Join me on Remembrance Sunday, 8th November 2015 at Shepherd’s Dene as we explore the First World War through Creative Writing. Here in this Edwardian Country House with its magnificent grounds we will go back 100 years to imagine life as the former occupants and the role of the house during The Great War. […]
This week saw the presentation of the first prize for the Benchmark writing competition. For various reasons beyond everyone’s control, it has taken a while after the announcement of the winners for the bench to meet up with its plaque and then to be delivered to the winner. So it was a great delight when […]
It was a crisp spring day with the promise of snow when I met Christine Powell in Hexham, earlier this year to discuss the possibility of me recording The North Pens Writers and producing a podcast of their work. I had met Chris a few months earlier when I recorded her short story Diagonal Flight […]
Spending a Saturday morning in the woods, discovering industrial remains of the past under the moss, fern and assorted foliage is my idea of heaven. And it’s even better when its shared by someone who has that same passion. So it was that photographer Francesca Dent and I explored Blaydon Burn, this once an industrial […]
It is always so exciting when a piece of your work is available for the first time, whether to be read, performed or in the case of my latest work with photographer Francesca Dent, viewed as an exhibition. It is also extremely nerve wracking! You don’t know how it will be received or even look […]
It is over four years since actor Penny Lamport, digital media artist Shirley Anne Wood and myself started filming Celia. During that time, there has been laughter, tears and tantrums not to mention many hugs plus the arrival 2 beautiful babies. In and amongst, we have also been involved with many other projects and after […]
No, that’s not referring to me – I’m not quite there yet! My Fight to the Top is the title of female entrepreneur Michelle Mone’s autobiography. I had the delight of attending a Yorkshire Life event recently, a literary lunch at The Crown Hotel in Harrogate. This was part of the Raworth’s Literature Festival where […]
Following on from our successful day in March, join me at Shepherd’s Dene where you can find space to work on your own writing in the beautiful Edwardian country house or in the tranquil grounds. You can even take a riverside walk to fire your imagination. 9.30 am until 4.00 pm on Sunday 9th August […]
I’m collapsed on the settee as I write this, thoroughly exhausted with nervous energy and burning the midnight oil but happy to report that ‘It was alright on the opening night.’ Well much more than alright actually. Everything was ready, working, looked fantastic and it was very well attended and received. The Nissan: 30 Years […]