Christmas Craft Fair - Dinner bed & breakfast £45 per person

Sunday 21 November is a fabulous opportunity to visit Farncombe and pick up some unusual and handmade Christmas gifts.

Open 10.30am - 3.30pm. Admission & car parking are both free. Soup & snacks will be available to purchase from the bar.

Tips and tricks to make your own Christmas gifts !

During the day we are delighted to be offering a number of free craft workshops. For programme details please email Enquiries@FarncombeEstate.co.uk or call 033 3456 8580.

Stay on for dinner bed and breakfast on Sunday night - £45 per person including VAT!

Christmas Art & Craft Fair - Christmas & New Year

Who was St. Nicholas? Tickets £8

Yes, we all know he was the original Santa Claus. But less wellknown is his medieval reputation for pilgrimage and miracles, his popularity in Norman England, and the various bizarre and wonderful stories about him which circulated in the Middle Ages. So leave your red bobble hat at home and come to hear about something infinitely stranger!

Find out more on 17th December with Tim Porter

Who was St. Nicholas? - General Interests

Looking for a meeting venue for your group ?

If you are looking for a meeting venue for a small conference or group event, Farncombe Estate Centre offers superb room facilities and the highest standard of equipment and support services. With ensuite bedrooms we can also offer weekend and off-peak dates at very special rates. For more details about the Centre facilities please click here

Farncombe Estate is situated in an excellent location in the Midlands, and is a Centre dedicated to meeting and learning. You will find everything you need on site, together with ample free car parking and stunning views.

24 Hour Delegate Rate

Includes - 3 course dinner with coffee, overnight accommodation, full English breakfast, working buffet or 3 course lunch in the dining room, tea, coffee and biscuits throughout the day. Main meeting room hire with AV equipment in that room, FREE syndicate room.

Day Delegate Rate

Includes - 3 course lunch in the dining room, tea, coffee and biscuits throughout the day. Main meeting room hire with AV equipment in that room, FREE syndicate room.

Meetings & Group Bookings

Drawing for Absolute Beginners - 2 October with Lynne Gibson

Most people would love to be able to draw!

Of course it takes years of practice to become an expert, but it is vital you set about it in the right way from the absolute beginning. This can save a lot of frustration, yield surprising results, and set you on the path to success.

You will learn some basic skills during the day and, most importantly, you will learn to see the world in a special way: the way the artist sees it.

Drawing equipment will all be provided.

Lynne Gibson is a fully qualified teacher and highly experienced lecturer in Critical and Contextual Studies in Art, as well as practical Drawing, Painting and Printmaking.
She has lectured for the University of Sussex and the University of Bristol, where she also taught several summer schools. Other teaching includes Bath and Stroud colleges of Art, and ARCA colleges Dillington House and Farncombe Estate.
She also gives lectures, talks and tours for organizations such as the National Trust, National Galleries and Museums, and various art societies. She now works freelance as a lecturer and consultant.

She is an accredited NADFAS lecturer.

Drawing for Absolute Beginners - Painting & Drawing

Faster Novel Writing Techniques - One Day Writing Workshop Farncombe Estate

Have you tried to write a novel and given up by Chapter Two? Have you often wondered how other writers manage to complete theirs in record time? Would you like to be one of them?

Join Sue Johnson for this one day course on 14 November - Sue will give some professional tips that will keep you motivated, banish writer’s block and help you achieve your goal. Sue is published as a poet and short story writer. She has completed five novels – three of which are currently with an agent.

Faster Novel Writing Techniques - Literature & Writing

Start Songwriting - One Day Workshop with Jo Sercombe

Ever wanted to write a song but not known where to start? Just as (apparently) we all have at least one novel inside us, anyone can have a go at writing songs. Spend a day with Jo demystifying the process of song-writing. Learn how to begin by exploring sources of inspiration, ways of selecting and structuring material and discover how to develop ideas. No previous experience necessary, just a big imagination (we supply the felt tip pens!) and by the end of the day, you'll have be taking your first song home with you!

Participants should bring electronic keyboards, guitars & other instruments they use for songwriting. Please make sure you bring headphones and an extension lead for electronic instruments. A Dictaphone or mp3 recorder may also be useful for documenting your work

This one day course takes place at Farncombe Estate 5th February 2011 - book online here Start Songwriting - Singing Courses or call 033 3456 8580.

Introduction to Digital Photography - New Weekend Course at Farncombe Estate

For students completely new to digital photography. Bring your own digital camera (compact, bridge or DSLR) or borrow one from us. Course will concentrate on taking photographs (not image manipulation with a computer) and will look at the basics of picture taking beyond the convenience of the Auto button. Following tuition covering techniques to improve your photography and an illustrated lecture on composition, a field trip in the grounds of Farncombe Estate is complemented with an in-depth review of students' photographs using digital projection.

This course is tutored by Derek Forss 21-23 January 2011 - visit the Farncombe Estate website for more details Introduction to Digital Photography - Photography

Make Your Own Perfume Day Course - an ideal gift !

Alec Lawless

Perfumer, Alec Lawless, developed Essentially Me's range of sophisticated perfumes from his passion for natural fragrance. A trained Jungian psychotherapist, Alec has spent more than 20 years sourcing oils for his successful essential oils business, Aqua Oleum. This, combined with his love of good food and wine, naturally led him to spend many years blending perfumes & developing a range of perfume-making supplies.

Alec also provides a bespoke perfume creation service for private clients, boutiques & spas, as well as teaching a range of perfumery courses.

His book, "Artisan Perfumery or Being Led by the Nose" was published last year. He has also appeared in Natural Health Magazine, Cotswold Life & BBC Radio Gloucestershire. Alec will shortly appear in a TV documentary on Victorian Pharmacy.

Spend a day with perfumer Alec learning how to blend a perfume using natural aromatics, finishing with a bottle of perfume to take home.

The day starts with an introduction to the history of natural perfumery and the beautiful aromatics that we will be working with. Alec Lawless then guides you to in creating top, middle and base notes for your unique fragrance.

You will work with 24 natural aromatic blends, specially created by Alec to allow you to create a range of traditional perfumery styles, from classic Florals like Rose, Jasmine and Lavender, to exotic Chypres, Spices, Woods and Herbs.

Once your formula is complete, Alec will make up your perfume in a 56ml Italian Flint Glass Bottle with personalised label. He will keep the formula, so if you want to reorder you can do so at any time.

Materials Cost £45 to be paid on the day.

Please inform us if you have any known allergies to essential oils or other aromatics.

19th February 2011 - a course that makes an ideal gift !

Make Your Own Perfume Day Course - General Interests

Special Gift Voucher Offer

Purchase Farncombe Gift Vouchers to the value of £100 or more and we will give you a £25 gift voucher absolutely free !
To claim your free voucher simply quote “Gift4U” at time of ordering – you can purchase your vouchers online or by phone to 033 3456 8580.

This offer is valid on gift voucher purchases made before 5pm 16 December 2010. Only one free £25 voucher can be claimed per person.

Special Gift Voucher Offer

Introduction to West Gallery Music - Making Music at Farncombe

West Gallery music was sung in town and country churches in the period 1700-1850, and chronicled memorably in the novels of Thomas Hardy. It was composed specifically for (and often by) amateur singers. It is of an often joyful and rhythmic nature, influenced by folk dance and song, and very different from cathedral music.

West Gallery music was suppressed in Victorian times, to be replaced by the solemn tones of Hymns Ancient and Modern. In recent decades enthusiasts have revived the repertoire.

The course at Farncombe 24-26 June 2011 will appeal to singers of all voices and wind and string instrumentalists who would like to explore a different and exciting repertoire, suitable for both church and concert hall. The music is not technically challenging, and sight reading is not essential. As well as singing there will be an introduction to the history and literature of the genre.



Introduction to West Gallery Music - Making Music

Glass Workshop and Classes, Ruskin Glass Centre

Glass Artist Paul Floyd will lead afternoon sessions on glass fusing. Teaching the basics of fusing, cutting glass to a pattern and working with colored sheet glass, frits and powders. Only 3 people per workshop for maximum individual attention – by the end you will have made a beautiful light catcher.

Dates: Saturday 2nd October 2010

Time: 2pm till 4:30pm
Costs: £30 (includes all materials, fusing & postage of light catcher)


Please contact Paul or Monika for further details and to book your place.

Studio:01384 399412
www.paulfloyd.co.uk
email@paulfloyd.co.uk
Transparent Glass Studio, Ruskin Glass Centre, Wollaston Road, Stourbridge, DY8 4HE, West Midlands

Free Christmas Craft Workshop: Essential Oils for Winter

This workshop with Aromatherapist Julia Baker will show how to use suitable essential oils to combat typical winter ailments.

Participants will be able to join in and do a simple hand and arm massage using some of the featured essential oils.

To book call 033 3456 8580 or reserve tickets online here: Free Christmas Craft Workshop: Essential Oils for Winter - Christmas & New Year

Blue Peter presenter draws winners at Farncombe Estate

Farncombe Estate enjoyed a very successful Open Day on Sunday 12 September with a record number of places sold on taster talks, demonstrations and workshops ranging from gardening demonstrations to gospel singing and painting with pen and wash.

35 of Farncombe’s tutors were joined by local organisations including the Cotswold Conservation Board, Simon de Montfort Society, Court Barn Museum and Longborough Opera to give an amazing range of interests for visitors to find out about.

The raffle was drawn by Valerie Singleton (pictured), best known for her years as a presenter for Blue Peter and now involved with Discount Age and the Simplicity Computer – specially designed for older people who have never used a computer. Lucky winners of the 20 prizes walked away with vouchers for dinner at the Dormy House Hotel, bags of Ecover environmentally aware cleaning products, hampers of delicious food, vouchers for events at Farncombe and other treats.

The day was a great launch for Farncombe’s new 90 page programme of courses, day schools and events which can be found on the website, http://www.farncombeestate.co.uk/ , William Reddaway, Head of Lifelong Learning, commented “It is hard to make each new programme better than the last but I think we have done it for 2011! The team here have done a fantastic job in finding brilliant tutors for courses as different as magic, bridge, history and folk music”

Christmas Art & Craft Fair Visitor Discount !

We are offering special discount codes to all visitors to our Craft Fair on Sunday 21 November 2010 - offers valid on 2010 and 2011 courses ...!

For more details call 033 3456 8580.

Christmas Art & Craft Fair - Christmas & New Year

Launch of the 2011 weekend course programme

Friends and tutors sharing the launch of our 2011 weekend course programme on Sunday 12 September - we have just uploaded some of our photographs to Flickr - you can see them here :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/meetcotswolds/sets/72157624994992072/detail

Free Farncombe Christmas Craft Workshop: How to make a Miniature Stocking Front

With Sue Hazell.

These are easier than you think, by laying fabrics across calico & sewing in straight lines. You may use odd pieces of fabrics in the tones of a traditional Christmas or to suit your own colour scheme. Materials will be provided.

Suitable for adults and accompanied children aged 8 or over.

To reserve a ticket please call 033 3456 8580.

Free Christmas Craft Demonstration: How to make a Miniature Stocking Front - Crafts & Textiles

Free Christmas Craft Workshop: Christmas Origami - Sunday 21 November with Judith Laing

Judith will also be selling work at the end of the workshop.

Suitable for adults and accompanied children aged 8 or over.

To reserve a ticket please call 033 3456 8580.

Free Christmas Craft Workshop: Christmas Origami - Crafts & Textiles

Free Christmas Craft Demonstration: How to make a Christmas Wreath? 21 November at Farncombe Estate

With Katherine Kear.

Katherine will also be selling materials at the end of the workshop for anyone who would like to go home and try it themselves.

Suitable for adults and accompanied children aged 8 or over.

To reserve a ticket please call 033 3456 8580.

Free Christmas Craft Demonstration: How to make a Christmas Wreath? - Christmas & New Year

Your 2011 brochure and special offers are online here !

You can now download a copy of 2011 Farncombe course programme from our website!

Select the chapters you require and it will be delivered straight to your Inbox.

The new brochures are being sent out by 1 October so, if you are on our mailing list, you will receive a copy by early October.

With your brochure you will receive a Programme Launch Discount applicable to all bookings made by telephone before 5.00pm on Wednesday 20 October.

Be sure to look out for this and get your new bookings in early! There are also very good discount offers in the brochure for Day Schools throughout the year, so you can plan plenty of days at Farncombe!

You can only claim these discounts by telephone - so please call 033 3456 8580 with one of the following discount codes. :

• For “Weekend” (2 or 3 night) Courses: £15 off the fee for each booking – quote DISW11
• For Day Schools: £5 off for each booking – quote DISD11 on booking or take advantage of one of the other discount codes in the brochure!

We regret that these discount codes cannot be claimed online. For further details of the special offers, please download the details here.

Your 2011 brochure is online here !

Visit our Open Day this Sunday and enter our free prize draw for the chance to win …

... origami by Judith Laing, a gardening book signed by author & tutor Andrew Mikolajski, message boards by tutor Sue Hazell, an angel painting by local artist Christine Barnett, Dinner for 2 at the Dormy House Hotel Barn Owl Bar, Farncombe Estate gift vouchers, food hampers from Wilson Vale Catering and Cotswold Conference Centre, a painting by tutor and artist Arnold Lowrey, a 45 minute relaxation massage by Moto Sasaki or a signed book by tutor and digital photographer Derek Forss !

Farncombe Estate would like to say a huge thank you to all the tutors and friends that are helping make Sunday such a fabulous event. Do drop by and see us – the Centre is open 11am – 4.30pm - admission and car parking are both free !!

www.FarncombeEstate.co.uk/OpenDay - call 0333 456 8580 for programme details.

Creative Campden weekend 17-19 September 2010

There will diverse creative events around Chipping Campden including ,Talks, Demonstrations, Exhibitions, Displays, Have-a-go, Concerts and Comedy.

Do go along and witness just how much is going on - visit www.creativecampden.co.uk to find out more.

Weekly Arts & Crafts Markets for Birmingham

The ‘Handmade Market’ runs every weekend in the Bullring open air Market, along Edgbaston Street; stretching from St Martin’s Church down to Debenhams. 

The market forms the first part of the City’s new ‘Independent Birmingham’ Marketplace, that aims to be the largest and finest weekly gathering of the regions most interesting and individual independent designer-makers and contemporary vintage sellers, a place to shop and ramble; people watch and enjoy the vibrant experience of authentic Birmingham.

With support for the venture coming from Retail Markets, Retail Birmingham, the City Centre Partnership, Marketing Birmingham, and the city’s Regeneration unit, this vibrant and bunting dressed Market will showcase 20 of Birmingham’s finest independent contemporary artist designer-makers each weekend to offer, affordable, authentic and quality handmade innovative contemporary Arts & Craft that is genuinely made locally by the city’s admirably skilled artists, for everyone.

It includes: Jewellery, Ceramics, Textiles, Fashion, Illustration, Photography and Fine Art with many fusions between the disciplines etc.

Handmade Birmingham runs every weekend:

Saturdays: 9am - 5pm

Sundays:  11am - 5pm

www.handmademarket.com

 

 | Farncombe Estate Adult Learning Centre Ltd | Farncombe House | Broadway | Worcestershire | WR12 7LJ | Tel: + 44 (0)1386 854100 | Fax: +44 (0)1386 854350 | Company No.: 4792569 | VAT No.: GB 747 8882 65 |

A free open day at Farncombe celebrates new programme launch

Amid 300 acres of Cotswold countryside overlooking the picturesque village of Broadway and the Vale of Evesham, Farncombe Estate Centre will be celebrating the launch of a new course programme on Sunday 12th September.

A free Open Day will take place on the Estate to mark the release of the new brochure, which contains over 300 weekend courses from January to December 2011 in subjects ranging from Origami and Sugar Craft, through learning French, medieval history and opera to playing Bridge, painting watercolours and singing in a Gospel Choir.

The courses, all aimed at adults, offer a flexible approach to learning with an emphasis on enjoyment and personal development. Participants span a wide age-range and there is strong support from third age and female students.

Attending a course at Farncombe can result in life-changing experiences, new and lasting friendships, or an addiction to residential short courses (or even all three!) Tutors and students agree that there are huge advantages of spending a few days away from the pressures and distractions of everyday life, learning a new skill or practising a favourite hobby.

The standards of tuition and hospitality at Farncombe are exceptionally high – selected tutors are some of the most experienced and skilled across the country, and the venue itself has received several national awards for the quality of its facilities and outstanding customer service.


William Reddaway, Head of Lifelong Learning for Farncombe explains “2010 has been an exciting year at Farncombe and the 2011 programme continues our wide range of courses. We are almost unique as a centre in the number and the diversity of the events we offer to adults who wish to continue to gain new knowledge or new skills. 2011 will see the continuing refurbishment of bedrooms and training rooms and the building of 32 new bedrooms. So, in 2012 we will be able to grow our programme again and offer facilities to more groups to come and pursue their own interests. We already provide a venue for, among others, choirs, embroiderers, musicians, bridge players, and yoga groups, and we look forward to being able to welcome greater numbers to such a lovely setting for study”

For further details or a free copy of the new brochure visit www.FarncombeEstate.co.uk or call 01386 854100. The Open Day runs from 11am – 4.30pm on Sunday 12th September. Both admission & car parking are free.