25 Apr Words from the Woods

May is almost here and heralds a new workshop at Brandon Country Park.

By 9 May, the date of my Words from the Woods writing workshop, spring will be here. Already the cuckoo has passed through our village and we are waiting for the next flush of migrants, held up in France by this recent run of northerly winds. Blackcaps and chiffchaffs, already here, have been singing in hedges and woods and the early morning wakes to the fluid notes of woodland birds.

The blossom on the blackthorn and cherries is finished, the hedges are flushing up with green, and soon the hawthorn will be in flower. The elm has already frothed full of its lime green winged seed but the ash is still waiting. What better time to take a wander through the wooded environment of Brandon Country Park with its copper beech and pine trees.

This writing workshop will feature readings from poems and prose about woods and trees, time to be with trees, and some writing exercises to stimulate your own writing.

Try a short form of poetry (haiku), just seventeen syllables long, such as this:

Among resined pines,

In the still forest sunlight,

A robin’s song drops.

Experience the woods through your senses – the smells of leaf litter, bark, resin; the sounds of bird song, wind stirring leaves; the rough touch of bark and pine needles. Use these experiences to write some poetry or prose that connects with the trees.

Date: Tuesday 9th May

Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm

Cost: £20.00 per person – Pre-booking essential through Brandon Country Park. Telephone 01842 810185 or via website Brandon Country Park

Includes a light lunch in the Copper Beech Tearoom & refreshments throughout the day (plus car parking).