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July 2016
Getting to Grips with Patchwork Weekend
Whether you are new to patchwork or have many years’ experience, here is an opportunity to expand your sewing skills and discover a wide range of techniques
Find out more »Drawing with Paper, Cloth and Thread
Enjoy experimenting different ways of making marks and developing surfaces with mixed media.
Find out more »Poetic Edges Weekend
Brilliant, original exercises extends your receptivity and imagination to progress in your writing craft.
Find out more »Botanical Watercolour Painting
This course is a perfect opportunity for beginners, as well as the more experienced, to paint in the lovely, peaceful and friendly surroundings at Knuston Hall. The summer is a good time to find a wide variety of stunning flowers to use as subjects. However, if you are new to botanical painting, I shall bring a subject with me that is suitable for beginners and guide you step-by-step though each stage to completion. For the more experienced amongst you, this…
Find out more »Ruskin Lace for All
Ruskin Lace is a form of lace which originated as a cottage industry in the Lake District and has its own distinctive style. It is worked on Linen fabric with linen thread, and uses a combination of drawn thread and cut linen work before geometric designs are created using needlepoint lace techniques. The course is suitable for both beginners, who can purchase a starter pack from the tutor (£10), or for those with more experience.
Find out more »Bedfordshire Lace Summer School Part 3
Choosing and discussing patterns together and individually; teaching and discussion of threads and techniques; looking at old and modern lace patterns; looking at lace, old and new; looking at photographs and photocopies of Thomas Lester lace and discussing how the designs and techniques can be translated for modern use; forming a personal progression programme for each student.
Find out more »The Beauty of Russian Lace
Russian lace is a chain lace which has developed over many years. It gives the lacemaker the opportunity to play with colours and texture and even introduce beads into the lace. Taking part in the lace will help broaden participants conception of Russian lace and explore its potentials on an individual basis. The course will appeal to both the beginner and the experienced lacemaker alike.
Find out more »Sing from the Heart group singing holiday SW France summer 2016
Singing holidays and retreats in France facilitating positive group learning and interaction. Our breaks are a great opportunity to meet new people whilst sharing a fun and creative activity. Many lifelong friendships have been formed on our singing workshops and holidays throughout the years.
Find out more »The Twenty Second Dillington – Classical Guitar Summer School
This popular event, which celebrates its 22nd anniversary, offers classical guitarists a unique opportunity to participate in a varied programme of music making, with plenty of time to develop playing and music reading skills. In an atmosphere of mutual support, your confidence will grow whilst performing in ensembles both large and small. Highlights for 2016 will include several new arrangements for Guitar Orchestra by Peter Reuffer as well as an original work by Branco Stoysin. There will also be opportunities…
Find out more »Fashionista: Elegant Beaded Ladies
For a change from the Beaded “Mini People”, we are going to create “FASIONISTAS” – beaded elegant ladies, with no apologies to any Divas (living or dead!). The process will be the same as the other beaded people, just slightly longer legs. There will be patterns for the dresses, petticoats, jackets, hats, shoes etc. (different from any of my earlier patterns). All abilities are welcome. A knowledge of peyote, brick, herringbone, cubic right angle weave and netting stitches would be…
Find out more »Botanical Watercolour Painting
This course is a perfect opportunity for beginners, as well as the more experienced, to paint in the lovely, peaceful and friendly surroundings at Knuston Hall. The summer is a good time to find a wide variety of stunning plants and flowers and the length of this course provides the chance to do a larger or more ambitious painting than you might attempt otherwise. However, if you are new to botanical painting, I shall bring some subjects with me that…
Find out more »Classical Guitar Summer Festival – Bach and Beyond
Music for Guitars and Harpsichord. Peter Reuffer (Guitar) & Adrian Boynton (Harpsichord) with special guest Lydia Hepworth (Guitar). A programme spanning 300 years including works by Bach, Marcello, Boccherini, Brouwer & Michel Legrand.
Find out more »August 2016
Patchwork Summer School Part 1
Come and share in a passion for patchwork and the enjoyment of creative sewing, learning new skills in both machine and hand sewing. Enjoy a few days sewing for pleasure with like minded friends. The projects range from beginners to those already with skills. Just let me know by email what you would like to make. Bags, quilts, quillows, hangings etc. and I will provide the patterns and technical advice.
Find out more »Classical Guitar Summer Festival – Latin Impressions – Artic Guitar Trio
Trond Davidson, Jarl Stromdal & Arne Brattland, programme includes works by Ginastera, Guastavino & Villa Lobos.
Find out more »Classical Guitar Summer Festival – Serenade – Frontiers Trio
Mark Ashford (Guitar), David Le Page (violin) & Nick Stringfellow (Cello). Programme includes works by Vivaldi, Paganini, Piazzolla & Albeinz.
Find out more »Painted Books of Ancient Mexico
On this course you will learn the meaning of the Aztec Calendar Stone and the Aztec calendar, hear the Legend of the Five Suns – the Genesis of Mesoamerica – and see pre-Colombian “Graphic Novels” of the long walk of the Mexica from the lost island of Aztlan and the seven caves of Chicomoztec to the imperial garden city of Tenochtitlan. From the Mixtec Codices will come the creation story of the demi-god 9 Wind and the deeds of the…
Find out more »Patchwork Summer School Part 2
Come and share in a passion for patchwork and the enjoyment of creative sewing, learning new skills in both machine and hand sewing. Enjoy a few days sewing for pleasure with like minded friends. The projects range from beginners to those already with skills. Just let me know by email what you would like to make. Bags, quilts, quillows, hangings etc. and I will provide the patterns and technical advice.
Find out more »Classical Guitar Summer Festival – Prague Guitar Quartet
Marek Veleminsky, Vaclav Kucera, Matej Fremi & Patrick Vacik. Programme includes works by Britten, Prokofiev & Stepan Rak.
Find out more »Classical Guitar Summer Festival – From Serbia with Love – Branco Stoysin
With special guest Peter Reuffer (Guitar), Programme features Branco's lyrical guitar compositions and Folk music from Serbia.
Find out more »The Sacred Clown Summer Retreat
From stillness, mediation, mime and movement, this course offers a fun, gentle and creative introduction to the Sacred Clown.
Find out more »Moving heaven and earth: Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown 1716 – 2016
2016 marks the tercentenary of the birth of 'Capability' Brown, England's Shakespeare of Gardening. The setting of Madingley Hall illustrates just one of his earth-moving projects. His inspirations as well as his engineering, hydraulic, architectural and artistic skills will be analysed through his major works. And still capable? This weekend conference will explore his ongoing relevance to landscape and water management.
Find out more »Bookbinding and Restoration
If you love books here is a chance to give them new life by bringing at least 2 that are in need of some TLC. You will be learning some basic repair and restore techniques using modern materials but keeping as much of the original as is practical making it once again structurally sound. Cloth bindings will be easier to repair but leather bound books will take longer. You do not need any previous experience, just good hand skills. *There…
Find out more »Saxophone Weekend
This highly popular course will provide continual teaching and guidance through participation in ensembles of various sizes. Groups are changed for every session and participants can expect to play in ensembles ranging from trios to massed sax groups. Players will be grouped with those of similar ability. A vast library of music will be available throughout the course. A diversity of music styles and genres will be offered. Experience in sight-reading is recommended and previous ensemble will be advantageous.
Find out more »The United States – Forging a Nation
With Independence in 1776, the American colonies became a separate country with a shaky start and near bankruptcy. As Spain and France withdrew their interests a new nation began to find its feet. Yet just 85 years after the United States became a country it was torn apart by a Civil War. This course tracks events which, through pain and adversity, forged a cohesive nation of very different people brought together in a unified purpose.
Find out more »Quilting, corded and stuffed work
A weekend course with Sylvia Critcher to show you how to produce Trapunto, a 3-D quilting technique. Corded and stuffed quilting looks complicated, but it is very easy to do. This course is all hand work, and is suitable for all levels, from beginners to advanced stitchers and quilters.
Find out more »Dillington Summer School Week One
Week One offers you a selection of courses from which to create your own special holiday with a difference. Choose to spend the week out and about with Mike Hope, take part in one of the longer courses or put together a programme of shorter courses or self-contained days.
Find out more »The Saxophone and Its Music
This highly popular course will provide continual teaching and guidance through participation in ensembles of various sizes. Groups are changed for every session and participants can expect to play in ensembles ranging from trios to massed sax groups. Players will be grouped with those of similar ability. A vast library of music will be available throughout the course. A diversity of music styles and genres will be offered. Experience in sight-reading is recommended and previous ensemble will be advantageous.
Find out more »Basic Woodworking 1
An intensive woodworking course suitable for confident beginners as well as those with a little (perhaps school day) experience.
Find out more »Private Houses & Gardens of Devon, Somerset & Dorset
Despite the large number of Houses and Gardens, which open their doors to the public (over 1500 in the UK), there are over twice this number, which are rarely, if ever, open to the general public. As with last year’s programme, which was dedicated solely to the private houses and gardens of Devon, this year sees a number of houses from both Somerset and Dorset, being added to a further group from Devon. Over five days we will visit a…
Find out more »Be A More Confident Painter
This five day course is designed to challenge painters with some experience. The emphasis will be on watercolour, especially for preliminary work but finished studio pieces could be in any medium. Take time in the glorious surroundings of Dillington, to unwind and take a critical look at your own work. Be honest, are you stuck in a rut? Are you producing the same slightly tired and overworked paintings time and time again? Is there a better painter lurking within? Together…
Find out more »The Georgians – Their Art, Architecture & Entertainment
Everybody knows something about the Georgians but not everyone knows how foundational the period remains to our own time and culture. The Hanoverian succession was not easy although once established it created an enduring dynasty. This two-day course will explore the architecture, the society, briefly the politics, the art, literature and the music. We will learn how the Grand Tour informed taste - or didn’t, as the case maybe. We will appreciate how our economy grew and how we learnt…
Find out more »Viva España
A mini festival of individual subjects celebrating the vibrancy of Spanish history and culture. All complete in themselves but amounting to a week discussing and revelling in all things Spanish. Topics during the week range from art, music, literature, politics and history. Further detail for each day is shown under the Day Courses section.
Find out more »The Music of Tudor England
Think of the Tudors and one thinks of the Reformation, that devastating upheaval. For musicians it proved hard to cope, as the rapturous elaborations of earlier times had to give way to simple purity. But Secular music also evolved, and became more personal and revealing. John Taverner and Thomas Tallis will take centre stage in this course, since their live stories are so emblematic: but others won’t be forgotten – not least John Dowland with his exquisite songs, and the…
Find out more »The Music of Spain
Although it is true that Spain did not contribute much to the classical or symphonic tradition of European music there are nevertheless great riches to discover. Its choral polyphony is arguably the greatest ever written and the music of Granados, Albeniz and Manuel de Falla presents a whole new sound world that is Spain in essence. A heady mix of Moorish, Gypsy and European sentiment. And then there is the unique style of Zarzuela, Rodrigo’s romanticism and the evocative music…
Find out more »Cervantes & Don Quixote
2016 is the quatercentenary of the death of Spain’s greatest writer. It is remarkable that Cervantes’ literary creation has endured across the centuries and throughout the world. We will explore the author’s life and times and examine the various themes of the novel. We will also consider the representation of the story in music and art.
Find out more »The Rise & Fall of Facism in Spain & Portugal
The illegal uprising by the army against the elected governments and the bloody civil war that followed was a prelude to World War II. Remarkably, when racism was defeated elsewhere, the right-wing dictatorships endured in Spain and Portugal. With Europe developing new economies and institutions it was inevitable that the end would come. When it did, Spain transformed itself into an amazingly vibrant and confident democracy. The story in Portugal is similar. This day course will explore the history, issues…
Find out more »The Life & Art of Vincent Van Gogh
Vincent's short life and artistic achievement is remarkable by any measure. Largely self-taught, we know that his individual vision of the world was born from his intense humanity and a passionate belief that painting could make a difference. In this course we will look deeply and critically at his extraordinary life, his work and legacy. We will examine the difficult relationship with his family and the importance of those close to him. Using the letters to his brother we will…
Find out more »Gustav Holst – The Man & His Music
Despite the huge success of ‘The Planets’, Gustav Holst has always been hard to pin down. His fascinating life story is full of abrupt changes of direction, multiple influences and a vast breadth of inspiration. English folk music, oriental mysticism, the doctrines of William Morris – it’s all there, expressed in terms of glittering orchestration, warm melody, even touches of mesmerising modernism. ‘The Planets’ is only the tip of the iceberg.
Find out more »The Genius of Handel
There is a lot more to Handel than his justly celebrated oratorio Messiah or The Water Music. This short course will examine his life, time and achievement. Lavishly illustrated with images, music and anecdotes, we will explore the whole range of his output and demonstrate his complete mastery and genius. Importantly, we will see that life as a jobbing composer was not as secure or assured as we might assume from his present-day reputation. The business of music-making in Georgian…
Find out more »The War of the Roses
Great buildings, growing prosperity, and a nasty taste for violence – that’s the paradox of fifteenth century England. Lost confidence in King Henry VI, and an ill-advised challenge from his cousin Richard of York, then terrible consequences including the deaths of both men. We will take a fresh view of the conflict, from its inception to the showdown at Tewkesbury (1471).
Find out more »The Fiestas of Spain
To many Spain is synonymous with fiestas and no one celebrates better than the Spanish! Through music, video and images we look at some of the great religious, historic and culinary fiestas that define this diverse and utterly captivating country. To understand the fiestas is to understand the people.
Find out more »The Art of Joaquin Sorolla – Spain’s Greatest Impressionist
Joaquin Sorolla is the least known great painter in Europe. In part this is because his style was eclipsed by the modern art of Picasso, Miro and Dali and few of his pictures ever made it into the national collections of northern Europe. Indeed, it has been claimed that there isn’t a single Sorolla painting in any British public collection. If you don’t know the artist then you’ll be in for a surprise and a treat.
Find out more »Countryside and Nature on Film
The beauty of our countryside and its wildlife has inspired film-makers from the silent era through black and white documentaries to the amazing nature films of today. Throughout the twentieth century the films were shown in different ways and with different intentions. Without doubt these have influenced the way in which we think about the countryside and nature. We shall watch a variety of films with plenty of opportunity for students to discuss responses to this changing world.
Find out more »Botanical Painting in Watercolour
Learn the beautiful art of botanical painting in watercolour. This is an opportunity to spend a weekend drawing and painting flower, fruit or other plant of your choice. Beginners and improvers are welcome because students will work at their own pace with one-to-one, step-by-step guidance from an experienced tutor. By the end of the course students will have a finished or almost finished botanical study and have the skills in composition and technique to continue creating plant portraits on their…
Find out more »Fun with French (Higher Intermediate)
Venez vous plonger dans un bain de français! Un week-end de conversations, de discussions et de lecture. Nous lirons des extraits du livre de Christian Signol Bleus sont les étés. Dimanche matin, je demande à tout le monde d’apporter un article et de préparer une petite présentation en français. Si vous voulez préparer votre petite présentation à l’avance, je pourrais vous aider à la corriger samedi après-midi.
Find out more »Bobbin Lace: Beginners & Beyond
Have you always wanted to make lace but are worried that it looks complicated? Are you a beginner wishing to continue to develop your skills? Are you already a lace maker but would like to continue with your work or start a new pattern? Help is at hand! This is the ideal course for you. Enjoy a few days developing your lacemaking skills and knowledge. Beginners kit available to purchase from the tutor at a cost of £25.00.
Find out more »Clothesmaking
The students will be able to construct garments of their choice, to improve their clothes-making skills to a professional standard and to gain more confidence. The course will cover any adaptations and adjustments to commercial patterns if necessary. Emphasis will be on a good fit and professional finishes. (Your own machine will be required)
Find out more »Dillington Summer School Week Two
Week Two offers a programme of full week courses but there is an opportunity to take time out from these and join a day with Dr Jan D. Cox on his Nordic Adventure or Chris Pollard on Spanish Cinema on Wednesday (subject to availability).
Find out more »Bobbin Lace: Beginners & Beyond
Have you always wanted to make lace but are worried that it looks complicated? Are you a beginner wishing to continue to develop your skills? Are you already a lace maker but would like to continue with your work or start a new pattern? Help is at hand! This is the ideal course for you. Enjoy a few days developing your lacemaking skills and knowledge. Beginners kit available to purchase from the tutor at a cost of £25.00.
Find out more »Clothesmaking
The students will be able to construct a wide range of garments of their choice, with style, good fit and professional finishes. The course will cover any adaptations or adjustments to commercial patterns and making toiles to ensure a perfect fit. The tutor will be available for advice on problems with unfinished garments. A visit to a local market is planned if students wish to buy fabrics under the tutor’s guidance. (Your own machine will be required)
Find out more »Hidden Landscapes, Hidden Treasures of the West Country
Off the beaten track and boasting stunningly beautiful landscapes, each of the areas to be visited during the week possess a unique set of characteristics and a wealth of evidence of human occupation over the last five thousand years. Each day you will visit, hear and see about events, places, buildings, monuments, people, the geology and the topography. All of these areas have served as, and continue to act as, the inspiration for artists, designers, writers and poets. Each day…
Find out more »Antiques Repair Workshop
This practical and enjoyable five day course will give you an opportunity to participate and learn from an expert ‘everything you ever wanted to know about furniture but were afraid to ask’. You will spend each day in the tutor’s own workshop in Wellington where specific problems will be overcome and techniques demonstrated. In addition, the important question, ‘Is it really worth repairing?’ will be addressed. The tutor will provide examples and demonstrations but please bring with you a small…
Find out more »Collage Workshop: Paper Into Art
Collage is a quick, versatile and easy way of creating and developing visual ideas. The work can stand for itself or become a springboard for a more sustained and ambitious piece of work. In this workshop you will be introduced to a variety of techniques and approaches before being let loose on your own individual projects. By the end of the week you will have made several stunning pieces to take home. Whether you regard yourself as an experienced artist…
Find out more »The Joy of Spanish
This is a week for people who love Spanish and Spain, who know enough Spanish to have a conversation and find the prospect of five days speaking, listening and learning Spanish irresistible. The focus of the course will be intense language sessions during which participants will be encouraged to speak and discuss; items from the Spanish media will be used to fire discussion! During the week we shall watch three films including the winner of the 2015 Goya. We shall…
Find out more »A Nordic Adventure – The Art, History & Culture of Scandinavia
Five day courses, all complete in themselves, but amounting to a week exploring the broader group of countries collectively known as the Nordic Nations: Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. Each day we will examine the art, history and culture of each of these countries and on we will delve into Nordic Noir and Nordic Film. We will listen to the rich musical heritage of these lands, look at food, photographs and travelogues, and discover why all things Nordic are…
Find out more »Norway: Art, History & Culture
We look at the history of Norway from the days of the Vikings onwards, including its fight for independence and the ‘Heroes of Telemark’ in WW2. Inspirational pictures of the mountains and fjords will be supplemented by art that reflected Norway’s growing Nationalism in the nineteenth-century, not forgetting Edvard Munch. We will also look at British travellers’ adventures in Norway, and music will be supplied by the sublime Edvard Grieg.
Find out more »Marquetry
No woodworking skills are required to learn the intricate art of marquetry. You will learn about veneers and how to cut and shape them to create simple motifs and will then progress to more complicated designs. The course is designed for beginners and the fee includes materials.
Find out more »Making Embroidered Books “Transferred to the Cover”
Make a decorative book with a transfer dyed, pelmet vilene cover. The cover is embellished with additional pieces of printed pelmet vilene, hand colouring, sealed with acrylic wax and finished with hand or machine stitch. Pages will be made from wallpaper lining paper which will be coloured using Koh-I-Noor dye palette. Simple binding and fastening techniques will be explained and guidance given on how to fill the book.
Find out more »Sweden: Art, History & Culture
We examine Sweden’s place in the history of Scandinavia, involving unions with Finland and Norway, and battles with Denmark and Russia. Art will feature many fine landscapes and the portraits and nudes of Anders Zorn. More recent Sweden will include the Moomins and the Ikea phenomenon, and music will feature Swedish Rhapsody by Hugo Alfvén. We also consider the works of playwright August Strindberg.
Find out more »Blackwork Embroidery
Blackwork is a form of counted thread embroidery. It is worked on evenly woven fabric, using very simple straight and diagonal stitches to develop many spectacular patterns, often with a geometric theme. Despite the name, it is sometimes sewn in blue, green or red and highlighted in gold. This traditional hand embroidery is both attractive to look at and relaxing to sew. On this course you will be introduced to many beautiful stitches and patterns and you will discover just…
Find out more »Spanish Cinema: The 1980s
The 1980s were a fascinating decade for Spain. Franco was dead, the repressive regime had been dismantled and for the first time in its history, Spain breathed a climate of artistic freedom. In the cinema, the 80s were a decade of dramatic change. The 'New Cinema' was led by the iconoclastic Pedro Almodovar and for the first time the cinema could relate truthfully the story of the Spanish Civil Way, José Luis Garci won an Oscar and filmmakers from the…
Find out more »Denmark: Art, History & Culture
We look at Denmark’s proud history, and the way that its empire shrank over the centuries, including its naval battles with Britain. Art will include Denmark’s ‘Golden Age’ from the early 19th century, and the paintings of two great women artists, Bertha Wegmann and Anna Ancher, as well as the brilliant P. S. Krøyer. Music will feature the cello concerto of Franz Neruda. Plus Hans Christian Andersen and Lego!
Find out more »Bobbin Lace: Beginners & Beyond
Have you always wanted to make lace but are worried that it looks complicated? Are you a beginner wishing to continue to develop your skills? Are you already a lace maker but would like to continue with your work or start a new pattern? Help is at hand! This is the ideal course for you. Enjoy a few days developing your lacemaking skills and knowledge. Beginners kit available to purchase from the tutor at a cost of £25.00.
Find out more »Finland & Iceland: Art, History & Culture
We will discuss Finland’s battles with Russia, and the Kalevala, a 19th-century epic poem of myth and legend. Sibelius will supply haunting music and there is striking art from Albert Edelfelt, Gallen-Kallela and Hugo Simberg. In Iceland we will look at the world’s oldest parliament, its volcanoes and geysers, the music of Sigur Ros and the art of Thorláksson and Jonssón. Also, the Cod War and the recent economic upheaval.
Find out more »Nordic Noir & Nordic Film
Scandinavia has been a great recent international hit in terms of both its influential films and its crime literature. We will look at such successful films as Together (Sweden), Trollhunter (Norway), and Oscar winners Babette’s Feast (Denmark) and The Man without a Past (Finland). Our dip into literature will include Stieg Larsson (Girl with a Dragon Tattoo), Henning Mankell (Wallander) and the TV dramatizations Borgen and The Killing.
Find out more »The Edge of History – Hitittes
Who was the great power of ancient Anatolia during Homer’s ‘Tale of Troy’? Who was the cultural medium through which Hesiod created his pantheon of gods and goddesses? Who created annals and the record of heroic deeds of their kings? Over these sessions we discover the Hittites, their culture, their history and their influence forgotten in time but for a few scraps of obscure references until their true rediscovery in the early 20th century.
Find out more »Improving your Ukulele Skills (Intermediate)
Aimed at players who have a basic knowledge of the Ukulele (eg basic chords of C, F, G, A, D), this fun and light-hearted course will help you develop and progress your skills. With a mix of tutor-led and breakout sessions and a careful selection of songs, we will progressively move through new chords, strumming patterns and other techniques allowing you to develop your ukulele skills. By the end of the course you will feel more confident in playing your…
Find out more »Beads in Bloom
This course is aimed at intermediate level & above. Students can choose from three different flowers. A Rose:- for which you will need Peyote, brick & Square stitch skills. A Daffodil:- Brick, Herringbone & Square stitch skills needed. A Lily:- Peyote stitch skills needed. The Tutor will provide instruction sheets, demonstrations, and one to one tuition where needed. Enjoy an array of flowers to grace your home, use as a button hole, or incorporate in a bridal bouquet.
Find out more »Chinese Brush Painting Part 1
This weekend course will study a number of subjects such as flower, bird, fruit, animal, fish or landscape, all taught in the traditional method of demonstration and practice. Learning will continue on Saturday evening with a presentation on painting or travel for example. This course is suitable for both beginners and the more advanced. New learners will be able to see what they may be able to achieve in future courses. Calming music helps to aid concentration while painting.
Find out more »Edge of Empire: Cultures Contemporary to the Hititte Great Kingdom
Cultures contemporary with and adjacent to the Hittite Great Kingdom (1650–1190 BC) will be explored and explained with reference to contemporary documents, artefacts and the latest theories. Informative comprehensive handouts will be provided. This is a fascinating formative period, and will be studied in a way that is both entertaining and interesting. Come along to enjoy and learn. Previous course handouts can be accessed through Knuston’s Facebook page.
Find out more »Richard Box’s Master Class
There will be various Levels within the group. Some who have been to Master Class for many years will continue to develop their skills within their chosen discipline. They will have frequent but short individual tutorials once or twice a day. Others, who are still “terrified” or “petrified” will be given more time and instruction.NB: You will notice that the qualifications for attending this course is not how proficient you are, rather how dedicated you are. There will also be…
Find out more »Chinese Brush Painting Part 2
This course will give more flexibility and time to explore this fascinating art form in greater depth. Beginners joining at this point will be introduced to the basics, producing paintings in a wide variety of subjects. Improvers will be encouraged to increase their skills, both in strokes and composition. With a background of relaxing music a selection of flower, fruit, animal, bird, fish or landscape will be shown in traditional demonstration and practice sessions. Evenings will be more relaxed with…
Find out more »Parchment Craft Summer School Part 1
This course is suitable for those who already have a basic knowledge of parchment craft techniques, including tracing, embossing and simple perforating. Participants will be able to choose from a selection of patterns for greetings cards, pictures or technique samplers. Although the emphasis will be on the use of grids to create both perforated and embossed lace designs, we will also be covering various colouring techniques.
Find out more »Antique Furniture Restoration
Learn how to restore and repair antique furniture, reviving and caring for original patination and finishes. Cost of materials will be included in the course unless otherwise indicated.
Find out more »Parchment Craft Summer School Part 2
This course is suitable for those who already have a basic knowledge of parchment craft techniques, including tracing, embossing and simple perforating. Participants will be able to choose from a selection of patterns for greetings cards, pictures or technique samplers. Although the emphasis will be on the use of grids to create both perforated and embossed lace designs, we will also be covering various colouring techniques.
Find out more »Make a Sun Hive – Rachel Hanney
Make a Sun Hive: A Hive for Natural Bee Keepers In conjunction with other like-minded beekeepers, the Natural Beekeeping Trust develops and promotes a form of beekeeping that is holistic, bee-centred and chemical-free. Join us for an inspirational weekend to make your own Sun Hive – a natural hive which involves weaving the straw skep baskets, which are built to precise measurements. These hives are designed by German sculptor, Guenther Mancke, and represent the fruits of many years of research into the nature of the honeybee colony. At the end of the weekend…
Find out more »Introduction to Woodcarving
Enjoy a weekend learning the skills of a woodcarver and how to choose suitable wood for a project.
Find out more »Astrosophy
Walk the planet's paths to experience their interaction with a combination of astronomy and spiritual science.
Find out more »Make a Sun Hive
Learn about holistic, bee-centred forms of bee keeping and make your own sun hive to take away.
Find out more »Calligraphy and Composition Weekend
Learn and improve your calligraphy - decorative capitals and numbers, layout and composition. Depending on time and experience, you may select the projects you would like to make: Greeting cards; calendars; favourite quotes; pen marks to picture; combining illustration with text; pen-made borders; words from the heart. Play with masking/resist/scarffitto, graduated textures, metallic materials and collage. All levels are welcome. This course may be continued with more depth and individual help by enrolling for the Sunday to Friday course code…
Find out more »Railways in British Feature Films
Railways and trains are a “natural” material for movies. As the settings for story films they are numbered in dozens, with many set in the era of steam. We shall see ten having the greatest railway content, made between 1930 and 1974, and we shall learn the background to each being made. This nostalgic and entertaining presentation will show many familiar faces from the past, and will delight enthusiasts both for British films and for railways.
Find out more »Parchment Craft Summer School Part 3
This course is suitable for those who already have a basic knowledge of parchment craft techniques, including tracing, embossing and simple perforating. Participants will be able to choose from a selection of patterns for greetings cards, pictures or technique samplers. Although the emphasis will be on the use of grids to create both perforated and embossed lace designs, we will also be covering various colouring techniques.
Find out more »Residential Photography Workshop Weekend SW France
Join us for our first residential artistic photography weekend this summer on 27-29 August 2016: The Art of Photography with professional photographic artist Rebeka Dove from Pink Cat Photographie.
Find out more »Calligraphy and Composition Week
Learn and improve your calligraphy - decorative capitals and numbers, layout and composition. Depending on time and experience, you may select the projects you would like to make: Greeting cards; calendars; favourite quotes; pen marks to picture; combining illustration with text; pen-made borders; words from the heart. Play with masking/resist/scarffitto, graduated textures, metallic materials and collage. All levels are welcome. This course may be continued with more depth and individual help by enrolling for the Sunday to Friday course code…
Find out more »Beads Day- Wirework, Fairies & Angels
Spend a wonderful day exploring the world of fairies and angels. These little creatures are made from a combination of wire and beadweaving techniques, but no experience of wire is essential – its really very easy! Watch them take on their own personalities whilst you work. They look great on the Christmas tree or hanging on a special persons parcel, the choice is yours. They are also really great for using up all your beady odds and ends! All materials…
Find out more »Ukulele for Advanced Players
This advanced course is for players wishing to learn finger-picking and self-accompanied solos on soprano, concert or tenor ukulele. We will study the rudiments of music, scale patterns and moveable chords, as well as techniques specific to the ukulele such as hammer-ons and pull-offs. We will play a diversity of repertoire - Baroque and Classical transcriptions, pop, rock, jazz and original writings including Hawaiian music. We will also be looking at the requirements for Victoria College examinations and advice will…
Find out more »Beautiful Brick & Sublime Stone: How Building Materials Have Shaped Britain’s Architecture
The rich variety of building materials is one of the most striking things about British architecture. Look around you in any town and you’ll see stone church spires, red brick houses, shop fronts decorated with tiles, perhaps an older timber-framed house, an Edwardian theatre with an ornate plastered facade, or a market hall with a roof of glass and iron. In this course we will look at these different materials and how they have influenced British architecture, exploring along the…
Find out more »Botanical Illustration
Botanical Illustration is precise detailed work, a combination of art and science. This studio based watercolour course is for all ability levels; no experience of art or botany is required, just commitment. We aim to enjoy working in an atmosphere of relaxed industry. Students will work at their own pace on the subject of their choice. The course will cover the use of basic materials and methods for beginners and will offer professional advice to advanced students. The emphasis will…
Find out more »Stumpwork Pansies & Violas
Inspiration for this course comes from the beautiful costumes and books of Elizabeth I, where the emblem of the pansy and viola was widely used. Raised work techniques work extremely well for these lovely flowers, which come in a wealth of colour combinations. Try something new and learn how you can incorporate real flowers in your embroidery. This course is suitable for all abilities.
Find out more »Meeting Me on The Cloud
Do you feel that you would like to keep up with family events and share your news online but are daunted by just how to start using social media, and nervous of who’s out there? Keep up to date with friends and family, news, research, reviews and more; social media is more than just a gossip box! We will have a fun day, in a friendly and supportive environment, exploring email, Facebook, Skype and twitter, as well as other areas…
Find out more »Verdi and the Force of Density
The hammer blows of cruel fate drive the plot of this dramatic tale, one of Verdi’s longest, richest and most incident-packed operas. We explore the tragedy befalling Leonora and the men in her life - her lover Alvaro, and her vengeance-obsessed brother, Carlo. But mostly we focus on Verdi’s superb score with its plethora of magnificent arias, duets and ensembles, the culmination of his wonderful middle period. All-comers welcome.
Find out more »Let the Train Take the Strain: Planning Your Own Travels Through Eastern Europe
This day course takes the form of a workshop for planning your own travels by train through Eastern Europe. This year Mike Shaw extends his focus to the Western Ukraine, Rumania, Bulgaria and on to Istanbul. He will explain the origins of each of the national networks, the resulting choke points and how to avoid them. Thereafter we will work through a number of possible journeys and how these can be planned in detail. If you have a yearning to…
Find out more »Edward I & Queen Eleanor
King Edward I (1272-1307) is best remembered for his Welsh and Scottish wars, and his great series of castles around Snowdonia. Less well known, but more significant, were his promotion of law, parliament and currency reform, as well as his patronage of the arts. His wife, Eleanor of Castile was less well known, and this day course will try to give a picture of their lives. All-comers welcome.
Find out more »Beads Day – Lily Pad bracelet
Have you ever wanted to master encasing a soft touch cabochon? Then this is the course for you. The lily pad base is made using the netting technique, whilst the soft touch is encased with peyote stitch using size 11 Delica beads and crystals. These single elements can be made into bracelets, necklaces or a simple pair of earrings, the choice is yours! All materials will be available to purchase from the tutor.
Find out more »September 2016
Cryptic Crosswords for Improvers
The aims of the course are to improve solving skills and extend specialist crossword knowledge. At the end of the course, students should feel comfortable solving puzzles at an intermediate level and be able to attempt the more challenging puzzles that are published in the national broadsheet newspapers. Most of the time will be spent working together on progressively more challenging puzzles from newspapers, starting with a relatively easy warm up puzzle and ending the day with some harder puzzles…
Find out more »Coloured Pencils Basic Techniques
The day will go through the advantages and possible problems of the media, the choices of pencil brands (with an opportunity to try a selection), a look at the different papers that can be used, and the basic techniques for producing a picture. There is plenty of opportunity for questions and answers, and a selection of step by step exercises is available for students to purchase at modest cost to take home and try later. Students who have artist quality…
Find out more »Eternal Wisdom
This retreat will bring together the philosophical and spiritual traditions of the East and West.
Find out more »Rest and Restore Retreat
Enjoy a weekend to rest and restore mind and body with mindful breath, yoga and healing meditation.
Find out more »“Globe to Globe”: Shakespeare in Music
The affect of Shakespeare’s plays on the history of music is immense but it is an area which has been rather neglected over the years. This course (followed by a further course 3-5 February 2017) will follow the history of the plays and their associated music over some 400 years, from their original staging up to the re-building of the Globe theatre at the end of the 20th century. This first course will cover the 17th and 18th centuries which…
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