Reading Round
JOIN PENZANCE’S ‘READING GROUP WITH A DIFFERENCE’
I’m Anna Wilson – a local professional writer living near Penzance. Some of you might remember I gave a talk at Hypatia last year about my memoir – A Place for Everything, my mother, autism and me. It concerns my mother’s late diagnosis of autism at the age of 72.
I am now setting up a new community reading group at Hypatia starting in September. I have been given funding to do this by a charity called the Royal Literary Fund and am looking for people to join – and hoping this might be you!
ANNA C WILSON
Research has shown there are many benefits to be gained from having someone read aloud to you. This free reading group allows us to step out of the bustle of daily life for ninety minutes and just stop and listen to stories.
Each week I will read you a new poem and a short story aloud, and then we will discuss them together. This is not an academic, literary criticism group. It’s just a chance to get together and connect through the power of story.
The Reading Round group will be one of only sixteen in the country. The Royal Literary Fund have created this programme to encourage people from all walks of life to come and discover original writing for free, while also rediscovering the joys of hearing stories and poems read aloud in a friendly group.
Unlike other reading groups, there is no homework needed and no need to buy any books. It is open to all – you don’t have to be a confident reader to attend.
Other Reading Round groups have run across the country and the feedback has always been very positive. People call it ‘the highlight of their week’ and even ‘life-enhancing’.
One said: ‘The discussions get very lively, and the fact that each group is guided by a writer means there’s always new insights and discoveries.’
The Reading Round will take place from 5th September at The Hypatia Trust on Chapel Street on Thursdays, from 10am-11.30am.
Although it’s completely free to join, numbers are restricted to 12 and pre-booking is essential. Contact me at anna.wilson@rlfeducation.org.uk to find out more. I do hope you’ll join us!