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Nature Writing

People and Place

Monday September 6th - Saturday September 11th 2021

The Hurst

How do we record and convey what we experience in the world? What is the best way to include ourselves and others? Can we capture the beauty and fragility of the natural world in compelling and urgent ways? On this course you will discuss these questions and more, as you spend a week in the beautiful surrounds of The Hurst with tutors Peter Fiennes and Katharine Norbury. You’ll be able to hone your writing skills and explore the stunning gardens, hills and woods in which The Hurst sits. Topics will range across memoir, travelogue and nature writing as you debate what it is that makes some writing so unforgettable and addictive. You’ll look at story and structure, poetry and prose, interviews and research, and all discover new tools and techniques to create the very best life writing.

Be ready to write, talk and explore!

*We have worked hard to ensure our courses and retreats are as Covid-compliant as possible and can’t wait to welcome you to The Hurst. To learn more about the measures we have taken please click here

Single room price: £850

This course is available half-price for Arvon 18-25 members and benefits-related concessions.

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Grants are available to help with the course fee

COURSE TUTORS

Tutor

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Katharine Norbury

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Katharine Norbury trained as a film editor with the BBC and has worked extensively in film and television drama. She has…

Tutor

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Peter Fiennes

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Peter Fiennes is the author of three books: To War with God: the Army Chaplain who Lost his Faith…

Guest

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Anita Sethi

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Anita Sethi was born in Manchester, UK. Her book, I Belong Here: a Journey Along the Backbone of Britain …

The Hurst

The Hurst is a place you can write, far away from daily distractions. The house and gardens, surrounded by the forest-covered Shropshire Hills, were the former home of playwright John Osborne.

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THE COURSE AT A GLANCE

Writing course tutor delivering a workshop at Lumb Bank

Monday

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Arrive late afternoon, settle in, enjoy dinner and the tutors’ introduction to the week in the evening.

Tuesday

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Morning workshops led by tutors. Afternoons are your time for writing and one-to-one tutorials. Tutors read from their work in the evening.

Course participants writing at the workshop table at The Hurst

Wednesday

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Morning workshops led by tutors. Afternoons are your time for writing and one-to-one tutorials. In the evening a guest speaker joins the group.

Course participant writing on a sofa in the barn at Lumb Bank

Thursday

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Morning workshops led by tutors. Afternoons are your time for writing and one-to-one tutorials. You are free to spend this evening as you wish.

A woman smiling and listening to a writing tutor speak at Lumb Bank

Friday

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Tutors lead the final workshops in the morning. In the evening everyone gets together to share and celebrate their work.

Saturday

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The week comes to a close after breakfast. Have a tissue handy to say your farewells to the group.

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“I arrived at the beginning of the week wondering whether I might be a writer or even if I could write. But when I left, not only did I feel I could write, I knew that’s what I was going to do next.”

—Piers Torday

“It is invaluable to writers at an early stage to have this feedback on their work. Many people on my course said that they wished that they had received this type of input earlier in their career – that it might have borne fruit and improved their success. It also provides time to think – in an over complicated world it is hard to carve time for yourself against the requirements of work, family, and daily chores. Arvon was a breath of fresh creative air.”

—Penny Clark

“Both courses I attended have had a massive impact on my writing, and been part of the motivation and encouragement I needed to begin working professionally as a writer.”

—Course participant