Writing from Life
Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th August, 2026
Sat 9:30am–8:30pm · Sun 9:30am–4:30pm
Over two days…
- ✓ Five workshops on life writing and memoir led by Rosalyn Spencer — author of two nonfiction / memoir-style books
- ✓ Time and space for individual writing projects
- ✓ Home-made meals and cakes (all plant-based — 'Very Good' FSA Food Hygiene rating)
- ✓ Guest speaker: Helen Farish
Guest Speaker
Helen Farish
Award-winning poet Helen Farish will be joining us to read from her collection The Penny Dropping (Bloodaxe, 2024). Drawing on powerful and universal themes, The Penny Dropping traces the journey of a relationship from first meeting to eventual break-up — perfect for our ‘Writing from Life’ weekend.
Helen has won the Forward Prize for Best First Collection, received a Poetry Book Society Recommendation, and been twice shortlisted for the T. S. Eliot Prize. The Penny Dropping was a Poetry Society Book of the Year. Helen was the first female Poet in Residence at the Wordsworth Trust, and is now a Poetry School Tutor for the North West.
Full two-day event
£120
All meals, refreshments, and the guest speaker included. Price excludes accommodation — please ask if you’d like to stay.
Saturday evening only
£22
A two-course meal and Helen’s talk. Limited places available.
“Spent three days here in July at their Writing Retreat. Simply wonderful in every way. The warmth of Ros and Ian, the fabulous food, a gorgeous house with so many places to write or read, the peace - all delightful.”
“Absolutely magical! Staying at this incredible writing retreat was one of the most inspiring and nourishing experiences I've ever had.”
“A peaceful, homely and welcoming location to focus on my writing project. Rosalyn and Ian are perfect hosts and provided everything we needed for an enjoyable three-day retreat, including very generous, home-cooked and delicious vegan meals.”