Words for Castle Ward

15/11/2022

Big congratulations to John Richardson on the publication of this wonderful book!
"Sir...Are you a virgin" is a hilarious biographical account of John's early years as a teacher. It showcases John's talent not just as a writer but also as a storyteller, truth teller and comedian.
Beneath the apparent satirical nature of this book lies a truth which is communicated in a funny yet poignant manner.
A real talent and achievement!! Congratulations again John from all of us at WFCW

28/09/2022

Autumn is upon us! I hope the changing of the seasons is being good to you all and that the fires of creativity are burning fiercely (or at least smouldering)
The next words for castle ward is this Saturday (1st October) and it starts at 11am in the education suite. Hope to see you all there xx

31/07/2022

Hi folks....... don't forget the Words for Castle ward meeting is on again next Saturday 6th August at 11am...... it's a feedback session so bring anything you may be working on at the moment. Whether it be poetry, fiction, memoir or even journalism, your work will be welcomed with open arms and open minds. It's also perfectly ok to just come along and listen and add to the general feedback and camaraderie.
Just a reminder though that charges on the gate will apply unless you are already a trust member. See you next Saturday!

02/07/2022

Absolutely wonderful to finally get back to Castle ward today and share some work! Big apologies to anyone out there who has 'slipped through the net' information wise.......I have tried to keep my communication game strong but quite a lot of my contacts seem to have changed and some folks seem to be out in the ether.......anyone who feels that they may have been left out, fear not! We are back next month!

06/01/2022

I just want to wish the WFCW crew a beautiful, prosperous and creative new year! Hopefully we can all meet in person in 2022 and share the beautiful space at Castleward. I have really missed creating with you folks and can't wait to see you all again. Xx

30/09/2021

Huge congratulations to Helen Hastings 🥳

Annoucing our second poet in our Autumn line-up of releases: Helen Hastings.

Helen's poems will be part of our Calling Card series, releasing short e-pamphlets from people who have yet to publish a first collection.

The pamphlet is available to order now via Amazon (we will be on other platforms later in the year) and will be released on Oct 7th, National Poetry Day: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09HHHY6B1

Helen Hastings is a poet from County Down. Her work has been published in the The Bangor Literary Journal, Derry Post and the 2021 Community Arts Partnership anthology. She has taken part in numerous public readings of her work, including both the Belfast Book Festival and Dublin Book Festival, C.S Lewis Festival, Aspects Festival, Strangford Festival and Women X Borders events at the Irish Writers Centre, Dublin. Helen is a member of the Words for Castle Ward writers' group and Women Aloud NI. When she isn’t writing poetry, Helen can be found riding scary motorbikes and walking her dog in secret forests.

"Those who have heard Helen read her work will be delighted that this introductory selection of her poems is now in print. A true voice. Warm, expressing an empathetic regard for her subjects, and when the moment calls for it, unafraid to tell it as it is: her work never fails to connect deeply with those who receive it.’ - Olive Broderick

29/05/2021

- thinking of all the writers, artists and all, that I have met through being at Castle Ward and grateful for the opportunity to share ‘Ward’ here as part of Visit Mourne Mountains Reimagine Arts Festival. Check out all the gorgeous bite size features still to come this weekend over on their page!

26/05/2021

Something lovely before the bank holiday - and Castle Ward featured (4pm, Sat 29 May!)

26/01/2021

Here I Stand, a public artwork video poem for National by poet Csilla Toldy with NIO launches Wed 27 Jan.
via NI Executive YouTube channel: https://m.youtube.com/user/niexecutive

- though not coming together in commemoration and shared remembrance this year, also responding to the collective call to light a candle at 8pm, 27 Jan for

The official channel of the Northern Ireland Executive.

05/01/2021

‘Go and make a cup of coffee’ it might say ‘open a window and breathe some fresh air’ and the voice will persist growing in crescendo until she’s yelling like a drunk sailor urging you to weather the storm. ‘ - some seasonally appropriate advice for surviving this Covid Winter from Helen Hastings - latest mental health article in downnews.co.uk

Anyone who knows me well will tell you that I come with quirks. I hold my pen weirdly, I have a scary laugh that isn’t restaurant friendly,