Todmorden News

Poetry School Coming To Calder Valley

The Poetry School is coming to Calder Valley for the first time with a brand new poetry course. The Poetry School is a national organisation which teaches adults the art of writing poetry through a huge range of courses, workshops, talks and events all round the country and online.

The new course is taught by local writer John Siddique and is open to all those with a desire to develop their skills.

John has published four collections of poetry, ‘Recital – An Almanac’ (SALT), ‘The Prize’ (Rialto), ‘Poems From A Northern Soul’ (Crocus), and a collection for children. He recently wrote a short play for Radio 3’s Freethinking Festival, and co-authored a collection of short stories. As well as teaching for the Poetry School, he often works with the Arvon Foundation, British Council and the Poetry Society. John has been a visiting lecturer at Vienna and Manchester Metropolitan Universities, and was the British Council Writer in Residence at California State University, Los Angeles in 2009.

His passion for literature sees him drawing on the whole tradition of poetry and working in a range of places where you would not expect to find art such as prisons, schools, and hospitals. A passionate and provacative writer Siddique is well known for his captivating readings, and his ability to communicate with all types of audiences to open up the world of poetry and language.

Course Details

Title: Thinking Like A Poet
Tutor: John Siddique
Description: How do we move towards poetic thought? How is it different from everyday thinking? In these highly practical sessions, you will look at many types of poetry from formal to open forms, using them as jumping off points to explore how to develop your writing and reading lives. Write, read, discuss and create while enjoying each other’s company in the beautiful setting and countryside of Hebden Bridge.
Venue: Hole int’ Wall, Hangingroyd Lane, Hebden Bridge HX7 7DD.
Date: 25 Sep, 30 Oct, 27 Nov
Time: 10am – 4pm
Price: £53, £41 (over 60s), £35 concs per session. Special offer: book all three sessions for £143, £111, £95
Level: open to all
To book: call 0207 582 1679 or book online

Visit The Poetry School website