Campfire Tales - Camaraderie, pub quizzes and stories

In a pioneering new project, best-selling novelist and resident creative writing tutor David Mark is urging gents of a certain vintage to share their stories, make new friends and help themselves to age more healthily, with a series of specifically men-friendly events.

David will be hosting 'campfire tales', story-telling workshops, a regular pub quiz, and inviting a range of fascinating guests to talk about their careers, their lives, and all manner of highs and lows.

And he is asking Goldster’s legions of active members to help spread the word.

David, an internationally best-selling novelist, said: “I’m so lucky to be able to rely upon a regular group of participants to come along to our Thursday creative writing group. It’s become a real community and a highlight of so many people’s weeks. But like so many other ventures, we can't persuade many males to come along and participate. I want them to see that it’s something they might not only benefit from, but actually enjoy.

“That’s why I’m putting together this gent-friendly new concept. I want us to gather around the virtual campfire and share our best tales: anecdotes, yarns, tales of derring-do – even your best dad jokes. I want us to share in that feeling of being away from it all, sharing our best tales and making new friends. I like the idea of us all being around the campfire, telling tall tales and reminiscing in a shared creative space. Personal tales are a great way to get bitten by the writing bug, but they’re also a way to get to know one another. ”

The new concept will begin on Wednesday May 8 - 7pm to 8:30pm with a traditional pub quiz hosted by David Mark.

Goldster is urging female members to bring a male friend, family member - or their other half.

“We all know a man who might rather be pottering in the shed or making comments from behind the newspaper, but see if you can persuade him to come along to one session. The emphasis will be on fun, but it’s with the aim of building a community. Once he’s bitten by the bug, we hope he’ll come back for more story-sharing, guest speakers and the occasional creative writing exercise, all designed to boost mood, improve memory and help towards our overall goal of healthy ageing.”

David is a Fellow of the Royal Literary Fund and former crime journalist. He will be interviewing guest speakers from the worlds of sport, history, music and politics in the weeks ahead.

The Men's Health Forum, a registered charity with the aim of improving the health of men and boys in the UK, has highlighted some of the challenges relating to health outcomes amongst men:

- In the UK, one man in five dies before he reaches the age of 65. More than two in five men die before the age of 75

- Three-quarters of premature deaths from cardiovascular disease are amongst men

- Men have a 37% higher risk of dying from cancer and a 67% higher chance of dying from cancers that affect both men and women

- Four in five suicides are by men. Dying by suicide is the biggest cause of death for men under 35, and there has been a sharp increase in the rate among men aged 35-64.