Tourism on Tour

Cotswold and Forest of Dean Tourism has been touring the country to promote to visitors.

Attending exhibitions in Manchester and London, they have experienced high levels of interest in all aspects of the Cotswolds, Forest of Dean, Cheltenham and Gloucester.

Co-ordinator Dominic Stevens, from marketing gloucester, said "Even in an age of electronic marketing, meeting customers face to face is often best. We experienced terrific interest at the Manchester Holiday Show and Destinations London - a great chance to meet group organisers and previous customers and encourage them to visit in 2010."

The exhibition programme is supported by local tourism businesses across the region. Visitors to the shows were introduced to ideas such as cruising the Severn, Farncombe Estate activity weekends, Stay on a Farm breaks and visits to gardens, museums and historic houses.

Annette Morris of the Farncombe Estate (nr Broadway) said "We were delighted to work with Cotswolds and Forest of Dean Tourism at these two important exhibitions. Visitor to the stand were fascinated with the array of things to do and learn at Farncombe. We took one of our craft tutors - visitors were able to talk to her and discover exactly why short weekend courses are one of the fastest growing leisure breaks."

Cotswolds and Forest of Dean Tourism represents Gloucestershire and the area, with over 600 tourism business members and a promotional programme that includes press and PR, skills development, online e-marketing and exhibition work such as the Manchester and London shows.

For further information on the Cotswolds visit www.cotswolds.com and the Forest of Dean www.visitforestofdean.co.uk

Contact: Annette Morris at Farncombe Estate 01386 854100
Dominic Stevens at Marketing Gloucester 01452 396575

Wildlife Photographer of the Year - Prizes from £250

Quick reminder to enter online now!
Closing date: 5 March 2010

Adult Competition There are 11 categories ranging from animal behaviour and urban wildlife to creative visions and wild places. There are also four special awards. The overall winner will receive £10,000, presented at an awards ceremony at the Natural History Museum, London. Each category winner receives £500 and each runner-up £250. Special award winners receive £1,000.

New Special Award!
Wildlife Photojournalist of the Year This new special award is for a sequence of six pictures that tell a memorable story. All subjects covered by other categories in the competition are eligible, whether featuring animal behaviour or environmental issues (positive or negative). The story should work without the aid of words and will be judged on the picture quality and power of the story itself.

Young Competition There are three categories for this competition - 10 years and under, 11-14 years and 15-17 years. You can enter pictures of any wild animals, plants or landscapes. The overall winner of the Veolia Environnement Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year title receives £500 and a day's workshop with a professional wildlife photographer. Category winners will receive £250 and runner's up £100.

All winning and commended pictures are showcased at an international exhibition that debuts at the Natural History Museum, London and are featured in a hardback portfolio book. Winning images will also be included in a special free supplement with the November issue of BBC Wildlife Magazine.

How to enter
• enter online - visit http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/temporary-exhibitions/wpy-entry/index.jsp for rules, categories and FAQs • images must be digitally captured or scans of transparencies • RAW files or original transparencies will be requested, and must be supplied if an image reaches the final round of judging.
• translations of the rules are available online in Chinese, French, German, Italian and Spanish.
• entry fee: £20 (Adult competition)
• entry to the Young competition is free • closing date: Friday 5 March 2010 If you have any questions please email wildphoto@nhm.ac.uk

Origin: The London Craft Fair is on the move

This year Origin will relocate from Somerset House to the newly refurbished Old Spitalfields Market from 23-29 September 2010. This exciting new venue in the heart of creative London and the new timing of Origin as a major presence during the London Design Festival will inject new life and a renewed sense of excitement into this highly respected, established event.

For the first time Origin: The London Craft Fair, will take place as a unified event over one week, presenting more choice for visitors and increased opportunities for makers. Origin 2010 will be presented by Tent London for the Crafts Council.

The application process will open from 1 March, with a deadline of 12 April. Visit www.originuk.org from 1 March for application details.

Handmade in Britain - closing date for entries 28 Feb

Handmade in Britain now in its 4th Year returns to the Assembly Rooms in Bath (18th – 20th June 2010) to showcase and promote innovative and talented Designer Makers.

Following critical and commercial acclaim, this year’s event is destined to set a very high standard for the summer’s craft events. Handmade in Britain have created a show where buyers and exhibitors alike are sure to be inspired by quality, originality and the eco conscious ethos behind the works for sale. All the exhibitors work locally in the UK and strive to keep their carbon footprint at its lowest by locally sourcing materials to create guilt free contemporary craft.

Handmade in Britain is open to designer makers who are resident in Britain and work to a high standard in one of the following disciplines; glass, ceramics, textiles for home/fashion, furniture, silversmith, jewellery, paper, print-making, tableware, stationery.

Venue Address:
Assembly Rooms
Bennett Street
Bath BA1 2QH

Tickets: www.handmadeinbritain.co.uk

Deadline for entry 6pm, 28th Feb 2010.

Exhibition dates:18th June – 20th June 2010

Langlais Festival choral course, Brittany

"I am delighted to announce details of this year's Langlais Festival choral course, which will take place on 25th - 29th July, 2010 in la Fontenelle, Brittany and will be directed once again by Malcolm Archer, ably assisted by David Bednall (organ).

This year we have a wonderful addition to the course - the services of vocal coach, Hilary Jones. Hilary will certainly be able to improve the quality of our singing and she will also be available to give private lessons during the week.

You will find full information about the course, travel and accommodation at www.brittanymusicworkshops.co.uk which can also be accessed via a link through www.jeanlanglais.eu. We also attach a pdf poster



We are still recruiting in all sections, and I'd be very grateful if you could pass on the word to all your singing friends. I look forward to hearing from you and to welcoming you to la Fontenelle in July.



Brenda Dean

President of the Association "Les Amis de Jean Langlais"

Dance Day 2010

On 29 April, as every year since 1982, Dance Day will be celebrated all over the world by the international community of dancers and dance enthusiasts. Organised by the International Dance Council, the main purpose of the day is to attract the attention of the wider public to the art of dance. Emphasis should be given to addressing a ‘new’ public, people who do not follow dance events during the course of the year.

Dance Day events can be special performances, open-door classes, public rehearsals, lectures, exhibitions, articles in newspapers and magazines, dance evenings, radio and TV programmes, street shows, parades, shop window decorations etc. Events are primarily organised by dance companies, amateur groups, schools, associations and other institutions active in dance.

For more information, visit http://tiny.cc/MjiY8

The Fleece Inn Asparagus Festival Day

This year The Fleece Inn will host its annual Asparagus festival day on bank holiday Monday, May 31st. Opening times are 11am – 4pm and visitors to the festival will include Morris dancers, a traditional farmers market, Agricultural demonstrations and cookery demonstrations among many others.

The festival brings thousands of visitors to the Vale of Evesham every year and creates amazing press opportunities for the area. It is the biggest annual event at The Fleece Inn and a brilliant opportunity for various crafts and local produce to be displayed and sold to the general public.

Craft stalls for the day are £35 and availability is limited so please ensure you complete your application form in good time. Full payment for the day is requested once your position has been confirmed. The deadline for applications is March 10th 2010.

If you would like to find out more information regarding the British Asparagus Festival please visit www.britishasparagusfestival.org.

Should you have any other enquiries please do not hesitate to contact Nigel Smith or Sadie Hughes at The Fleece Inn.

01386 831173

sadie@thefleeceinn.co.uk

www.thefleeceinn.co.uk

Free Radio Course, London

Interested in Radio?

Want to learn how to present your own show?

Reprezent, a vibrant youth-led online radio station based in Peckham, is looking for 19 - 25 year olds who live, work or study in Southwark to participate in a FREE course, ‘Become a Radio Presenter’.

Participants will learn all the elements needed to present their own discussion-based show, including how to plan and record a show and how to conduct an interview.

The sessions are 3 - 5pm every Friday for 4 weeks.

If you are interested in a place on the above sessions then please email your reply to lydiah@eclectic-productions.co.uk , but be quick as places are limited!

Free Radio Course, London

Interested in Radio?

Want to learn how to present your own show?

Reprezent, a vibrant youth-led online radio station based in Peckham, is looking for 19 - 25 year olds who live, work or study in Southwark to participate in a FREE course, ‘Become a Radio Presenter’.

Participants will learn all the elements needed to present their own discussion-based show, including how to plan and record a show and how to conduct an interview.

The sessions are 3 - 5pm every Friday for 4 weeks.

If you are interested in a place on the above sessions then please email your reply to lydiah@eclectic-productions.co.uk , but be quick as places are limited!

Artybuzz

Artybuzz.com is an online gallery and artists community where artists of all kinds can add and sell their work to a worldwide audience for free. Artybuzz provides a simple system where artists upload their work, choose their sale price and then choose whether to sell their work as giclee art prints, canvas art prints and more. Artybuzz manufacture on artists behalf and then send them their earnings once something is sold.

Artybuzz provides a number of key benefits to all its members including the ability to:

- Share and sell your artistic creations to a worldwide audience

- View, enjoy and buy all kinds of art from a wide range of artists, styles, genres and places

- Create and join groups dedicated to the kinds of art you love

- Meet and interact with all kinds of art lovers, artists, photographers, designers and other creative’s

- Promote your work, advertise exhibitions and events, and enter and win competitions

- Gain feedback and recognition for the work you produce

You don’t have to be an artist to join ArtyBuzz.com, everyone is welcome no matter what you do or what kind of art you produce. For more information or to register, simply go to www.artybuzz.com.

Jørgen Philip-Sørensen: Times Online Obituary

"It seems to have taken a long time for an obituary of Mr Sørensen to be published, but The Times obituary on 19 February really does him justice. Inevitably much more could have been written but this does give a sense of what a remarkable person he was." William Reddaway (Head of Lifelong Learning, Farncombe Estate ALC Ltd)

Jørgen Philip-Sørensen: security expert Times Online Obituary

Vote for Chipping Campden ! Closing date 28 Feb

Google are running a competition to find Britain's prettiest street and Chipping Campden is in the final top 10. Your vote could help - http://www.google.com/landing/beststreetsuk/voting.html

The closing date is 28 February, the last day of the Discover Creative Campden Weekend.

Boost your confidence and self esteem

Boost your confidence and self esteem in a new course "The Power of Enough" at Farncombe this June.

For more details visit our website The Power of Enough - Health & Well-being

Do you have a Wardrobe that Works ?

“It isn’t money that makes you well dressed, it is understanding” – Christian Dior.

We will be hosting a new day course with the very popular Sue Pattinson on 10 April.
Closing date for bookings 16 March !

A Wardrobe that Works - Health & Well-being

The Writers' Clinic Short Story Competition 2010

Write a story in 1500 words on any theme

1st prize £100
2nd prize £50
3rd prize £25

Closing date: 31st May 2010

Entry fee, per story: £5.00

All entries should be double line spaced with just the title of your story on the top right of every page (stories will be judged anonymously). Also, pages should be numbered. Please include a cover page with your name, contact number/e-mail address, title of your story and word count. All entries will be returned if accompanied by a SAE.

Judges: Anita Andrews and Farncombe tutor Sue Johnson

Please send your entry to: Sue Johnson, 10 Woodward Close, Pershore, Worcs. WR10 1LP Enclose your full postal address and make cheques payable to Sue Johnson.

Sue offers a critique on entries- not a tick sheet - for an additional £5.00.

You can enter as many times as you wish at £5.00 per story. Good luck!

Details on the Competitions Page www.writers-clinic.webs.com

Bring a friend to sing at Farncombe and save up to £75!

Bring a friend, relative or colleague and enjoy a glorious weekend of song and fun at Farncombe Estate in the Cotswolds. Bring a friend to sing at Farncombe and save up to £75!

Acting classes/workshops, The Bubble and Squeak Collective

The Bubble and Squeak Collective run weekly drop in classes for professional actors who wish to keep sharp and meet new people from the industry, and for people seriously looking to break into the profession.

We also have a new production company affliated to the classes and have already staged four showcases and three rehearsed readings in the last four months.
Our workshops/classes have led to representation from West End agents and a variety of professional work.

Each drop-in class is £10 for two and a half hours - working with very experienced professionals. (CV's etc, sent upon request).

We also hold talks given by film-makers, agents and casting directors and invite writers to bring us their film scripts and plays to work on.

No money is asked for up-front - if you attend you pay. We cover theatre and screen acting, advocating an intensely practical approach that draws on many theorists, with an emphasis on emotional truth and integrity of approach.

Classes are ongoing.

For more information please contact: Paul McNeilly mcneilly_paul@hotmail.com

Learn to Play Guitar in a Day

An intensive one day guitar workshop for adults. Learn everything you need to know to start your playing! Suitable for complete beginners, re-starters or those with a little knowledge.

The workshop is taught in small groups, with very experienced tutors and plenty of individual attention for each participant. By the end of the day you will be able to play some basic chords, notes and scales, know how to tune and maintain your guitar, and play a simple tune!

The workshop is held in the historic town of Stony Stratford (Milton Keynes, north Bucks).

Cost: £45 - includes all tuition, course materials and refreshments.

Saturday 20th March 2010

10 - 5pm

For more information contact musos@fsmail.net

Special lunch offer for Mothering Sunday - Menu for 2 persons

~Starters~

Sweet Potato Soup with Chive Crème Fraiche Smoked Salmon served with Brown Bread and Butter Stuffed Field Mushroom with a Walnut, Blue Cheese and Rocket Salad served with French Dressing

~Main Course~

Traditional Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding Chicken Breast served with a Button Onion, Smoked Bacon and Tomato Sauce Smoked Haddock Florentine

~Dessert~

Sticky Toffee Pudding served with a Toffee Sauce Gooey Chocolate Fondant Grapefruit Posset with Homemade Crisp Biscuits

Coffee

Tables must be reserved in advance.
£35 for 2 persons - tables available for 2-6 people - please ring 01386 854100 to book.

Please ask us for details of wines and champagnes available (special wines and flowers can be pre-ordered for your table).

If you have any special dietary requirements - please call 01386 854100 in advance of your visit and we will be delighted to assist.

Do you Dress to Impress? Due to demand new course date added 10th April ** book now **

After her recent and highly popular "Dress to Impress" course at Farncombe, Sue will be back with more on Saturday 10th April - places will be limited so book very soon !!
More Dress to Impress - Health & Well-being

Watercolour Pencil Techniques 14th Feb FULLY BOOKED

Still some places available for 14 August - hurry hurry ! Art Day Course: Watercolour Pencil Techniques - Painting & Drawing

Sustainable Celebrations at Braziers Park, Oxfordshire

Tickets are now on sale for this year’s Wood festival, taking place in the beautiful surroundings of Braziers Park, Oxfordshire on 21st – 23rd May. Wood is possibly Britain's greenest festival, powered completely on renewable energy, harnessing the power of the sun, the wind and even the people who attend the event (through a cycle-powered cinema and disco). There are composting toilets (no portaloos!) and a stage made of, you guessed it, wood. The organisers hope that the way the festival is run will set a standard and encourage other events to follow suit with greener production values. This year Wood will be piloting the Industry Green standard to measure its carbon footprint and other impacts in tandem with the charity Julie's Bicycle.

Included in The Sunday Times’ The best things to see and do in 2010, the event comes from the creators of Truck festival and could be considered it's folkier, cleaner and greener younger brother.

The ‘Truckers’ have grown up a lot since starting Truck 12 years ago, having created Wood festival as a place to take their own young families. Wood has proved a hit in its first 2 years with those looking for an intimate family festival with great music. A celebration of music and nature, tickets have been limited to 800 to keep it intimate and create a community within a weekend.

The organisers are promising a strong and diverse line-up of mainly acoustic acts on 2 stages, the detail of which will soon be announced. There will be opportunities for everyone – from children to grandparents – to participate, with workshops covering everything from singing, woodcraft, yoga, knitting, story-telling, and thatching, to making wallets from orange juice cartons, campfire sing-alongs and the now famous fantastic kids tent and fancy dress parade.

At Wood festival, people will be able to learn about living a more sustainable lifestyle as well as being able to join in with lively lunchtime discussions and talks. The event even has its own organic café serving delicious locally-sourced food and its own pub, The Hippy Arms selling locally-produced lager, ale and cider.

Tickets are available from: www.brownpapertickets.co.uk

It’s all about Art 2010

This extremely popular event hosted by the Society for All Artists will be back and better than ever for 2010.

area: London
dates: 22 to 24 July 2010

Consisting of three days of FREE art workshops and demonstrations with top professional artists...and so much more. There will be plenty of opportunities to paint stunning pictures that you can take home with you from the workshops or relax and pick up some fantastic hints and tips in the demonstrations. There’s no pre-booking required and all materials are provided, so just turn up and get involved. So whether you prefer watercolour, oil, acrylic, pastels or pencils...there will be something for you!

If you’ve ever wondered how to use certain art materials or how certain materials are made, a whole host of art experts will be on hand to show you how.

Tickets are available from just £6 a day and a one-day ticket will give you hours of tuition, advice, encouragement, inspiration, atmosphere and entertainment, so go online and book your tickets today! If you want to make sure you get the most out of the ‘It’s all about Art’ experience, two and three day tickets are also available at a discounted rate.

For more information and to book, visit www.saa.co.uk/AllAboutArt.aspx.
To view the ‘It’s all about Art’ video go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61cqUQTFV-g.

Free Gloucestershire information event for older people - Tuesday 9th February 2010

Live your life your way

Changes to social care will help you build a support network of trusted people, places and services

FREE information event for older people

10.30am - 2.30pm

Tuesday 9th February 2010

The Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud GL5 1AE

Discover how you can stay healthy and get the most out of life:

* Informative talks
* Exhibition stands
* Tai Chi demonstration
* Free refreshments and buffet lunch

For more information or help with transport call Vicki Hewlett or Barbara Piranty on 01452 528491

The subtle cello and the English Landscape, Walker Art Gallery / Summer Music

Every Saturday at 2 pm, the Walker Art Gallery hosts the Musicians' Gallery, bringing music, dance, poetry or song with a fresh approach to one of Britain's finest art collections.

Saturday 6th February has Ruth Spargo's solo cello amongst the pictures of Gainsborough, Stubbs and Reynolds, weaving Bach with the contemporary and extraordinary Hindemith’s Solo Sonata, Op.25 No.3, alongside traditional English melodies and transcriptions for the most soulful of the strings. Free entry.

Worth a trip from far afield
Contact: Dave Ellwand pd@DaveEllwand.co.uk

Taking a taste of Farncombe ‘country living’ to town !

A number of tutors from the Farncombe Estate Centre, Broadway, will be taking to the stage in London as part of the Country Living Magazine Spring Fair in London.

The Country Living Magazine Spring Fair takes place 24-28 March at the Business Design Centre Islington and offers visitors the chance to discover – and sample – a whole host of delicious regional produce in the food hall and meet some of the UK’s most talented artisans.

Farncombe Estate, on the side of the Cotswolds above the village of Broadway, launched its course programme in 2003 and now runs a wide range of special interest and leisure courses for adults on 50 weekends a year.

Tutors from Farncombe will be featuring twice a day in the Country Living theatre offering free workshops including Rag Rug, Bag and Jewellery Making, Willow Sculpture, and Ceramics.

Head of Lifelong Learning William Reddaway is delighted to be a part of the event “We were thrilled that the magazine invited us to work in partnership with them. They are very keen to promote traditional crafting skills as well as leisure learning. Our 2010 programme includes a good combination of both those things. We hope that the free workshops in London will give more people the opportunity to discover new skills, and perhaps pursue them further at a venue such as ours”.

Farncombe Estate has 2 pairs of free tickets to give way for the show. For more details call 01386 854100 or enter the competition via the website www.FarncombeEstate.co.uk/CountryLivingSpringFair

Full visitor information, including directions and opening times are available at www.CountryLivingFair.com/Spring

Keep an eye on your Inbox

We'll be sending all our love-ly Facebook Fans a special gift offer on Valentines Day :)

Recommend a Friend and win a £50 voucher!

Congratulations to our winners in January - J Horsman in Yorkshire, S Seeger in Bucks and I Snashall in Lancashire - we look forward to seeing you at Farncombe sometime in the coming year !

http://www.farncombeestate.co.uk/referafriend.asp

Gift vouchers are transferrable but must be used within 12 months of date of issue.

Bookings now being taken for Sunday Lunch on Mothering Sunday

An unusual opportunity to come and dine at Farncombe. Treat your mother, daughter, sister, wife or neighbour ! Tickets cost £35 for 2 persons - 3 course lunch including coffee.

Mothering Sunday Lunch - Food & Drink

Magazine seeks new performance writers

The Welsh magazine “Blown”, based in South Wales, needs new performance writers for its arts and culture publication

"Blown Magazine", an arts and culture magazine based in Wales with an international outlook, is seeking writers to contribute to its coverage of ‘Performance’. Under the guidance of Performance Director, Richard Huw Morgan and Performance Editor, Sam Hasler, "Blown" will seek to investigate and interrogate the nature of, and representation of, ‘Performance’ in relation to the media and the general public/audiences. They are interested in developing an understanding of ‘Performance’ that incorporates the artistic, social and political practices of cultures in an inclusive and holistic way, rather than as a narrowly defined specialism.

They are currently establishing a pool of potential contributors, artists, writers and scholars to write for the bi-annual magazine and to establish an on-going relationship with our embryonic website, http://www.blownmag.com. If you are interested in contributing, please send examples of your work/writings and some information about yourself to performance@blownmag.com . Should you have any queries please contact Richard Huw Morgan at the above email link.

New "Share" offer from £99 now online !

Did you know that weekend students can bring a friend or partner to share a weekend at Farncombe?

Our accommodation is not reserved exclusively to students on our courses. If you have been to Farncombe before you will know it is a place where you can enjoy a lovely weekend in the Cotswolds in a fantastic location with good food, well furnished accommodation and looked after by our friendly helpful staff.

From only £99 - if you are a student for a weekend - why not share your Farncombe experience ?!

Share Farncombe with a Friend !

Over 60s urged to get creative

Booktrust believes that you’re never too old to get creative. It has just launched a new project, which aims to encourage the over 60s to engage in reading and creative writing. Named Bookbite, it will see pensioners experience the positive affects that creative writing can offer for emotional health and wellbeing.It is also hoped that older people, who rarely or never read books to engage more in reading and writing for pleasure, will start using the internet to access additional resources where and when possible. Well-known authors, poets and well known faces including Andrew Motion, Pam Ayres, Val McDermid, Sherrie Hewson and Mihir Bose have all contributed stories, poems and support to the project.Whatever your age, attending a creative writing course can be a fantastic way to meet new people and develop vital skills. Whether its poetry, novels or prose you’re into, get those creative juices flowing today!

www.booktrust.org.uk

London Alternative Fringe Festival

The London Alternative Fringe Festival is a celebration of all things Cabaret, Circus, Vaudeville and Burlesque. A showcase of the capitals alternative nightlife running throughout August. In 2010 we’ll be running the festival as part of the London Festival Fringe – a brand new fringe festival for London. If you are involved in London’s alternative nightlife scene in any way, then we want to hear from you!

For more information about the festival and how to get involved please visit - http://www.alternativefringe.com

Contact: Alexander Parsonage info@alternativefringe.com

Broadway Arts Festival Quiz Night

Quiz Night with Hot Supper, Friday 5th March 2010, Lifford Hall, Broadway. Licensed bar opens at 6.30pm and Quiz starts promptly at 7pm.

Tickets £7 each, teams of 6, families welcome. Raffle and Quiz Prizes.Booking essential. Team Sheets available from the Tourist Information Centre, Russell Square or Russell's, High Street, Broadway.

Alternatively call Jenny Buchan on 01386 852320

Starting the New Year with a Tweet !

The new weekend course programme at Farncombe Estate in the Cotswolds is now underway.

Specialising in weekend residential courses for adults, the Centre launched in 2003 and now offers a varied programme of 1-3 day leisure activity breaks on 50 weekends a year on a privately owned Estate just outside Broadway.

In addition to popular courses in Painting, Singing and Writing, the new brochure lists a new range of courses for Bridge players and those interested in History and Gardening.

Farncombe is today launching a competition on its Twitter profile @FarncombeEstate, to encourage users to tweet the message #WinaGiftVoucher @FarncombeEstate on their own page.

Twitter users will have until 28 February to tweet the message and in return will be entered into a draw for their chance to win a Farncombe gift voucher to the value of £250. The winner will be notified via Twitter week commencing 1 March 2010.

Further details of the competition can be found at www.FarncombeEstate.co.uk/Twitter where you can also find more information on their new brochure or download a free copy.
Farncombe Estate can be found at www.Twitter.com/FarncombeEstate.