If you went on the weekend please tell us what you thought of it.
* What did you like and why did you like it?
* What could be improved?
* What was your highlight?
* Was there anything you didn't like?
* Would you like us to run another one?

If you didn't go on the weekend
* Was there a particular thing that put you off?
* Was the timing wrong?
* Would you consider coming on another one if we organise one?

Please also give us your feedback on the web site and how you think we can improve it.

Thanks

Here are my notes from the last session of the weekend

We asked the question 'What is Write Out Loud' and here's what you said

* It's a facilitator
* It's a community
*In the 'real' world the focus is on poetry whereas on-line there is both poetry and prose
* there are different levels of poets but all are valued
* it helps poets to grow
* it is user friendly and inspirational
* the site is well designed and 'sign posted'
* Site has an attractive look and feel and is easy to use
* it gives information of different poetry organisations etc
* it provides support for the spoken word
* a wide range of types of poetry from the mainstream to the experimental is supported and encouraged
* poets can experiment without fear
* it's a spiders web of networks
* there are no barriers
* there is no censorship
* there is no snobbery or competition
* it's for ordinary people
* it is fun
* it provides an audience and feedback on poems
* it gives ideas on how to write
* the web site provides a service for people in rural areas
* Gig guide is comprehensive and nationwide
* it is friendly and welcoming to new comers

Suggested Web Site improvements

* On discussions have a button to read the threads in reverse i.e. have latest contribution at the top
* facility to delete all comments on a profile
* Make FAQ facility more prominent (it is currently in small letters at the top of every page)
* On the gig guide a button that a user can click to indicate that when they tried to attend the event it didn't take place

Suggestions for Way Forward

* have a 'groups' facility on the web site
* on-line workshops
* workshop guide (like gig guide but for workshops)
* Need to promote the site especially outside of the North of England
* It was suggested that WOL management should try to map where their users are geographically
* WOL should be regionalised and have regional representatives
* better editing software so that poems can be formatted better
* more room on profiles for video/photos
* WOL should set up a web ring
* There should be either a guide for people to set up their own events or an easy way to ask for an get help to set up an event in their area

Well those are my notes - let us know if I missed anything or if you have more thoughts/ideas. We are listening - honest.

Paul

The weekend was a wonderful experience for me. I met lots of new people and heard a very diverse range of spoken word performance by artists from all over the country. And this is what WOL is there for, and what it proves true. They are all artists. From the 'hobby' poet who entertains friends at the local pub event, to the professional poet who makes a living playing gigs all through the year.

The weekend seemed to consolidate the WOL ethos by uniting those who had previously only met online, and bringing together those who normally only meet in the flesh at regional WOL events. I think this event will be looked back on as a turning point for WOL, which is more than just a website. It is a community of people who love language, and recognise its ability to express diversity, relevence, and beauty. And in Hebden Bridge this weekend, I felt like part of a community. Well done to Julian and Paul, and especially to Sean, who worked so hard to make it happen.

I really had a great time at the weekend,workshops were informative and relaxed and to meet all the different poets from every walk of life was an experience some had overcome severe disabilities to get there take my hat off to David,Chris and Katie.The open mike nights gave everyone the opportunity to read their poems and share with the wider community, thank you to everyone who made it possible and I hope I can put into practice the input that I recieved.I would love to go again and would like to encourage other poets to just go for it and get out there and meet all the other poets also Hebden Bridge was a spectacular venue and the hospitality fab'. thank you Sean Julian and Paul and all the workshop leaders.

Living a good way away from Write Out Loud's North-West heartland, I often feel disappointed that I can't be at many of the poetry evenings they run or are involved in - but this weekend helped make up for that ... and I had a fantastic time!
Like the others - I enjoyed meeting other members of Write Out Loud, previously met only online, and quite a few new people too, as well as the lovely few I already knew.
I only managed to get to one workshop (Julian's on Script-writing - excellent!) but I thoroughly enjoyed running my own and going to both the open-mic nights, and more than anything - the company.
I'd like to add my thanks to Simon's and Chris's, many thanks to everyone who attended, especially to Paul and Julian - for everything, and above all to the outstandingly jovial, even-tempered, and hard-working hero of the weekend - Mr Sean Kavanagh!
Cx

I couldn't come- childcare reasons as usual- but will definately come to the next one- especially if it was a similar price. it loked like a complete bargain! please please please do another one!

Just to add that it was great, the highlight obviously meeting everyone, plus I really did enjoy doing the washing up! And making the porridge! All the workshops were excellent and I learned a lot by performing some of my stuff, something I rarely get the chance to do. The stars were Julian and Sean, they worked their little socks off and were still kind, sweet, unruffled (mostly!) and true heroes! xxxx

Not ignoring you, Paul. I'll get back.

I'm glad I didn't have to climb up to the top bedrooms... but on the whole, a wonderful weekend. Thanks to all those who came to my workshop - hope you enjoyed it and learnt something useful.

I thought the whole thing was very well organised, and I met lots of very nice people from all over the place. A big thank you to all who were there!

Phew, where to start... what a great weekend. Arrived on the Sat with a 'not in the mood' feeling to be honest after lifes conundrums and impondrables conspired to make thigs far more stressful than they should be. One peep in the door to see all the faces I had only seen in little boxes on profiles soon brought me round. Poets from gig long ago, poets with interesting things to say, poets with loud voices / quite voices, a real magical melting pot. Learn't to listen as well as rabbit on. Learn't how much strange ideas can be valuable. Learn't how it felt to be back it a lecture and loved it. Learn't it takes all sorts...

Thankyou Sean for inviting me to run my workshops. Thankyou for all that came along to them. Thankyou for spreading the theme of War Poetry through the event by chinese wispers. Sorry for not been as much help.

Win x

Loved the weekend at Hebden Bridge! Seriously,if there's one on next year,get there at all costs! It was brilliant to see so many new,and familiar faces,and ,I must say,hats off to Sean especially,who was obviously run ragged yet lovin it all!
The workshops were ace,especially enjoyed Winston's and Chris's!

Being a veggie,I felt like I was in seventh heaven with the soups and curries provided,and the setting was magical.
Hebden Bridge 2011! Bring it on!

In response to your questions Paul.1. I felt the weekend was well organised,welcoming,relaxed atmosphere,excellent venue,good wholesome food and plenty of it,tea and coffee available all day. A good selection of Workshops with excellent leaders.2. May be those Workshops that shared room/chapel would have been better in seperate rooms, but then there was so many.3. Highlight = Open Mic eveningsso many talented Poets 4. No, I loved it all. 5. Yes,please do run another. I endorse all that has been posted and give Praise and Thanks to Sean who was so in control, confident and calm all weekend. Julian and all the Workshop leaders.An absolute Brilliant weekend.

I really enjoyed the wol weekend, it was like food for the soul. The burst of creativity I have felt has been enormous. I would recommend this weekend to anyone. Also the other poets were polite and friendly and I enjoyed meeting such a mix of characters and poets. I felt that my opinion and views were valued and of interest which normally I don't feel. The workshops were excellent and the open mics. As for the workshop guide I wouldn't mind doing the research and creating this. If you would like me to, contact me. Thank you to Sean for making sure my specific needs were met and the other poets who helped me too.

Good feedback Katie, sorry we didnt chat. It was an intense and yet relaxed weekend, strange how the two seemed to coexist! Winston

Lovely to get all this feedback folks. Ta very much for taking the time to post. Personally, I had a cracking time, although it was a little exhausting. Next time I will need some right hand men/women to help me organise the food and domestic side of things so that I don't go into full nervous breakdown mode. Any volunteers? Thank you all so much for coming to this first event of its kind under the WOL banner, and hopefully there'll be many more to come. Toodle pip, Sean.

Of course, you do realise that I'm blaming you lot for the fact that I've had a stinking cold all week...

Well it was a bit chilly in the chapel! Hope you're better soon!

Chilly chapel chatter
Sent Steven a-sneezing
Wondrous wordsmith's workshop
But butts all a-freezing

I had a great time! I was really worried before hand but everyone was very kind and looked after me. I enjoyed the workshops and the open mics very much. Sean, you did a wonderful job. :¬)