projects

Field of Light

2011-12-09T13:15:00.000Z

At a recent workshop at The Haven, Hereford, we used the theme of "Lights" as our starting point.

Bruce Munro’s Field of Light at the Holburne Museum, Bath. Winter 2011.

The seed for Bruce Munro's inspiration to create this artwork was planted nearly twenty years ago while travelling in Australia. He became transfixed by the way in which the barren dessert would burst into bloom after rainfall. Field of Light too lies dormant during the hours of day light, but when darkness falls the bulbs flower with gentle rhythms of light and patterns of colour.

We thought that Bruce Munro's installation looked amazing and used the title as a starting point.

Field of Light

Flickering flames before my eyes

Make sure that the fire will not die

I’ll try with all my might to maintain this field of light

Dancing jewels upon the sea

Bouncing boats all afloat

Sunlight just right

I’ll try will all my might to maintain this field of light

The flowers stand in colourful perfusion

Giving the illusion

Of a carpet that can float away

Let it stay it’s my field of light

The stage is lit with pools of light, let’s hope the performers get it right and blossom in my field of light

Most of all, in the darkest times when the clock chimes

the midnight hour a New Year brings forth

the light and surrounds us all with the hope for the year to come. This is my field of light.

Shining out above it all is the light that friendships bring and the happiness that begins all framed by those that care. That’s my real field of light.

Yvette Sutton

Golden October

2011-10-03T12:17:00.000+01:00

SEGMENTS is back! Ledbury Poetry Festival has kindly given funding for 6 more monthly sessions and the next workshop will be on

MONDAY NOVEMBER 7th - as usual these sessions are free and open to all.

9.45am to 12 noon at Museum Resource & Learning Centre, Friars Street, Hereford. HR4 OAS.

Will the help of the wonderful MRLC staff we will have objects from the collection to inspire us, and as if that isn't enough, there will also be poetry and cake. As before there will be a theme for each stand-alone workshop and if Catherine can find the time (she is so very busy, as everyone with a proper job seems to be) she may come along to fill us in on the history and context of the objects after we've played with our imaginations.

So if you want a place please let me know as numbers will be limited. New people are especially welcome.

A half day taster workshop will take place at the Haven in Hereford, 37 St Owen Street, Hereford, HR1 2JB. Tel 01432 361061

FRIDAY 2nd DECEMBER from 10am to 12.30 in The Rose Room. £6 suggested donation. Open to all.

The theme will be "Lights" and we will have a mix of poems, quotations and music to start us off. (Yes, there will be cake too!)

If there is enough interest we will start a new series of writing workshops at the Haven starting late January 2012.

Please let me or The Haven know if you would like to reserve a place for 2nd December.

Sally

Autumn Doggerel

Conkers only shine for a day

We pick them up as they fall and say

That’s a good one

Let’s gather up each day as it falls

Shine it on our sleeve and say

This is a good one

Some things only shine for a day

Before Time takes their gloss away

So gather ye conkers while ye may

sallygivertz@btinternet.com
www.healing-words.co.uk
http://sallygivertz.blogspot.com
01989 563370
07779 083510

The September Issue

2011-09-14T10:28:00.000+01:00

Creative Words for Wellbeing

Sally Givertz

This complementary therapy uses creative writing and creative thinking to help you to gain a stronger sense of identity and direction in your life.

HOW?

Through discussion of poems and prose, objects and pictures (chosen to suit your agenda) you can begin to see things differently, make new connections and enjoy freedom of expression. This often leads to a renewed feeling of energy and excitement about life’s possibilities.

No great literary skills are needed and spelling and grammar aren’t important. But expressing yourself on paper is; the written word gives us time to think.

Speech is swift and rarely consciously considered. Writing can be considered, revised and sourced from a deeper level of the mind.

Typically writers will say:

“I don’t know where that came from.”

“I didn’t know I felt like that.”

In a session we will discuss writing, objects and pictures that are relevant to you. We will choose these together but to start with I can give you plenty to work with. Much of your own writing will probably be done between sessions once we have generated ideas between us.

Ideally a session gives you time and space in which to think and to be yourself.

Creativity is an enjoyable and liberating process and although we don’t avoid the dark side of life we also focus on the light. The skills you learn can be used between sessions and long afterwards.

A word about poetry

Those of us who work with poetry believe it can be a powerful and relevant force. Both the reading and writing of poetry are creative acts and therefore transformational. It can help us to choose clarity over confusion and feel more powerful and focused. It can offer us a fresh approach and new insights. Poetry is a force to be reckoned with.

“..the imaginative transformation of human life is the means by which we can most truly grasp and comprehend it”

Seamus Heaney - The Redress of Poetry

from Lies

Jo Shapcott

In reality, sheep are brave, enlightened

and sassy. They are walking clouds

and like clouds have forgotten

how to jump. As lambs they knew.

fter some years of running groups I am now focusing on working more with individuals.

I am a writer and complementary therapist working with creative writing and creative thinking to improve wellbeing.

For the past few years I have managed the springboard project for Ledbury Poetry Festival’s community programme; have had a long working association with Herefordshire Mind, Breast Cancer Haven in Hereford, and many other working partnerships.

I am a member of Lapidus, Arts and Health South West and The Poetry Society.

I practise at:

The Haven, 37 St Owen Street, Hereford, HR1 2JB

and

35 The Gresleys, Ross on Wye, HR9 5JN

Hourly rates - £35 Hereford £30 Ross on Wye

Please get in touch if you'd like to know more. t 01989 563370 m.07779 083510

At the ancient pond

a frog plunges into

the sound of water

Basho (1644-1694)

(translator - Sam Hamill)

A change of direction

2011-07-31T14:13:00.001+01:00

As some of you already know I have decided to make some changes in the way I work. I have loved these last few years working with groups and meeting so many wonderful people but I now feel the need to regenerate.

So from September I will be working with individuals - still offering creative writing and creative thinking as a way to personal development - but practising at home in Ross on Wye and in Hereford at the Haven building and elsewhere.

Please get in touch if you'd like to know more.

Sally

Summer 2011

Creative Words @ the Haven July - Thoughts on Four

2011-07-26T11:27:00.000+01:00

As this was a short four week series we got to thinking about the symbolism of the number four. Our running themes emerged from T.S. Eliot's Four Quartets (just little snatches so our brains didn't explode); Seamus Heaney's Seeing Things (particularly the section called Squarings); Jo Shapcotts poems about quadrupeds - we all particularly enjoyed Lies which tell the Truth about Sheep. It's a joy. We also got swept away by the idea of rivers and the idea of opposites. The picture below is of a rather drunken river god. Part 3 of Four Quartets begins: I don't know much about gods; but I think that the river is a strong brown god.

I brought in a variety of objects including a bell and dorje which symbolise (among other things) the male/female aspects of being. Rather nice to think that the voice of the feminine bell is the voice of Buddhah.
A couple of responses are shown below.

The Dorje and Bell

Pauline Apperley

Man makes his presence felt

The dorje shows he is the master

Muffled sound comes from her

He rants and she listens

He bursts into the room

She hovers in the doorway

Her bell-like voice is to be heard

He clangs above her.

His and Hers

Annie Booth

bell and dorje

cup and sword

yin and yang

feminine and male

key and yale

soft and hard

give and take

make or break

early or late

all one another

sister and brother

father and mother.

This is the beginning of Lies by Jo Shapcott

In reality, sheep are brave, enlightened

and sassy. They are walking clouds

and like clouds have forgotten

how to jump. As lambs they knew.

So we can contemplate the idea that we knew a lot more useful stuff when we were young.

To end a quotation from the end of Four Quartets which has a satisfyingly oriental circularity.

We shall not cease from exploration

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.

A change of direction

2011-07-23T17:27:00.000+01:00

So from September 2011 I will be working with individuals - still offering creative writing and creative thinking as a way to personal development - but practising at home in Ross on Wye and in Hereford at the Haven building. I am offering the usual therapeutic hour and will tailor the sessions to the client's agenda.

I will also be offering appointments via phone and email if distance or travel is a problem.

Side Lines, Colour and Winston Roeth - Last session 9th June

2011-06-20T14:27:00.000+01:00

For our last session of this colourful series we focused on pink and got in touch with our frivolous side. As a special treat we also had CAKE and my idea of heaven is probably a place where you get both poetry and cake eternally.

The poems we read were Bullfinches by Patricia Pogson and Flamingo Watching by Kay Ryan.

The writers also did a Show and Tell of pink objects brought from home which featured a giant bunny, a tiny faded lamb, and a beetroot cake supplied by the wonderfully creative Yvette who also made the quilt on display here for her little granddaughter. It was a bright and exciting morning.

I'd like to finish with a quotation from a blessing on the colour theme - it mentions a flock of colours and is very popular. For more by John O'Donohue see his website: http://www.johnodonohue.com

from Beannacht

Celtic Blessing

by John O'Donohue

And when your eyes
freeze behind
the grey window
and the ghost of loss
gets in to you,
may a flock of colours,
indigo, red, green,
and azure blue
come to awaken in you
a meadow of delight.

Creative Words @ the Haven, Six Poets and A Green Thought

2011-06-12T15:49:00.008+01:00

We focused on two poems by the wonderful Brian Patten this week - A Blade of Grass and Garden Lore.

His website gives samples of his poems and is well worth exploring: www.brianpatten.co.uk

The theme of jewels cropped up again in Garden Lore which mentions the birthstone for each month of the year. Maybe I should get some ...

Here is the opening stanza of the first poem -

A BLADE OF GRASS

Brian Patten b. 1946

You ask for a poem.

I offer you a blade of grass.

You say it is not good enough.

You ask for a poem.

Here are some of the responses:

Inspired by “A blade of Grass” by Brian Patten

Green Poem

Dorothy Greenhalgh

They say that this is a poem that’s green

But I have seen them when

They are pale and dying

They are not at their best

But then, when green,

They are trying to live -

And I feel that they are trying

To stay with the rest.

A Gift of Nature - A Smile

Helen Crook

Alchemy of passion, genetics and love,

A connection made and united in a moment.

The lips that kissed then, murmur quietly now

Given without consequence; it is transferred.

Encouraging the expression not altered by time,

The infant smile, pure and unprejudiced.

The Lawn’s Lament

Sue Davies

Oh no, here he comes again,

Why me?

Wouldn’t you have thought

He could find somewhere else to wee.

I am becoming shrivelled and brown

and there is nothing I can do.

My brothers and sisters around me

all feel the same way too.

Oh Ted, I know that

is your name;

for she calls you and asks if

you want to play a game.

Please leave me alone

and let me be,

Why, oh why, don’t you go

and find a tree.

Inspired by “Garden Lore” - Brian Patten
It starts:

Who will take care of this garden, who will nurture it?

'I will,' said January.

'I will anchor it to the earth with snowdrops.

I will give it my stone, the garnet.'

Twelve

Hilary Robinson

For Twinks who likes rhyme and rhythm

January

Game foxhounds sing in the short afternoons

Ice on black puddles crack loud with horse hooves.

Cold owls shriek too-whit too-whit too-whoo

Frogs sleep tightly under the frozen pool.

February

Green leaves uncurl in the dark roots of trees,

Snowdrops and primroses feel at their ease

Shrug their shoulders and begin to awake.

Ducks fly plaintively over murky lakes.

March

Rabbits and squirrels rush fast out in the sun

Hares spring up boldly and look for sex fun,

Boxing games, fists up, romps on the good earth -

Who’ll give up, belly flop and run off first?

April

Badgers climb out of their yuck winter's lair

Cuckoos torment and hide in thin air.

Scuttling hedgehogs dive wild across roads,

Fools beckon in shadows to crying toads.

May

Wifely, “Cast not a clout till May is out.”

Thrushes, sparrows, chaffinches, blackbirds shout,

“Our nests are built and our eggs are all laid.”

But the cuckoo has come and made his raid.

June

Columbines dance to a slow fairy tune,

Roses smell so sweet in their fullest bloom

Longest day elderflowers shake in fear

Is it down, down, down the rest of the year?

July

Buzzards mew piercing the deep, deep blue sky

Ripe berries make chutney, jelly and pie,

Apples stored lovingly, hay in the lofts

Golden Rod, Poppies red, silky and soft.

August

Midges bite hard and horse flies are crazy,

Sun burns the skin and we all feel lazy.

Corn fields grow quickly and ripen daily

Wheat turns golden and then whitens palely

September

The big red moon wanes and harvests are done

Days grow shorter and weaker grows the sun.

Twittering swallows come and fly away

Swifts disappear, gone in a day.

October

The hunter moon looms and the winds grow chill

Grey shadows spread over the purple hill.

Cubbing begins and the horses grow fit

Wood is collected and fires are lit.

November

Fireworks bang, crash and light up the sky

Catherine wheels spinning and rockets fly high.

Frost etches glass panes and whitens brown grass,

Wild geese scream and excitedly pass.

December

Wrens and robins look wistful but still sing,

Carols are chanted and church bells we ring.

Christmas stars gleam in the wintry night

Mistletoe, holly, ivy, love and light.

Garden Magic

Hazel Pope

An hour a day at least

To keep the weeds at bay

And increase the production line by sowing seeds

Against the day when frost and rain

Change ephemeral summer veg

To sprouts and sprouting broccoli and kale.

So this is supposed to be a daily drudge.

Which I enjoy. It's thinking time,

Observing time. I tidy edges with a spade,

Turn up a gem. A shard of something made

So many years ago. A blue chinese person with a fan.

Behind, a bridge. A token tree- the pottery curves

A broad segment. I try to imagine

A jug, a bowl, quite large.

This shard, a gem.

Creative Words @ the Haven, Six Poets and The World's Wife

2011-06-08T17:29:00.000+01:00

Inspired by Carol Ann Duffy’s collection - “The World’s Wife”

Eve

Helen Crook

Centuries of blame have vilified me as a temptress,

Blamed for a moment of innocence and inexperience, then banished forever

Created from the rib near his beating heart; loved, yet not equal.

Destined to be submissive and subservient, dominated by man.

Yet they forget I am the mother of mankind, responsible for the spawning

Of the masses, the matriarch of the human race, genetically immortal.

Yet the best piece of advice I can offer from the knowledge I have gained is:

Stay away from apples, they’re nothing but trouble!

Healing Words for Midsummer

2011-05-30T09:56:00.001+01:00

I am planning a one-day workshop in therapeutic creative writing for anyone with an interest in the subject. It will be experiential, enjoyable! and worth 4 hours CPD.
Please get in touch if you'd like to know more. SG

Creative Words @ the Haven, Six Poets and Vintage Jewellery

2011-05-24T12:06:00.003+01:00

For this ongoing series of workshops I decided to focus on one contemporary poet each week. So far we have looked at Colette Bryce and George Szirtes. The work shown here was inspired by 3 poems by Colette Bryce - Wish You Were, +, and The Wearer. The final poem was the result of the poet's work with the V&A and was based on a particular necklace from the collection. See http://www.vam.ac.uk/
Fired up by all this people wrote about jewellery for "homework" based on a series of V&A postcards of vintage pieces.

Necklace

Pauline Apperley

Necklace like macaroni

Hair auburn red and wet

From the shower straight out of bed

Chunky, not sapphire or pearls

Ornament for young girls

Fashions change, we must follow them

To look attractive, keep our men

There is something to be said for looking good !

It does look good, I knew it would.

I had a garnet, ruby red

I lost it, that’s where it led

I look at the necklace, the one like macaroni

And wonder what its fate will be

The wearer likes green hearts and orangey beads

But the heart has a crack in it

As if the heart bleeds

A path lies ahead, entwined in this artistry.

The Brooch

Helen Crook

Dark green leaves given form and life, then enamelled

Varnishing them into timeless suspension.

Pale luminescent cream buds hang bowed solemnly

Timed at ten past two. Closing my eyes you are here.

Your coat matched your lipstick,’ Moulin Rouge’.

The brooch resplendent against the blood red

large lapel of your capacious coat. My head held firm

embraced to your left breast, my ear imprinted with

Lily of the Valley, long after you left.

One more came in later from Annie who had a car accident after the workshop and had taken home a picture of a jewel from the V and A collection. We all wish her well.

Jewel

Annie Booth

Women reach down through the ages

The really, truly sages

A peach of a protective pendant

Perhaps slumbering dormant

Come to me through five hundred years

And bringing with it what tears?

Chosen by me from many

Offering sisterly company

To see me through near-death

You do not slumbereth

From the other side of your work

You do not shirk

All the pain of your life

All the sadness and strife

I feel it as you reach out

This time - no shout

Just - Why, why again?

Then peace I did attain

Thank you for my life

I am truly a wife

Come nearer, nearer, nearer

My sixteenth century wearer

Your jewel is called protective

Is that personal or collective?

Beauty on many levels

Shining through all the bevels

Angels must be time travellers

And another piece - a sort of prose poem by Sue based on a heart and key.

REGARD

Sue Davies

My eye is caught by the sudden glint of gold and flash of semi-precious gemstones winking up at me from the dark depths of my jewellery box.

How long have you languished there, hunkered down in that corner among soft red velvet? How long has it been since I last wore you around my neck, felt the warmth of you resting on my breasts?

I cannot bear to wear you, nor part with you; for I still like to fool myself into thinking that you were once given to me with love.

He said he loved me and proudly told me that your gemstones were so arranged in order to spell out the word ‘regard’.
Ruby, Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby and Diamond.

I felt a twinge of nervousness when he placed you around my neck and kissed me, professing to love me forever. Regard seemed such a casual term, not that I wanted to seem ungrateful, but in all honesty alarm bells did sound.

I hold you in my hands and my warmth spreads into you making you feel alive.
I remember now why it is so long since I last looked at you, because the pain of longing for lost love pierces my chest, almost bringing me to my knees.

Enough, enough, I am still not ready to deal with this.
Back into the soft velvet you go, rest there until I can look upon you more objectively. How long that may take in all honesty I cannot say, but who knows, one day I may be able to regard you in a better light.

Coming up - Carol Ann Duffy, Kathleen Jamie, Brian Patten and Maura Dooley.

Side Lines, Colour and Winston Roeth

2011-05-24T11:15:00.002+01:00

This series of workshops are based on the theme of colour inspired by a visit I made to the marvellous Ingleby Gallery in Edinburgh. I asked permission to take photos so hope no one minds if I include this here. It shows part of an exhibition by the contemporary American colour artist Winston Roeth. You have to see them for real - virtual reality can't do justice to the beauty of his work. This collection was "tempera on slate tiles" in all kinds of colour,shade and finish variations. A very good analogy for writing.
Below is a poem from our red session by Yvette. The poems we used were - Canticle by John F Deane, Red Gloves by Andrew Motion and Now to the Banquet We Press by Gilbert and Sullivan (complete with music clip). For "homework" I suggested that people write about a Red Letter Day.

Red Letter Day

Yvette Sutton

The knights stand strong and tall

Metal gleams in the sunlight as the horses, toss and tear

At the screaming leather. This is the season for feast and fighting

And a time to stand and be counted in this day of knighting.

The fair maidens are blushing with pride as their colours are worn with pride,

For them romantic thoughts, no climbing upon the horse

As they float in silks and brocade and watch a colourful parade

For one proud knight this will be his red letter day

Illuminated in glory by the setting of the sun

The killing has to be done

Both battle and maiden he will have won

Some green thoughts....

Stephen Parrott

Going green

Green with envy

All that green living

Smiling green frog

Cheers the mind

Warms the heart

Green money

Greed and gluttony

No happiness

Green pastures

Sweet green tea

Green letter day

Feeling green

Decidedly ill

My time is passing

A poem by Rhian

2011-05-23T09:18:00.000+01:00

Shining Through the Centuries

Rhian Morris

(written in the foyer of the Museum Resource and Learning Centre, Hereford, one early morning in May 2011)

It was absolute bliss just waiting there

I had time - for once - to sit and stare

To look around at the history

Herefordshire history laid out for me

A chance to discover the things to be found

If we just take our time to look around

Resting, relaxing ‘mid cream and blue

Where ancient and modern combine, for me, for you.

The silence was golden as the sunshine creeping through

The panes in the rooftops, the glass displays too.

Shining on the silver trophies and displays

The laurels crowning the emperor in purple array

Italian, Greek pottery, Delftware drug-jar

Stalactite, minerals, jewellery from afar.

Weapons forged and used by men of long ago

Protecting friends and family from every kind of foe

A collection of beetles - I’m glad they’re in a cage

Not my idea of fun at any price or age!

I felt more at home with the grand old clock and doll’s pram

Yes, it’s absolutely lovely, I’m happy where I am.

2011-05-05T08:22:00.000+01:00

This course begins Friday 13th May ( a good date) and takes place in a lovely venue (next to Cafe Green). Open to all.

2011-05-05T08:20:00.000+01:00

This course began April 28th and there are still places available if you'd like to join us. Open to all.

Segment 7th February 2011

2011-01-30T14:16:00.000Z

Our new series starts on 7th February and the theme will be town and country.

New courses for 2011 - Life Lines - creative writing for older people

2010-12-29T11:35:00.000Z

Ledbury Poetry Festival is kindly funding a series of weekly sessions on Thursdays (see poster) and these are free but you need to book your place - please phone or email me. We will be looking at the idea of "Life Writing" - the sort of writing that is based on the human experience of the world and our place in it. Enthusiasm is all you need to bring.

New courses for 2011

2010-12-29T11:29:00.000Z

A new monthly series of Segments begins on Monday February 7th - see poster for details or call 01989 563370. As usual, we will be using items from Herefordshire's heritage collection as our starting point. The theme for our first session will be London and our picture is called "London Window box" by MFP Lewis.

Autumn update

2010-08-20T10:08:00.001+01:00

I'm sorry to bring the word autumn into the conversation but September really is very close now and I want to let you know what's happening about the writing courses.

Firstly Segments - I'm afraid that there will be no further sessions but my thanks go to everyone who took part and made it such fun.

Other stuff - I am running a few sessions closer to home in Ross and my usual workshops at Mind in Hereford.

BUT some of you may be interested in a free series in Ross on Wye, starting in November and funded for "older people" - shall we say 50+ ? I am calling it Life Lines Writers. For this see the flyer (click to enlarge). If any of you are interested please let me know and I'll reserve you a space.

Sally

Creative Words@ Friars Street

2009-12-12T16:34:00.003Z

The November series of Creative Words was attended by 13 enthusiastic people and we looked at ways of seeing the bright side of November and the English winter. We celebrated rain, snow, and light (much of the latter artificial) and wrote about them in prose and poetry; in haiku and kennings and many other ways. We were inspired by all sorts of poems, music clips and the paintings of Breughel. (We also had biscuits)

So thanks to all the participants, and to Robert Frost, Basho, Saint Lucia, Charlie Rossiter, Brian Patten and all the others who inspired and delighted us.

The photo shows our last session - sadly a few missing due to illness or having left Blighty for warmer climes. But we have decided to do more - we re-convene in April for a summery series - please get in touch if you'd like to join.

Therapeutic Words @ Friars Street, Hereford

2009-11-22T14:05:00.003Z

Therapeutic Words@ Friars Street

The introductory workshop on November 6th - which was called "Therapeutic Uses of Creative Writing"- was a success and there was some very positive feedback. I noted down such comments as: enlivening, inspirational, gave me hope, gave me ideas, opened up possibilities.

So the result is that we are doing some more next year (see poster) but I have slightly changed the emphasis because people seemed as interested in personal development as in professional development i.e. although they may use the techniques and ideas they experience on the course in their work lives, their main interest is in their own development using creative writing.

So there will be 4 more Friday morning sessions next year - the first one on January 22nd. Do get in touch if you are interested.

Inside the Yurt

2009-11-08T12:13:00.002Z

Recently it seems as though yurts are following me around - in a good way!
On World Mental Health Day in October I visited the Herefordshire Mind drop in centre at Heffernan House and there was a beautiful full-sized yurt miraculously squeezed in to their lovely garden and the sun shone on us. A couple of weeks later I visited the new visitors centre at the Edinburgh Botanical Gardens and found myself inside another yurt - this time with its own carpets and a TV showing us a film about their amazing wych elm project.

And of course - Carol Ann Duffy recently wrote a very moving poem entitled Inside the Yurt - a typically image-crammed and magical piece dedicated to the work of Catherine Lockerbie. (You can see the poem on the Times online - click here

Current and future workshops

2009-11-07T16:20:00.010Z

Creative Words @ Friars Street - Summer Words

Summer series 2010, 5 Mondays from 19th April 9:45am to 12:15.

Dates: 19th April, 26th April, 17th May, 24th May, 14th June (there are gaps for bank holidays, Segments etc).

We will be looking at poetry, prose and pictures with a summery flavour.

Segments
Happily, this series will now run into 2010. Segments until February are very nearly full but a new series starts in March. Please contact me to register your interest.
A reminder that the last segment of the year is Dec 7th 2009.

Dates for 2010:
Feb 8th, Mar 8th, Apr 12th, May 10th, June 7th, July 12th, Aug - no segment, Sept 13th, Oct 11th, Nov 8th, Dec 6th.
All sessions run from 9:45am - 12:15

Creative Words @ Friars Street
The November '09 series is now full. Please contact me if you would like details of similar courses in the future (or keep an eye on this page).

2nd August 2009
New weekly sessions in Hereford November 09

Many of you have asked when the next open workshops are going to be - glad to say I can confirm that a short 5 week course will take place at Friars Street, Hereford in November. (See details on right)
Please contact me for a booking form - I will collect deposits but not cash cheques until the course starts. (Deposit £15)

Therapeutic Uses of Creative Writing Nov 09

An introductory half-day workshop will take place in Hereford in early November. This course is designed to be useful to counsellors, therapists of all kinds and other health professionals. (Anyone with a general interest is also welcome)
I am hoping to develop a course on this theme if there proves to be enough interest.

Please contact me for a booking form. (details right) Or you can write to me at 35 Gresleys, Ross on Wye, HR9 5JN.

Segment Two is fully booked but there are still a few spaces left for Three and Four - priority goes to those who haven't been before so please do get in touch. ( Also I can add you to the waiting list in case people drop out at last minute.)

Hereford Workshop July 09

This is the first in a series of new workshops that will be taking place more or less bi-monthly until next year.

We'll be looking at the different meanings of the concept of segments and I am hoping to use items from the Resource Centre's documentary archive.

Where is Friars Street?

2009-11-06T15:17:00.001Z

The lovely new learning room at the Museum Resource and Learning Centre in Friars Street is still not as widely known as it deserves to be, being a relatively new development. Friars Street is close to the centre of town but is a small one way street so a map comes in handy - see left.

Creative Words DIY Kit

2009-07-11T14:58:00.010+01:00

Creative writing gives a sense of pleasure and achievement; it can offer new insights and be shared with others. Creative activity often enables us to regain a needed sense of autonomy and clarity in times of stress and confusion.

Below are just a few ideas that you might like to try:

Mindmaps

A mindmap can be a great starting point for creativity.
They range from the very simple (left) to a complete piece in its own right (below)

Typically you would select a theme such as HOPE and create as many associations as possible without stopping to think too deeply. Having created your mindmap you can develop the most interesting strand and explore it further. This could turn into a poem, memory, story or even a second more elaborate mindmap.

Lists

Never underestimate the humble list - most of us enjoy writing lists and this familiar activity can be surprisingly powerful used in creative ways. For example a long list of moans can be a beneficial way of unburdening ourselves without burdening others. Also we often find that by writing down every single complaint we get to a point when our sense of humour or at least a little lightness creeps back in.
Difficult decisions can be made easier by dividing your paper into two columns and listing all the things in favour on one side and all those against on the other. We may still decide with the heart and not the head but the process will often give clarity.

Free Writing
What seems to be the trouble?

The idea of free writing comes under many different names but essentially it involves picking up a pen and writing continuously for a fixed length of time - say 15 minutes. It can be a great way of discovering what’s really troubling us. It doesn’t matter where you start, just keep going and see what arises.

The Unsendable Letter
Writing a letter that you don’t intend to send can be very liberating. You can convey anger, grief, despair or any other powerful but unexpressed feelings in a completely safe way. Some people read the letter aloud to an empty room, others share it, and some simply read and destroy.

Journals and Notebooks

You may carry one of these already and the benefits of keeping a notebook are well recognised. Some people say that the notebook that they always carry can seem like a friend. Our notebook can be a place for keeping a record of our experiences and enables us to go back and see how we have progressed.

Word-weaving

If you enjoy writing short fiction, try this. Choose four or five words or ideas, either things that come easily to mind or select words at random from a book. You will need at least a couple of nouns. Having chosen your words, create a story employing them all as fancifully as possible. Here is a crossword solution - these make great starting points.