Whether it’s a raging stormy sea, a peaceful lake or a flowing river, snowstorm or driving rain, water has fascinated poets throughout the ages. Come and join us in reading and appreciating a wide range of the world’s greatest poems, from Wordsworth to Stevie Smith, which explore water in all its fascinating forms

Course Dates:

Thursday 15th January to Thursday 12th February 9.30am to 11am.

5 Week course £80.00

“The Road Not Taken” is one of the most famous poems ever written but there is a great deal more to this great poet. Frost’s main interest is really that which lies in the heart of us all: “how can we, as solitary individuals, make sense of this amazing world?”  What a way he had with words – for example, “Nothing gold can stay” –  to express his ideas to us. Come and join us as we read, share thoughts and examine a variety of his wonderful work.

Course Dates:

Thursday 26th February to Thursday 26th March 9.30am to 11am

Five Week Course £80.00

Although written as a boys’ adventure published in 1883, this masterpiece has fascinated an adult readership and has been a best seller ever since. Set in the 18th Century we are plunged into a world of buccaneers and buried treasure and the atmosphere Stevenson creates is unforgettable. Come and join us as we study closely this work by a master storyteller.

Course Dates:

Thursday 15th January to Thursday 12th February 11.30am to 1.00pm

Five Week Course £88.00 (including the book)

“Age cannot wither her…” Cleopatra is one of the most complex female characters ever invented and Harold Bloom called her “Shakespeare’s most seductive creation.” The breathless beauty of the poetry of this play will carry you along like ‘the barge she sat in’ sailing on the Nile and it is no wonder Coleridge described the play as “by far the most wonderful.”  Whether this is your first reading of a Shakespeare play or if you’re returning after many readings then this course is designed for everyone. Come and join us as we explore the beauty of this masterpiece.

Course Dates:

Thursday 26th February to Thursday 26th March 11.30am to 1.00pm

Five-week Course £88 (including the book)

Open to all abilities and experiences we will experiment with a wide range of creative writing topics and exercises and extend with optional homework. As an integral part of the course, we will examine the work of various great writers with a view to learning from them. You will have the opportunity, with encouragement, to compose your own work and read it out to the group and join in discussions. If you enjoy creative writing and want to have fun while improving, then come and join us.

Course Dates:

Thursday 15th January to 12th February, 1.30pm to 3.30pm

Thursday 26th February to 26th March,1.30pm to 3.30pm

Five-week Courses £80

Johnnie is a published Bloomsbury Educational author with over thirty years of experience teaching English Literature. He makes the learning active and fun.