Come and Write: Sunday morning mentored Co-writing Space

Come and Write is back at The Lamb & Flag this Sunday morning, 18 October, from 10:30am to 1pm. It's a mentored co-writing space, which is a fancy way of saying you turn up, get a creative prompt to get you moving, and then spend the morning writing alongside other people. If you're the kind of writer who works better with company than in a quiet room, this is exactly that.

The whole thing is run by Kate Oldfield, and she's not just there to keep the peace. She's an ex-publisher, editor, ghostwriter, bookfixer, poet and novelist who runs workshops and spoken word events across Oxford, London, North Yorkshire, Scotland and beyond. She's on hand to mentor as you go, so it's a good spot if you're stuck on a particular bit of work or just want some professional eyes on what you're doing.

The venue itself is a bit of a writer's landmark. The Lamb & Flag is a pub with deep literary connections: the Inklings, that informal group of writers including CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien, used to gather here, and Thomas Hardy wrote Jude the Obscure within its walls. It's a fitting place to spend a Sunday morning with a notebook in front of you.

Numbers are capped at five places, and the money raised goes towards printing, prompts, events and Kate's time running the community project. It's pay-what-you-can to Kate, with suggested rates: £10 for standard, £15-20 if you're in a position to support, £7 if things are tight, and £5 if you're feeling skint, with a supported option for those who can't afford to pay. Free tea, coffee and cake are on offer before 11am, and you're asked to bring your own mug. Sessions fill up quickly, so it's worth getting in early. This one is on 18 October, with more to follow on 25 and 29 October, 1, 15 and 29 November, 6 and 13 December, and 10, 17, 24 and 31 January 2027.