Story

Online only Creative Writing Group
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Online only Creative Writing Group

6.30pm, Tuesday 12 May 2026 – Online via Zoom


On Tuesday 12th May I will be leading the first meeting of an online creative writing group. This is a new, free, Online Writing Group and begins a trial run, twice monthly, for three months, for Rochdale Writes.

writing desk with computer, pen, paper etc

Sessions will run in 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month. Currently booked dates:

12th May, 26th May, 9th June, 23rd June, 7th July, 21st July

In this first session there will be an introduction to the Rochdale Writes CIC which is due to be launched shortly and to the aims and objectives of the online creative writing group. There will be writing prompts, time to write and some time to share. The group will be a chance to get together (virtually) with other writers and to share ideas and inspiration.

The group is intended to cater for those unable to attend physical sessions and those who cannot attend sessions during office hours. Email info@rochdalewrites.co.uk for more information and a link to join – No special software is needed, you can join using you phone, tablet or computer.

This should be an enjoyable and fairly relaxed safe place for those who want to write. With that in mind, please – no ‘adult’ content, no discrimination, racism, misogyny or offensive language, any of which may lead to removal from the session or the group.

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What’s Going on…

I’ve been quiet on here for a little while but lots going on elsewhere.

have been working, with support form my wife Maggie, Steve Cooke and Kirsty Olczak, towards the launch of a new and exciting CIC to support creative writing and poetry in Rochdale. I will post further details in the near future and we plan to launch in April. In the meantime this link – www.rochdalewrites.co.uk – takes you to a holding page which will be updated when we launch.

Long Tailed Tit - watched at Hollingworth Lake
Long Tailed Tit – watched at Hollingworth Lake

I also manage the website for Riverside Writers, based in Rochdale Central Library. The site www.riversidewriters.org.uk carries notifications not only for that group but also for lots of other creative writing related activity that we are aware on in our area.

For my own work I’ve been writing and running various writing workshops. My newest writing includes a number of new poems, a collection called “Feathered”, some new short stories and I am continuing to work on a narrative non-fiction book about thin places.

Teal duck - spring 2026

At last in recent days I’ve managed to add a couple of new pages with watercolour paintings to my own nature journal, pictured here. One lesson from all of this is that it doesn’t matter if you pause on something to concentrate on others. You can come back and that when you do you can feel refreshed and ready to go.

The Animal Olympics: Exciting Session at Junction Library in Middleton
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The Animal Olympics: Exciting Session at Junction Library in Middleton

Tomorrow I will be delivering my first session as part of this Summer’s HAF (Health, Activity and Food) programme for Your Trust at Junction Library in Middleton.

A picture of the Olympic rings with a line drawing of a different animal in each ring

The theme for these sessions is “The Animal Olympics”. Inspired by the recent Olympic Games in Paris the story and associated materials imagines an Olympic Games where the competitors are animals representing their countries.

There are competitors from the same continents taking part in events that are similar to those we have seen in Paris. Does everything go as planned? Who wins the medals?

All will become clear tomorrow and the children will be able to create their own versions and pictures. Promises to be a fun session.