26 Projects

Why Words Matter

This episode is about dialect, in the main Yorkshire dialect, but with reference to the many others across the UK. It looks at how dialect develops, why it’s important and who speaks and writes it. Writer, performer and cultural historian Irene Lofthouse is joined by Rod Dimbleby, Chair of Yorkshire Dialect Society and dialect writer/tutor; Richard Wilson, Vice-Chair of Yorkshire Dialect Society; with contributions from John Davidson of the Northumbrian Dialect Society, discussing the topic and sharing examples from literature. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 26writersgroup.substack.com [https://26writersgroup.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Why Words Matter

This episode is about the recent collaboration between 26 and Eames Fine Art, called First Impressions. The project involved writers from 26 visiting print makers in their studios, filming the encounter and then subsequently writing about what they’ve learnt about the print maker’s craft. Writer Lisa Andrews and artist Grace Hailstone are joined by Vincent Eames from Eames Fine Art and project co-lead Martin Lee, in discussing the project in particular and wider thoughts about the differences and similarities of art and writing as creative enterprises. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 26writersgroup.substack.com [https://26writersgroup.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Why Words Matter

The latest Why Words Matter from writers’ organisation 26 is about creatively connecting people in different parts of the world. Between the UK and New Zealand there are thousands of miles, but 26 connects them with words, particularly words in creative projects like Twinned Bridges which had writers here and there choosing bridges, writing centenas, then collaborating on a further piece of shared writing. Hear John Simmons introduce a panel with Dame Vikki Heywood in London, and Jayne Workman, Jane Berney, Paul White and Lee Ryan in the Antipodes. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 26writersgroup.substack.com [https://26writersgroup.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

26 Projects

In our latest episode of ‘Why Words Matter’ Rob Self-Pierson leads a conversation with John Simmons and Fiona Thompson on the projects that are central to 26 - and why they are such a creative release for writers. The episode looks back on landmark projects as well as giving latest news on projects for 2026. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 26writersgroup.substack.com [https://26writersgroup.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Why Words Matter

This episode explores the significance of the word ‘enough’ in everyday usage and also in two specific contexts. Some of our most common words are so ubiquitous that we rarely stop to think about them. But when we do, it becomes apparent that they are rich and surprising, and worthy of further investigation. Such a word is ‘enough’. 26 board member and co-founder of agency Acacia Avenue Martin Lee looks into this word with the help of discourse analyst and founder of Illume Linguistics, Kirstie Skates; artist and conservationist Beatrice Forshall, and behaviour change expert and director of Women Who Don’t Drink, Stephanie Chivers. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 26writersgroup.substack.com [https://26writersgroup.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]