2025 committee

The Writers' Summer School is run entirely by volunteers. The committee is made up of just eight people (four officers and four members) who work throughout the year to put together the learning timetable, engage the speakers and tutors, organise all the extra curricular activities such as the morning meditation and the various evening events and entertainment on offer. We also negotiate our contracts with The Hayes, write and publish the programme booklet, maintain the website and promote the school through social media. During the School week - we are also supported by our 'army' of willing volunteers. Meet your committee for 2025.

KEITH HINCHY

CHAIRMAN

Keith spent many decades working as a manager in highly complex technical industries and, following early retirement, he discovered and developed a growing interest in writing.

He joined a small successful local writers group called Newport Writers (based in Shropshire) and now acts as the Chair there as well as Vice Chair for a much larger group, Wrekin Writers (also in Shropshire).

He he is both honoured and delighted to add Chair of Swanwick Writers’ Summer School to his portfolio.

Keith first came to Swanwick in 2016 and, along with many others, found himself captivated by the magic.

He is passionate about securing the long-term future of the Writers' Summer School and is looking forward to continuing to grow and thrive the School by leading his new committee and putting together a vibrant and varied programme for 2025.

Email: chair@swanwickwritersschool.org.uk

maria hennings hunt

vice chair

Maria brings a wealth of experience to the Writers Summer School, having been Vice Chair on numerous previous occasions.

Maria's journey with WSS began in 1992, as an unpublished young writer, eager to learn all she could about the craft of writing. Thirty years on, she is a successful published writer of both fiction and non-fiction having worked for over 20 years in the newspaper publishing industry, notably at Travel Trade Gazette and The Daily Express, as well as writing short stories for the women’s press. She went freelance in 1999, whilst at the same time training to become a dance teacher.

In 2003, she founded Dance Generation, her southeast London based dance school, which now also provides a platform for her weekly blog and in 2023 she had two children’s picture books published: ‘The Lullaby Fairy’ and ‘Bear Hug’.

Drawing from both her successful careers in writing and teaching, Maria is looking forward to ensuring her passion and enthusiasm for The Writers' Summer School is reflected in the 2025 Programme.

Email: vicechair@swanwickwritersschool.org.uk

sally warr

treasurer

Sally has been attending The Writers' Summer School since 2018, first becoming the newsletter editor in 2022 and then taking up the post as Treasurer in 2023.

For most of her professional career, Sally worked in Education Management and has over 35 years’ experience of working in FE environments. She is a skilled senior manager and for the final six years, before retiring in 2022, she worked as an educational consultant to a variety of institutions around the country.

Sally is a dedicated volunteer and over the years has held positions of secretary and treasurer at a local playgroup, served on the committee of her local primary school before being elected to the chair.

She has also chaired several groups responsible for improving the lives of young people with additional learning needs in the community.

Sally lives in an old farmhouse with her husband in rural North Lincolnshire and is currently writing the first in a series of novels with an archaeological theme.

Email: treasurer@swanwickwritersschool.org.uk

SARAH MOORE

SECRETARY

Before becoming a director in her family run business, Sarah had many years direct experience of working in the charities sector in a legal/advocacy and managerial capacity. She holds a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing, graduating on schedule in 2020 despite COVID-19 attempting to scupper her schedule.

Sarah’s first Summer School was in 2019 where – as well as attending the many courses on offer – she found herself duetting with the legendary Phil Collins, shamelessly performing Victoria Wood’s ‘Ballad of Freda and Barry’, waving a Woman's Weekly magazine as a prop at the popular Buskers’ Night.

Thanks to her many appearances on the WSS stage since then, she has now landed several amateur dramatic roles, regularly performing in pantomime. (Oh yes, she has!)

Sarah regularly attends a couple of local writers' groups and founded her own group to meet the needs of her rural community, where nonagenarians are in the majority.

She is is honoured to serve as Secretary on the Writers’ Summer School committee.

Email: secretary@swanwickwriterschool.org.uk

phil collins

committee member

Phil first came to the Writers' Summer School back in 2006 and hasn’t missed a year since. With a background in engineering and technical writing he’s enjoyed moving on to fiction and comedy writing.

A regular contributor to Page to Stage since its beginning, he has several ‘Swannies’ sitting on his desk.

He has written a couple of pantomimes and enjoys acting and directing. He also plays guitar and ukulele badly and can often be found emptying pubs at open mic evenings in his home town of Shrewsbury.

He joined the school committee in 2015 and became Chair of the school in 2018 and 2019.

After a five year break he decided to rejoin the committee and is looking forward to helping organise the 2025 school.

martin lake

committee member

Martin was born in Southampton and now lives in Dorset with his wife and one of his daughters. Martin works as an IT Director and has a 40-year career in IT, including running his own IT Consultancy business and working for companies such as Virgin Media, Reuters, Towergate Insurance and De La Rue.

A relatively recent newcomer to the Writers' Summer School, Martin first attended in 2022 and was immediately involved with Page-to-Stage producing a Phil Collins’ comedy sketch.

He started writing about 10 years ago and his first novel, Beyond the Stones, had its publication launch at the WSS in 2023 along with several other SpellBound Books authors. He is currently working on the second book in his fantasy trilogy.

Despite this year being only his third year, Martin is very passionate about The Writers’ Summer School and is looking forward to bringing his experience and enthusiasm to help drive the school forward.

andrew roberts

committee member

Andrew was born in Rochdale but moved to Staffordshire when he was 9. He has been writing as a hobby since the age of 17, having developed an interest through table-top roleplaying games. He predominantly writes actions / adventure in historical settings, with a particular fondness for writing about pirates.

After discovering the Writers' Summer School in 2016, he took his writing further. In 2018, he left his full-time job as an accountant to study Creative Writing at De Montfort University. He stayed in Leicester after graduation and is pursuing freelance opportunities in writing.

Besides his pulp stories, he blogs about popular culture and dabbles in poetry. He's also an avid video gamer.