One Chippenham

The Power of the Particular: Brief Lives Creative Writing Workshops
2026-08-05 19:00 - 21:00 (Europe/London) | Chippenham Museum, 9-10 Market Pl, Chippenham, SN15 3HF, United Kingdom
Join the Chippenham Museum Creative Writing Group for a series of linked workshops celebrating the 400th anniversary of the birth of local antiquarian and famous biographer, John Aubrey. The workshops will be led by Lesley Taylor, an experienced facilitator, and will draw inspiration from Aubrey’s work and the museum’s summer exhibition.
Born in Kington St Michael in 1626, Aubrey was a biographer, archaeologist, scientist, naturalist, and oral historian. He valued the minutiae of everyday life, and his writing is rich with specific (and often witty) details that bring the past to life.
Drawing on his most well-known work, Brief Lives – written portraits of key figures of his day – the workshops will explore how to write with greater detail. Sessions will provide an opportunity to develop the skill of telling your own stories with clarity, experimenting with a range of forms including flash fiction, memoir, poetry, and creative non-fiction.
Suitable for beginners and experienced writers alike, this series of monthly workshops will culminate in An Evening with Aubrey at the museum, where participants’ work will be shared and celebrated. The date for this celebratory event is to be confirmed.
Each session costs £5 per person. Spaces are limited, so booking is essential. Please contact the museum to reserve your place.

Find out more about the Chippenham – Our History project on this website here.
