Invaluable workshops for borough’s creative writers
THERE is so much literary talent in Rochdale one might wonder where it all comes from.
The writing groups in Rochdale give writers a venue where their craft may be practised and the invaluable workshops can take place.
One of these is Touchstones Creative Writing Group with its performance arm, Pulling Threads, which is administered by published writer Val Chapman (see Poetry on the Canal Bank and the Best of Manchester Poets) and Alfie Fairchild.
There is a volunteer committee of six at the moment that includes Ray Stearn, Eileen Earnshaw and Glenis Meeks.
Over the next 12 months, popular poets James Nash, Seamus Kelly, Jenny Bailey and Anthony Costello will facilitate workshops for the group, which is an invaluable facility for the people of Rochdale.
The group meets monthly on the first Thursday of every month from 1.30pm till 4pm and all new members are welcome.
There is a voluntary donation of £2 which goes towards the upkeep of the group.
Touchstones Creative Writing Group have an open policy regarding performance of their art, participating in many events across the borough.
These have included, among others, the opening of the River Roch, the Cotton Famine Road for Rooley Moor Neighbourhood Forum and readings in the Lancashire Fusilier Museum in Bury.
They have also participated in the Fringe Literary and Ideas Festival for the last four years.
Future projects on the horizon include the production of a photographic depiction of the iconic buildings in Rochdale with accompanying poetry.
In association with the group, Pulling Threads have been for the last four years involved in the commemoration of WWI, beginning in the centenary year with their production of We’re Here Because, followed by Gallipoli, Passchendaele then the Battles of the Somme and Jutland, all of which were very well received across the borough, the poetry, scripts and prose of the project will be published in the coming months.
In the near future there will be a performance of a montage of poetry and prose that is a depiction of the ageing process from both comedic and serious aspects under the title of Age Concerns.
The first performance will be at the Castleton Literary and Society on Friday, February 22.
This group provides support to the writers of Rochdale, both writers for pleasure and those with professional aspirations.
Find out more at Touchstones (open Tuesday to Saturday) or you can call 01706 924492.