Blast from the Past: Writing Historical Figures into Your Poetry - Catherine Redford

Date/time: Saturday 12th September 2026, 4:30pm - 5:30pm

Have you ever fancied having a pint with Queen Victoria in Wetherspoons, or wondered what Winston Churchill would post on his Instagram stories? This playful workshop, led by Forward-nominated poet Catherine Redford, will look at how we can merge fact and fantasy in our writing, both travelling back to the past to meet historical figures and bringing them into our own modern world. Engaging in a range of imaginative exercises designed to get you thinking in new and exciting ways, we’ll look at how writers have used anachronisms and fresh perspectives to engage with historical figures both famous and obscure. This will be a relaxed, nurturing workshop, suitable for both beginners and more experienced poets. There will be no pressure to share your writing unless you would like to.