One of the great joys of life which gives pleasure to millions of people is surely nature’s beautiful birds. It is no wonder that so many poets have written memorable poems involving these splendid creatures: Coleridge, Yeats, Hopkins, John Clare, Thomas Hardy and so many more across the ages. If you love poetry and you love birds too then please come and join us so that together we can explore the songs of the birds and the poems that they inspire.

Course Dates:

Thursday 24th September to 22nd October 9.30am to 11am.

5 Week course £80.00

What is it about flowers that have captivated artists and poets since time immemorial? Come and join us as we read a wide selection of poems by great poets where we will glimpse beauty in a common daisy with Emily Dickinson, become immersed in the blooms of Andrew Marvell’s garden and share William Blake’s vision of heaven in a wildflower along with so many more blossoming delights.

Course Dates:

Thursday 12th November to 10th December 9.30am to 11am

Five Week Course £80.00

Clym Yeobright, after years away in Paris, returns to Egdon Heath with his plans but a beautiful mysterious woman becomes obsessed with him, and they become part of a group of interwoven characters whose lives work out in unexpected ways. Regarded as one of Hardy’s greatest novels. Whether you are experienced in novel reading or if this is your first time, please do come and join us to explore the rich poetic language and behold the threshold where Victorian realism meets modern psychological fiction.

Course Dates:

Thursday 24th September to 22nd October 11.30am to 1.00pm

Five Week Course £90.00 (including the book)

The great actor Tony Sher, who gave a magnificent performance of Richard III, said that he became quite overwhelmed by the power of Shakespeare’s incredible language. Whether you are experienced in reading Shakespeare or if this is your first time, this course is for everyone. So please join us to enter the intriguing dark world of one of theatre’s most compelling villains. We will read, study and discuss together and most importantly have fun uncovering the treasures of the fantastic poetic language that lies within.

Course Dates:

Thursday 12th November to 10th December 11.30am to 1.00pm

Five-week Course £90 (including the book)

Open to all abilities and experiences we will experiment with a wide range of creative writing topics designed to unleash the creative writing artist in you. We will learn from the work of great writers, and you will be encouraged to compose your own work and share it with the group.  If you enjoy creative writing and want to join us in a process of discovery and improvement in an atmosphere of fun, then this is the course for you.

Course Dates:

Thursday 24th September to 22nd October and

Thursday 12th November to 10th December 1.30pm to 3.30pm

Five-week Courses £85

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