Creative writing, photography and art courses : Old Olive Press, Alicante, Spain

Marisa North, whose skills are apparent in the catering and accomodation side of the courses

Marisa Lillo-Verdú is an Alicantina so her moving to Relleu from Buckinghamshire was very much coming home. She manages all the catering and accommodation on courses. Her kitchen specialises in Mediterranean cuisine with a strong emphasis on local dishes. She is an expert seamstress and interior designer.

Prize-winning poet Chris North acts as mentor on some of the writing courses

Christopher North is a published and prize-winning poet. He was short-listed for the Forward prize for ‘Best First Collection’ in 1999. Formerly a surveyor in Buckinghamshire, he also ran a poetry workshop for ten years and spent the last six months before the move to Spain as ‘Poet in Residence’ with a local newspaper.

Alamàssera Vella/The Old Olive Press is a subsidiary of Pemberton North SL, Gran Vía 57, Madrid (28013), Spain.