A Community History Project. 20th Century Lives in a Derbyshire Village Chrissie is delighted to be part of the team involved in this innovative ongoing Heritage Lottery funded project studying 20th century life from the perspective of ordinary people connected to the Derbyshire village of Borrowash. The project, is partnered by local arts organisation ‘Wash … Read more ►

Thank you to all the writers who attended this day workshop. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did and that the editing exercise ‘homework’ worked out well. Great venue – it wasn’t only those characters you created who were ‘unforgettable ‘- the trifle was unforgettably delicious too. Thank you — Think … Read more ►

Thank you to all the visitors to Erewash Museum who added their stories to those featured in the exhibition. Special thanks to SJ for sharing her story. SJ visited the Unexamined Lives exhibition with S her young son and baby daughter. She lives locally and is a regular visitor to the Museum. I had brought … Read more ►

Thank you to all the participants who came to the rEvive shop to ‘Write Something – Make Something’ as part of All Write Erewash. We had a great time talking, writing and trying out new arty things – and we all surprised ourselves with what we achieved. The project reached so many people with the … Read more ►

Thank you to all the talented writers who came on this summer writing retreat. You made it a truly memorable event and covered an amazing amount of work. We had a wonderful time working on a fascinating variety of projects, biographies, memoirs, children’s stories, articles – so many different genres. Wishing you all every success … Read more ►

Thank you to all you talented writers for working together to make this practical course such fun. You created some really exciting characters – wishing you all every success with your creations – keep writing and keep in touch. — Think of any great story and what you remember first are the characters. Love them, … Read more ►

Thank you to all the lovely and talented students who worked so happily together writing their life stories. An unforgettable week. Special congratulations to Life Story Writing student and inspirational poet Mary Collins on the publication of her wonderful poetry collection ‘Sunshine and Shadows’, (£5) all proceeds to reg. charity Neuroendocrine Tumour (Nets) Patient Foundation … Read more ►

W.I. Centenary – selection of winning entries 100 Presidential Perils (or thereabouts) – by Adele Abbott, Duffield Cumberhills What if the speaker doesn’t turn up? Or if he does and no one is interested in Conservation around the Thames Barrier? Or, if he turns out to be a carrier Of some dreadful lurgy, and everyone … Read more ►

The long awaited folder of stories and poems has been delivered and Chrissie is about to begin judging and writing critiques for categories 1 and 2 of the Derbyshire Eisteddfod, a year long event celebrating the Centenary of the W.I. The Eisteddfod is an inspired idea from Derbyshire Federation linking the Centenary Celebrations back to … Read more ►

From Scrooge and the ghost of Christmas Past, to Christmas Guardian Angels, stories with a supernatural or super-spiritual theme are always popular at this time of year. Join us for this new creative writing workshop where we will consider a traditional and then a contemporary ghost/supernatural short story, consider why we like them, then set … Read more ►

Many magazines and newspapers offer cash or gifts for letters, jokes, personal anecdotes and household tips they publish. It’s a great way to develop your writing skills, and get published. We’ll enjoy looking at the different types of letters, styles and subjects preferred by various publications and start writing. Once you begin sending off your … Read more ►

Thank you to all ten enthusiastic and talented students who were writing their life stories / memoirs on this Suffolk East Federation course. We had lots of fun and a happy productive time together and a ballet lesson! That’s definitely a first on a Life Story writing course and special thanks to our charming ballerina … Read more ►

Chrissie is judging Erewash Writers 2015 Memoir Writing Competition – having some lovely afternoons sitting in the sunshine enjoying reading and writing critiques for these 1000 words memoir pieces, some spanning many years, others capturing something which lasted for only one memorable evening. The variety of styles and memories is amazing. Lots of smiles, some … Read more ►

In the summer of 2014 shoppers on Bath Street dropped in to the rEvive shop (former Burton’s outfitters on Bath Street Ilkeston and shared their ‘life stories’. In the Autumn we formed a happy collaboration with local artist/maker Julie Genner (juliegenner@googlemail.com) and used our stories to create a lasting legacy for ourselves and the wider … Read more ►

Thank you to all twelve of the lively and talented students who began writing their life stories on this course. We had a wonderful time, sharing lots of laughter and a few tears too. It was a very special few days – we wanted to ‘stowaway’ and stay in that inspirational creative ‘Denman bubble’. — … Read more ►

We shared a wealth of great stories – lovely talented fun-loving and enthusiastic group of W.I. members. Whether you’ve been a member for a month or half a century, there’s a wealth of tales and special memories waiting to be written about your life and times within the WI. The meetings, the trips, the events, … Read more ►