Farncombe celebrates anniversary of Jane Austen’s masterpiece

Fans of Jane Austen can celebrate the 200^th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice in style thanks to a popular Cotswold venue.

Farncombe Courses, based on the 400-acre Farncombe Estate near Broadway, is hosting three courses in honour of the ever-popular author: Celebrating ‘Pride and Prejudice’ in May, Jane Austen’s Library – Reading 18th Century Novels inSeptember and October’s Who Was JaneAusten?

Mandy Morrison, Programme Manager for Farncombe Courses, said: “Jane Austen is one of our most important novelists and has a hugely loyal following.  Her stories are still relevant today and many people want to explore her life and works.

“We’ve also had great interest in our writing courses this year so who knows, maybe we’ll find the next Jane Austen at Farncombe!”

Farncombe is based in the heart of the Cotswolds, between Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon, just five minutes from Broadway.

To book please visit our website www.farncombecourses.co.uk or call us on 0333 456 8580

Learn How To Sew At Farncombe

Interest in sewing courses is on the rise at a Cotswold venue after TV show The Great British Sewing Bee hit the nation’s screens last week.

Farncombe Courses, based on the 320-acre Farncombe Estate near Broadway, has seen a spike in enquiries for three of its upcoming courses: Sewing Machines - How To Use Yours or Ours in May, Patchwork andQuilting - An Introduction For Absolute Beginners in June and October’s Baby Bits To Sew.

Mandy Morrison, Programme Manager for Farncombe Courses, said: “Sewing is fast becoming a favourite British pastime again thanks to the popularity of programmes like The Great British Sewing Bee and previously Kirstie Allsopp’s Handmade Britain.  Traditional skills like sewing are definitely on-trend at the moment and something we’ll look to offer more of in the future.”

Sewing expert Sue Hazell, who will lead all three one-day courses, said: “With sales of sewing machines on the rise it’s great to see more people coming on courses and learning how to use them properly to make beautiful clothes, quilts and whatever else they fancy!

“As well as learning an important skill, we make sure all these courses are loads of fun too so they are accessible to people of all skill levels.”

Farncombe is based in the heart of the Cotswolds, between Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon, just five minutes from Broadway.

Win a Weekend Course at Farncombe via Artists and Illustrators Magazine!

In the May edition of Artists & Illustrators Magazine - we are giving away a free weekend course for one at Farncombe. Take your pick from a range of courses from Painting and Drawing, Languages, Singing, Writing, Crafts and Textiles, History, Art and Music Appreciation...and much more.

You will also be able to bring a partner or friend along with you who can stay at Farncombe and enjoy it's surroundings for the weekend. Meals are also inclusive for them too!

To be in with a chance of winning - grab a copy of the May edition of Artists and Illustrators now!

Brush up on your languages for your holidays

Holiday-makers of all ages are being offered the perfect chance to finesse their French, German and Italian in advance of their summer break, with fun and friendly language courses.

Frenchwithout Fears is being held at Farncombe Courses, near Broadway, from Friday 5 April to Sunday 7 April.  A range of light hearted activities will help boost confidence and teach new vocabulary and skills throughout the residential course.

Italianfor Beginners is also being held at Farncombe in the last weekend in May, while Get by in German is being hosted a month later, at the end of June.

Mandy Morrison, programme manager at Farncombe Courses, said: “Whether you last spoke a foreign language years ago at school or you’re a little more advanced, these course are great fun and always very popular.

“It doesn’t promise fluency in a weekend but it will build your confidence and move you forwards, whatever your starting point.”

Three Authors and Three Books - William Tyler - 10 - 12 May

Join William Tyler as he delivers this popular History Course at Farncombe 10 - 12 May

During the weekend together William Tyler looks at Daniel Defoe and his novel “Moll Flanders”, which will give us such a rich insight into the author’s life as well as life in 17th and early-18th Century England.

Students shall follow this with a similar exploration of the extraordinary Dean Swift and his political novel (which many of us only read as a childhood story,) “Gulliver’s Travels”.  The course finishes with a look at the endearing “Wind in the Willows” by Kenneth Grahame, which transports us back to a “Downton Abbey” world, pre The First World War.

There are a very limited number of places left on this course - so to book your space please call 0333 456 8580.

Beekeeping for Beginners

Have you always wanted to learn how to keep your own bees and enjoy your very own honey? Now is the chance with this practical hands-on day course at Farncombe!

Chris Wells is an experienced beekeeper who looks after over 30 hives in the North Cotswolds. Also a professional lecturer, Chris runs courses and regularly speaks at clubs and societies.

During the Beekeeping for Beginners course you will actually get to open a hive and handle bees, at the end of which, you should feel ready to start keeping bees and enjoying your own honey!  Bee suits are provided for all participants as part of the course.

You won't Beelieve the fun you will have!!

For more information call 0333 456 8580 of click here.

Farncombe Events - perfect for your group!

We have now introduced our Farncombe Events part of the business to the world wide web. Take a look at our brand new website www.farncombeevents.com.

The website has been designed to provide detailed information to group event organisers, from clubs & societies, open courses, AGMs or retreats.

With 11 dedicated meeting rooms and 89 ensuite bedrooms we consider Farncombe to fit the bill for any event you may be organising!

So why not take a look and see how we can help. For more information visit our website or call Elizabeth on 01386 854215.