Listed on March 13, 2014 by Dillington in Blogs!Today’s world is full of chatter. It’s like a modern day Tower of Babel where everybody is talking and nobody is listening. The onslaught of communication is so great that silence is a rare and wonderful thing in comparison. It … Continue reading →Read more ...
Listed on March 7, 2014 by Dillington in Blogs! In the 1970s I seem to remember that meetings between government and trades unions were characterised as ‘beer and sandwich’ events. They were workmanlike – nothing fancy. How times have changed. I doubt if trades unions even get invited … Continue reading →Read more ...
Listed on March 3, 2014 by Dillington in Featured CoursesThis course with Sarah Jarrett-Kerr is intended for all levels from the complete beginner to the more experienced. Read more ...
Listed on February 28, 2014 by Dillington in Blogs!Yesterday, I was a judge in the Debating Matters competition organised by the Institute of Ideas. This is a national competition for young people that really tests their debating skills. Not only they do they have to have an in-depth … Continue reading →Read more ...
Listed on February 28, 2014 by Dillington in Featured CoursesThis course focuses on the personalities and achievements of the different monarchs, and seeks to answer the question of why the Tudors were one of the most successful royal families of the early modern ageRead more ...
Listed on February 12, 2014 by Dillington in Blogs!As we all know, the weather has recently been appalling and last weekend there were dramas with the trains. First the line from Paddington to Taunton was closed and then the Waterloo to Crewkerne line was closed; Read more ...
Listed on January 24, 2014 by Dillington in Blogs!Now it may be my age or something else but increasingly I feel I’m becoming Victor Meldrew – that curmudgeon of about fifteen years ago who coined the catchphrase ‘I don’t believe it’. Read more ...
Listed on January 22, 2014 by Dillington in Blogs!This afternoon a regular Dillingtonite called in with an amazingly generous donation of Egyptology books for the library. A big thank you to her, although without an e-mail address, I think she might not be viewing this blog. I’ve written … Continue reading →Read more ...
Listed on January 17, 2014 by Dillington in Featured CoursesThis relaxed weekend guarantees a wide range of music played in good company, opportunities for individual advice and chance to expand your horizons! Read more ...
Listed on January 17, 2014 by Dillington in Featured CoursesExplore the history of the different theatres and how the buildings were used and developed over the centuries.Read more ...
Listed on January 17, 2014 by Dillington in Member NewsThe new programme is now available, but here's a reminder of some of the courses happening in January and February, as well as information about an exciting new course.Read more ...
Listed on January 9, 2014 by Dillington in Blogs!Our dear friend and colleague, Joan Burns, died peacefully in her sleep on Friday 3rd January. She was 91. Many of you will know Joan from her music appreciation courses at Dillington and elsewhereRead more ...
Listed on January 2, 2014 by Dillington in Blogs!I should have spent the afternoon of New Year’s day going for a walk. Instead I plonked myself in front of the television and watched a new DVD of Benjamin Britten’s opera Peter Grimes. Read more ...
Listed on December 24, 2013 by Dillington in Blogs!Christmas Eve is upon us and I have been up the top of the Christmas tree to replace the batteries on the star. Next year we’ll have one run on mains electric! We’ve just cleared about two tons of mud … Continue reading →Read more ...
Listed on December 17, 2013 by Dillington in Blogs!As we approach the shortest day and gently begin to panic over the home arrangements for Christmas it occurs to me that it is also the time to take stock of the past year and to prepare for the new … Continue reading →Read more ...
Listed on December 6, 2013 by Dillington in Christmas, Featured CoursesNow in its 21st year, this almost needs no introduction but if you want an overture to the festive season then the Dillington House Party is for you. Read more ...
Listed on December 6, 2013 by Dillington in Blogs!We have just stumbled into December it seems but the weather has been largely dry and mild. Driving in I notice that many of the trees in the park still have their leaves although the couple of frosts have made … Continue reading →Read more ...
Listed on November 29, 2013 by Dillington in Featured CoursesArt doesn’t come much bigger than Manet, Munch, Vermeer and Picasso. Well, you could make up your own list but these particular artists will feature prominently during the weekend. In addition there will be presentations and discussions about the purpose of the visual arts both in the past and today. Read more ...
Listed on November 29, 2013 by Dillington in Blogs!For some people beige is seriously boring yet is seems like the colour of choice for older people. Of course, I think it’s the fault of the clothing manufacturers who would claim that colour is for the peacocks of the … Continue reading →Read more ...
Listed on November 25, 2013 by Dillington in Blogs!This morning Esther Rantzen CBE was on Radio 4s Today programme announcing the national launch of Silver Line. The service takes its model from Child Line and is a telephone helpline. One of the primary issues it is trying to … Continue reading →Read more ...
Listed on November 22, 2013 by Dillington in Blogs!Last Sunday we enjoyed a fantastic talk by Professor Jim Al-Khalili on Quantum Physics. He was utterly clear in his explanation even though the subject is at times occasionally opaque. The bit that got us all wondering was when matter … Continue reading →Read more ...
Listed on October 30, 2013 by Dillington in Blogs! I was interviewed online about our Big Art Weekend coming up at the end of November. This has been posted on the Leisure Courses website which can be found at https://www.leisurecourses.net/discovering-dillington-big-art-weekend/ Not wanting to waste a good … Continue reading →Read more ...
Listed on October 30, 2013 by Dillington in Blogs!I was driving to work this morning and Radio 4 moved beyond the 9.00am news to ‘Midweek’ with Libby Purves. This programme can be really interesting but I always think it’s a bit lightweight compared to ‘Start the Week’ on … Continue reading →Read more ...
Listed on October 29, 2013 by LeisureCourses.net in SpotlightWe invited Wayne Bennett, Director at Dillington House in Somerset, to give us a sneak preview of what's in store during "The Big Art Weekend" taking place at Dillington 29 November - 1 December 2013.Read more ...
Listed on October 28, 2013 by Dillington in Blogs!Sunday evening witnessed an extraordinary event. For most of my life I have been used to experiencing great performances. Sutherland, Pavarotti, Kleiber, Solti etc, etc. Last night the Czech violinist, Leos Cepicky, gave a staggering account of two Bach Partitas … Continue reading →Read more ...
Listed on October 27, 2013 by Dillington in Featured CoursesBotanical 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. You will work at your own pace on the subject of your choice. Read more ...
Listed on October 27, 2013 by Dillington in Featured CoursesThis course is open to any acoustic instrument player and provides an opportunity to develop your playing over the course of four days. Past courses have successfully catered for every combination, including fretted and bowed stringed instruments, saxophone, flute and harmonica... What do you play? Read more ...
Listed on October 27, 2013 by Dillington in Featured CoursesThis course is designed for lovers of photography, from competent beginner to aspiring professional. Whilst there will be a strong element of hands on and practical photography, incorporating primarily portrait and landscape photography there will also be plenty of discussion on photography in general as we look at the work of established photographers and the visual impact of their work. You are also encouraged to bring along your own work for appraisal. All types of cameras are welcome from digital to film to smart phone and time will be spent discussing how to get the best from our cameras by looking at the technical issues of cameras. Read more ...
Listed on October 25, 2013 by Dillington in Blogs!Greased lightning is a great expression implying something very fast indeed. Yesterday I had to update the operating software for my home computer. Despite having broadband the whole process took over 16 hours! That was in Dorset but hardly fast … Continue reading →Read more ...
Listed on October 18, 2013 by Dillington in Featured CoursesThis weekend will present the results of the recently completed excavations at Ham Hill. It will provide a comprehensive picture of the work that has been done over the last three years including discussion of the geophysical survey, the excavations, the finds and the agricultural economy. Read more ...
