This term I ran weekly, in-person, drop-in creative writing workshops where we explored everything from our own journals of the plague year to ghost stories and dramatic encounters with historic Univites.

Theone Ellis kindly designed a poster to advertise the informal play readings of early drafts of my translation of George Sand’s Gabriel — it allowed us to escape from reality into a Renaissance world of cross-dressing, sword-fights and masked balls, which was a relief. Despite the virus by week 7 everyone was out of quarantine, recovered from COVID-19 and we were able to all be in the room together for the final reading. I was able to get some third years together in my rooms for a (socially-distanced, masked) chat about careers in the arts and creative writing or drama MAs. It would be so lovely to be so good to be able to mix more freely and get those masks off.

But it’s still been lovely being in College — everyone is friendly and welcoming. I’m currently thinking about plans for Hilary term and am open to suggestions — anyone with ideas, email me.

Clare Bayley, Visitor in the Creative Arts

Published: 18 December 2020

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