Happy Easter from Farncombe !

Recessions are supposed to be 'good times' for encouraging some reflection and thought about how we lead our lives and so on. I have no idea if that is true today, but I am certain that Peter and Emma Worley's weekend at the end of May on 'Philosophy & Happiness: What the Ancients Could Still Do for Us' will be fascinating, will make one think, and remind us how much has been usefully thought about for centuries. Incidentally, Peter and Emma are themselves interesting. They run philosophy based courses in schools, from primary level up. Young pupils suddenly discover that what you can think can be as important and exciting as what you can remember. Teachers can learn how to ask questions!
Last week Farncombe was at the Country Living Spring Fair at the Design Centre in London for five days. It is a big show and this was our first time there. We had terrific support from tutors with Craft Workshops run by Sue Hazell (Sewing), Sara Withers (Jewellery making), Angie Sayer (Ceramics), Lyn Griffiths (Felting), Debbie Siniska (Rag-rugs) and Charlie Lupton (Willow weaving). Julia Baker (Massage and aromatherapy), Andrew Forkner (Animal portraits) and Judith Laing (Origami) also spent a day demonstrating on our stand. We found lots of interest in our courses and I am hopeful the Fair will bring new students to Farncombe. We also met up with students who have already enjoyed courses at Farncombe, which was great.

Spring has very nearly arrived here. The daffodils are coming out and the dawn chorus is building up in volume but we are still some way from most trees coming seriously into bud, next month ..........

Meanwhile there is plenty of mud to be cleaned out of a horse's hooves at the end of a ride, and I am very happy to clean them. In time we will get to hard, dry, leg jarring ground, and summer sun!

William Reddaway, Head of Lifelong Learning