Taken form Dorset Life Magazine

Meerhay Masterpieces

Diana Clarke who lives at Meerhay Manor just north of Beaminster is providing the latest chapter in the history of the 17th century manor house with a series of courses on writing inspired by neighbour Lynne Reid Banks, who wrote The L-Shaped Room, Mrs Clarke started the courses in 1998 and now runs half a dozen a year. They last for a weekend or occasionally longer, and the emphasis is on personal tuition from experienced writers, set against the background of a comfortable manor house in beautiful countryside. Some of the courses are on creative writing generally, while others concentrate on special topics such as writing for children or comedy writing.