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Anyone been on an Arvon Foundation course?

4 replies

theotherfossilsister · 01/06/2025 14:51

I have just been given a place on one as a fortieth birthday present, a writer I like is teaching but it’s in rural Devon and I don’t drive.

OP posts:
TottlingToTotleigh · 01/06/2025 16:12

I have!

Handful of years ago. How lovely to receive this as a gift! Such a vote of confidence in you. (I also, having filled in the requisite forms and crossed my fingers, didn’t have to pay for my week there.)

You don’t need to drive - as long as you can get yourself to Exeter (train, lift, whatever) they arrange a free minivan pick up at the start and end of the week. It is a fabulously long way away from Exeter.

What would you like to know?

theotherfossilsister · 03/06/2025 11:20

@TottlingToTotleigh thanks! I’d like to know everything! I actually won one when I was eighteen and went on it but that was twenty two years ago and in Moniack Mhor.

This one is the editing course, because I have a manuscript and don’t know what to do now. What class did you do?c

OP posts:
TottlingToTotleigh · 03/06/2025 13:14

Essay writing - because I was commissioned to write a non-academic essay and found I was terrible at it.

Not sure what I can tell you that isn’t on the website or contained in the info you’ll receive! The place is far enough away as to be on another planet, surrounded by farmland, so you can go for some lovely walks.

As I was travelling by train I found it less stressful to arrive in Exeter the day before and stay in a Premier Inn - so I wouldn’t have to worry about being on time for the minibus rendezvous on the starting day. Everyone not driving is picked up at the one arranged time, so you’ll have first sight and sound of your fellow attendees during the fabulously scenic journey to the house. You’re welcomed, shown to your room, told everything you’ll need to know about the household - including which evening you’ll be cooking (with a couple of others). Drinks, chat, sleep. Mornings are breakfast and group tutorials. Afternoons free. Evenings supper and usually something literary. It’s all very relaxed and civilised.

I think most people do seem to write something whist there. Others <cough> found they had quite enough to do getting used to seeing other humans after lockdown.

There was a decent mix of ages and backgrounds on my course - some had been before, others not. As it was outside my usual niche occupation, and I wasn’t terribly sociable, I didn’t find I had much in common with anyone else in my group, and there were no significant consequences from having gone. Nevertheless it felt like a well-earned break.

ConcussedPigeon · 03/06/2025 13:16

Yes, at The Hurst in Shropshire. It was wonderful. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. What a glorious gift!

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