The George Mackay Brown Fellowship ran two writing groups which met regularly throughout the year. Participants enjoyed writing together and the support and stimulus of working with other writers.
Writing Orkney still supports Orkney Voices and runs one off writing groups from time to time.
Wirdsmit was a group for young writers aged 8-15 led by Gaby Barnby. We had to suspend Wirdsmit as we were unable to find a replacement leader when Gaby moved on.
Orkney Voices, a group for Orkney language writers, was set up and led by Alison Miller. Occasionally guest writers were invited to deliver writing workshops. The groups regularly worked in partnership with other organisations in Orkney, contributing to events and sharing their work.
Since then, Orkney Voices has successfully taken over leading the group themselves, while remaining under the umbrella of Writing Orkney. Barbara Johnston is currently the contact person: barb.blackburn@btinternet.com
The GMB Fellowship organised occasional renga sessions in which participants met and collaborated on a group poem based on the Japanese renku form.
Writing Orkney will continue to organise renga sessions at different times with different local groups.
You can find out more about our groups in the following pages:
Writing Orkney 