A masterclass by TV poet John (From Warrington Guardian)

A masterclass by TV poet John

CREWE'S university has launched a new creative writing programme with a show by acclaimed poet John Hegley.

The launch of the new single honours course at MMU Cheshire featured a writer's workshop by the wordsmith, who has eight acclaimed volumes of verse to his name.

Hegley led a workshop for the winners of a creative writing competition run by MMU at Nantwich's Malbank Sixth Form Centre and a college in Manchester.

MMU Cheshire's Dr Robert Graham said: "We're very lucky to have been able to book John Hegley for this event - he's one of the country's most popular poets, but also a fall-off-your-chair funny stand-up."

For many years now, Crewe students have been able to study Creative Writing as half of their degree.

But the new single honours programme means that the university now offers a BA course dedicated purely to the subject.

Head of Contemporary Arts at South Cheshire campus Professor Robin Nelson said: "We were the first university in the UK to have offered writing as an undergraduate degree, so we're pleased to be joining the small number of institutions that currently offers single honours provision."

Deputy head of Malbank Sixth Form Centre, Dave Shepherd said: "The students who came along from Malbank are part of a creative writing group I run, and they returned from John Hegley's workshop truly inspired. They loved it and learned a great deal."

The launch day featured Hegley performing his most recent show The Sound of Paint Drying, revealing some seasoned stagecraft and wacky wit at the Alsager Arts Centre.

Dr Heather Leach, from the creative writing team at MMU Cheshire, added: "Our new single honours programme has pulled in students straight from their A Levels.

"But what we're noticing is that single honours is especially attractive to mature students, people in mid-life who know they are writers and want to commit to doing something about developing their craft."