Rural Skills Centre

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Creating Words: Creating Wellbeing

St Patrick’s Day, 2018. The fields were green but snow threatened so a big thanks to the intrepid souls who ventured forth for our first workshop at the Rural Skills Centre, Cardiff.

The focus for the day was to create a retreat where people felt safe and were given plenty of opportunities to write and share, if they wished to do so. The welcome couldn’t have been warmer. Gill was smiling, the wood-burning stove crackled in the corner and the atmosphere was one of light, warmth and peace. Perfect for our theme of wellbeing.

If the setting was ideal the food was even better. Drinks and cakes on arrival, more cake at breaktime and, for lunch, one of the most delicious meals we have had at a workshop. Sharing food is, we believe, essential to a good workshop and Gill surpassed herself with the spread. (Just look at the photographs!)

The day was spent talking, writing, sharing and commenting on first drafts after a series of short exercises to stimulate thoughts and words. We even ventured out into the wind and cold to gain the full experience of our surroundings, using the senses to record impressions and moods. We all came away with something from the day (including goody bags supplied by Gill.)

We are looking forward to sharing some of the pieces composed on the day when writers have had the opportunity to edit. We are also looking forward to our next workshop when we hope the weather will be warmer and we won’t have to battle snow flurries.

A big thanks to our friends, old and new, who came along. We look forward to next time. A big thank you to Gill as well for all her hard work in making the venue a centre of harmony and friendliness.

Oh, did we mention the food?

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