I teach creative writing, particularly poetry. Reading contemporary poetry (exploring poets based in the United Kingdom and the USA) at BA and MA level.
I am motivated as a teacher by the desire to communicate difficult concepts or texts in an accessible manner. I am convinced that there is an exciting potential in any group of learners to discover, understand and create. This constantly amazes me.
Reflective – Interactive - Enjoyment
Writing poetry, at any level, can open up an excitement at the world and the language which we create to respond to it. Keep reading, especially reading that takes you out of your zone of familiarity and comfort.
Ph.D. (English – 2011) MMU – Poetry and Spirituality
MA Creative Writing (Poetry) with Distinction. (2004) Manchester Metropolitan University.
MEd (1994) (University College of North Wales)
Writing poetry, at any level, can open up an excitement at the world and the language which we create to respond to it. Keep reading, especially reading that takes you out of your zone of familiarity and comfort.
Poetry books:
One Cloud Away from the Sky. Cheshire County Council. 2007, reprinted 2010
Nowhere Else but Here. Chapbook/artist's book. 2012
Lines on the Map. Cheshire County Council (Editor) 2006
Rudd, A. M. and Tyldesley, A. (2006). Literacy and ICT in the Primary School: A Creative Approach to English. London: David Fulton.
‘Lucy’ – Chapter in Writing Routes: A Resource Handbook of Therapeutic Writing ed. Gillie Bolton, Victoria Field and Kate Thompson. Jessica Kingsley, 2011.
Poems in anthologies:
Sculpted: North West Poets Anthology, 2013
This Island City: Portsmouth in Poetry, 2010.
Best of Manchester Poetry – Volume 1, Puppywolf, 2010
Elements. Chester Academic Press, 2008. (Cheshire Prize poems)
Life Lines. Chester Academic Press, 2005. Cheshire Prize Anthology – Five poems.
New Christian Poetry. Edited by Alwyn Marriage, (1990) Collins Flame.
Poems in magazines:
Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy (UK), 2012; The SHOp, 2011; Presence, 2012; The North, and Smiths Knoll, 2011; Scintilla, 2007; The Interpreter's House, 2005; Parameter. 2005; Poetry News, 2004, 2003; Staple 55, 2003; Other Poetry, 2002; CPR, 2000; The Friend, 2000.
Poetry Awards
First Prize, Cheshire Prize for Literature 2004 and 2007 (Judge: Andrew Motion).
2nd Prize, Ledbury Poetry Competition, 2004. (Judge: Mark Doty.)
3rd Prize, Manchester Cathedral Competition, 2003.
‘The Turn to the Reader: Distance, Didactic, Devotion’ presented at Breaking the Norms. Reception, Transformation and Transgression in Religion, Literature and Culture (Aarhus, 2008)
‘‘Although we cannot pray…’ Religious forms in contemporary secular poetics’ on the work of Jorie Graham, at Poetry and Belief (Preston, 2009).
‘What is it we’re holding?’: Constructions of Spirituality in Mark Doty’s Poetry. Paper presented at ‘Reading Spiritualities’ Lancaster, Jan. 2006
Cheshire Poet Laureate, 2006.
Aldeburgh Eight (Advanced Poetry Seminar) 2015