If you think that Macrame is all hanging baskets, then think again!
Katherine Nelson has a background in Developmental Psychology, and she explains that there is scientific evidence to support the claims that creative activities can relieve stress, enhance brain function, boost your mood, and improve mental health.
Also, Macrame is enjoying a renaissance. Designers such as Jimmy Choo and Esteban Cortazar and the model Kate Moss are bringing back Macrame, working it into belts, bags and sandals!
During this workshop you will learn a little bit of history behind the art form and a look into the deeper significance of the Tree of Life.
Katherine will then take you step by step through the three simple knots at the heart of Macrame, to produce a Tree of Life wall hanging. Add a few more basic knots and the applications and creations are endless.
So, not only will you leave her workshop feeling more relaxed, you will also leave with a beautiful finished piece of Macrame that you can display and take pride in or gift to a friend or family member.
This course is suitable for beginners upwards and all materials and equipment will be provided as well as the usual tea and delicious home-made cakes.
This course accommodates 8 people.
Find out more about Katherine Nelson and the other workshop leaders.
On this workshop, gardener, author, broadcaster and Chelsea Flower Show exhibitor, Julia Parker will guide you through how, where and when to plant French climbing beans and Dwarf French beans, Fennel, Beetroot, Broccoli for the winter, Carrots and Salads to grow through to September along with how to keep a seasonal supply of Herbs throughout the year.
All this with a heavy sprinkling of Julia’s vast knowledge, top tips and handy sustainable gardening know hows. This will be an interactive workshop, so please do bring an apron and or thin gardening gloves if you would like.
Please arrive at 9.45am for a 10am start.
This course accommodates 10 people.
Find out more about Julia Parker and the other workshop leaders.
Vegetable Gardening with Julia Parker will cover all aspects of what to plant now for both a late autumn harvest and planning ahead for Spring and Summer next year.
Including herbs, vegetables and flowers, Julia will give advice and demonstrations of what and how to plant and where.
Having worked with Alitex Greenhouses giving online tutorials throughout lockdown, running her own vegetable garden design business and having co-authored a gardening & cookery book for children, Julia is confident, enthusiastic and wonderfully encouraging to the novice and green fingered gardener alike.
So, if you, like us were tempted by tomato growing, basil breeding or potato picking during our long summer at home, come and learn the top tips and insider guide as to how to make your plot (even more) productive!
This workshop will take place outside, under cover, safely and socially distanced. There will be access to toilets, hand sanitiser and masks will be available, if required.
Includes homemade refreshments and goody bag.
This course accommodates 8 people.
Find out more about Julia Parker and the other workshop leaders.
Learn to craft your own drum lampshade, suitable for either a table or ceiling light, with Katrina de Toney of Lampshade Parade.
During this course you will learn how to make your very own 30cm drum lampshade to take home with you. All the tips and skills that you acquire on the day will enable you to confidently recreate the steps at home to make more lampshades as and when you wish.
Please bring your own choice of fabric, 100cm x 40cm, all other materials and equipment will be provided.
The course is suitable for complete beginners as all steps will be carefully explained and demonstrated, along with all the short cuts, finer techniques and advice that will take your lampshade from amateur to professional!
This course accommodates 8 people.
Find out more about Katrina de Toney and the other workshop leaders.
Learn how to navigate and thrive through the Menopause and Beyond! And learn the key dietary and lifestyle changes during the Peri-Menopause and Menopause years and how not just to survive but thrive!
Angela Loftus will discuss the hormonal changes that occur during Peri-menopause, how we can best manage those changes and prepare for a “better” Menopause.
Angela will present key dietary and lifestyle modifications so that you can prepare for and manage your symptoms throughout this period by making informed choices.
The presentation will be followed by a Question and Answer Session.
Supplement recommendations, recipes and references to further resources will be also be provided.
This course accommodates 12 people.
Find out more about Angela Loftus and the other workshop leaders.
What you eat can have a profound effect on your health as you grow older. This workshop, hosted by Nutritional Therapist Sue Vaughan, will look at how making the right food choices can help to increase your energy, reduce mood swings, get rid of cravings, improve your memory, reduce anxiety, and even help you to lose weight without dieting.
You will discover which foods can balance your hormones naturally as you get older, to help with PMS, peri-menopause, menopause and other female health issues, helping you to achieve optimum health at every stage of your life.
With practical tips, recipes and recommendations for what to add to your weekly shopping list, find out how nutrition can help slow down the ageing process and give you natural health and beauty from the inside out!
This course accommodates 10 people.
During your workshop, Hayley Farrelly, from Bramley Pottery, will take you through the process of making two beautiful slab-built jugs with a patterned exterior and handle.
Once your jugs have dried she will fire them in her kiln and then glaze them for you in a celadon colour of your choice.
These gorgeous jugs are multi-purpose; the glaze is food safe so can be used for serving milk or cream or use them as vases with a posy of flowers.
The pottery journey takes time, so expect to wait up to a month after the workshop to receive your pieces as this will allow time for them to dry, to be bisque fired, glazed and re-fired.
Once finished they can be collected from her studio in Ballinger, or they can be sent in the post.
Make sure you bring an apron and messy clothing to the workshop, Hayley will provide all the tools you need to make your pottery.
This course accommodates 10 people.
Find out more about Hayley Farrelly and the other workshop leaders.
In this session Nicola Farrow from Mapletree Farm Flowers will help you arrange her locally grown, seasonal blooms using sustainable techniques for a relaxed “gathered from the garden look.”
This is a hands-on workshop where you will put together your own hand tied bouquet to take home for yourself or as a gift.
This course accommodates 8 people.
Find out more about Nicola and the other workshop leaders.
Join local Bucks based tea experts Mark & Giles, the spoons behind Two Spoons Tea Ltd (named after the tools of their trade, their tasting spoons!) to discover the story of tea from bush to cup.
They have over 50 years of combined expertise as professional tea tasters, have travelled extensively in the wonderful world of tea to hone their craft and tasted more than a million cups between them!
The masterclass is interactive (tea tasting will be involved!), informative and fun.
Do you know just what goes into your daily cuppa? Hear the stories, passion and expertise behind our daily brew – the second most popular beverage in the world after water.
You’ll also get to make your very own blend to take home.
This course accommodates 10 people.
Find out more about Giles Oakley, Mark Lawson and the other workshop leaders.
Guest
It was a fantastic session! Katherine is amazingly talented and such a good teacher. A very relaxing and therapeutic activity. And wonderful hosting by Charlotte xx
Guest
Such a fab morning learning about macrame… and creating my first tree of life 😍 thank you Katherine & Charlotte 😀