Author: Seamus
-
February starts with plenty of creative writing
This week there are several great creative writing events in Rochdale as well as our own weekly Riverside Writers session. Here are the details in brief: Monday 2nd February, Northern Rascals, 5pm to 6.30pm, Rochdale Northern Rascals are bringing a special creative session to Richard Street Studios on Monday and have invited members and…
-
Refuge – Thursday 29th January
For the Riverside Writing Group session this week Seamus Kelly will be leading a workshop titled “Refuge”. In view of the things happening in the USA and other parts of the world and the prevalence of anti-immigrant feeling in some parts of the UK it seems an appropriate time to look at refuge once again.…
-
Jan 22nd – Writing Animals
This Thursday 22nd January our workshop led by Seamus Kelly will consider “Writing Animals”. In this session we will consider different approaches, writing from different points of view, and look at some examples (well known and less so). There will be plenty of chance to write and share. This workshop should be informative and help…
-
15th January – E-piphanies
This week Eileen Earnshaw will be delivering a workshop themed ‘E-piphanies’. Come along and find out, there is sure to be ideas, inspiration and plenty of chance to write. As always our session runs from 10am to 12noon, at Rochdale Central Library, and all aged 18+ are welcome to attend. PLEASE NOTE – THIS…
-
Happy New Year – 8th January – We’re Back!
This Thursday, 8th January 2026, is the first Riverside Writers session of the year. This week our session will include a poetry workshop delivered by Sammy Weaver, Rochdale’s Poet Laureate. Sammy will be encouraging and supporting the writers to create poems around themes of identity and origin – where we come from and what it…
-
Poetry Events coming up in 2026
As Rochdale enters the final quarter of its year as Town of Culture there are several great poetry events coming up from Rochdale Creates and hosted by Sammy Weaver, Rochdale Poet Laureate. These events will feature some great local talent alongside nationally renowned performers, poets and writers. All events are free of charge but spaces…
-
Merry Christmas from Riverside Writers
So this evening is Christmas Eve and in the morning Santa will be coming round with lots of new words, hopefully some books and ideas to write about. In the meantime Bob Tench, haiku specialist, who has attended Poetry Café in recent months, has sent the following for our readers. some good some laden this…
-
Alternative Christmas – Thursday 18th December
Rochdale Central Library 10am to 12 noon This Thursday sees the final Riverside Writers session of the year so we will have a bit of a celebration – mince pies and lots of poetry and prose. We’ll have a theme of ‘Alternative Christmas” and invite members to bring something to read or to write…
-
Wintering – Thursday 11th December
10am to 12noon, Rochdale Central Library Riverside Writers workshop this week will be led by Eileen Earnshaw on the theme of “Wintering”. So now that storm Bran has passed it is time to get out and do some writing. As always anyone aged 18+ is welcome to come along, no need to book, just bring…
-
Poetry Café – The Legend of Krampus – Rochdale Laureate
There is plenty of creative writing activity in Rochdale as we head into December, so sharpen your pencils, fill your pens and join us. Poetry Café Tuesday 2nd December, 6pm to 8pm, Coffee on the Corner, Littleborough On Tuesday evening the Poetry Café, open mic event, returns to the excellent Coffee on the Corner…
-
Not sure I ever liked him anyway
Rochdale Central Library Thursday 27th November – 10am to 12noon “Not sure I ever liked him anyway” is the title for a workshop from Riverside Writers’ Eileen Earnshaw focused on character development. Whenever you create a story, whatever genre it falls into, you’ll need to create suitably interesting characters. This is the session to…
-
Our house, in the middle of our street
Thursday 20th November 10am – 12noon, Rochdale Central Library, Number One This week our workshop will be led by Eileen Earnshaw with the title Our house, in the middle of our street. Sounds like Madness to me, Baggy Trousers optional – but expect to be inspired, supported or cajoled to get your creativity flowing and…
-
Remembrance workshop
Thursday 13th November, 10am – 12noon Rochdale Central Library In the week where those killed in war are remembered the Riverside Writers workshop, themed on remembrance, will be delivered by Ray Stearn. As always our workshops are open to anyone aged 18+, you just need to bring something to write with. The sessions are free…
-
Letting the Light Shine In
Lemn Sissay inspired workshop 10am to 12noon Thursday 6th November 2025 Rochdale Central Library, Number One Riverside Tomorrow Eileen Earnshaw will be delivering a workshop themed on and inspired by national poetic treasure Lemn Sissay. There will be plenty of opportunity to create some new poetry, or other genre should you prefer. We welcome…
-
The Raven – creative writing workshop, and Poetry Café
Rochdale Central Library, Number One Riverside, Rochdale On the day before Halloween it feels appropriate to look at the Raven. We will look at the classic, dark, poem by Edgar Allen Poe and plenty of other historical and mythological references to the raven, the largest and cleverest of the corvids. There will be plenty of…