Poetry organisation Apples and Snakes is running two masterclasses in the north-west for poets interested in working in prisons. Breaking In, the beginners’ session, is led by Segun Lee-French, and Breaking Out, for poets interested in taking their work to the next level, is led by Joy Winkler. If you would like to take part in either / both of these masterclasses, contact kimhaygarth@yahoo.co.uk for a booking form.

Breaking In: A Beginners’ Guide to Working in Prisons covers topics including security procedures, the prison regime, working with prisoner workshop groups, and lots of useful dos and don’ts. This class is for
poets new to working in prisons, or those with some experience who would like a refresher. Date: Sunday 20 November 2011, 2-5pm. Where: The International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Manchester. Places are free but must be booked in advance.

Breaking Out: An Improvers’ Guide to Delivering Poetry Workshops in Prisons will explore how poets can rise to the challenge of planning and delivering inspirational workshops in what can be very restrictive conditions. Joy Winkler will lead you through a mix of approaches  – including tried and tested creative writing exercises – and discussion-based activities on some of the most demanding issues that poets may face in a prison. This masterclass session is for poets with some experience of working in criminal justice settings or other challenging community environments, as well as those with little or no experience of this area but who have attended the Breaking In session (see above) and who have a keen interest in this field. Date: Saturday 26 November, 2-5pm. Where: The International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Manchester

Segun Lee-French is a singer, poet, producer/composer, playwright, film-maker and club promoter. As poet and playwright, his work has been commissioned for broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and Radio Manchester. Segun's debut solo show, Bro 9 at Contact Theatre, won the MEN Theatre Awards for Best Fringe Performer & Best Design .His first poetry collection, Praise Songs for Aliens, was published by Suitcase Press in  2009. Segun’s most recent play, Palm Wine & Stout, for Eastern Angles toured the UK in autumn 2010. Segun has delivered spoken word and writing workshops at schools, community centres, youth clubs and prisons. From 2001-03, he was resident artist with Partners of Prisoners Black Prisoner Support Group.

Joy Winkler was writer in residence at HMP Styal in South Manchester for seven years and still visits the prison regularly. She is on the board of Writers in Prison Network and attends steering groups and supports poets in prisons in the north-west. Joy was Cheshire poet laureate for 2005 and has had three collections of poetry published, including her most recent, On The Edge. In 2008 she and former laureate colleagues, performed as the Bunch of Fives, delivering innovative poetry performances across Cheshire. Following this success, she has appeared in the roadshow Fourpenny Circus, which toured the north-west and Midlands in 2009.  Currently she facilitates a number of workshops and projects in the north-west area, working in particular with community groups in Salford and Rochdale.

For further information contact info@applesandsnakes.org / 0845 521 3460