Chedzoy secured the assistance of crime writer Andrew Taylor, whose comments about the high standard of entries and difficulty of grading them made Zena proud of the group’s achievements.

‘The final challenge set and judged, the last bulletins sent out to members, and our online Alpha Circle year draws to a close,’ she says. ‘Has it been a success? Undoubtedly,’ she says. ‘A spur to write more and better? Without question. Time well spent? Oh, yes, indeed yes.’

Due to demand from members, Alpha Circle is continuing its activities for another year, and there is room for up to five new members.
‘We all believe that groups benefit from an injection of new ideas,’ says founder Olaf Chedzoy.

‘Though heaven knows, this lot are not short of them!’

Potential members should e-mail Olaf: olafch@aol. com