BUDDING young writers in Hereford are spending Saturday mornings at the library honing their skills with professional writers Deborah Alma and Katy Moran.

The Write On Writing Squads are fun writing classes for eight to 16 year olds. The young people work on creating poetry, stories, plays, songs, articles and even tweets. The focus of the groups is creative writing, not on spelling or punctuation but these skills can be increased by taking part in the group.

Group members are also invited to share their writing at various showcase events which in the past have included the Ledbury Poetry Festival.

“The groups meet in the Woolhope Room at Hereford Library and with it’s huge round table, locked bookcases of old books and the view of Hereford Cathedral it is quite an inspirational setting for our young writers,” said Anne-Marie Dossett, librarian.

“I like writing because it’s like a different world except you control what’s going on and I usually lose track of time when I write like time never exists.” said Julia a young person from the group.

The writing squads are organised by Writing West Midlands and funded by Arts Council England

The sessions are on December 13 and January 24, 2014 and continue in the new year. They are from 10.30am - 12.30pm for eight to11 year olds and 1.30pm - 3.30pm for 12-16 year olds and cost £5 per session.

To reserve a place contact Joanne Penn - joanne@writingwestmidlands or for more information contact Anne-Marie Dossett

01432 260646 or amdossett@herefordshire.gov.uk.