Wossname -- February 2015 -- Main issue

Sat Feb 28 14:51:05 EST 2015

Wossname
Newsletter of the Klatchian Foreign Legion
February 2015 (Volume 18, Issue 2, Post 2)

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WOSSNAME is a free publication offering news, reviews, and all the other 
stuff-that-fits pertaining to the works and activities of Sir Terry 
Pratchett. Originally founded by the late, great Joe Schaumburger for 
members of the worldwide Klatchian Foreign Legion and its affiliates, 
including the North American Discworld Society and other continental 
groups, Wossname is now for Discworld and Pratchett fans everywhere in 
Roundworld.
********************************************************************

Editor in Chief: Annie Mac
News Editor: Vera P
Newshounds: Mogg, Sir J of Croydon Below, the Shadow, Wolfiekins
Staff Writers: Asti, Pitt the Elder, Evil Steven Dread, Mrs Wynn-Jones
Staff Technomancers: Jason Parlevliet, Archchancellor Neil, DJ Helpful
Book Reviews: Annie Mac, Drusilla D'Afanguin, Your Name Here
Puzzle Editor: Tiff (still out there somewhere)
Bard in Residence: Weird Alice Lancrevic
Emergency Staff: Steven D'Aprano, Jason Parlevliet
World Membership Director: Steven D'Aprano (in his copious spare time)

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INDEX:

01) QUOTES OF THE MONTH
02) EDITOR'S LETTER
03) ODDS AND SODS
04) DISCWORLD PLAYS NEWS
05) DISCWORLD CONVENTION NEWS
06) ALZHEIMER'S NEWS
07) DISCWORLD MEETING GROUPS NEWS
08) IMAGES OF THE MONTH
09) CLOSE

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01) MORE QUOTES OF THE MONTH

"To dad's fans – Cherish what he gave us, every book. They are 
marvellous gifts of laughter, wisdom and empathy. Through them he is 
immortal."

– Pratchett the Younger (on Twitter), who then went on to assure us that 
her father definitely ate'nt dead, 24th February 2015

"Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman's wacky End-of-Days satire, 
tackles big, guilt-inducing issues — like religion and morality — with a 
fast-paced hilarity so undeniable, so straight-up campy, it'd make 
oddball Gorey proud."

– Caroline Goldstein on bustle.com, in an article celebrating what would 
have been Gorey's 90th birthday

"It wasn't really the fault of the doctors and the nurses. They healed 
his infection, they put food and drink beside him, almost all of them 
treated him with respect and genuine kindness. But they left him to 
himself and couldn't spend hours making sure he ate and drank. They 
couldn't brush his teeth and shave him and comb his hair and read poetry 
to him, do crosswords, play chess, talk to him, hold his hand, tell him 
he was safe, keep him anchored to the world he loved."

– Nicci Gerrard, Alzheimer's care activist, on the unnecessarily rapid 
decline of her dementia-afflicted father and the need for increased 
companionship and hands-on care for Alzheimer's sufferers

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

02) LETTER FROM YOUR EDITOR

Bring on the Tiffany Achings, Nac Mac Feegle, and any other Discworld 
characters you think would be fun for your children, young siblings, 
nieces, nephews, grandchildren or even young neighbours to dress up as 
for World Book Day! 2015's World Book Day – the twentieth anniversary of 
this celebration – is on 5th March. We've seen some great Discworld 
costumes in the past, so bring it on! For info about World Book day, go 
to http://worldbookday.com

In the Alzheimer's News section you will find some possibly infuriating 
news and some hope-giving news relating to both the present and the 
future. Do read Nicci Gerrard's original piece (the link is at the 
bottom of item 6.2). It's a heartbreaking story about how her father 
succumbed to the disease – "I sometimes thought of him as a great city 
whose lights were going out one by one, but slowly, so that you hardly 
noticed," Gerrard says – but her loss has led to something wonderful for 
dementia sufferers in many places.

And now, on with the show...

– Annie Mac, Editor

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

03) ODDS AND SODS

3.1 DRAGONS AT CRUMBLING CASTLE GIVEAWAY

The website Popcorn Reads has an extensive rave review of DaCC, and is 
also offering a free hardcover copy of the book to "one lucky reader". 
Entries deadline is Saturday night, 14th of March 2015, and entrants 
must be at least 13 years old.

For full details of how to enter the raffle, go to http://bit.ly/1ACP5Q0 
and scroll down to "Giveaway Rules".

3.2 STEELEYE SPAN 2015 TOUR UPDATES

Steeleye Span continue their triumphant tour including songs from their 
Wintersmith album. Some upcoming dates:

Sunday 8th March
Harlequin Theatre, Warwick Quadrant, Redhill, Surrey RH1 1NN  7.30pm 
(01737) 276500 Tickets £22.50
To buy online: http://bit.ly/1zn9SlJ

Tuesday 10th March
Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon, Wiltshire SN1 1QN (01793) 524 
481 Tickets £22.50 (concessions £19.00), booking fee applies. Ticket 
Office: 01494 512 000
To buy online: https://swindontheatres.co.uk/Online/mapSelect.asp

Wednesday 11th March
Harlow Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Harlow, Essex CM20 1LS (01279) 
431945 Tickets £23.50
To buy online: http://bit.ly/1E4Lkp6

Thursday 12th March
Pavilion Theatre, Worthing Pier, Worthing, Sussex BN11 3PX (01903) 
206206 Tickets £21.50, (concessions £3 off)
To buy online: http://bit.ly/1vHECT3

Saturday 14th March
Gatehouse Theatre, Eastgate Street, Stafford, ST16 2LT	(01785) 619080 
Tickets £‬20.00
To buy online: http://bit.ly/1JX5qVT

Sunday 15th March
Nottingham Playhouse, Wellington Circus, Nottingham, NG1 5AF 
(0115)919419 Tickets £23
To buy online: http://bit.ly/1E4LpcB (click on Buy Tickets button)

Monday 16th March
Stratford Arts House, 14 Rother Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, 
Warwickshire CV37 6LUS (01789) 207100 Tickets £21.50 (Concessions over 
sixty & under eighteen £19.50)
To buy online: http://bit.ly/1znhNPR

Friday 20th March
Pyramid & Parr Hall, Palmyra Square South, Warrington, Cheshire WA1 1BL 
(01925) 442345 Tickets £21.50
To buy online: http://bit.ly/1N0B8Aw

Saturday 21st March
HRH Prog 3 festival, Camp HRH, Pwllheli Wales (0207)097 8872 Tickets are 
for the entire festival and start at £490.00, which includes 
accommodation for two people in two bedrooms.
To buy online: https://www.hrhprog.com/tickets/

Steeleye Span will also be playing two UK festivals in May. On Friday 
15th May they will headline the Shepley Spring Festival in Shepley, West 
Yorkshire, and on Monday 25th May they will play the Haverfordwest Folk 
Rock Festival.

Tickets for the Shepley festival cost £90 for the entire weekend (youth 
(16-17) £45, concession £80, accompanied children up under 16 free) 
without camping, and slightly more with camping. Entry to the showground 
itself is £5 to get into the showground and activities with events 
starting at 3pm on the 15th. For more information, and to purchase 
tickets, go to http://www.shepleyspringfestival.co.uk/

Tickets for the Haverfordwest festival are: 1 Day Adult Ticket (Ref: 
1ADOD25) £30, 1 Day Student Ticket (Ref: 1STOD25) £25, 1 Day Child 
Ticket (Ref: 1CHEV25) £15. For more information, and to book, go to 
www.haverfordwestfolkrockfestival.co.uk/page_3221253.html

3.3 THE REAL PERDITA?

Anna-Maria Hefele is a polyphonic overtone singer. This is a kind of 
throat singing, but polyphonic overtone singing is as far away from the 
remarkable but frankly unlovely throat singing recently beloved by music 
industry hipsters as Agnes' vocalising was from, well, Christine's. Here 
be a video of Ms Hefele showing how to sing several notes at once *and* 
make it sound eerily beautiful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC9Qh709gas

3.4 REVIEW: SNUFF

By Mk on Popcorn Reads:

"On the surface of all of Terry Pratchett’s novels is a lot of humor and 
then you start to peel the layers back to the heart, which always 
contains important issues. You have a choice, you can only look at the 
surface or you can peek underneath – how far underneath you look is up 
to you. It’s one of the things that makes his novels so brilliant, in 
the U.S. and the UK sense of the word. Most people begin reading them 
for one reason and then continue for another. For whatever reason you 
read Snuff, I guarantee it will only whet your appetite for more 
Discworld novels. You will love this series without a doubt, unless 
you’re a total grump, in which case you’re beyond hope anyway..."

http://bit.ly/1axGrbR

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

04) DISCWORLD PLAYS NEWS

4.1 WYRD SISTERS IN TORONTO: BACK ON THE MENU!

You may remember that the Socratic Theatre Collective was forced to 
postpone the opening of their much anticipated production of Wyrd 
Sisters last October "due to a combination of several personal 
emergencies among the cast". Well, they survived the change of calendar 
and venue and are ready to rock!

"Terry Pratchett's Wyrd Sisters is the third Pratchett play to be 
produced by Socratic Theatre Collective; 2013's Terry Pratchett's 
Monstrous Regiment and 2012 Pratchett's Mort, both at the Toronto 
Fringe, were enthusiastically received by audiences, and sold out most 
of their runs... The production is directed by Socratic Theatre Artistic 
Director Liz Bragg, and features returning members from previous 
Socratic Theatre Discworld shows: Basel Daoud (Cmdr Vimes in Monstrous 
Regiment and Death in Mort) as Lady Felmet and others, S. R. Kriger 
(William de Worde in Monstrous Regiment and King Olerve in Mort) as 
Granny Weatherwax, and Amanda O'Halloran (Duchess of Sto Helit in Mort) 
as Nanny Ogg. Socratic Theatre also welcomes new cast member Daniel 
Cristofori (Alumni Theatre's Adrift) as Duke Felmet and others, Micha 
Lake (Collective Friction's Health Class), and Madryn McCabe (Two Chips 
The Copy). The production is stage managed by Jennifer Jakob (troll 
design and construction for Monstrous Regiment)... The 2014-2015 season 
is the fourth produced by the company."

When: 20th–29th March 2O15
Venue: Red Sandcastle Theatre, 922 Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario
Time: evening shows all 8pm; Sunday matinees (22nd and 29th March) 2pm
Tickets: $20 general admission/$15 students and seniors. Box office: 416 
845-9411
To purchase online, go to: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1260061

For more information, go to:

https://www.facebook.com/socratictheatre

http://www.socratictheatre.com/

4.2 REMINDER: SMALL GODS IN FOURECKS

For their next production, the wonderful and absolutely wiz(z)ardly 
Unseen Theatre of Adelaide will be tackling Small Gods.

* Performance Dates: May 15 to 30 (Wed. to Sat.) at 8pm
* All of the above held at: Bakehouse Theatre, 255 Angas Street, Adelaide."

For further information, email pamela at unseen.com.au or go to the website:

http://www.unseen.com.au/

4.3 REMINDER: AUDITIONS FOR WYRD SISTERS IN UPPINGHAM, RUTLAND

The Uppingham Theatre Company Wyrd Sisters will present their production 
of Wyrd Sisters in October (25th to 31st). But first, it's audition time 
for Uppingham Theatre. Director Vikki Shelton will preside over 
auditions and read-throughs in May.

When: 4th, 6th, 11th and 13th May 2015
Venue: Don't Paddy's, Market Place, Uppingham (upstairs front room)
Time: 7:00pm on all days

Casting will be for Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, Magrat Garlick, 
Verence (late king of Lancre), Felmet, Lady Felmet, Vitoller, Mrs 
Vitoller, the Fool, Tomjon, Hwel, Sergeant, Demon, Robbers, Players, 
Guests, Guards, and Peasants.

Vikki writes: "If you would like to be considered but cannot make any of 
the above dates please e mail us, [at] 
info at uppinghamtheatrecompany.org.uk We also need people to help with 
front of house. Please remember that this is a public page if you wish 
to leave any contact details please do so via our email address."

Uppingham Theatre's Facebook page is now active:

www.facebook.com/pages/Uppingham-Theatre-Company/215743641793859

4.4 REMINDER: WYRD SISTERS IN EYNSFORD, KENT

The Riverside Players will be staging their comedy-centric production of 
Wyrd Sisters in May 2015.

When: 8th, 9th, 15th & 16th May 2015
Venue: Eynsford Village Hall, High Street, Eynsford, Kent DA4 0AA
Time: Friday 8th & 15th – 7.45pm; Saturday 9th & 16th – 3.00pm & 7.45pm
Tickets: Adult £11, Concessions £9 (under 16s, over 60s and students 
with NUS card), Family £35 (2 adults and 2 concessions). There is a 
Discount Code for buying advance tickets: 'ESME15' until 23rd April 2015

www.riversideplayers.co.uk
email: enquiries at riversideplayers.co.uk
telephone 07704279948

4.5 REVIEW: MONSTROUS REGIMENT IN DURHAM

By Isabelle Culkin, in the independent student newspaper Palatinate:

"With a cast numbering at twenty one people, this production could 
easily have been very amateur. However, the ensemble cast were very 
talented, and supported each other excellently. The direction of Imogen 
and Eddleston and Matthew Elliot-Ripley was clear and coherent 
throughout and clearly framed some of the production's most impressive 
performances The impressive costume, makeup and set design supported 
this, and proved that there was nothing novice about this production. 
The technical side of the production was also particularly impressive 
and inventive, and aided the production most particularly through its 
slick transitions and well-chosen lighting and sound... Ooook! 
Productions always does well to create a familial feel to their 
productions, and the sheer scale of this production shows its success is 
a collaborative process. The synergy of the cast and crew fuelled this 
production with the kind of spirit a Pratchett production truly deserves..."

http://www.palatinate.org.uk/?p=55890

Also, here be a well worth reading pre-run interview by Amy Price with 
the cast and crew. The page also features an image of Ooook! 
Productions' rather lovely poster for the play:

"The most exciting things about staging Pratchett novels have to be in 
the level of creativity needed to put together a successful show. 
Pratchett regularly uses complex symbolism in his characters and 
settings, as well as fantastical elements such as magic and fantasy 
creatures, and all of these elements combine to make a technically 
challenging and incredibly satisfying show. Staging Pratchett novels is 
far from easy, but the hard work put in by technical and creative crew 
allow them to be unique experiences in student theatre... Casting the 
show was challenging, and we decided to take the theme of gender 
seriously by having gender-blind auditions, casting the best people for 
the roles regardless of how their gender aligns to their characters. As 
a result there will be men playing women, women playing men, and 
everything in between on the stage! This way the audience will be 
constantly guessing which characters are actually female, keeping the 
air of mystery surrounding the genders of the Regiment..."

http://www.palatinate.org.uk/?p=55441

4.6 REVIEW: JOHNNY AND THE DEAD IN WINCHESTER

By Flavia Bateson in the Winchester Daily Echo:

"The Chesil Theatre was aptly transformed for Chesil Youth Theatre's 
presentation of Johnny and the Dead, based on Terry Pratchett's 
children's novel. The action of the play takes place just before 
Halloween, so skeletons, skulls and spiders decorated the theatre – even 
the mobile phone announcement had an eerie, haunted ring to it. Will 
Cohen played the hero Johnny Maxwell with energy and sensitivity... 
There are many typical Pratchett comedy one-liners in this entertaining 
piece which has the underlying message of little people being able to 
make a difference. The 22 members of the Chesil Youth Theatre, aged 
between eight and 16, took on their roles with enthusiasm..."

http://bit.ly/1DX7Pwj

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

05) DISCWORLD CONVENTION NEWS

AUSDWCON UPDATES

An exciting announcement from PJSM Prints!

"Strewth! We're coming to Fourecks! Calling all fans of the Last 
Continent! PJSM Prints are delighted to be attending  'Nullus Anxietas 
V' – The Australian Discworld Convention! Our team will be at the 
Novotel Parramatta, Parramatta, Sydney NSW from April 10 -12, 2015. So 
come on down to Holy Wood to meet up with other Discworld fans, chat to 
our esteemed guests and have a great time.

"We'll be bringing all manner of goodies

"At the show you'll be able to buy a fabulous selection of our latest 
Discworld merchandise with everything from highest quality greetings 
cards, keyrings, stickers and clothing, to all manner of badges, mounts 
and prints. And take it all home in a Discworld tote or canvas bag! 
Death, Nac Mac Feegles and Nanny Ogg! We'll bring all your favourites. 
We look forward to welcoming you!

"From canvases to coasters!

"We'll be packing as many exclusive goodies as we possibly can, 
including beautiful canvases to light up a room, coasters to add some 
personality to your desk and our range of gorgeous bookmarks!

"Collect the whole set – marvellous miniatures

"We have a fabulous selection of high quality miniatures of all your 
favourite Discworld characters  available on our website. A real 
hobbyists dream, each one is perfect in every detail and comes unpainted 
ready for you to assemble and paint yourselves."

http://www.pjsmprints.com/miniatures/index.html

To view this announcement on the web, go to http://bit.ly/1DBvVdj

Remember to keep an eye on the Nullus Anxietas website for updates:

http://ausdwcon.org

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

06) ALZHEIMER'S NEWS

6.1 TAKING ADVANTAGE OF PTERRY... OR NOT

A summing-up of the recent eBay kerfuffle, on Metro UK:

"[An] advert on eBay has caused something of a stir after the seller was 
accused of taking advantage of Terry Pratchett's Alzheimer’s disease. 
User virtualparnassus suggested that once Pratchett stops writing and 
dies, the monetary value of the book will double. How sensitive. After 
several people approached him, including Pratchett’s daughter 
Rhiannon[sic], he ended the auction for the item. Before removing the 
item from sale he said: 'Fans and collectors know that Terry is 
tragically affected by PCA – a rare, early onset type of Alzheimer's. 
When he stops writing and ends his life this book will easily sell for 
twice what I am asking.' He went on to talk about other health problems 
the 66-year-old has been suffering from and warned the price of the book 
could be higher than the $1,250 (£813) he wanted. 'I do not plan to 
lower this price. Terry Pratchett, an author I love unreservedly, will 
end his life when his Alzheimer's reaches a pre-decided level,' he 
notes. 'I do not need to sell this and the other valuable, Pratchett 
books I am offering. Some of these books are duplicates I own. They will 
only appreciate in value.' Twitter users were not happy..."

In the end, the reactions of angry fans caused virtualparnassus to 
withdraw the listing, along with those of several other books.

http://bit.ly/1MMKJuQ

6.2 CARING ABOUT ALZHEIMER'S

In The Observer, a report by Yvonne Roberts on a growing carers movement 
that began with a newspaper column:

"Major triumphs often come from small and modest first steps and a cry 
from the heart. In November, barely eight weeks ago, Nicci Gerrard wrote 
about her father, a former GP and businessman, John Gerrard. He had 
suffered from dementia for several years since his mid-70s, before 
entering hospital in February 2014, aged 86, with leg ulcers. He was 
admitted, the author and journalist wrote, 'strong, mobile, healthy, 
continent, reasonably articulate and cheerful'. Five weeks later, after 
an outbreak of norovirus meant his family could see him only 
infrequently, he emerged 'skeletal, incontinent, immobile, incoherent, 
lost'... The article announced the launch of a drive to allow carers to 
remain with a loved one on wards outside of visiting hours. 'John's 
Campaign', as it is called, has the slogan 'Stay with Me'. Gerrard and 
her friend, Julia Jones, whose mother has Alzheimer's disease, wanted 
not just a carer's right to remain with a relative with dementia but 
also large posters on the door of every hospital ward, welcoming carers 
and their contribution... almost half of the people with dementia who go 
into hospital are less well when they leave than when they were 
admitted. Over a quarter of hospital beds in the UK are occupied by 
people with dementia... At Imperial College Healthcare NHS trust the 
culture is changing rapidly. Staff receive dementia training; tea 
parties for dementia patients and nursing staff are held in public 
places; a weekly carers’ clinic offers a drop-in session for relatives, 
friends and staff...

"At the civic level, Leeds was one of the first five cities to sign up 
to Cameron’s dementia challenge. Twenty per cent of the population there 
is over 65. Mick Ward, head of commissioning for adult social services, 
supported by Andrew Ogilvie, executive member for adult social care, has 
set up a Dementia Action Alliance, as have other towns and cities. It 
has gathered pace in the past 12 months. 'Living well with dementia 
means more than signs and stickers and a memory clinic,' Ward says. 
'People ought to feel safe in their own communities and to be seen as 
having assets and interests, not just a diagnosis.'...

"The small, magical innovations are coming faster by the week. A car 
hire firm has two extra addresses for registered dementia sufferers, so 
if the destination is forgotten there is another place of safety. A 
hairdresser offers a spare chair and a cup of tea, so that having 
dementia and a hairdo becomes a normal part of everyday service..."

http://bit.ly/179XRcl

Related links:

http://www.johnscampaign.org.uk/howyoucanhelp.html

http://bit.ly/11OBUxf (Nicci Gerard's original piece)

http://bit.ly/1tfvbsS ("Dementia need not be a death sentence", Ms 
Gerard's follow-up article)

http://bit.ly/1LOBzL7 (Leeds Dementia Action Alliance)

6.3 MOLECULE THAT DELAYS ONSET OF ALZHEIMER'S FOUND

"The study in mice showed that the 'housekeeping' molecule put the 
brakes on a runaway process in the brain that leads to the most common 
form of dementia. The substance works by slowing the accumulation of 
sticky clumps of protein in the brain, which typically appear years 
before symptoms such as memory loss become apparent in patients. 
Although the molecule tested would be difficult to convert into a drug 
for use in humans, the scientists said, the findings prove that the 
cycle that leads to Alzheimer's devastating impact on memory and 
personality can be interrupted. Samuel Cohen, who led the study at the 
University of Cambridge, said:'The big advantage is that we haven't just 
come up with a drug and not really understood what it is doing. We've 
come up with a general strategy that could work.'

"The latest study, published on Monday in the journal Nature Structural 
& Molecular Biology, showed that a human molecule, called Brichos, 
sticks to the amyloid fibrils and, by coating their exterior, stops them 
from accelerating the formation of more clumps. 'It doesn't stop the 
initial formation, but it stops it becoming a chain reaction,' said 
Cohen... Brichos is unlikely to be suitable as a drug because it would 
be absorbed by the body before having the chance to work in the brain. 
'A good tactic now is to search for other molecules that have this same 
highly targeted effect and to see if these can be used as the starting 
point for developing a future therapy,' said Cohen..."

http://bit.ly/17jtPD6

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

07) DISCWORLD MEETING GROUPS NEWS

The Broken Drummers, "London's Premier Unofficially Official Discworld 
Group" (motto "Nil percussio est"), meets on the first Monday of every 
month at the Monkey Puzzle, 30 Southwick Street, London W2 1JQ: "We 
welcome anyone and everyone who enjoys Sir Terry's works, or quite likes 
them or wants to find out more. We have had many visitors from overseas 
who have enjoyed themselves and made new friends. The discussions do not 
only concern the works of Sir Terry Pratchett but wander and meander 
through other genres and authors and also leaping to TV and Film 
production. We also find time for a quiz. The prize is superb. The 
chance to set the quiz the following month. If you enter via the beer 
garden, you will find us at the opposite end of the pub. If you have any 
problems, the staff can direct you."

Next meeting: Monday 2nd March 2015

The Drummers' February meet report:

"It was a cold winter's night but around nine of us made it to the 
Monkey Puzzle nevertheless. I arrived to find that my husband had bought 
a patterned bobble hat with ear flaps and plaited cords. He insists that 
it is a good hat.
Eunice did her first quiz. It was on Discworld love interests. I won and 
was faced with the problem that the prize, an R2D2 Pez dispenser 
complete with sweets, already belonged to me and I did not want to take 
it home. Since Andrew was in second place I gave the prize to Sim as she 
seemed to want it very badly. She declared that she would take it to 
work and use it to dispense treats to people who have been good. We 
marvelled at her Pavlovian management skills. Eunice and Sim discussed a 
gig they had both been to. I only tuned into that conversation when I 
heard Sim say that she was, 'yelling obscenities in Australian!' She 
also said something about it being, 'piratey, punny fun.' Andrew wore 
his new hat back to the station. He insisted that a hat says a lot about 
a person's character. Eunice looked at him appraisingly and observed 
that this was certainly true."

For more information, go to http://brokendrummers.org/ or email 
BrokenDrummers at gmail.com or nicholls.helen at yahoo.co.uk

*

The Pratchett Partisans are a new fan group who meet monthly at either 
Brisbane or Indooroopilly to "eat, drink and chat about all things 
Pratchett". Forthcoming events include a discussion of "The Foode and 
Drinke of Discworld" on Saturday, 14th March at 2pm. For more info about 
their next meetup, go to www.meetup.com/Pratchett-Partisans/ or contact 
Ula directly at uwilmott at yahoo.com.au

*

The City of Small Gods is a group for fans in Adelaide and South 
Australia: "We have regular monthly dinner and games nights, longer 
games days, plus play outings, craft-y workshops, and fun social 
activities throughout the year. For more info and to join our mailing 
list, visit http://cityofsmallgods.org.au "

*

The Broken Vectis Drummers meet on the first Thursday of every month 
from 7.30pm at The Castle pub in Newport, Isle of Wight.

Next meeting: Thursday 5th March 2015, probably, but do email to check.

All new members and curious passersby are very welcome! For more info 
and any queries, contact broken_vectis_drummers at yahoo.co.uk

*

The Wincanton Omnian Temperance Society (WOTS) meets on the first Friday 
of every month at Wincanton's famous Bear Inn from 7pm onwards. 
"Visitors and drop-ins are always welcome!"

Next meeting: Friday 6th March 2015 (probably).

*

The Northern Institute of the Ankh-Morpork and District Society of 
Flatalists, a Pratchett fangroup, has been meeting on a regular basis 
since 2005 but is now looking to take in some new blood (presumably not 
in the non-reformed Uberwald manner). The Flatalists normally meet at 
The Narrowboat Pub in Victoria Street, Skipton, North Yorkshire, to 
discuss "all things Pratchett" as well as having quizzes and raffles.

Details of future meetings are posted on the Events section of the 
Discworld Stamps forum:

http://www.discworldstamps.co.uk/forum/

*

Sydney Drummers (formerly Drummers Downunder) meet on the first Monday 
of every month in Sydney at 3 Wise Monkeys, 555 George Street, Sydney,2000.

Next meeting: Monday 2nd March 2015 at 6.30pm (probably). For more 
information, contact Sue (aka Granny Weatherwax): kenworthys at yahoo.co.uk

*

The Treacle Mining Corporation, formerly known as Perth Drummers, meet 
on the first Monday of the month (subject to holidays) at the 
child-friendly Carpe Cafe, 526 Murray Street, Perth, Western Australia.

Next meeting: from 5.30pm on Monday 2nd March 2015 (probably).

For details follow Perth Drummers on Twitter @Perth_Drummers and 
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/Perth.Drummers/ – otherwise 
message Alexandra Ware directly at <alexandra.ware at gmail.com>

*

Western Drummers, also based in Sydney, meet at The Rowers, Nepean 
Rowing Club, Bruce Neal Drive, Penrith at 6.30-7.30pm for food, 7.30pm 
for games, quizzes and chat: "If you have never been, please come on 
down. You would be very welcome. We eat, have a drink, talk Discworld 
and play board games. Starts kind of 6 – 6.30ish and finishes kind of 
9pm ish."

Next meeting: as there was a meeting on Tuesday, 17th February, the next 
will probably be in mid-March. For more information, contact Nanny Ogg – 
lewis_oz at bigpond.com – or visit their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/westerndrummers

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

08) IMAGES OF THE MONTH

How to illustrate a Discworld quote, by E Orange and Kim White:
http://bit.ly/1DuXoxa

Here be a photo of a "Cantiniere", taken by Roger Fenton in 1855. It 
puts me in mind of the sort of uniform Polly Perks might well approve of:
http://bit.ly/182sH7c

...and finally, a beautiful casual portrait photo of Sir Pterry, which 
accompanied the article about the eBay kerfuffle (item 6.1):
https://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/terry-pratchett.jpg

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09) CLOSE

And that's the lot for now. Wossname wishes all the relevant Roundworld 
"Agatean" cultures a very happy Year of the Goat (also known as Year of 
the Sheep, possibly more appropriate in a certain young witch's 
steading). We'll see you next month!

– Annie Mac

Remember, the mirror version of this issue can be viewed at 
http://wossname.dreamwidth.org/7860.html

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The End. If you have any questions or requests, write: wossname-owner 
(at) pearwood (dot) info

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Copyright (c) 2015 by Klatchian Foreign Legion