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.

Photography Courses in the Cotswolds

The perfect setting?!

Farncombe Courses is very lucky to be situated on the beautiful 320-acre Farncombe Estate, in the North Cotswolds. It is a perfect setting for photography courses, whether you are a beginner wanting to learn how to switch on a camera and snap or someone who is slightly more advanced.

At Farncombe we offer photography courses that will teach you how to take better photos, how to shoot portraits, how to tell a story through photography and even how to archive and protect valuable images.

2013 holds a wide range of day and weekend photography courses. So why not take a look and we're sure you will be a pro in time for those Summer holiday snaps!

For full details visit our website www.farncombecourses.co.uk.

Strings in Spring!

Spring is a magical time of year at Farncombe Estate, when snowdrops bloom and strains of live music waft from room to room!

Now’s the time to book on one of our ensemble music courses, designed to enhance your performance skills and give you the chance to play with like-minded people.

Take a look at the two courses below, designed for players of all abilities.   You may click through to our website, where you can read more about the tutor and the event.  Or please call us on 0333 456 8580.
 

Introduction to String Ensemble Playing

Friday 22 to Sunday 24 February
The course, run by expert tutors Marion Crombie and Abigail Summers, is designed for beginner and intermediate string players on (violin, viola and cello.)  You will need at least a year’s experience on your instrument and we will put you into groups.  Existing string trios and quartets are also welcome.
 

A weekend for Chamber Music, with or without piano

Friday 22 to Sunday 24 March
Taught by The Beethoven Broadwood Trio, this popular course is aimed at pre-formed chamber groups, but we are often able to accommodate individual players, so do ask.  You’ll get lots of coaching from the highly-experienced and friendly Frances, James and Michael, who will give a concert performance on the Saturday evening. 


Playing with others will take your music playing to another level and you’ll have great fun. We do hope you’ll put Farncombe Courses into your practice diary this Spring.

 Please contact us for more information or to book on 0333 456 8580 or e-mail us at enquiries@farncombecourses.co.uk

Don't forget Adult Learners' Week!

Adult Learners' Week is 18 - 24 May this year. The week celebrates lifelong learning nationally and gives everyone who provides a service to adult education an opportunity to show what types of learning is available. The week is organised by the NIACE which is dedicated to showing and inspiring adults from all walks of life about the world of adult education.

To read more about Adult Learners' Week please visit http://www.alw.org.uk/

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

Here is what you and Dame Kelly Holmes say about us....

“This may be the most beautiful view in the whole country.” Colin Dexter, author of Inspector Morse novels and crossword enthusiast, Sept 2011

“This business is a real success story. It is an organisation that has had to branch out and invent new lines of business, becoming so successful that it needs more space… It’s superb to see high-quality facilities springing up anywhere, but particularly in such a beautiful part of the country. What an amazing facility.” John Penrose MP, Tourism & Heritage Minister, February 2012

“I haven’t been here before but wow, it’s a great place.” Dame Kelly Holmes, double Gold Medal winning athlete, December 2011

YOU SAY:
“Very much appreciate the ‘green tourism’ approach.” Anne Mackintosh, March 2012

“The teaching room was v. pleasant – spacious and comfortable. The provision of tea and coffee nearby was a plus! The ability to leave bulky instruments in a locked room overnight was a blessing.” Helen Brown (Intro to String Ensemble Playing) March 2012

“Accommodation and food excellent, so was the tuition.” Pat Mullard, March 2012

“Food excellent… thoroughly enjoyed my stay – the location is wonderful and staff very helpful. Loved the water features around the grounds.” Heather Hickman, March 2012

“The rooms were clean, the staff always helpful. The shower was lovely and the food was great!” Sara McKeon, Feb 2012

“Thank you for bright smiles and cheerful helpfulness – this is most important!” Barry Sherratt, Feb 2012

“Lovely venue. Good value for money. Learnt a lot.” Maggie Rigg, Feb 2012

“Wonderful venue. Courteous and very helpful staff. Overall an excellent weekend. A HUGE thank you to everyone involved! PS. I’m very much looking forward to my next course!” (Anon) Feb 2012

“Well-planned course. Lovely environment. Staff helpful. Food excellent. Room very good. Teaching area excellent.” Wendy Curtis, January 2012

“The facilities at Farncombe are very good. The building we used was beautiful and lent to the overall experience. I had a great weekend and will come again.” Pauline McDonald, January 2012

“I have realised, with some embarrassment, that I never wrote to thank you for everything you and your colleagues did to make my Chinese friend’s first visit to Farncombe such a wonderful experience when he and I attended the recent Tannhäuser weekend. Shang, who is from Beijing, had not been in England very long, and was deeply touched by all the help he was given and how welcome he was made to feel. He was given a lift to and from his bed and breakfast accommodation, and was even told on the Saturday evening that it was up to him to decide when he wanted the car to take him back. He was thrilled by the whole thing and has already booked a place on the Rheingold course in March… We both remain very grateful that you looked after him so well.” Clare Canton, Dec 2011

“Farncombe is a beautiful place & the standard of care, accommodation and food was excellent.” Martin Gisby, Nov 2011

Farncombe prepares to launch 2013 leisure course programme

The 2013 Farncombe course brochure is currently beign designed and will be landing on our customers' mats early September. The programme has been carefully planned to include a wide mix of weekend and day leisure courses.

Adult Edcuation has always been the focus of Farncombe and the team have planned a year full of courses in subjects such as; bee-keeping, history, crafts and texiltes, painting, writing, photography, singing and much more. We like to think that at Farncombe there is something for everyone.

We will be posting and e-mailing our brocuhre to every one of our customers. If you don't currently receive information from Farncombe and would like to, please fill in the brochure request form on our website. www.farncombecourses.co.uk

A venue for group events and leisure courses in the Cotswolds, Farncombe Estate

Some venues offer group packages that suits the venue, in unloved meeting rooms with fixed meal times. There’s nothing fixed about Farncombe. Our 320-acre estate is perfect for photographers and ramblers, artists and team-builders – the only limit is your imagination.

Our parkland setting, combined with a “village” of smaller buildings, enables us to create privacy for every kind of activity. Whether you want to make lace or practise yoga, sing or pray, we can ensure calm and tranquility, far away from main roads and urban centres.

We are also a favourite retreat for charities and associations, who choose us for their annual conferences and group meetings. Our Heart of England location is easy to reach from the motorway network by delegates from all over the UK.

As well as welcoming groups of all-kind to our venue, we offer our own Course Programme of weekend leisure courses and day courses in subjects that include; History, Art, Painting, Crafts and Textiles, Music Appreciation and much more.

New Course Update: Wagner Ring Cycle

Longborough Festival Opera, our near neighbour, is building up to the complete Wagner Ring Cycle in summer 2013: a climactic event that will attract an international crowd to our lovely corner of the Cotswolds.   Here at Farncombe, we are preparing for the occasion with two courses that take you to heart of Wagner’s great masterpiece.

Julian Williamson, the respected conductor and lecturer, will lead you through the drama of “Die Walküre” from July 27 to 29, with musical illustration at the piano and on CD.  Julian then introduces “Siegfried”, the child of nature, in a course that runs from November 2 – 4.  The last act includes one of the most lyrical scenes in the Cycle, in the awakening of Brunhilde.

If you book both courses, we would be delighted to offer you complimentary upgrade to one of our Superior bedrooms – generously sized new or refurbished rooms with en-suite bath and shower and King-sized bed with 1200 pocket sprung mattress.

Please also note two more Wagnerian dates for your 2013 diary: Julian returns to lead us through the heroism and drama of “Götterdämmerung.”  From 31 May to 2 June, he will cover the Prologue and Act 1; from 26-28 July, Julian completes the journey with a study of Acts 2 and 3.

Please call 0333 456 8580 to reserve your course places and secure your upgrade. The deadline for this offer is Friday 6^th July.