Arvon has launched its 2012 programme of residential writing courses with a wealth of poetry tuition on offer. Five-day courses at its rural writing centres in Devon, Shropshire, Yorkshire and Inverness-shire include a wide range of poetry courses at all levels - from Starting to Write Poetry with Lemn Sissay, pictured, and Caroline Bird, to Comedy in Poetry, with Kate Fox and Matt Harvey, looking at ways to inject humour into writing and performance. Arvon’s poetry courses last year included a highly successful week on performance poetry run with conjunction with Write Out Loud in November at Lumb Bank, Heptonstall. Throughout each course there are one-to-one tutorials, group workshops, writing time, shared meals and evening readings. Courses have limited availability so it is recommended that you book up early. Grants are available to assist with course fees for those on a low income.