The Oldie, renowned for the quality of its cartoons and illustrations, has put together a one-day course to help readers develop their talents as illustrators of their own diaries, travel journals or yet-to-be published books, or as caricaturists or cartoonists for their own greetings cards. Beginners are especially welcome. You don’t even have to bring your own materials or paper.

6th to 13th May 2010

FOLLOWING THE success of this year’s tour, The Oldie has put together another unique and wholly original gastronomic and cultural seven-day tour of Puglia. May is arguably the best time of year to visit the heel of Italy: the temperature is in the 70s, the markets full of fresh produce and the wild flowers are at their peak.

18th and 19th May, 2010 at the East India Club, London

At our one-day writing course in November several readers said they wanted more - including one-to-one sessions with our writing coaches - as well as more information about how to approach an agent. Their wish being our command, we have now set up a two-day writing course taking you through a five-workshop process for getting into print.

David Wheeler gardening correspondent of The Oldie and author of ‘Over the Hills from Broadway: Images of Cotswold Gardens’ invites you to join him on a special tour of Gardens of the Heart of England 29th June to 2nd July 2010

Swan Hellenic will be running a writing workshop in conjunction with The Oldie on board Minerva, cruising from Naples to Athens and transiting the spectacular Corinth Canal. Highly-regarded authors and experienced writing coaches Jeremy Lewis, Sara Wheeler and Paul Bailey will be on board to help inspire budding writers and give you both literary and practical advice.