To coincide with GWT’s Poetry Competition we are running poetry workshops at a small handful of our reserves in May and June.

At this craft-focussed workshop, you will encounter the writing of a variety of contemporary poets concerned with the natural world and the state it is in. Billy will then help you to develop some poetry of your own in the learning space and / or out in the reserve. Open to all (much or no experience of writing poetry are equally fine!). Tasks are designed so that attendees feel under no particular pressure.

You can sign up for just one craft-focussed workshop. With no more than 10 people per group, you and other attendees will work closely alongside Billy. This session lasts 3 hours and is £45 per person. Refreshments halfway through are included.

During this session you will explore Greystones Farm. Greystones Farm combines several habitats: its wildflower-rich meadows are designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and the rivers Dikler and Eye both pass through the farm and their banks support a variety of species including otter and water vole. The old farm buildings are used by migratory birds such as swallows and house martins, along with owls and bats.This nature reserve is also the site of the Salmonsbury Camp, an important meeting place during Neolithic and Iron Age periods and a Scheduled Monument.

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Billy grew up in the Stroud valleys but has spent much of his adult life in Antananarivo, Madagascar. He is currently finishing work on a full-length poetry collection and on a creative writing PhD at the University of East Anglia, supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. He has run creative writing courses for many years at the University of Antananarivo, specialising in outdoor workshops. Billy is also now involved in a number of collaborative projects aimed at helping people feel a stronger connection to the natural world and its plight. We’re thrilled to be teaming up with him at GWT.