Sharing some of the Workshops & Literary Events I’ll be hosting or a part of:
Jean Rhys, An Exploratory Talk At Bude Literary Festival
Thursday 15 May 2025
Bude Castle, North Cornwall
I’m giving a talk on the amazing writer, Jean Rhys, at the Bude Literary Festival on Thursday 15 May at 10.30am. Jean Rhys (1890-1979) lived in Bude, Cornwall, for five years.
She was not impressed by her time in the town, giving it the rather marvellous literary diss of “Bude the obscure”. But during her time in the tempestuous weather Cornish border town, she worked on her masterpiece, ‘Wide Sargasso Sea’; a postcolonial prequel to ‘Jane Eyre’.
It shares the story of ‘the madwoman in the attic’, Bertha Mason, who was locked away by her husband. Was Bertha really mad, or was she undefinable and not able to fit in?
Come join me to hear more about Jean Rhys fascinating life, from her Dominican roots to her time in London and Bude (the obscure!). We’ll cover the themes of madness & belonging in the novel that gave Jean the literary recognition she very much deserved in her later life.
Book here 🔮.
#jeanrhys #widesargassosea #belonging
Unfurling Into Spring
Circle|Creative Writing Workshop
Wednesday 28 March 2025
Temple Up Top, Bude, EX23 8JZ
Join Laurie & I for our ‘Unfurling into Spring’ restorative circle & creative writing workshop at Temple Up Top.
As the Winter chill begins to recede and Springs subtle changes unfurl all around us, we’ll take a moment to pause & sit together. We’ll share our voices exploring what is ready to rise to the surface before we look at the magic of Spring, bringing renewal and growth, helping to inspire us through gentle and playful writing exercises.
This workshop is for anyone looking to reconnect to themselves as we transition seasons and with their creative self, whether an experienced writer or just beginning. No prior writing experience is required—only an openness to explore, create and be inspired by the changes in the season.
Book here 🔮.
#creativewritingworkshopscornwall #circlescornwall
CKA Mixer: Cut, Craft, Connect | Poppy Wonnacott
Thursday 23 Jan 2025
Temple Up Top, Bude, EX23 8JZ
Join Creative Kernow Associates in Bude at Temple Up Top for Cut, Craft, Connect – an inspiring card-making workshop led by local writer, life coach, and facilitator Poppy Wonnacott. This hands-on creative session invites participants to craft unique cards using collage techniques with recycled magazines, paper, and mixed media. The workshop offers a chance to make a unique personal keepsake and foster connections among local artists, makers and creatives, sharing inspiration, dreams, direction and resilience.
Book here.
Performing Spoken Word at 'Tunes in the Park' Festival as part of the Sprout Spoken collective at Port Eliot, August 2024. We dashed into the Orangery to avoid the sheet rain!