Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC) was delighted to welcome accomplished local author Rachel Edwards to the Taunton campus for a day of literary exploration and creativity.

Rachel writes novels and columns for The Guardian and The Sunday Times, is a frequent guest at national literary festivals, and speaks on BBC Radio, including Woman’s Hour on Radio 4. During the event, at the College’s Taunton campus, she shared her experiences as a Black British writer, her journey as a local author, and her insights into the world of fiction.

Rachel led a hands-on creative writing workshop in the morning, working with A Level students, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) learners, and University Centre Somerset (UCS) students. The afternoon session, ‘In Conversation with Rachel Edwards’, attracted nearly 80 attendees. Rachel gladly signed copies of her novels ‘Lucky’ and ‘Darling’ and visited the Taunton Learning Resource Centre (LRC) to meet the library staff.

She shared,

I was thrilled to be invited to talk to students and staff at Bridgwater and Taunton College for a workshop and Q&A session. I feel passionately about engaging with both readers and emerging writers; all those interested in the written word. I was hugely impressed by the enthusiasm of everyone I met at the Taunton campus; it was a privilege to be involved.

Of particular note is the work that Rachel did with the ESOL learners, embarking on a creative journey that transcended linguistic barriers. They were able to explore original narratives that reflected their unique perspectives, experiences, and cultures. The event encapsulated the spirit of inclusivity and shared stories that lie at the heart of the College’s mission.

Shaun Costello, Head of ESOL, English and Maths, said,

This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to providing a nurturing and inclusive learning environment. It showcases the incredible talent of our ESOL learners and their dedication to improving their English language skills. We are grateful to Rachel for sharing her expertise and time with our students.

This event is part of the ‘Word Live in Libraries’ authors’ tour in the South West, funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and supported by South Western Regional Library Services and Literature Works. Twenty academic, public and NHS libraries across the region are bringing together authors, poets, playwrights and spoken word artists to talk to audiences and facilitate creative writing workshops.

Jolanta Peters, Research and Library Services Manager, said,

This event has been yet another exciting opportunity at the College to promote diverse reading, literacy and learn creative writing skills. We are very honoured to be part of the Word Live in Libraries initiative in the South West and to offer this unique opportunity to our students and staff at the College.

The College thanks Brendon Books for supplying the books for the event.

For more information about our A Level, ESOL and UCS course offerings and facilities, visit www.btc.ac.uk and www.somerset.ac.uk, contact Information & Advice at info@btc.ac.uk or by calling 01278 441234, or come along to one of our events.