The intersection between garden and poetry is one that has us in thrall. We keep coming back to it, each year, with a new slant. And for 2023, we’ve planned a low-key weekend of poetry, starting with Friday’s workshop event with Martin Johns, current poet in residence at Quinton Old Rectory garden.

The hands-on workshop will get you writing from the start. We’ll experiment with language and imagery through a series of writing exercises, led by Martin. We’ll then head out into the gardens for stimulus, before settling to writing.

The workshop will be suitable for more experienced poets, as well as those who are completely new to writing poetry. Participants will be able to explore and engage with the exercises at their own level and will leave with draft poems, to take away and work on further.

Martin has an MA in Poetry and has been widely published in poetry magazines. He has given readings at venues including the Manchester Royal Exchange and London’s Poetry Cafe. Martin has collaborated with composers from the Royal Northern College of Music, and the Birmingham Conservatoire. He has had two poetry pamphlets published by Palewell Press, including Tipping Winter into Spring, in 2022.

The workshop is limited to 12 participants. We encourage you to book early if you would like to join this event.

Places on the workshop are priced at £35, with booking via our sister site Breathe4Good. Click here to book your space.