Write Your Own Folklore with Sophie Parkes

Our lives and our land are full of stories, just waiting to be told. From vanished mills and Vikings to botanists, businessmen and the Beautiful Oldham Society, the 160-acre landscape of Northern Roots is full of history, tales and memories…

Join folklorist and writer Sophie Parkes on a two-part course in writing your own folklore. In the first session (11am-1pm, Thursday 11th September) you will unearth inspiring stories connected to the Northern Roots site and Oldham, digging up the folklore at its heart to guide you in your own writing. In the second session (11am-1pm, Saturday 13th September) Sophie will guide you to write and hone your own folktale.

Write Your Own Folklore is open to everyone (18+). Whether you’re an experienced writer looking for something new to inspire you, or you’re completely new to writing and want to explore your creativity, this is an opportunity to tap into your creativity in a supported and inspiring environment. Events can be attended separately but we do recommend you attend both.

Sophie Parkes is a writer of novels, short fiction, life writing and music journalism. She holds a doctorate in creative writing and folklore from Sheffield Hallam University and is an Associate Lecturer in Creative Writing at Sheffield Hallam and Leeds Arts universities. Sophie’s debut novel, Out of Human Sight, was shortlisted for the NorthBound Book Award at the 2021 Northern Writers' Awards and was published in 2023. To find out more about Sophie, please visit www.sophieparkes.co.uk.

We have a limited number of places available and tickets must be booked via Eventbrite.

KEY INFORMATION

Price: £10 per session

Group Size: 15 spaces per session

Dates and times: Thursday 11th September 11am-1pm, and Saturday 13th September 11am-1pm. Please arrive 10 minutes before the start of the session.

Location: Northern Roots, Kings Road, Oldham, OL8 2BJ. Here’s how to find us.

Age limits: 18+

Parking: Parking is free in our small car park, as well as along Kings Road and in Alexandra Park Car Parks.

Clothing: Please wear weather-proof clothing and sturdy shoes suitable for mixed terrains.

Refreshments: No refreshments will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own snacks and drinks.

Toilets: We have a small composting toilet available on site.

Cancellation Policy: You are free to cancel and receive a full refund up until 12pm midnight on Monday 1st September 2025. Any cancellations requested after this time will not be accepted. To cancel, please email info@northern-roots.uk or cancel through EventBrite.

Have a question? Please reach out to info@northern-roots.uk

In partnership with Oldham Histories Festival and made possible by funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.