Fiona Hamilton and Moira Hunt are leading drama workshops as part of Portrait of a Nation.

Fiona works with young people in schools and the community on drama and poetry projects. These have included the film, dance and spoken word production ‘Travelling in Time’ about the life and work of Brunel, created in 2006.

She has two poetry collections: Poems for People (published in 2005) for younger readers, and Skinandi (2006), which was featured on Radio 4’s Poetry Please. 

Her commissions have recently included a writing residency for the National Trust and a story for the Bath Literature Festival and BBC Radio 4.

She teaches at Bristol University and runs creative writing sessions for people in healthcare settings, believing that the writing process can enrich lives and contribute to well-being.

Fiona has provided drama, writing and art workshops for three of the previous Great Reading Adventures and for Brunel 200.



Fiona Hamilton working with pupils at Avon Primary (Martin Chainey).

Comments received in 2006 included:

“All the students enjoyed the workshop very much. All have moderate learning difficulties with a high level of literacy support needs. Everyone readily participated in the speaking and listening activities and even the most reluctant student was encouraged to write a brief postcard. The workshop provided lots of follow on activities.”

“Good for social development. The story was well explored.”

“Extended activity creative thinking, teamwork, led to children reading the book. Most of all, they had fun.”

“I thought the children really enjoyed this activity. It was appropriate for all the children – who ranged in age from six to twelve. I thought it helped them to explore the story.”

“I would hope to be able to host this wonderful kind of workshop again next year. It offers excellent child-lead learning – a real exemplar of engaged, creative work.”

“It was really fun – we learnt that drama isn’t just about following scripts – you can make it up!”

Moira led drama workshops during Small Island Read 2007. Comments received included:

"... really good - all children enjoyed activities/ were able to access them at their own level. I learnt too!"

" They loved the drama games and the team building aspects."

"A lot of the children are not great readers/ writers so they found the chance to explore stories through other methods really inspiring."

" I liked the way all the children were involved. I think this session will help them think about character descriptions within stories."

"Great group work opportunity. Children really engaged and Moira was very positive and full of energy for a Friday afternoon."

"They all gained in confidence and understanding as the session progressed."





Workshop led by Moira Hunt at St Mary Redcliffe & Temple School, 2008 (Vicky Washington).