A Laburnum of Bees, Eskdale Green

Eskdale Green

Took Roydog out for a short stroll last night, 9.15 pm and a cuckoo still calling from Muncaster Fell... a week of walks on the Screes, Illgill Head, Whin Fell, Mitredale Forest, Eskdale Green to Penny Hill Farm (and back), few miles around Ennerdale, another river walk and Muncaster Fell, couple of quick dips in the Esk ...

the scent of May blossom, bluebells and pine in the woods along the Esk, cuckoos calling up and down the valley and across the fells - maybe three or four - a woodpecker drill drill drilling away as we came off the fell side,

any amount of pipits and stonechats, larks calling, a pair of goldfinches, exotic in the strong wind blowing in from the west across Ennerdale water....

and a sheep gather off the fells near Penny Hill Farm, "away away! come come come! ayeayeayeayeaye!!! whistles to the sheepdogs, yows beh-ing, their black lambs bleating an answer,

all this in deep sunshine and blue raced cloudscape over the pink sparkling stone of Eskdale granite ... back to the cottage and the yellow hum of laburnum'd bees

Geraldine Green

19.5.2017

copyright of both words and photos: Geraldine Green

WRITE ON THE SHORE with Geraldine Green, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, South Walney Nature Reserve

WRITE ON THE SHORE – at Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s South Walney Nature Reserve, Sunday June 25^th 2017 10am-3pm

With stunning views across Morecambe bay, this shingle island reserve is full of interest and a fantastic place for bird watching. South Walney Nature Reserve is home to the only grey seal colony in Cumbria.

Come and be inspired by these summer highlights: nesting gulls, eiders, oystercatchers and ringed plovers. Burnet moths and grayling butterflies are on the wing and viper's bugloss, yellow horned poppy and sea lavender are in flower.

This creative writing workshop led by local writer Geraldine Green will use time outdoors, gentle writing prompts and exercises to help you craft poetry and prose inspired by the nature reserve. Handouts will be provided.

Booking is through Cumbria Wildlife Trust

Geraldine is an experienced creative writing tutor, published poet and poetry editor. Her enthusiasm for the outdoors and nature writing is reflected in the many workshops she tutors and in her work. You can find out more about her here: you can find out more about her here

Part of the day will be spent outdoors so please bring waterproof clothing and sturdy walking boots. Please bring lunch, snacks and drinks to take with you round the nature reserve. Don’t forget a notebook and pen, enthusiasm and a sense of adventure!

This workshop is suitable for anyone with a love of nature and writing.

Cost: £20 per person

photos by Geraldine Green (copyright)

2017: DRAFTING & CRAFTING - How to shape your writing - Creative Writing Workshop with Geraldine Green, Dallam Adult Education Centre

DRAFTING & CRAFTING - how to shape your writing with Dr Geraldine Green

Course Type: Daytime

Day: Thursday

Duration: 10 weeks; 10am-12pm, starting 19/01/2017

Rating: Open to All

Location: Dallam Community, Heversham, LA7 7EH

Fees For info on course fee please contact Dallam Adult Ed., thanks!

Dallam Community, Heversham, LA7 7EH

Tel: 015395 65956 Email: askcommunity@dallam.eu

Our mailing address is: 

Dallam Community

Dallam Community

Heversham, Cumbria LA7 7EH

United Kingdom

OCTOBER WRITERS' RETREAT 2nd-5th OCTOBER 2017 BRANTWOOD, CONISTON, CUMBRIA UK

Waterhead Coniston 27.10.2015, photo by Geraldine Green

OCTOBER WRITERS' RETREAT WITH CO-TUTORS GRAHAM MORT AND GERALDINE GREEN, BRANTWOOD CONISTON, CUMBRIA, MONDAY-THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2ND-5TH 2017

Brantwood, Coniston, Cumbria, former home of John Ruskin is the perfect place whether you have a writing project you’re working on or just need time and space away from the busyness of life to step back and gain some inspiration and quietly reflect.  

The tranquil grounds and gardens of Brantwood, stunning views across Coniston Water to the Old Man and Dow Crag, log fires, wonderful food all provide the ideal writers retreat. There will be time for solitude and also the company and conversation of other writers. 

Co-tutor Graham Mort will give a reading with Geraldine on Tuesday evening. You’re all welcome to share a poem or two, as well on Wednesday evening when the Group give a reading to the tutors.

Mentoring - The Retreat also gives you an opportunity for one-to-one mentoring plus informal discussions with the tutors. 

Course fee: £270 
This includes evening meals on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Residential and non-residential options are available. The Lodge at Brantwood accommodates nine people in four double or twin-bedded rooms and one single. There are also local farmhouse Bed and Breakfasts, Guest Houses and the YHA in 
and around Coniston village.

Residential option:

The Lodge at Brantwood has been newly refurbished to provide accommodation for those attending our courses. It sleeps up to 9 people in 2 double rooms, 2 twin rooms and a single room, located on the ground and upper floors, with a shared kitchen/diner and living room, 1 bathroom, 2 shower rooms and a separate toilet. The Lodge enjoys wonderful views across Coniston Water to the fells. A self-service breakfast is provided in the Lodge as part of the rate.

Bed and Breakfast Accommodation in the Lodge at Brantwood:
BandB accommodation is available for those participating in Brantwood's courses. Staying at Brantwood is one of the delights of studying here, spending time in good company and immersing yourself in the whole experience. Brantwood Lodge has been newly refurbished and will sleep up to 9 people, with 2 twin rooms, 2 double rooms and a single room. 

The Lodge enjoys wonderful views across Coniston Water. There is a communal kitchen/diner/living room with a wood burning stove. You can bathe in Ruskin's bath! 

The BandB rate is £50 per person per room/£35 per person shared occupancy/£35 per night single room. Breakfast is provided in the kitchen for guests to help themselves to cereal, toast, fruit, yogurt. Accommodation can also be booked for partners in double/twin rooms at the same BandB rate. The Coachman's Quarters, situated above the cafe, is also available if required.

Booking through Brantwood

Pre-booking is essential. Tel: 015394 41396 

Email: enquiries@brantwood.org.uk 

http://www.brantwood.org.uk

information on the tutors can be found here:

Graham Mort

Geraldine Green

Some sessions take place outdoors - please bring suitable footwear and clothing

Writers' Retreat: The Lodge, Brantwood, October Course 2015

OCTOBER WRITERS’ RETREAT WITH GRAHAM MORT AND GERALDINE GREEN, 2nd-5th OCTOBER 2017 BRANTWOOD CONISTON CUMBRIA

COURSE OUTLINE:

Monday 2nd October

1pm - Gather at The Lodge for refreshments, Geraldine, Graham and Rachel will be there to meet you and show you your rooms.

1.45pm - Meet in The Schoolroom in the Main House where writing workshops will take place.

This is accessed by steps close the front door of the main house, through the Studio and into the Schoolroom. Please ask at Reception, staff will be available to give you directions.

2pm - The Schoolroom: Welcome and Introduction with Graham and Geraldine. Ask names and also which genres they write in.

2.15pm - 3pm – In the Schoolroom: Graham to lead with writing stimuli

3pm-3.15pm - Break

3.15pm-4pm In the Schoolroom: Geraldine to continue with further writing stimuli

4pm-5pm – in the Schoolroom: quiet writing time, followed by readback/feedback on ONE piece of writing produced during this session.

5pm-6pm - Free time.

6.15pm Meet in The Lodge, evening meal in Brantwood Cafe

Tuesday 3rd October

9.30am – 10.45am - writing stimuli in The Schoolroom provided by Geraldine

10.45am-11am - Break

11am -12.15pm - writing stimuli in The Schoolroom provided by Graham

12.15pm-1pm – Readback and feedback of ONE piece of work written during the morning

1-2pm – Lunch in Brantwood Café 

2pm-3.30pm – Meet in The Schoolroom, followed by Outdoor Reflective Walk, writing stimuli given by Graham and Geraldine

3.30pm- 4.15pm  Quiet writing time

4.15pm-5pm – feedback/readback of one piece of writing

5pm-6pm – Free time

6.15pm – Meet in The Lodge, evening meal in Brantwood cafe followed by reading given by Graham and Geraldine

Wednesday 4th October

9.30am-11am – Meet in The Schoolroom, writing stimuli provided by Graham

11am-11.15am - Break

11.15am-12.30pm – writing stimuli provided by  Geraldine

12.30pm-1.30 pm - Lunch

1.30pm-5pm - Free writing and reflective time. Participants are welcome to explore the house and gardens (Free to participants). One to one tutorials will be available between 2pm and 4pm.

2pm-4pm – Parallel one to one tutorials with Geraldine and Graham in The Schoolroom, 15 minutes slots. Please put your name down on the sheet provided. This will be left for you in the Schoolroom kitchen. Further one to ones available during Thursday morning session.

4pm-5pm – Quiet writing time

5pm-6pm – Free time

6.15pm – Meet in the Schoolroom, followed by evening meal in Brantwood cafe followed by Group reading (up to 5 minutes each)

 Thursday 5th October

10am-11.30am - One to one tutorials with Graham and Geraldine, 15 minute slots: Graham 10am-10.45am; Geraldine 11am-11.45am
Additionally, there will be time for close readings of writing produced during the course.

Break 10.45am-11am

11.45am-1pm - Group readback and feedback, complete Feedback Forms.

1pm-2pm Lunch in Brantwood Café and depart.

Note; Course participants are welcome to explore the House and Grounds during their free time. Brantwood Main House closes at 5pm. The grounds are open 24 hours.

12.30pm-2pm Lunch in Brantwood Café and depart

View from Brantwood October Writers Retreat 2015, photo by Geraldine Green