The Founding of Arvon

The Arvon Foundation is a charity running residential writing courses atentres across England. In an informal, creative atmosphere, novice writersave the opportunity to be mentored by experienced, published authors. Inhis lively memoir, John Moat recalls, how in 1968, he and John Fairfaxreated Arvon as a reaction against what they saw as a staid, dogmaticpproach to teaching poetry. The infectious energy and idealism of thosearly days led to the rapid spread of their ideas and the establishment ofhe courses into a self-sustaining, funded enterprise. Today, the Arvonoundation is one of the country's most famous and prestigious creativeriting organizations, with centres at Lumb Bank in West Yorkshire, Moniackorh in Invernesshire, The Hurst in Shrophire and Totleigh Barton in Devon.he extensive list of authors who have taught at Arvon courses reads like aomprehensive 'who's who' of contemporary British literature and includesuch diverse names as Zadie Smith, Ian McEwan, Andrew Motion, Arnold Wesker,ed Hughes, Ali Smith, Ian Rankin and Will Self. This is an inspiring story