A free two-hour creative writing workshop, led by Lisa Storm-Olsen, using the river as its central thread at The Millhouse, Ilminster.

Thursday, 2nd July 10 am - 12 pm

The Millhouse is a creative hub that now sits in an industrial area. It is a former Victorian flax mill that sits alongside the River Isle. The area is surrounded by trees, farmland, water, and the heritage of a former industrial past. The river is part of its history and also offers a tranquil space to sit by it and listen to the birdsong and feel the flow of its movement as it meanders from tributary through to the River Parrett.

Our waterways, their ecology and the biodiversity that they support are precious and vital. Rivers are fundamentally about flow and carrying life.

Published writing on nature recovery and the connection between humans and the environment has seen increasing growth and demand. In this two-hour session, participants are invited into the nature writing space - to write into and through the river: its ecology, its memory, its disturbance, its restoration. 

By hearing and reading examples of writing on rivers and the natural environment, looking at art, photography - inspired by the themes in the current Seeking Ecological Exhibition in The Millhouse gallery and other source materials - we will consider the resonance of a river, how this resonates with us and how restoration can work both ways.

We will reflect on the following questions:

• How do we connect with rivers?

• Do we use and observe, or do we immerse, revere and protect?

• Are we compelled to reduce our impact on water and contribute to its active restoration?

• Can writing support this, and how?

We will reflect on how rivers have supported industry, craft and communities, and share experiences and thoughts.

We will also discuss how climate change is impacting river health and function, and what can be done about it. We will reflect on ecological flow and movement as species like the beaver, the crane (Somerset) and the pine marten (Devon) are introduced, as does rewilding and heritage farming, and recover public interest and hope in restoring river ecology. We will listen to different perspectives on these topics, including practical, scientific, historical, and recreational sources

We’ll experiment through short, informal writing exercises and prompts, some in a group, with discussion, and time to write individually.

Inspired by the riverbank setting and the varied visual and written resources, you will be guided with methods to generate some short pieces of work in response. Constructive feedback will be offered alongside opportunities to share your writing with the group, should you wish.

A range of source books will be available to use for further inspiration during the workshop.

Coffee and other refreshments are available in the on-site cafe, and there are riverside seats to take in the silence and observe whilst writing (weather permitting). Join us for lunch afterwards.

The workshop will be accessible and inclusive, friendly and supportive - we look forward to welcoming you. All levels are welcome, from beginner onwards and can encompass all genres and approaches.

Part of the Seeking Ecological Citizenship workshop, exhibiting between 23rd June - 18th July @TheMillhouseIlminster.