Yorkshire writer to run new retreat in ‘God’s Own County’

A Yorkshire writer is offering aspiring wordsmiths the chance to attend a five day retreat based in a stunning rural location in West Yorkshire.

Writer Glynis Charlton, who lives near Hull, is planning a series of workshops and walks situated at Coddy’s, a working farm set high in the hills above the well known market town of Holmfirth, from 27 June to 2 July 2021.

“I went to stay at Coddy’s and immediately thought it would make the perfect location for a writing retreat “ said Glynis. “The farm looks out over the rolling Holme Valley towards the moors and it’s the most stunning spot to stay, with amazing food.”

Glynis Charlton has a First Class degree in Creative Writing and has been shortlisted for the prestigious Bridport Prize three times. She has run writing workshops in countless places, including the Leeds Playhouse, the Brontë Parsonage Museum, and at Ilkley Literature Festival. She has also contributed to resource books on therapeutic writing and had a film short screened as part of Leeds Film Festival. She has been running creative writing workshops for many years, most recently on the magical little island of Isola Maggiore, on Lake Trasimeno in Italy.

“Covid-19 nudged me to set up an additional retreat, this time a bit closer to home, and there’s nowhere in the UK more beautiful than Yorkshire in the summer,” she said.

Writers will stay in a beautifully converted barn next to the farm, with workshops taking place outside on the terrace when weather permits. Mornings will be spent taking part in structured writing workshops on character development, setting and dialogue. As well as one-to-one sessions, there will be opportunities to enjoy an afternoon workshop on travel writing led by Rough Guides writer Jules Brown and go on a guided walk with local landscape photographer Andy Leader.

“It’s such a special location which offers a rare opportunity to really immerse yourself in your writing, with plenty of time to think and be creative,” said Glynis.

The five day retreat costs £795 per person and, as well as all the workshops, includes double en suite room, full English breakfast, light lunch, tea, coffee and cakes and home cooked evening meal. Pay in full before 1st January 2021 and save £100 to take advantage of the temporary reduction in VAT.

To find out more about Glynis’ Yorkshire Writing Retreat go to www.yorkshirewritingretreat.org.