Writing the Wild: Winter Solstice
“Me thinks that the moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow.”
Henry David Thoreau
Writing the Wild is a one day writing and walking retreat timed for the splendours of Winter in the Derwent valley.
Led by award winning tutor Sophie Sparham, this day will provide writing workshops and a morning walk around the nearby woodland to immerse yourself in the darker side of the year. We will then return to the classroom for the afternoon for a laid-back writing experience.
Inspired by the darkest time of the year, we’ll celebrate the solstice through looking at different extracts about the winter time, as well as more general pieces of nature writing.
No writing experience is needed to attend this workshop.
Writing the Wild: Contemporary Writers
Writing Workshop Format
We meet at 10am and after initial introductions (and a cuppa) the workshop will look at different techniques, styles and ideas for writing and gaining inspiration from nature before a couple of short easy walks from the hotel.
This workshop will additionally look at the writings of and draw inspiration from writers such as Amy Liptrot, John Steinbeck, Helen Mort and Dylan Thomas. The workshop will be interspersed with time for reflection and space for your personal creativity with feedback from Sophie if desired.
The workshop will finish at around 4pm.
About the tutor:
Sophie Sparham
Sophie Sparham is a poet and writer from Derby. She has written commissions for BBC Radio 4, The V&A and The People’s History Museum. She co-hosts the night Word Wise which won best spoken word night at the 2019 Saboteur Awards. Her latest collection ‘The Man Who Ate 50,000 Weetabix’ came out in April via Verve Poetry Press. Sophie’s work has been published in Orbis, Under the Radar and The Morning Star. Her poem Sunrise Over Aldi won third place in the 2020 Charles Causley Poetry Competition. She is the co-director of Derby Poetry Festival.
Course Details
- Location: Peak District
- Cost: £45
- Duration: 1 day
- Level: Introductory
More Information
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Course Dates
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Meeting Point
The course will meet at The Sir William in the village of Grindleford. The village has good bus and train links with Sheffield and good train links to Manchester.
The hotel has ample free parking and it’s postcode is S32 2HS. -
Accommodation Options
This Beyond the Edge workshop is non-residential to allow you to select between a thermarest or 5 star hotel as you require.
There is lots of accommodation in the Hope Valley although we base ourselves out of The Sir William Hotel.
Further details and other options are listed on our Accommodation page.
If you are struggling to find something or want something special, contact the office and we will endeavour to assist.
FAQs
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How do I book?
The best way is via this webpage. Choose the date from the options on the above and then submit your booking and request an invoice or pay. If your course is under six weeks away you must pay the full amount.
For bespoke events get in touch first so we can check diaries and if required give you a quote. Get in touch by either calling the office on 01142 631 155 or emailing us.
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Does the course include accommodation ?
Not usually! We prefer to let you choose where you will be most comfortable. This may be in a tent or in a luxury hotel.
In the Peak District we work out of the The Sir William. This is a comfortable Inn with stunning views over the Hope Valley.
If this doesn’t suit you for whatever reason, other accommodation options can be found on our accommodation page.
For bespoke courses and events we can arrange whatever you desire from a bivouac under the stars to a spa hotel.
