Poems of Place and Change | walking and poetry workshop along Oxford Canal

Join poets Carl Tomlinson and Kate Oldfield for a short walk through a long history as we explore Oxford’s canalside. We’ll look at places that have changed and think about places that have changed us. Away from the dreaming spires, we’ll be considering the trade and transport which shaped this area. 

After our walk, there’ll be time to reflect and write. Expect good conversation and generative prompts.

All are welcome, whatever level you believe yourself to be. Just come with pen, paper and your imagination.

The workshop involves a one-hour walk*. 

On Saturday 28th February, participants will meet at a location by the train station/canal. From there we shall walk over to and up the canal in Jericho, and then on to the Lamb and Flag pub in St Giles where we will be greeted with a warm welcome, tea, coffee and cake!

The writing part of the workshop will begin in earnest with inspiring prompts. There will be time to share - but that’s not compulsory.

Places are limited and booking is essential.

Fee: £35. 

There will be tea/coffee and a pastry on arrival at the Lamb & Flag. Please bring a packed lunch or buy your lunch before we get to the venue. Please wear comfortable shoes for walking a mostly flat path. Please also be prepared for British weather.

The workshop will end at 1pm but everyone is welcome to stay on and chat in the pub!

*If you would like to participate and have limited mobility, get in touch and we’ll discuss alternative arrangements.

Any queries to [email protected]. 

Carl Tomlinson lives on a smallholding in rural Oxfordshire. His poems have appeared in Orbis, South, The Alchemy Spoon, The Hope Valley Journal, Spelt, and several anthologies. His poem ‘Market Forces’ won the Shout out for the Oxford Covered Market competition, and now forms part of the market’s audio guide. 

Carl’s debut pamphlet, Changing Places was published in 2021 by Fair Acre Press. Helen Mort says of it that it ‘challenge[s] us to move beyond a naïve appreciation of the ‘natural’ and recognise the ways that our landscapes have been profoundly altered by human presence’.

Kate Oldfield is a writer and poet who also runs writing workshops, retreats and events in Oxford and beyond. She worked in publishing for over twenty years, latterly as a writing mentor, ‘book fixer’ and ghost-writer. She is qualified in therapeutic and reflective writing practices and specialises in helping people find their creative potential and writers their voice. She is halfway through the first draft of her first novel and has her published in magazines such as Alchemy Spoon and Spelt Magazine.

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Host or Publisher The Writing Well (host Kate Oldfield)