John Turner Recent Course Leader of the MA in Writing. Visiting writer in schools since 1981. Experienced leader of summer schools. Published poet and short story writer and broadcast radio playwright. Children's poems published in many current anthologies, including Read Me, Unzip Your Lips, Let’s Twist Again, When The Teacher Isn’t Looking, etc. Member of the celebrated performance poetry group The Circus Of Poets for 12 years with whom he performed throughout the UK, including twice at The Edinburgh Festival. Has performed in Europe for The British Council. Over 50 television appearances National and local radio appearances include schools broadcasts for BBC and ITV. Past literature and drama adviser to Yorkshire and Humberside Arts. Devisor of interactive computer-based learning programmes in verse writing and story writing. External examiner in creative writing to three UK universities. Creative writing consultant to Prentice-Hall publishers. Equity member.

Ray Globe Songwriter, musician, musical arranger, new media author, theatre director and actor. His Edinburgh production of John Turner’s comic play Metamorphosid Arkwright voted Pick Of The Fringe by The Independent newspaper. Experienced live performer having made many appearances on radio and TV. Visiting lecturer in ICT and literary editing.

Linda Lee Welch Theatre Degree, PGCE in English/Drama and MA in Creative Writing. Has recently completed her first novel. Experienced director, performer and musician. Full-time secondary drama, English and singing teacher for 10 years between 1989 and 1999. Published poet and story writer. Contributor to many anthologies of children’s poetry. Visiting Lecturer in Creative Writing . Creative writing teacher at North Notts College. Songwriter and past member of music groups Cat In The Bag and Sheffield Women’s Improvising Group. Current band Sneaky Peek. Equity and PRS member.

Matthew ‘Loz’ Laurie Experienced performer, and multi-instrumentalist, Loz provides a musical and rhythmical arm to the collective. Previous freelance work has included percussion workshops with primary and secondary schools, scrap percussion sessions with children from nursery age up and free music improvisation workshops with adults and children with special needs and learning difficulties, the latter as a part of community arts company Action Space Mobile. 2004 will see the manifestation of ‘Chorus’, a new, not-for-profit organisation headed by Loz, designed to provide music workshops and experience to children with special needs in and around the area of South Yorkshire.