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.

A Writers Retreat

Literature and Writing Courses at Farncombe

Our long-distant views over the Vale of Evesham are certain to aid inspiration. You may be looking to learn to write humour, fiction, a poem or a novel. Or you may just be looking to find your writer's voice and unleash your writing power! Whatever your goal, Farncombe has a wide range of writing courses including day courses and residential weekends to choose from.  

For more details on our Literature and Writing Courses please visit our website www.farncombecourses.co.uk

Smiles all round for our Patchwork and Quilting Group

Crafts and Textiles tutor Sue Hazell has run yet another successful course at Farncombe. The day course saw 7 beginner quilters get together and take part in the popular Patchwork and Quilting - An Introduction for Beginners.

On this one day quilting course Sue Hazell teaches student's how to select the right fabrics, cut them out with accuracy, test your design, assemble accurately and apply quilting fabric. She then shows students how to quilt the easy way and add backing to the piece.

For more information on this quilting course or any of our crafts and textiles course click here.


If you are a memeber of a quilt group and take part in retreats then bear Farncombe in mind for your next venue. As we run quilting courses all the time we know what we are doing and will use our expertise to make sure that your needs are fully catered for.

For more information on using Farncombe as a group venue then please click here.

Our 2013 courses are now ready to book!

It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for: the new Farncombe brochures are here!   Our 2013 programme has been designed and printed and – if you subscribe to the printed version – should soon appear on a door mat near you.

In the interests of being green, we do, of course, encourage you to visit the website or download our virtual brochure instead.  All our 2013 courses are now available to see online, along with background on our tutors, photographs of the venue in action and information about what it’s like to come on a Farncombe weekend.   Just visit www.farncombecourses.co.uk

We are excited to offer an extended range of faculties in 2013, with more Art weekends, extra  Languages and more History tutors than ever before.  You’ll also find some amazing new subjects like Bee-keeping, Pyrography, Meditation and Poetry.

We can’t wait to welcome you (back?) to our beautiful Farncombe Estate.  Call us on 0333 456 8580.

Come Dancing - Dancing Course for Beginners

Lots of us would love to be able to waltz, foxtrot or tango, and this new dance course is aimed both at ballroom beginners and those who have forgotten how. Philip Wylie from “Holiday and Dance” has taught ballroom for almost 30 years and will make your dancing experience sparkle from the start. Waltz your partner around the dance floor, slowly get into the Quickstep or try out a simple Tango. Latin lovers will challenge themselves with the Cha Cha, the Samba, Rumba and Jive.

You learn with others at the same level and won’t miss a step with this fun introduction to dance.

For more information of to book please call 0333 456 8580 or view our dance courses here.

Summer Offer from Farncombe

Are you a budding photographer or a singing sensation in your own bathroom?  

Do you want to “come dancing” or “go painting”?

At Farncombe Estate, we have wonderful weekend courses for every taste.  History to music-making

If you’re thinking of a mini-break or a Stay-cation this year, why not spend it on our beautiful Cotswold Estate with long views and fantastic food?  

We’ll even pick you up from the London train!

This summer, we’re celebrating the prospect of the Olympics with a special offer of £20.12 off every course.*

To qualify, select a course on our website www.farncombeestate.co.uk and call us on 0333 456 8580, quoting OLY2012.

*This special offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.  It is not available on the website – please call to secure your place. Cannot be used towards a day course. Booking needs to be made by 27th August to qualify for this discount.

A Thirteenth Century Miscellany at Farncombe Estate

A Day School Saturday 8th October 2011 at Cotswold Conference Centre

Lords and Chronicles: A Thirteenth Century Miscellany

Please note that all bookings and enquiries should be made with the Simon de Montfort Society directly.

Speakers:

• Professor Christopher Dyer
• Professor Peter Coss
• Professor David Carpenter
• Dr John Hunt

A panel of medieval historians review aspects of the politics, life and society in thirteenth century England, looking also to the centuries before and after. Drawing on current, published and unpublished research, this day offers the opportunity to join in a consideration and discussion of some wide-ranging themes, including, the failure of some medieval towns; approaches that barons might adopt in their exercise of lordship; gentry households and life within them, looking particularly at entertainment; and the discovery of a previously unrecognised Worcestershire chronicle of this period.

Download a booking form here

FEES: Inclusive of morning coffee and afternoon tea.

MEMBERS of the Simon de Montfort Society pay £18.50;
NON-MEMBERS pay £19.50.

Payable in advance, to the Society's Hon Treasurer, Mr D Snowden, 2 St Matthews Close, Four Pools, Evesham, WR11 6ES ( 01386 421747 ).

ALL CHEQUES should be made payable to the 'Simon de Montfort Society'. Please Note: Refreshments and lunch is provided.

CLOSING DATE FOR ENROLMENTS - Monday, September 12th.

Registered Charity No. 1092319

Julia Baker

Julia Baker is a highly qualified and experienced clinical aromatherapist with her own practice at home in Lapworth Warwickshire. Her work includes treating clients with a variety of conditions, doing massage in the workplace, teaching short courses and giving talks to groups. Julia is a member of the International Federation of Clinical Aromatherapists and chairwoman of one of their regional groups. She coordinates regular training meetings for them. Julia holds a qualification as an Aromatologist. This more medical use of essential oils involving neat topical application and internal use is unusual in the UK but well known in France. Practitioners of aromatology need detailed knowledge of essential oil chemistry and of safe blending techniques.

For more information about Julia Baker visit her new website http://www.juliabakeraromatherapy.com/

For more details on workshops and courses with Julia please visit our website
here or call 033 3456 8580.

Try something new in 2011 - Day Courses in the Cotswolds at Farncombe Estate

A series of 1-day short courses (usually 9.30-4.30) in subjects from Digital Photography to Perfumery, Quilting to Life Coaching, Gardening to Wine Tasting. The full list of day courses is given on our website here.

1-day course fees include refreshments and a 3-course lunch.

Day students can also stay overnight - price includes 3-course evening meal and full English breakfast. To check availability call 01386 854100 or email Stay@FarncombeEstate.co.uk

Laughter Workshop - Last chance to book !

Laughter is the music of the soul. During a laughter session, through a collection of exercises, you will experience a heightened sense of well being, feel relaxed, with a reduction in stress levels and experience an uplift of energy. Laughter boosts your immune system, and increases positivity & creativity. Most importantly, it reduces stress. You will leave the workshops feeling both relaxed and energized. You don't have to possess a sense of humour to attend, as the brain cannot differentiate between 'real' laughter and structured laughter. The effects on the body are just the same, as it releases the 'feel good' endorphins. You will take away simple techniques to use anytime. Laughter breaks down barriers and unleashes inhibitions, teaching you to be playful and reconnected with your sense of self.

Workshop takes place 9th April 2011 - enquire online or call 033 3456 8580.

Laughter Workshop at Farncombe Estate - click here for further details

BARGIN HUNTERS..........................

Time is running out for our special offers following our 2011 Brochure Launch.

If you fancy coming along to do a course at Farncombe Estate, receive up to £15 discount on your booking.

Please call 033 3456 8580 today and quote DISW11 for a weekend course and receive £15 and DISD11 for a day school and receive £5 off.

This special offer is valid until 5pm today!! (20th Oct 2010)

Using Herbs for Common Health Problems - Health & Well-being

Do you reach for the pharmaceuticals every time you have a health problem?

Sarah Firnberg is holding a one day course at Farncombe Estate on 14 May for people who want to treat day to day health problems naturally, with herbs, nutrients and lifestyle changes.

This fun, interactive and really informative course will cover the following:

Introduction to herbal medicine: An explanation of the medicinal constituents of herbs (lots of smelling, tasting, touching, and feeling).

Herb recognition. Did you know that we are surrounded by plants with medicinal qualities? Weather permitting; we will go on a herb walk.

Natural first aid. Natural medicines are wonderfully versatile. We will discuss a wide variety of preparations. (You will be supplied with notes).

Medicine making: How to make your own salve, poultice and cough syrup.

Safety: How to buy safe products, avoid interactions and when to consult a professional

Using Herbs for Common Health Problems - Health & Well-being