It was Alice’s idea a couple of years ago, that we all meet in the college for a whole weekend with nothing to do but write and chat about writing together. Last weekend was our second Summer Retreat, coinciding again with the height of summer, and it gives me huge pleasure to watch these writers develop their confidence and write so exquisitely. Some are writing novels though they started small, others are dealing with editors within sight of the finishing line, and some are holding on to writing while life is more than usually demanding, as writing even a little always helps.

One of the writers has just emailed to say, ‘Thank you so much for leading us through a lovely retreat, it was inspiring, interesting and heart-warming as usual. I really enjoyed it.’ Many thanks for such kind words.

Many thanks too to Kathryn (on the staff as well as in the group, and herself a beautiful writer) for organising everything and to the marvellous caterers for keeping us topped up with tea, coffee and biscuits. Thank you, Churchill Association and Churchill College, for supporting this group since I set it up in 2011. Happy writing, everybody!