It was awesome.
The venue was great for a start, an odd little cafe that stayed open just for us. The counter was loaded with old-fashioned jars of sweets - sugar mice, chocolate animals, marzipan fruits. It was like something out of a story in itself. Sixteen people turned up, and seven of us were first-timers. We all crammed around a long table, with pots of tea, in a long narrow room with reclaimed beams in the plaster.
The group's been going for six years, part of the reason may be that they're super organised. There was an agenda to work through, including details of members' submissions and successes, readings, and a creative writing exercise. I got the beginning of a poem done, and intend to finish it.
I can't wait for next month's meeting. And there are satellite groups for novel writing, short stories, and poetry. I might give them a try.