Courses at Gladstone's Library

Except where otherwise stated, all prices include course fee, morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, bed and continental breakfast.

Please note that courses must be booked by contacting Reception and are not available for online booking.

Creative Writing Workshop with Writer-in-Residence, Peter Jukes

Sunday 26^th May 10.00am – 4.00pm

Why Lying Around is important: Visualising your Story - This workshop will concentrate on that under represented part of the writing process - thinking and visualisation time - which should precede putting pen to paper. Using his many years experience as a TV screenwriter and dramatist, Peter will look at the larger structures of narrative, and how to give the larger structure - the mythic structure of a piece of fiction or prose - the same twists and turns and dynamics as a sentence or paragraph. The workshop is practical and will involve a group brainstorm on a novel, screenplay and piece of reportage based on the newspaper and media stories of the day.

For more information, please click here.

• £28.00 to include morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea

Writing from Nature

Aberystwyth University Lifelong Learning – courses for all

Thursday 6th June - Sunday 9th June

Code: HL303W

How does the natural world inspire and inform creative writing? How can writing about your natural surroundings enrich your writing, as well as your relationship with nature? This course, suitable for both beginners and experienced writers, will seek inspiration from the scenic, wooded surroundings of Gladstone’s Country park in Hawarden. Students will be granted a permit to explore those peaceful areas of the park not normally open to the public.

Tutor Chris Kinsey was BBC Wildlife Poet of the Year in 2008. She received an Arts Council of Wales Writer’s Bursary in 2000 and has had three collections of poetry published: Kung Fu Lullabies, and Cure for a Crooked Smile by Ragged Raven Press, and, most recently, Swarf by Smokestack Books in 2011. She also writes a regular Nature Diary for Cambria.

Aberystwyth University has chosen Gladstone’s Library as the venue for its programme of residential creative writing courses this summer.

For more information on this course, please click here.

•  £90 (excluding accommodation), £80 concessions. Special rate for accommodation at Gladstone's Library, ask for details.

Note -  Please book accommodation for this course with Gladstone's Library but the course itself should be booked through the School Of Education and Lifelong Learning at Aberystwyth University at learning@aber.ac.uk or on 01970 621580

Creative Writing Workshop with Writer-in-Residence, Katrina Naomi

Sunday 16^th June 10.00am – 4.00pm

Going Public with your Poetry - This workshop is ideal for anyone who has been writing for a while who would like to begin sending out their poems or would like to try reading their work in public. The session will focus on researching poetry magazines, and consider the merits of poetry magazines v poetry competitions. Katrina will offer tips on writing covering letters to editors, and will run a practical session on reading/performing your poetry in a supportive atmosphere. She will also discuss the value of blogs, websites, self-publishing, Facebook and Twitter for poets.

• £28.00 to include morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea

Creating Sacred Space - Approaches to leading creative quiet days

Wednesday 26^th June 10.00am - 3.30pm

This Retreat Association Training Day will address what might be involved in a holistic sense when preparing Retreats or putting on Quiet Days. Participants will be invited to explore their own ways of working, delve into their own creative energy (or lack of it) in order to develop more confidence in engaging all of the senses to create sacred space for people taking part in their retreat. The morning will be mainly in-put and reflection and the afternoon will be more practical.

Mary Elizabeth Nono has been involved in retreat work and spiritual direction for more than twenty years. She is a member of Salford Prayer Guides and the Catholic Network for Retreats and Spirituality and has regularly created prayer spaces and focal points for Liturgy at national RA and CNRS conferences. She has given workshops on creating sacred space in both Europe and the USA.

For more information on this course, please click here.

• £28.00 per person (to include morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea) or £23.00 for members of any Retreat Association group.

Liquid Faith

Monday 1^st – Wednesday 3^rd July

Ian Bradley and Elizabeth Ursic will talk about their own particular experiences of how drawing on other traditions has deepened and broadened their own faith, with Ian Bradley drawing on Taoism in its understanding of the spiritual significance of water and on Hindu and Buddhist ideas of losing self and returning to the ocean depths and Elizabeth Ursic sharing her research in the interface between paganism and Christianity and on goddess spirituality.

For more information on this course, please click here.

• Fully Inclusive Price: £170 - £190 residential / £110 non residential.

On Liberties: Victorian Liberals and their Legacies

Wednesday 3^rd – Friday 5^th July

This inter-disciplinary conference aims to explore the various implications of the idea of the ‘liberal’ in the Victorian period, but also its multifarious legacies: its legacies for modern politics, for the ways we conceptualize the Victorian period today, and most fundamentally for our notions of broader categories and concepts we still associate with ‘the liberal’ and with liberalism: knowledge, licence, education, and human freedom. Those interested should see the full call for papers here, or contact louisa.yates@gladlib.org

For more information, please click here.

The Gladstone Umbrella

Friday 5^th – Sunday 7^th July

Gladstone’s Library, the National Memorial to the Grand Old Man, provides the perfect setting for the annual colloquium for scholars and Gladstone enthusiasts. Offers of papers on all aspects of Gladstone’s life and times are welcome (please contact David Brooks (d.r.brooks@qmul.ac.uk by April 30th). The weekend includes a trip to Gladstone’s study at Hawarden Castle, the Temple of Peace.

View the 2012 programme here.

For more information on this course, please click here.

• Fully Inclusive Price: £170 - £190 residential / £110 non residential – (£150 for those giving papers).

Founder’s Day Lecture - A. C. Grayling: The Necessity of a Liberal Education

Monday 8^th July

Exploring Creative Writing

Aberystwyth University Lifelong Learning – courses for all

Thursday, 11 July - Sunday, 14 July

Code: HL304W

Would you like to explore the many exciting possibilities of creative writing? Want to experiment with style and technique? Do you want to write more boldly? Or simply write more often? This course - suitable for new writers as well as those with some experience – is designed to get you writing, and keep you writing. In a supportive, fun environment, you will be encouraged to explore different writing techniques. Let Lara guide you through a range of stimulating, thought-provoking exercises – all designed to kindle – or rekindle – a passion for writing.

Tutor Lara Clough, is a published novelist and playwright, her novel Facing into the West Wind was reviewed in the Guardian as “a tender and perceptive tale of secrets”, 2006. She has been teaching a wide range of courses for the last five years and finds poetry and script writing especially stimulating and thought provoking for all. Students enjoy the supportive and encouraging environment she provides in her classes. Two active poetry groups have grown up from her classes and several students have gone onto MA Creative Writing courses.

Aberystwyth University has chosen Gladstone’s Library as the venue for its programme of residential creative writing courses this summer.

For more information on this course, please click here.

• £90 (excluding accommodation), £80 concessions. Special rate for accommodation at Gladstone's Library, ask for details.

Note - Please book accommodation for this course with Gladstone's Library but the course itself should be booked through the School Of Education and Lifelong Learning at Aberystwyth University at learning@aber.ac.uk or on 01970 621580 

Scriptwriting: An Introduction

Aberystwyth University Lifelong Learning – courses for all

Thursday, 18 July - Sunday, 21 July

Code: HL305W

Have you ever had an idea that you thought would make a great film or television script? Industry professional, Jane McNulty, will introduce you, step-by-step, to the process of professional scriptwriting. Designed to help you turn your idea into a viable script, this course will guide your through writing the story outline, creating believable characters and structuring scenes.

Jane McNulty worked for several years as a television scriptwriter with screen credits for episodes of various long-running series including EastEnders, Doctors, Crossroads, Heartbeat and Peak Practice, plus a short film for BBC2. She is now focusing on writing for the theatre: her play Our Lady of the Goldfinches - www.smallmerciesproductions.co.uk - recently toured the North West. Her work - drama, short stories, poetry - has won awards. Jane has over twenty years of experience teaching creative writing to adults and young people. She tutors at Edge Hill and Salford universities.

Aberystwyth University has chosen Gladstone’s Library as the venue for its programme of residential creative writing courses this summer.

For more information on this course, please click here.

• £90 (excluding accommodation), £80 concessions. Special rate for accommodation at Gladstone's Library, ask for details.

Note - Please book accommodation for this course with Gladstone's Library but the course itself should be booked through the School Of Education and Lifelong Learning at Aberystwyth University at learning@aber.ac.uk or on 01970 621580

Creative Writing Workshop with Greg Garrett

Writing Funny: A short Course in Humour

Saturday 27th July 10am - 4pm

"Dying is easy. Comedy is hard." So goes the old Hollywood saying. But the truth is, we can study comedy and actually learn structures, language, and characters from writers who have employed tried and true ways to bring humour into their pieces. Join award winning writer, Greg Garrett, as he explores how you can liven your story with humour.

£28 (includes morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea)

To book, call 01244 532350 or e-mail enquiries@gladlib.org

Greek in a Week

Monday 5^th – Sunday 11^th August

This course is ideal for those wishing to learn New Testament Greek or for those wanting to revise or improve their knowledge of it. No prior knowledge of Greek is assumed – all we ask is that you try to learn the Greek alphabet before you arrive. This tried and tested course – a very successful way of learning the basics of New Testament Greek - is now in its seventeenth year and is led by New Testament scholar Kalyan Dey.

For more information on this course, please click here.

• Fully Inclusive Price: £510 - £570 residential / £330 non residential.

Hebrew in a Week

Monday 12^th – Sunday 18^th August

This course offers an exciting way to enjoy and understand Biblical Hebrew. Lyn Bechtel leads the week for those who wish to begin to read Biblical Hebrew. It can be enjoyed by those who know a little Hebrew and wish to revise and improve their knowledge or those who have no prior knowledge.

For more information on this course, please click here.

• Fully Inclusive Price: £510 - £570 residential / £330 non residential.

Latin in a Week

Monday 19^th – Sunday 25^th August

This exciting and successful approach to learning Latin aims to take complete beginners to the point where they can read some short extracts of poetry and prose by Latin authors. Robert Parker returns to lead the week for those who wish to begin to read Latin. It can also be enjoyed by those who know some Latin and wish to revise and improve their knowledge of it, but no prior knowledge is assumed.

For more information on this course, please click here.

• Fully Inclusive Price: £510 - £570 residential / £330 non residential.

Welsh in a Week

Monday 26^th – Sunday 1^st September

Come with little or no knowledge of the Welsh language – just a desire to learn and by the end of the week, a basic ability in Welsh will have been achieved. The course tutor is Julie Brake, Senior Lecturer in Welsh at Glyndŵr University.

For more information on this course, please click here.

• Fully Inclusive Price: £510 - £570 residential / £330 non residential.

The Philosopher and the Gospels

Friday 13^th – Sunday 15^th September

The teachings of Jesus Christ, as presented in the Bible, are familiar to millions, but do we really understand them? Keith Ward argues that, by scrutinizing the Gospels through the lens of contemporary philosophy, we can discover perspectives that are not always apparent in traditional church teaching.

For more information on this course, please click here.

• Fully Inclusive Price: £170 - £190 residential / £110 non residential.

Creative Writing Workshop with Writer-in-Residence, Vanessa Gebbie

Sunday 22^nd September 10.00am – 4.00pm

• £28.00 to include morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea

Latin – Second Steps

Monday 23^rd – Friday 27^th September

A brief introduction to Latin Poetry, dealing with metre and scansion and reading selections from the major poets, The course, like the popular Latin in a Week, is led by Robert Parker. It is suitable for those who want to take their knowledge a little bit further.

For more information on this course, please click here.

• Fully Inclusive Price: £340 - £380 residential / £200 non residential.

Creative Writing Workshop with Writer-in-Residence, Angela Topping

Saturday 12^th October 10.00am – 4.00pm

• £28.00 to include morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea

Reflections on Ministry in the Eye of the Storm

Friday 18^th – Sunday 20^th October

In 2003, Gene Robinson was elected as the Bishop of New Hampshire - the first openly gay man to be called to serve in such a position. Clearly beloved in his diocese and chosen from a wide selection of candidates, the election was entirely proper and the result clear cut, yet it sparked a hurricane storm of controversy that has polarised religious opinion on five continents and still rages ten years on. Here, Gene Robinson reflects on his journey of faith, his life experiences, the concerns that matter most to him as a bishop and the controversy that has rocked the church he loves and to which he is committed.

For more information on this course, please click here.

• Fully Inclusive Price: £270 - £290 residential / £210 non residential.

Any Dream Will Do - The Spirituality of the Musicals

Friday 1^st – Sunday 3^rd November

Arguing that the musical is the "most ubiquitous and dominant cultural icon of our age," scholar Ian Bradley unpacks the theological significance of the musical. Bradley argues that musicals provide millions of people around the world not just with entertainment but also with spiritual and theological values, a philosophy of life, and an encounter with God.

For more information on this course, please click here.

• Fully Inclusive Price: £170 - £190 residential / £110 non residential.

Films of Faith & Doubt

Monday 4^th – Thursday 7^th November

An opportunity to re-view classic and contemporary films of faith and doubt, including, The Master, Good, The Sign of The Cross, The Mission.

For more information on this course, please click here.

• Fully Inclusive Price: £255 - £285 residential / £150 non residential.

Only Say The Word

Saturday 9th November 10.00am – 4.00pm

Susan Woodhead and Michael Wheeler offer a day course which looks at the relationship between faith and wholeness. Focusing upon examples from Christ’s healing ministry, Susan explores the needs of both the patient and the healer.  She draws upon many years of experience as a practitioner in complementary medicine and in counselling, and as a practising Christian who finds the Benedictine tradition particularly appropriate for her own professional and personal formation.  Michael Wheeler follows up each of Susan’s examples by discussing Christ’s healing ministry from both theological and cultural view points, illustrating his approach with visual images, mainly of old master paintings, and with biblical and literary commentary.

£28.00 to include morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea

Contemporary Questions in Islamic Ethics

Friday 15th - Sunday 17th November

• Fully Inclusive Price: £170 - 190 residential/£110 non residential.

Sight & Sound’s Ten Greatest Films of all Time - What they tell us about us?

Monday 2^nd – Friday 6^th December

Every 10 years Sight and Sound asks 846 critics and 358 directors from all around the world to vote for their top ten films of all time.  This week we re-view the directors’ top ten films: Tokyo Story, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Citizen Kane,81/2, Taxi Driver, Apocalypse Now, The Godfather, Vertigo, Mirror, Bicycle Thieves.

For more information on this course, please click here.

• Fully Inclusive Price: £340 - £380 residential / £200 non residential.