A RANGE of courses to develop inner peace and creativity will be taking place at a picturesque garden this summer.

Helmsley Walled Gardens, in the Ryedale market town, will be running an eight-week course and several one and two-day retreats focusing on writing and drawing, underpinned with mindfulness exercises.

The courses are open to everyone and all levels of creativity are welcome. The gardens in North Yorkshire will provide the setting for exploring nature through words and images.

The courses will be taught by Dr Lauri Bower, who has 15 years’ experience of running and organising retreats and workshops and has a PhD in Mindfulness and Engaged Buddhism. She also has interests in embroidery, calligraphy and bookbinding.

Leading the drawing side of the workshop was Clare Belbin-Carlile, who studied Fine Art at Newcastle University and completed her postgraduate degree in drawing and painting at Edinburgh College of Art.

There will be one course running for two hours every Tuesday morning, starting on May 1 at 10.30am through to June 26 and one or two-day courses over weekends in June, July and August, which run from 10am until 4.45pm.

Dr Lauri Bower said the courses are ideal for those new to mindfulness or creativity and those who want to explore the areas in new ways.

Tricia Harris, marketing manager at Helmsley Walled Garden said: “Here at the garden we are already aware of the power of nature to calm and restore busy minds and bodies. To be able to develop that further by offering creative courses in mindfulness is really special.”

Places can be booked through the Northern Centre’s website at; yorkmbsr.co.uk or yorkmbsr.eventbrite.co.uk.