UPDATE: Writing workshops were held across the region through the summer. We’re thrilled that loads of writers found inspiration and support from attending them, and have entered the competition as a result. Our judges look forward to reading your work!
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You might not think of yourself as a writer, but everyone has a story to tell about trains and railways!
To support both new and experienced writers in entering the Write On Track writing competition, and anyone else who’s interested, we have organised a series of writing workshops, all based in venues along the original 26-mile inaugural route of the S&DR – Darlington, Preston Park Stockton, Locomotion Shildon, and even on a Bishop Line train. You can come to one workshop or all of them, and they are all free to attend. We only ask that you book a spot!
Workshops will begin at the end of July 2024 and run until September 2024. They are open to everyone, regardless of whether you are eligible to enter the Write On Track Writing Competition.
Scroll down to see what’s available, and keep checking back for additions to the programme.
FREE WRITING WORKSHOPS
Railway Journeys:
Real & Imagined
24/07/24 - Preston Park Museum, TS18 3RH
A free poetry workshop with Bob Beagrie, exploring personal memories and imaginings of train travel, the comings and goings, arrivals and departures, greetings and goodbyes, outward-bound adventures and inevitable returns…
All Aboard!
07/08/24 - Hopetown, Darlington, DL3 6RF
LOW AVAILABILITY! Got the feeling you missed the train to story station? This relaxed and friendly writing workshop with Caroline Walling offers a chance to look at how the inspiration for stories are never far from hand. You will explore techniques that help create ideas and build your story worlds…
Celebrate the Bicentenary
13/08/24 - Darlington Library,
DL1 1ND
Poet Julie Easley will guide you through writing exercises to explore trains, travel and the railway. No writing experience is needed; Julie will take you step-by-step and show you how to use your own lived experience to write poems which connect place, travel and memory in the bicentenary of the S&DR…
Women of the Railways
15/08/24 - Sunday School,
Locomotion, DL4 2RE
Caroline Hardie shines a light on the importance of the S&DR, and the forgotten women associated with it, from 1825 onwards: hard-working, far from their extended families - and very often written out of history. Be inspired by these hidden histories, including some time in Hackworth’s House - not usually open to the public!
Bringing Your Writing to Life 16/08/24 - Hopetown, Darlington, DL3 6RF
A playful workshop exploring ways of taking poetry off the page and into voice, gesture and energised, embodied spectacle. Bob will lead participants through a series of games and individual and group activities to help you breathe life into your readings, recitals and dynamic portrayals of your own and others people's poems.
There’s Something About Trains
22/08/24 - On-train, meeting at Thornaby Station, TS17 6AW
For those who love trains: join poet Julie Easley on a workshop about trains - on a train! Meeting at Thornaby train station at 11.15am for a return journey to Shildon and back, explore just what makes travelling on a train so special, and use your observations to create new work. No train ticket purchase is necessary to attend this workshop.
A Musical Trip
19/08/24 - Age UK, Beaumont St W, Darlington, DL1 5SX
Sam Slatcher takes participants on an imaginary musical trip along the world’s oldest working passenger railway line, from Darlington heading towards Shildon. Sam will use music he's been writing all about the stories along the line and inspire stories of your own. Then make imaginary train maps to take you down the memory lanes of your life.
Images and Artefacts
29/08/24 - Reminiscence Room, Darlington Library, DL1 1ND
In this workshop, Eithne Longstaff will lead participants in working with images and artefacts relating to trains, railways and travel, to explore how they might unlock poetic responses in us. Taking place in Darlington Library’s beautiful Reminiscence Room, Eithne offers you a journey into the past to ignite your creativity.
Tales from the Rails
05/09/24 - Stockton Central Library, TS18 1TU
Whether you're a seasoned writer or just getting started, this workshop with Lizzie Lovejoy is the perfect opportunity to explore memoir and short story writing in a supportive and creative environment. Lizzie will guide you in turning your personal experiences into compelling narratives, helping you tell your own story in your own voice.
This competition and its corresponding events are a project by Stop Write Hear, and have been made possible with the support of Tracks Darlington, and through funding from S&DR Heritage and Community Fund, Bishop Line Community Fund and Creative Darlington.
