Local marine biologist to host 'Writing by the Sea' workshops

Sessions are being sponsored by Culture Vannin

A marine biologist from the Isle of Man is combining two passions - the wonders of the Island's nature reserves and creative writing.

Starting next Saturday (14 September) writers, of all levels of experience, are invited to attend a series of 10 workshops sponsored by Culture Vannin.

Each session will run from 10am-4pm and will feature themes of global ocean conservation.

Dr Fiona Gell, a freelance marine conservationist and writer, is hoping she can inspire budding writers.

She believes the abundance of beautiful locations around the Island can serve as an inspiration for all of us as she's been telling Siobhán Fletcher:

The workshops will introduce attendees to the 10 marine nature reserves around the coast of the Isle of Man. 

• Workshop 1 - 14 Sept - West Coast Marine Nature Reserve - Focus on Sharks – Peel
• Workshop 2 - 21 Sept - Port Erin Bay Marine Nature Reserve - Focus on Kelp – Port Erin
• Workshop 3 - 5 Oct - Calf & Wart Bank Marine Nature Reserve - Focus on Reefs – Port St Mary
• Workshop 4 -12 Oct - Baie ny Carrickey Marine Nature Reserve - Focus on Seabirds - Port St Mary
• Workshop 5 - 19 Oct - Langness Marine Nature Reserve - Focus on Marine Mammals – Castletown
• Workshop 6 - 26 Oct - Laxey Bay Marine Nature Reserve - Focus on Ocean Quahogs – Laxey
• Workshop 7 - 2 Nov - Douglas Bay Marine Nature Reserve - Focus on Seaslugs – Douglas
• Workshop 8 - 9 Nov - Niarbyl Bay Marine Nature Reserve - Focus on Maerl – Dalby
• Workshop 9 - 23 Nov - Little Ness Marine Nature Reserve - Focus on Horse Mussel Reefs – Douglas
• Workshop 10 - 30 Nov - Ramsey Bay Marine Nature Reserve - Focus on Seagrass – Ramsey

To book on, or for more information, email Dr Gell: fiona.gell@outlook.com  

Tickets are £10 per session or £90 for the series plus a signed copy of Dr Gell's book Spring Tides (which is about the Isle of Man’s marine life).

If you are a student, or unemployed, you can contact Dr Gell about subsidised places.

And you can hear Fiona's full conversation with Siobhán in our latest Newscast, available now: