Woodland Festival: Writing the Woods for 16-25 year olds, with Helen Bowell
In this meditative workshop, for 16-25 year olds, we’ll create new poems about the nature in our local area, nestled in the Woods.
Date and time
Location
Sydenham Hill Wood and Cox's Walk, London Wildlife Trust
Crescent Wood Road London SE26 6LS United KingdomGood to know
Highlights
- 1 hour
- Ages 16+
- In person
- Free venue parking
About this event
As part of the 'Reuniting Sydenham Hill Wood and Dulwich Wood' project, you’re invited to our annual Woodland Festival - a day to leaf your worries behind and celebrate these much-loved woods, their wildlife, and the local community that helps them thrive. There’ll be tree-mendous live music, walks, crafty activities, buzzing stalls and plenty of art to branch out into. Whether you’re here to soak up the forest vibes, discover hidden wildlife, or just enjoy a day out under the canopy, there’s something for everyone.
Come along and let’s make it an un-be-leaf-able day in the woods together! 🌳✨
In this creative writing workshop - led by local poet Helen BowelI - inspired by our surroundings, we’ll use our senses, memories, dreams, quotations, facts and happenstance to create poems that reflect our true relationship with the landscape, in our individual voices. We’ll explore the zuihitsu poetic form and how it’s being used by contemporary poets, and learn new techniques for writing and editing. This is a workshop open to all 16-25 year olds, whether you have a deep relationship with the woods, or you’ve never been before.
Please note: This is 2 of 2 of this workshop. This 2pm event is for 16-25 year olds only and the event at 12pm is for all ages.
📍 Meeting Point: TBC (this will be confrmed via email in advance & signage on the day)
⏰ Time: Meeting for a 2pm start
🧑🤝🧑 Who can come: This is 2 of 2 of this workshop. This 2pm event is for 16-25 year olds only and the event at 12pm is for all ages.
What to expect:
🪵 Location: Held in a peaceful spot within the wood
🧺 Supplies provided: Picnic blankets, chairs, pens, paper & clipboards
✍️ Guided support: Step-by-step help in crafting your poem
🍃 Theme: Woodland and nature connection
🌟 Outcome: Create a personal piece inspired by Sydenham Hill and Dulwich Woods
Find out more about your facilitator...
Helen Bowell is a poet, producer and editor. Her debut pamphlet The Barman (Bad Betty Press, 2022) was a Poetry Book Society Choice. Her poems, reviews and translations have been published in bath magg, Poetry London, The Poetry Review, Poetry Wales and elsewhere. She co-directs Dead [Women] Poets Society, which resurrects women poets through events and online, and co-guest-edited Modern Poetry in Translation's Autumn 2020 focus on dead women poets. Helen ran Bi+ Lines, a project for bi+ poets, and edited the first anthology of bi+ poets (fourteen poems, 2023). She produced the Poetry Translation Centre's 20th birthday programme of events in 2024. She has run workshops on nature, community, home and more for organisations like the Royal Society of Literature, Spread the Word and The Writing Squad.
The delivery of the 'Reuniting Sydenham Hill Wood and Dulwich Wood' project is made possible by our funders and partners: The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Dulwich Estate, Southwark Council, The Kusuma Trust, Black Girls Hike, and Wanderers of Colour. This funding and these partnerships help to secure the future of the woods by bringing together the management of Sydenham Hill Wood and Dulwich Wood under London Wildlife Trust.
Main image by ©Lois Donegal
Frequently asked questions
Yes, booking through Eventbrite is essential so we can manage group numbers & contact you if the walk needs to be rescheduled due to weather.
Yes, the walk is completely free to attend thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with support from The Dulwich Estate, Southwark Council, The Kusuma Trust.
Footpaths can be uneven & there are steps & slopes at points due to the Woods' inclines. We are working on creating more wheelchair & buggy routes over the project period - please let us know if this is a concern.
Yes, we have an accessible composting toilet that will be opened for attendees. The nearest Changes Places Toilet is located in Dulwich Park.
Comfortable, sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing is recommended. You can also bring water & anything else appropriate you might need for your comfort.
This event is aimed at 16-25 year olds. Accompanying children are very welcome, but must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
We only permit assistance dogs at these events.
If there’s heavy rain, high winds or other unsafe conditions, we may postpone the walk for everyone’s safety. We’ll contact you by email as soon as possible if that happens.
You’ll be in good company! This is a great way to meet friendly locals & discover the Woods together. Feel free to contact us if you'd like to flag to us that you're coming alone & we'll look out for you.
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