Who's your Mr Darcy?

In concurrence with the 200th year anniversary of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, here at Farncombe we are feeling nostalgic as we remember some of our favorite literature classic heroes and how they inspired us.

From the Bronte sisters’ brooding Heathcliff and defiant and strong willed Jane Eye to Dickens' sweet Pip, we all have a soft spot for one of those 19th Century characters, especially Austens’ own iconic Mr Darcy.

Although we will forever remember Colin Firth as the delectable Darcy in the film adaptation, Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and its characters, in their own right can never be forgotten.

Here at Farncombe we are still hosting two events this autumn to celebrate and to capture the essence of Austen as a writer and what inspired her to write the classic and beloved Pride and Prejudice.

Jane Austen’s Library- Reading 18th Century course taking place 6th September until 8th September looks at some of the novels that provided inspiration behind her work to give an insightful look at her as a writer.

“You must learn some of my philosophy. Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.” 

Alternatively delve into the life of this great classic author with our; “Who was Jane Austen?” course taking place from 18th October to 20th October to find out who really was Jane Austen?

Dambusters raid remembered at Farncombe Estate

The 70^th anniversary of the Dambusters raid to destroy the Ruhr dams has been marked with a special memorial event at Farncombe Estate near Broadway.

 

Farncombe has a special link with the Dambusters as one of the RAF pilots who took part lived at the Estate’s Grade 11 listed Foxhill Manor.

 

Henry Maudslay DFC was B Flight Commander of the 617 Squadron which took part in the raid but tragically he was killed on his return home from the daring mission, on 17^th May 1943. At Farncombe – an award-winning conference centre and leisure venue - a new courtyard development bears his name and one of the bedrooms is even numbered 617.

 

More than 60 people, many with RAF connections, gathered at a short church service in Willersey before making their way to Farncombe’s Maudslay Court. Here they viewed a commemorative picture of Henry before he set off on the raids and a plaque in the entrance hall dedicated to Henry and his fellow RAF pilots. They then went onto Foxhill Manor, the home of the Maudslay family between 1937 and 1954.

 

Among those paying their respects were three members of the Maudslay family: Jamie Maudslay, a second cousin, his wife Arabella and their 17-year-old son Henry. Henry, who attends Eton College like his famous forebear, is second cousin twice removed from the Dambusters hero. 

 

Jamie Maudslay said: "As soon as we walked into Maudslay Court and I saw the portrait, I said he's the spitting image of my father."

 

Farncombe Estate’s Operations Manager Richard Howdle said of the remembrance event:

 

“It was a real pleasure to have members of the Maudslay family turn out to remember Henry, a true British hero.  We are proud of our association with the Maudslay family name. In 2011 Henry’s niece, Victoria Trevelyan, officially opened Maudslay Court, while room 617 was opened by Wing Commander Keith Taylor of OC 617 Squadron on the same day.”

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.