If you’re looking for the new member arrangements for Minehead Tennis Club for juniors and seniors, you can find information about arrangements here.
Bye for now
Rob
Free Online Flash Fiction Short Stories by Rob Hopcott
- Reality TV Intergalactic Wife Swap postcard science fiction from Rob HopcottDear Reality TV Little Swap Sister,It's Prudence here.I'm writing this intergalactic postcard hoping it will get through to you soon because I want out of here!When I agreed to be swapped with a wife from another species, I did at least expect that they would have two legs, two arms and one head. After all - as I learned in my Texas hometown school […]
- A Green Car for Christmas - Rob Hopcott's Christmas story for 2008When the car parked next to me drew away without a sound, I was startled and did a double take which was noticed by its driver who gave me a broad smile suggesting he was proud of his silently moving motor vehicle and pleased it had drawn attention.It was quite unnerving to see such a large vehicle noiselessly gliding down our busy high street past all the […]
- Snip goes your tie - a tale of the unexpected post card micro fiction murder mystery story by Rob Hopcott"Snip goes your tie that you wore to work each day to ogle that adulterous bitch."Slash goes your shirt that you unbuttoned to press flesh to flesh at your despicably secret rendezvous.""Splash goes the petrol.""Scratch goes the match.""May your soul burn in hell."......................Headline: Midchestershire Jo […]
- In THEIR eyes YOU are just compost - flowers from outer or inner space - a short flash science fiction (Sci-fi) story by Rob HopcottThe President of Earth tried to stay focussed on the small flower that was floating above his Presidential desk but he found it very hard to concentrate.To his right and to his left the generals and senior diplomats of all the countries of Earth, were looking as serious and as confused as the President.On the other side of the table were massed a very large […]
- Gone Fishing - a flash science fiction short horror story by Rob HopcottThe President of Earth glowered at the auto-cue and the television camera in the small Presidential Studio attached to the Presidential Palace besides the Presidential Golf Course which was where he should have been right now instead of reading ridiculous public service emergency announcements.It was his day off and he reckoned that the world and its wretche […]
- Nightmare to romance at the comedy club - a short flash fiction romantic story about life as a stand up comedian by Rob HopcottSome of the audience almost stopped talking when, in a last ditch attempt to make at least some of them laugh, I accidentally walked backwards off the stage.The rest of the audience at Larry's Laugh a Minute Comedy Club just continued to eat, drink and ignore me, as they had from the faltering start of my comedy routine to its ignominious end.Gingerly, […]
- Romantic valentine getaway with Fred - a short flash fiction story about a weekend hotel break romance by Rob HopcottOMG, thought Angela, as she paid the five-star hotel bill for her romantic valentine getaway in cash. I can't believe I did that. Incredible! What if anybody finds out?Her long blond hair momentarily fell across her face. She hoped it would hide the blush she could feel rising above the neck of her expensive designer pastel colored suit.Yet, as Angela w […]
- Romantic gift search yields new romance - a short flash fiction coffee break Internet Cafe story by Rob Hopcott'Ideal romantic birthday gift for boyfriend' typed Samantha into the online search engine displayed on the public screen of the Lanzarote Internet cafe.A quick scan of the suggested items had her wrinkling her pert nose and tossing her long fair hair with disgust. Nothing exciting, nothing interesting and nothing she wanted.'Boyfriend birthda […]
- Always loving but never lovers - a short flash microfiction love story about unrequited love in Italy by Rob HopcottWhen I first saw Marietta selling oranges under an azure sky by the Napoli roadside half a kilometre from my petrol station in Italy, I knew it was love at first sight.Every day, thereafter, whether or not my young family and wife had any need for oranges, I found an excuse to visit her stall by the side of the road.Secretly, I lusted after each curve of her […]
- Criminal thoughts - murder confession, blackmail, extortion and justice in a flash by Rob HopcottWhen my laptop went missing, I was annoyed. It contained my life, my plans, my dreams, my hopes. To imagine that all this was now in some unknown persons hands was unnerving and unsettling.Naturally, as a safety measure, I changed all my bank account details, renewed my credit cards and warned people with whom I have frequent contact.But I couldn't chan […]
- Undiscovered Beauty - a flash fiction very short story about art, artists, communication and mistrust by Rob HopcottAmanda applied a last touch of green to the canvas with her finest detail paint brush, stepped back and enjoyed the sensation of the landscape's colours exploding in her mind and senses.She could hear the water trickling down the tiny stream. She could sense the movement of the brown trout that were scarcely shadows in the deep pool. The old water wheel […]
- Lost and Found - a short flash fiction story about lost property, poverty, honesty and the good life by Rob HopcottThe wallet spiralled to the ground and, with a flash of thigh, the immaculately dressed blonde woman in a tailored red suit eased herself out of the sports saloon she'd just parked near to where Smiley Johnson sat on the pavement.Then, with rapidly clicking high heels and the scent of Chanel, she was gone, hardly giving Smiley a chance to focus his rheu […]
- One more step - a flash fiction very short story about an old stone seat, lost love, romance, death and reunion by Rob HopcottOne more step and I will see the old stone seat at the top of the hill. The prickly green and gold gorse bushes crowd my path and their heady perfume my senses. In the distance, the sea is blue, lapping the shores of the Bristol Channel.My walking stick, cut from my garden's apple tree in the valley below is my comforter and relieves my arthritic legs a […]
- Loneliness, love, romance and the long distance railway - an online flash fiction story by Rob HopcottShe had short brown hair framing a pert face and a formal pastel green short jacket over a knee length pastel green skirt and was sitting opposite me in the railway carriage.A magazine was open in front of her but she had not turned a page for the last hour. English towns and fields flashed by under her steady unseeing gaze and her thoughts seemed far away.U […]
- Deceiving My Wife - a short postcard fiction romance story about a romantic rendezvous by Rob HopcottOn the day I was to deceive my wife, the sky dawned a deep blue with puffy white clouds. There was the smell of newly mown lawn on the breeze and warring seagulls soared and screamed above the houses of our provincial market town.As I carefully selected the clothes to wear, my hands were clammy and my breathing uneven with an excitement I'd not felt for […]
- My Perfect Lover - a romantic postcard fiction short love story by Rob HopcottMy sweet lover is everything I could want.She is beautiful and easygoing.In the garden, it is so romantic resting in our favorite place in the warmth of the sun for hours, just being together.She is a hard worker and keeps house for me perfectly. I love to sit besides her in the evenings as she practices her rural crafts of spinning, while I enjoy the sun go […]
- Tennis Bell Tolls - a 100 word microfiction about tennis clubs, tennis players and remembrance by Rob HopcottInside our old wooden club house, that slumbers besides our rural tree lined tennis courts, alone on a shelf, rests an ancient school handbell.Over the years, with sun beaming down and birds singing in the trees, when our bell has rung, we have stopped playing for a minute's silence in memory of one of us who will play no more.Now, as I grow old and str […]
- Saying Goodbye Hurts - a short postcard fiction love story by Rob HopcottShe had three inch high heels, wore brightly colored tight dresses, spoke with a crazy husky voice that boomed out from under her brunette fringe and had the habit of getting herself into the sort of trouble in nightclubs that I couldn't resist getting her out of.I followed her into bars, boardrooms and bedrooms. Like a fly on the wall, I luxuriated in […]
- Girl Male Talk - a flash fiction story about new millennium relationships by Rob Hopcott"Go on then, Maddy, what's he like, you know, in bed?"Veronica leaned forward over the Space Agency Tennis Club ladies' changing room wash basin and gazed intently at the reflection of her face in the mirror. She wore a blue tracksuit that matched her questioning eyes, long fair hair and a bead of perspiration on her upper lip from the ga […]
- Love at first sight - a micro fiction postcard short story about a hotel romance by Rob HopcottAs soon as I saw her entering the hotel bar, I knew she was special. Our eyes met and there was a lightening bolt of chemistry that only ever happens once in a lifetime.We sat at the table by the window and I felt so proud. Her face was foxy, her figure was an hour glass shown off to perfection by her demure black cocktail dress.We talked about my love of pa […]
Exmoor and West Somerset stories and articles from Rob Hopcott
- Opportunities in Morris dance sides for beginner pub session folk music musicians and traditional dancers in Devon, the West Country and EnglandWhen I suggest to beginner musicians that folk music sessions are a great way to start playing in public, inexperienced acoustic musicians often reply that they are afraid that the standard is too high for them and they would be too nervous to play bef... […]
- Bampton Free Folk Festival 2009, North Devon sessions rock with an English, Irish, Breton traditional music flavourIt's Monday and the sun is shining through the window of my writing room as I reflect happily on one of the best weekends I have ever spent at the Bampton Free Folk Festival 2009 ("After the Fair") in North Devon.I arrived on Friday lunchtime just befo... […]
- 4th Sunday Folk music session Hunters Inn, Heddon Valley, DevonAnother great 4th Sunday traditional folk tune session at the Hunters Inn, Heddon valley, North Devon, hosted by Ian Hudson last night with lots of traditional folk instrumentalists […]
- Plymouth Inn good Saturday session at Baring Gould Festival 2009, Okehampton, DevonOn the spur of the moment, I decided to pop down to the Baring Gould Festival 2009 in Okehampton, Devon and join the other musicians at the lunchtime session in the Plymouth Inn hosted by Malcolm Woods and had a great time.I arrived early and the frie... […]
- Sun, sand, sea and sociability at Swanage Folk Festival 2009 in DorsetWhen I was invited by Exmoor Border Morris to join them at the Swanage Folk Festival 2009, I was flattered but not prepared for the fantastic Dorset weekend of sun, sand, sea and especially sociability that I found.Joining Exmoor Border Morris at the c... […]
- Evidence to Select Committee on House of Commons ReformIn response to the article on submitting evidence to Select Committee on House of Commons Reform, I have submitted my evidence as follows:'Forums to provide direct input from public to Parliamentary debate and policy, enabling online evidence and debat... […]
- Crossways Bed and Breakfast (B & B ), ideally situated for Barnstaple Town Centre and all its amenities..Crossways is a red brick colonial style property which was built in 1927. Only 300 yards from Barnstaple town centre pedestrainised area where you will find the famous Pannier Market and Butchers Row, the ever popular Queens Theatre, great shopping and... […]
- Best ever folk music session at Hunters Inn, North Devon with Ian Hudson & Captain Banjo’s Street Band membersWith juggled firesticks flaming in the night, many folkies at the 4th Sunday of the month folk music session at Dave Orton's friendly and welcoming Hunters Inn voted it the best session ever with Martin Hughes, Ian Hudson and members of Captain Banjo's... […]
- Traditional English and Cornish folk music sessions at Priddy Folk Festival 2009The Mendip Hills of Somerset rocked and reeled to the sound of Priddy Folk Festival 2009 last weekend with its reassuringly English blend of village green, Somerset countryside and musical talent.Of particular note for me was the traditional English se... […]
- Free publicity for small businesses and home-based businesses from Government regeneration grants is key to building successful local communitiesAsk any small business or home-based business what would really help their business and they are most likely to reply that they need more publicity in order to achieve more sales, especially in these recessionary times.It would therefore seem quite str... […]