First Story residential

Last week was a wonderful opportunity for 16 young writers from across the country to get together in the inspiring surroundings of Ted Hughes’ former home in Yorkshire and, away from the distractions of home and life, just write. For some it was their first time away from home and there were undoubtedly a few nerves. We asked Antonia Byatt, Chief Executive of First Story, how they were getting on.

“I wanted to let you know that everyone is having a wonderful time.  The young people have all made incredible new friends, they have been writing hard, we’ve been walking over the hills and valley and have visited Sylvia Plath’s grave.

First Story students are often the unusual people in a class and it is really valuable for them to get out and meet new people and make new friends. There have been huge cook-ins and they were spell bound by the performance on Wednesday night from our visiting writer/rapper/beatboxer Testament.”

At the end of the week the young people perform some of the work they have produced and an anthology is created. After the introspective writing of the covid years, when a residential was not possible, it will be interesting to see what has provided the inspiration for these young people’s creativity. We will keep you posted.