MY Word writing group, based at Monks Yard Ilminster launched their first book, fittingly titled “Oh! My Word!” on Tuesday, November 19.

The book is a 100-page collection of some of the group’s stories and poems from the last two years.

First it was just a “grain of an idea”, then a  full-fledged dream according to the group, then it became a full-blown reality back in the summer when they chose the content and began “the headache” of typing to the printer’s specifications, finding illustrations and fitting it all accurately to the page size.

The group self-published the book with an online publishing company and launched it this month.

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For more information on any  of the groups and the times they are held, email enquiries@themonksyard.co.uk or visit the website - Monks Yard Church, Horton Cross, Ilminster  or find them on Facebook – Monks Yard Church.

Around 50 people came along to the launch, including the Mayor, Cllr Brian Hamilton, his Lady Mayoress, Carol Hamilton, and President of Ilminster Lions, Shirley Farley.

Each member of the writing group read a short piece from one of their stories or poems then mixed and chatted with the audience and guests over Prosecco and nibbles.

The book – called Oh! My Word - is available from Monks Yard, price £5 per copy and all profits from the sales will be going to Baby Basics, a much-loved Mother and Baby charity based in Monk’s Yard, Ilminster.

"We are delighted with our little book and that the launch went so well," Marjorie Edwards, Leader of Monks Yard Writer's Group said. "

We hope everyone enjoys our stories and who knows? We might even start work on a second volume."