Rose Collis is the new writer in residence at Coleridge Cottage in Somerset as part of the Writing Places project.
Rose is the first writer in residence at the cottage in 100 years of National Trust care.
The Writing Places project is a partnership between The National Trust, Literature Works and The Poetry Archive. It aims to broaden audiences for literature events and to encourage creative reading and writing allowing would-be and more established writers to engage with some of the very places that inspired some of our greatest writers.
Rose follows in the footsteps of Samuel Coleridge known for his work in the Romanticism movement. He lived at the cottage which now bears his name, between 1797 – 1798.
Rose brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge as a writer, performer and alternative historian. Her work covers many genres, including theatre, biography, journalism, short-fiction, radio and literary talks amongst her many talents.
Rose is also a member of the Society of Authors and of Equity and has written a number of books including Death and The City, The New Encyclopaedia of Brighton and A Trouser Wearing Character: The Life and Times of Nancy Spain.
Rose said of her upcoming residency; “The Writing Places Residency provides the opportunity to dig more deeply into the inspirations and legacy of a poet who has had such an impact on our culture and who continues to be relevant today.”
Stephen Hayes, National Trust Property Administrator, who along with the team at Coleridge Cottage selected Rose, said that all the staff and volunteers were really excited about having their first ever Writer in Residence in over one hundred years of National Trust ownership at Coleridge Cottage.
He said; “Rose is an amazing person and we’re so looking forward to working with her to bring the stories of Coleridge’s time in the West Country involving spies, addiction and revolutionary poetry into the spotlight to a much wider audience as part of the Writing Places project.”
Rose started her residency at Coleridge Cottage in August. She has begun programming a series of talks, workshops and events at the house including an open day for the general public to find out more about the Writing Places project and how they can get involved, as well as creative writing workshops and masterclasses and Rose will also be writing a blog about her experiences for the Writing Places website.
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