Last Saturday’s workshop - an afternoon of creative writing inspired by the natural world - was probably my favourite workshop so far! It was a cold day but the Phoenix Garden, hidden away in the heart of the West End, showed signs of spring with crocuses appearing, camellias blooming and cheery prayer flags strung between the pathways.

A small but intrepid group of writers assembled at the venue. Workshop leader Andrew Wille had an abundance of ideas, exercises and inspired readings for cultivating our beginners minds, “telling things slant” and reawakening our perception of the world. We visited our respective childhoods to recall the literary flora and fauna we’d loved when little. We dipped into the tarot and dabbled with our animal energy. I drew a butterfly card - make of that what you will! Later we rugged up to explore the garden, collecting sensory material to begin a Haibun (a magical poetry form - part prose, part verse/haiku).

It was a full afternoon fuelled by brownies, biscuits and wonderful company! With special thanks to Andrew and the Phoenix Garden folk. Already looking forward to our next workshop with Andrew - Fragrance Matters: Scent, Perfume and Writing on Saturday 20th May. I can’t wait to see the Phoenix Garden at the height of Spring - a perfect backdrop for the workshop and shall look forward to welcoming some of you then.