8th - 13th AUGUST 2026
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evening events
At The Writers' Summer School - it's not all courses and workshops!
Once the sun has gone down and dinner is over, we have an eclectic mix of
EVENING ENTERTAINMENT and EVENTS lined up for you.
20:00
SATURDAY
CHAIRMAN'S WELCOME
A warm welcome for the week ahead awaits you from our Chairman, Keith Hinchy, the rest of the committee and all our volunteers.
After this, sit back and relax as our opening night speaker takes the stage.
20:10
SATURDAY
EVENING SPEAKER - Joy Wood
FROM BEDPAN TO PEN
Joy Wood’s presentation is about her transition from nurse to author – ‘From Bedpan to Pen!’ It’s an overview of her successful career in the NHS and why she gave it up to write novels.
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21:30
SATURDAY
LINGO BINGO
A perfect first night opportunity to get into the swing of the Swanwick week – with our new word game – Lingo Bingo. Grab a drink from the bar and come and join us in the Main Conference Hall for this fun and fast game!
20:00
SUNDAY
EVENING SPEAKER - Amit Dhand​
AA Dhand is the creator of the hit BBC One drama Virdee, adapted from his five critically acclaimed Harry Virdee novels.
His latest thriller, The Chemist, became an instant Sunday Times bestseller in May 2025 and is now being adapted by Dhand for screen.
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21:30
SUNDAY
PROSE OPEN NIGHT
If you are one of those writers who consider their work to fall somewhere between poetry and song, our popular Prose Night offers you the opportunity to share your work with others.
If you would like to share your work (up to 300 words/five minutes maximum) visit the Information Room for sign up details.
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21:30
SUNDAY
The BIG QUIZ
Come and test your general knowledge in our BIG QUIZ!
No black armchairs, dimmed lights or starters for ten - just an entertaining and wide ranging quiz for all levels.
Teams of four-six (we make up teams on the night) are put to the challenge in this fun and easy (well - relatively!) quiz.
Prizes for BEST TEAM.
20:00
MONDAY
EVENING SPEAKER - Melanie Branton​
Melanie Branton has performed at festivals including Womad, Shindig and Valleyfest, as well as at spoken word nights the length and breadth of the country. She has also represented Bristol at three national slam finals and was longlisted in the 2022 National Poetry Competition
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21:30
monday
POETRY OPEN MIC
Calling all poets! Our relaxed and informal 'open mic' session is a fantastic opportunity to share your work with others. Bring a drink, find a seat and enjoy this read-around.
If you would like to read (up to 300 words/five minutes maximum), you can sign up before hand.
20:00
tuesday
PAGE TO STAGE PERFORMANCES
This is the evening where you get to watch the performances and vote for your favourite play in our infamous 'Page to Stage' event.
Who will win the coveted 'Swannies' this year?
Come along and support your fellow friends and delegates and enjoy the results of our 'Play in Three Days'. There are awards in FIVE categories. See the PAGE TO STAGE page on the website for more details.
The awards are given out at the FAREWELL EVENING on Wednesday.
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20:00
TUESDAY
BUSKERS EVENING
Our Buskers' Night is one of our most popular events. Grab yourself a drink from the bar and come along and enjoy an evening of live music - writers style! If you would like to sing or play, you can sign up beforehand and if your name is picked, you'll be invited to perform one song (maybe two, depending on time and popularity). A PA is provided, if you need one and we always have other delegates who would be happy to accompany you on guitar. Newcomers are most welcome!
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20:00
wednesday
SUMMER SCHOOL PROM
PRE-DINNER DRINKS​
On our last evening together we traditionally all gather for pre-dinner drinks on the LAWN at the back of the main house (weather permitting!). If it’s raining, we hold it the BAR / MAIN LOUNGE / VINERY.
Please join us and feel free to ‘dress-up’ for this event if you would like to.
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20:00
wednesday
FAREWELL EVENING
PRIZE GIVING & AWARDS
RAFFLE DRAW​
​Join us after dinner for a jam-packed last evening together, where we will award all the prizes won during the week, draw the raffle and present 'The Swannies' - our very own Oscars for the Page to Stage writers and performers.
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20:00
wednesday
SCHOOL PROM DISCO
The Awards Presentation will be followed by the 2026 SUMMER SCHOOL PROM DISCO. Make the most of the last night to share a few drinks and a bit of boogie at the Disco – where you can dance the night away!
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We guarantee you’ll know all the words to all the songs!​
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