Hay Scribblers Tour

Hay Scribblers interactive creative writing workshops set to continue at Swansea University

Year 7-10 pupils from South Wales Secondary Schools are set to benefit from access to renown poets and authors as part of continued Welsh Government funding of a series of dynamic and interactive creative writing workshops held at Swansea University.

Run by the Hay Festival, The Hay Scribblers Tour is set to continue into 2023 and 2024.

A Welsh language workshop Hay Scribblers Cymraeg will take place at Swansea University in November 2023 and two additional English language workshops are being planned for February 2024. As part of the workshop events, attending pupils also have the opportunity to work with authors and poets as well as interacting with university staff and students and experiencing university campus life.

Recent Hay Scribblers workshops held at Swansea University included author Maz Evans, who ran a diary entry session looking at points of view. Prize-winning poet Matt Goodfellow  looked at witty ‘rebel writing’, encouraging pupils to write about their own experiences through poetry. Sci-fi author, Femi Fadugba, supported pupils to write their own imaginative short story using the theme of invention, AI and algorithms and author Caroline O’Donoghue led a workshop based on storytelling, with inspiration from ancient magical tools such as tarot cards.

One Year 7 pupil from Ysgol Coedcae in Llanelli commented:

“I would like a future career in film. I felt inspired learning from the authors and poets who encouraged us to let our imaginations transfer through our pens onto paper. We were able to ask questions and learnt a lot from them. The day was really enjoyable.”

Professor Sian Rees, Head of School of Culture and Communication, Swansea University added:

“The Hay Scribbler’s events at Swansea University are a wonderful way to bring secondary school children onto our campus and to enthuse them about the literary arts.  They provide an opportunity to explore and experience creativity and reinforce the important and enlightening role the literary arts play within both education and our wider society and communities.”

Aine Venables, Learning and Engagement Manager, Hay Festival concluded:

"Pupils were able to experience life at Swansea University, for many it was their first time on a campus. These experiences come together to make a hugely inspirational and inspiring day for pupils. Thank you to the whole team at Swansea University and The Taliesin Theatre for making the Scribblers Tour such a positive experience for everyone involved. We look forward to the next set of events later in the year."

Explore the range of English Language and English Literature undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered at Swansea University.

Find out more about the work of Hay Festival.

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