The International Anthony Burgess Foundation in Manchester contains thousands of manuscripts, correspondences, photographs and artefacts relating to the life and work of the novelist Anthony Burgess.

While being renowned and celebrated as the author of the controversial novel A Clockwork Orange, Burgess is less well known as a composer, translator and, yes, poet.

This course offers the opportunity to explore, through your own writing, some of the unique items held at the Burgess Foundation. Every week a different object will provide the focus for that session, from minuscule musical matchboxes to hand-designed tarot cards.

Drawing on the poetry of both Burgess and others, the course will stimulate a range of poetic responses to the archives. It will also include time for feedback and discussions of your work.