Dillington
programme of courses and events
January – November 2017
Dillington
"Dillington House is one of England's special
places. A truly lovely rural surrounding in
which to learn and study, to walk and think,
to eat well and make new friends.”
Rosie Boycott, Writer and Broadcaster
Welcome to Dillington House…
founded in 1949 as somerset’s
residential centre for adult
education, dillington House
offers a unique creative learning
environment for personal and
professional development.
decades of experience and
commitment to excellence in
providing lifelong learning
opportunities place dillington
at the forefront of such provision
in the south West.
formerly the home of prime minister Lord
north, dillington dates back to the sixteenth
century - although there has been a house
on the site since before domesday.
the present building was re-modelled in
the early nineteenth century in the so-called
Jacobethan style. the mews building was
constructed in 1875 and January 2009
saw the opening of a spectacular contemporary
building - the Hyde - providing additional
accommodation and teaching space whilst
adding to the historic narrative. set in mature
parkland, dillington offers the perfect setting for
learning, resting and getting away from the
pressures of home life and the office. there are
beautiful formal gardens as well as informal
areas, and for those who really want to get away
from everyone, there is the arboretum,
known as ‘the Wilderness’!
t: 01460 258613
e: [email protected]
over recent years dillington has been
substantially refurbished to provide very
high quality comfortable accommodation.
We have 40 en-suite bedrooms each offering
their own special features. there are many
facilities for people with disabilities including
16 bedrooms which are fully accessible. the
food is excellent and the premises are fully
licensed. there is a well-stocked library and
many of the rooms display an interesting
juxtaposition of traditional and contemporary
works of art.
dillington offers a very special combination
of first-class facilities, a peaceful and beautiful
setting, and an excellent programme of courses
and events. there is always a warm welcome
and the friendly staff are always willing to help.
for these, and many more reasons, dillington
House enjoys a reputation as a learning
environment par excellence which is second
to none.
w: www.dillington.com
1
simply the best... and that’s official
dillington holds the
prestigious Five Star rating
by the visitBritain national
Quality assurance standard
campus scheme.
this standard has been
designed for universities
and colleges offering
accommodation to the
general public.
❖ Superb Historic House with many
fine works of art both traditional and
contemporary
❖ Beautiful gardens and arboretum plus a
fine collection of sculpture
❖ High standard of accommodation with
free wireless internet access in all
bedrooms
❖ Excellent food, including a generous full
english buffet breakfast for residents
❖ Brilliant staff who are always willing to
assist
❖ fascinating courses led by enthusiastic
tutors as well as free time to relax in an
inspiring and safe environment
The Dillington Experience
Whether you are at dillington as a resident or
a non-resident, your special experience will
start from the moment you arrive and receive
a warm and friendly welcome at reception.
during your course you will enjoy excellent
food throughout. Breakfast for residents is
simply amazing with a huge choice to suit
every taste. Lunch consists of three courses
from a comprehensive selection of hot and
cold dishes from the buffet. sunday lunch is
a superb two-course carvery. In the evenings
you will be served a delicious three-course
dinner followed by freshly made coffee.
residents are accommodated in high
standard en-suite bedrooms, each with a flat
screen television, free Wi-fi, telephone,
hospitality tray, towels and complimentary
toiletries.
all our tutors are enthusiastic and experts in
their field. as well as a full course programme
there will also be time to relax and enjoy the
beautiful and inspiring surroundings or take
time to chat with like-minded people.
2
From all of the team at Dillington House…
From all of the team at
Dillington House…
Welcome to our programme for 2017. We
have received some really positive feedback
about our new look brochure which was
published last year so we’ve kept the same
style and hope you like this one too.
once again we have a wide range of courses,
concerts and talks and hope whatever your
interest, you can find something to suit you.
for the summer season we are pleased to
include the dillington summer school and
our classical guitar festival, now in its twenty
third year.
You will notice that some of the courses that
appeared in our previous brochure are now
full. However, if there is a course that you are
eager to attend please contact us and we will
add you to the waiting list. If we get enough
expressions of interest we always do our best
to organise a repeat of the course. You will
also find a few new courses slotted in
between January and June so rather than
jumping straight to the summer courses, sit
down with a cup of tea and start from the
beginning and look out for those marked N
you’re sure to find something that appeals
to you.
Coming Soon...
We are currently developing a new online
booking system which will mean that you
will be able to book concerts, talks and events
online. of course, the Bookings office team
will still be happy to speak to you and take
your bookings over the telephone, but we
are aware that many people prefer the
convenience of booking online these days
so it’s time we caught up with technology.
However, this won’t be going live until later in
the year, but when it does we’ll let you know.
Images
the images on the front cover and a within
were taken by Brian anderson, dillington
tutor and lecturer, and participants from his
three photography Workshops held in 2016.
If you would like to learn how to take your
own stunning shots of dillington House and
its grounds then you can sign up for Brian’s
2017 workshops in July and september,
details of which are in this brochure and on
our website.
Thank You
We would like to take this opportunity to
thank our tutors, sponsors, regular customers,
patrons and friends for their continued
support. Whether you are new to dillington
or a familiar face, we can’t wait to welcome
you and hope to see you soon.
Stay in Touch
sign up to our e-newsletter by visiting
the courses page on our website
www.dillington.com and clicking on
the link.
3
What You Need To Know
Residential Course Fees
against each residential course you will find a
series of symbols and prices, which give the
fees per person, relating to the different
grades of bedroom and occupancy.
s superior en-suite double/twin room
single occupancy
Weekend Plus
on certain weekends, subject to availability,
you can extend your stay by an extra night for
a special tariff of £70*. this covers a light
supper and accommodation on sunday night,
and a full english breakfast on monday
morning. Look out for the : symbol.
t superior en-suite double/twin room
shared occupancy
small en-suite double/twin room single
occupancy
n small en-suite double/twin room shared
occupancy
H single en-suite room
u non-residential fee
: Weekend plus (includes supper on
sunday evening plus bed & breakfast –
subject to availability)
l
Early Bird Discount
certain courses attract an early bird discount.
Book by the end of March and get 10% off
the course fee. Look for the symbols
throughout this programme.
Private Study & Reading Retreats
If you want to stay and catch up with some
private work or study, rather than attend a
course, then we have a special rate for you.
similarly, if you wish to bring somebody with
you and whilst you attend your course they
relax and do their own thing then we have
special rates for that too. prices start from
£250* for weekends on a full board basis
Longer periods can be calculated on a
pro-rata basis. place subject to availability.
Field Trips & Visits
course fees which include travel and entrance
fees for field trips or visits are denoted by the
bus symbol.
Additional Nights
subject to availability it may be possible to
stay overnight in advance of a day course
for which we can offer a special rate
for dinner, bed and breakfast. ask for full
details on booking.
FAQs
see page 68 for faQs and further information
about what’s included.
*charges current at time of going to press.
Stay connected Website & Social Media
the website is easy to navigate and there you will find all sorts of information about the
courses and tutors together with links to their own websites. You can search by subject, tutor name or keywords.
Web: dillington.com
email: [email protected]
facebook: facebook.com/dillington
twitter: @dillingtonhouse
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Friends, Patrons & Sponsors
Friends
£25 per annum single subscription
£35 per annum joint subscription
❖ receive the programme in advance
of everyone else
❖ priority booking
❖ exclusive promotions
❖ reserved seating for concerts
❖ reserved seating for talks
❖ receive twice yearly newsletter with all
the behind the scenes stories and plans
❖ entry into the annual prize draw
Patrons
£300 per annum
all of the above plus…
Sponsors
❖
❖
❖
❖
❖
membership runs for 12 months from the month of joining.
Joint subscriptions apply to two people residing at the same address.
Benefits to patrons apply to a maximum of two people residing at the same address.
priority booking applies to printed programme only.
patron discounts apply to most courses excepting those marked P where special
payments to third parties are involved.
❖ patrons discount does not apply to pre-concert/pre-talk meals.
❖ patrons discount applies to new bookings only.
dIscount
on most courses
on concert tickets
on talk tickets
as you will see a number of our concerts in
the programme have been sponsored by
friends and patrons of dillington. We even
have a group of friends joining together to
sponsor a future concert. If you are interested
in sponsoring a concert in return for some
wonderful dillington hospitality please call
the Bookings office.
Gift
Vouchers
gift vouchers are an ideal present for dillington
regulars or a treat for someone new to dillington.
vouchers are available in the amount of your
choice and can be purchased from the Bookings
office 01460 258613. treat someone today and
give them the gift of the dillington experience.
✁
Terms and Conditions
10%
5
the dillington Book club offers an
opportunity for all those lovers
of literature to meet to discuss a
variety of books. the group meets on
the first tuesday of every month and is
led by elizabeth rapp, who brings with
her a wealth of literary knowledge and
experience.
A lively &
stimulating
discussion good fun
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discussion is always lively and
passionate as members are
encouraged to freely view and express
their opinions. Whilst the book club is
intended for serious debate there is
also a lot of fun to be had and
discussions often continue all the
way through lunch!
Dates for 2017 are:
7 February the Wide sargasso sea by Jean rhys
7 March
miss garnet’s angel by sally vickers
4 April
oranges are not the only fruit
by Jeanette Winterson
2 May
air and angels by susan Hill
6 June
death in venice by thomas mann
please sign up to receive full details of
the dates and books to be discussed by
sending an email to
[email protected]
sessions start with coffee at 10.30am and
finish with a three-course lunch at 1.00pm.
each session costs £24 and prior booking is
essential as places are limited.
Winter
courses
JAN
The Miracle of Modern Spain:
1939 - Present Day
Dinner Friday 6 – Lunch Sunday 8 January
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
this course charts the history of spain from the end
of the civil War, through the black years of the
franco dictatorship and the remarkable events that
followed his death in november 1975, up to the
blooming of spain as a modern liberal democracy,
until today when it leads the world in many issues
of social equality. as well as following in detail the
historical events, the course will focus on the
cultural history of the period from the state
censorship of the 1940s and the exile of many
important cultural figures, to the breaking of all the
bonds in the 1980s and the rich, varied and
exciting cultural panorama of the present day. the
course will be liberally illustrated by film, slide and
music. all-comers welcome. Tutor: Chris Pollard
The West Country's
Industrial Heritage
Dinner Friday 6 – Lunch Sunday 8 January
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
this is an opportunity to learn more about a
significant aspect of our region’s rich heritage. the
course examines this popular subject and provides
an invitation to explore a surprisingly wide range of
sites including breweries, maltings, textile mills,
water and wind mills, mines, quarries, limekilns,
railways, roads, canals and ports. there are working
and derelict sites of national importance, but often
the smallest are the most fascinating. no previous
knowledge needed, just a fascination with the past.
all-comers welcome. Tutor: Dr Peter Stanier
Four Early Medieval Saints
Saturday 7 January Fee: £52
What inspired medieval men and women to give
their lives to god? We will examine the lives and
writings of four very different individuals: two from
the east and two from the West, using their
writings: the english women Julian of norwich and
christina of markyate, and two eastern saints,
ephrem the syrian (a very early monk) and the later
monk, symeon the new theologian. all-comers
welcome. Tutor: Sister Elizabeth Rees
An Introduction to
Islamic Art & Architecture
Dinner Friday 6 – Lunch Sunday 8 January
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
the art of the Islam is truly extraordinary, admired
and yet, to most of us, beyond our understanding.
this course will introduce and explore the wide
range of artistic expression demonstrated over the
centuries from the eight century to the beginning
of the twentieth century. drawing on examples
from across the Islamic world we will examine
architecture and garden design, glass and ceramics,
metalwork, textiles and carpets. a feel for the music
will also feature in our survey. no prior knowledge
will be assumed and all-comers welcome.
Tutor: Wayne Bennett
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DAY COURSES
registration for most courses takes
place from 9.00am and the first session
usually begins at 9.45am. courses
normally end at 4.00pm with tea and
cake. the fee covers not only tuition, but
also a three-course lunch, refreshments
and any field trip and entrance fees (if
applicable), unless stated otherwise.
please note that for out and about type
courses a packed lunch will normally be
provided.
Dinner Friday 13 – Lunch Sunday 15 January
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
the old Kingdom was one of the most splendid
eras of pharaonic history. the 500 or so years of the
3rd – 8th dynasties (c2690 – c2160 Bc) were a
period of strong government, wealth and stability
displayed in the magnificent pyramids and statuary
of kings such as Khufu (cheops) and Khafra
(chephren). In this course we will explore the art
and architecture of this fascinating period of
egypt’s ancient history, as well as many aspects of
its social and political history. all-comers welcome.
Tutor: Lucia Gahlin
The Mythologising
of a Pharaoh: Akhenaten,
Deformed or Divine?
with Lucia Gahlin
Friday 13 January 1.00pm
£23 (includes three course lunch
with coffee and lecture)
akhenaten (c1352 – c1336 Bc) is probably the
most controversial of all the egyptian pharaohs. He
made extraordinary changes to the religion and art,
all the more striking when we consider how
conventional the ancient egyptians tended to be in
these respects. He replaced the traditional
polytheistic religion with the worship of one solar
deity, and the art is unlike that of any other
pharaoh’s reign. He chose to be represented in a
most singular fashion. did he really look like this?
or was his representation determined by ideology?
Lucia will explore these questions and consider the
mythologising of a most unusual pharaoh – a
mythologising that began soon after his death and
has continued through to the present day.
01460 258613
[email protected]
JAN
In the Age of the Pyramids:
Egypt During the Marvellous
‘Old Kingdom’
The Architecture of Burgundy
Dinner Friday 13 – Lunch Sunday 15 January
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
the Burgundy region, formerly a duchy, has some
of the finest architecture in france, built of varied
materials: limestone, granite, brick, stone slate, clay
tiles. We start with the gallo roman at autun/
"augustodunum", which has a fine gate, a theatre,
amphitheatre and defensive walls. the
romanesque is characterised by the vestiges of the
great abbey of cluny, famous throughout europe,
and monasteries like fontenay, one of the best
remaining cistercian foundations and the hilltop
shrine of vezelay. In addition there are many
smaller churches like the lofty chapaize. there are
great gothic cathedrals at sens and auxerre, and
the modern reconstruction of a castle at guedelon.
We will look at several chateaux such as the
glittering rochepot, the perfect interiors of
commarin, the literary and pictorial distinction of
Bussy rabutin. not to forget vernacular buildings
and the canal de Bourgogne. all-comers welcome.
Tutor: Mark Powell
www.dillington.com
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Bespoke and exclusively yours
Somerset’s most magnificent
wedding venue
Dillington House is the perfect setting for
weddings. We can seat up to 150 guests
for your ceremony and for your wedding
breakfast with a capacity for up to 200
guests for the evening reception.
We are licensed for civil ceremonies in our
romantic Orangery, the elegant Hanning
Room and in our theatre in the magnificent
Mews building. With many years experience
behind us, our dedicated wedding team is
on hand to help you plan every aspect of
your wedding day, making sure that you and
your guests have the most perfect day.
© Jodie Hurd Jdphotographybyjd.co.uk
Exclusively yours with a choice of elegant
reception rooms, dillington offers that real
‘country House’ experience. at the end of
your celebration, we can accommodate up to
78 guests in bedrooms that range from the
traditional to the contemporary, from the
elegantly spacious to the bijou.
© Jodie Hurd Jdphotographybyjd.co.uk
For information or to book a viewing, please contact our Weddings Team:
[email protected] 01460 258648
www.weddingvenueinsomerset.com
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Ukulele Workshop: Beginners
Dinner Friday 13 – Lunch Sunday 15 January
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
this course is designed for beginners and upwards
and will teach you how to make a true
representation of a wildlife subject whilst not
requiring any high level of drawing skill. from
source material provided, or from your own
pictures, we will use the medium of gouache - an
opaque watercolour that is ideal for this subject – to
create wonderful lifelike pictures. demonstrations
and individual help will be the foundation of this
course which is open to all levels but please note
that the work will require a precise rather than a
loose style of painting. Tutor: Simon Williams
F
L
L
U
News From the Fronts:
New Men, New Plans
Saturday 14 January Fee: £52
this standalone day course is one of a rolling series
covering the centenary of events as they occurred
during the great War. By late 1916 most of the
principals who had taken their countries to war
had shuffled off the world stage. In germany
Hindenburg and Ludendorff had established
what was to become a military junta and in austriaHungary the old emperor franz Joseph had died.
In the entente the czar’s position was precarious
and Britain and later france replaced their prime
ministers. thus as germany turned eastwards to
finish off russia, the new french cinc, general
robert nivelle, proposed a plan for military
victory in the West. all-comers welcome.
Tutor: Mike Shaw
Absolutely
incredible
course
Bags of Fun:
Shoulder Bags & Handbags
Saturday 14 January Fee: £52
making bags is a great way of using up small
amounts of fabric left over from larger projects,
perhaps to match or co-ordinate with an outfit.
unleash your creativity to make really useful
shoulder bags and handbags to give as a gift, or to
keep for themselves. a fun course making a simple
style of both designs. all-comers welcome but
please note you will need a reasonable amount of
sewing knowledge, including the ability to use your
own sewing machine, which you will need to bring
with you.Tutor: Jenny Harrison
t: 01460 258613
e: [email protected]
Saturday 14 January Fee: £52
always wanted to play an instrument but thought
you never could? –
Yes uke can! this workshop will introduce you to
the ukulele from scratch. You will learn how to:
hold it, tune it, strum it, play 5 simple chords and
put them all together in a few familiar songs. this
one day course is ideal for anyone who has little or
no experience of playing a musical instrument. It is
also suitable for those who have tried to teach
themselves the ukulele but would like some
guidance. In a few short hours you will be
strumming along to familiar songs and enjoying
the pleasures of communal music making in a
friendly and supportive group. ukuleles are
available to loan for the day but please request one
on booking. please also indicate if you are a lefthanded player. Tutor: Sally Vaughan
Queen Victoria’s Family N
Connections to European Royalty
Tuesday 17 January Fee: £52
2017 is the hundredth anniversary of the House of
Windsor and this standalone day course, which is
part of a series of three connected courses, will look
at various aspects of the royal family's connections
to germany. during the day we will look at the
Houses of Hanover and saxe coburg to find out
who the Queen’s parents were. moving on to her
half siblings and the Leiningen and Hohenlohe
families. Who were her extended family? finally
looking at her children and grandchildren who
married into most european royal Houses before
the first World War seeing families ripped apart by
the conflict and many of them going into exile. all
welcome. Tutor: Jane Ferentzi-Sheppard
w: www.dillington.com
11
JAN
Wildlife & Natural History
Painting in Gouache
Stumpwork Brooches
JAN
Dinner Friday 20 – Lunch Sunday 22 January
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
this course will explore creating these tiny pieces of
raised work embroidery and then turning them into
decorative brooches. Hand embroidery and raised
work techniques will be covered, as well as ideas in
taking these practical pieces and experimenting
further with new ideas. suitable for all abilities.
Tutor: Annette Bolton
L
L
FU
group BooKIngs
With up to 40 bedrooms available,
we welcome groups looking to stay
somewhere special.
The Year 1217:
When William Marshal
Saved England
12
Dinner Friday 20 – Lunch Sunday 22 January
Fees (£): s 395 t 342 l 374 n 320 H 320u 217
With an emphasis on fun and non-competitive, this
workshop is for complete beginners and improvers.
the starting assumption is that you have no
knowledge of cryptics whatsoever, but if you do, or
if you currently solve the Quick non-cryptic
crossword, you will progress to the more rewarding
world of the cryptic. You will learn the tricks of the
crossword trade including the “rules” for cryptic
clues. once learnt, these can be applied to the daily
puzzles appearing in nearly all newspapers and
enable solving of clues you may have thought
impenetrable. Whilst enjoying the delights and
quirks of the english language, we will work
together solving cryptics from different sources,
occasionally delving into the humour, history and
personalities of crosswords. Tutor: Tim Moorey
F
L
L
U
Drawing Workshop:
The Use of Colour
for further details contact the conference
team at [email protected]
Absolutely
incredible
course
Demystifying Cryptic
Crosswords: Beginners
& Improvers
Dinner Friday 20 – Lunch Sunday 22 January
Fees (£): s 392 t 339 l 371 n 317 H 317u 214
800 years ago, england had a child monarch –
Henry III – and an aged regent – William marshal.
It was also in the throes of a massive insurrection
and a foreign invasion: that it survived intact, and
retained its ruling dynasty, was down to one man,
the regent. He was in his seventies, but brought a
lifetime of experience and skill to bear on the crisis.
this year we commemorate the 800th anniversary
of these amazing (and amazingly little-known)
events. It is a tale of war, politics, intrigue and
larger-than-life characters. all-comers welcome.
Tutor: Tim Porter
Dinner Friday 20 – Lunch Sunday 22 January
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
Beginners, and those who have taken their first
steps in drawing and painting, are welcome on this
weekend, which lays the ground for a confident
start. tutor demonstrations and an emphasis on
individual guidance, enables students to progress
at their preferred pace. any type of medium may be
brought along as source material, sketches or
photographs. discussion of individual
interests/needs, notes on composition, coupled
with videos on relevant subjects, and artists of the
past, will enhance a relaxed and supportive few
days in the outstandingly beautiful house and
grounds at dillington.
Tutor: Stella Murray Whatley
Saturday 21 January Fee: £52
ferdinand “Jelly roll” morton was a piano player,
entertainer and band leader who claimed to be the
“originator of Jazz”. an outrageous claim! …..or
was it? that’s the question we will bear in mind as
we explore morton’s role at the birth of jazz, his
novel piano style, and how he became the first to
write down jazz music. We’ll hear some of his
recordings - including the exquisite 1920s
chicago sessions with his red Hot peppers. We’ll
see what happened to this larger-than-life character
when the tide turned against him in the 1930s, and
discuss his enduring legacy. all-comers welcome.
Tutor: Mike Denham
Gregorian Chant
Saturday 21 January Fee: £52
chants are musical prayers, and some have been
sung for a thousand years. they lift the heart and
touch the soul. come and learn to read the old
notation and enjoy singing masses, hymns and
canticles and appreciate why the music was written
the way it was and how perfectly the notes colour
the words. ann evans was a contemplative nun and
studied the music, learning to lead the choir and to
conduct it and loves the plaintive and moving
sounds of the music accompanying the Latin and
greek words. all are welcome, beginners and
experienced alike. Tutor: Ann Evans
Have
Your say
Seven Scenes of Scandal
Saturday 21 January Fee: £52
art and artists have caused controversy, sometimes
resulting in prosecution, imprisonment and death.
during this day we will look at seven themes
including theft and forgery, vandalism, sex,
violence, blasphemy, tabloid hysteria and
repression with lots of interesting and provocative
images. the stories will not be limited to europe
and the us but will include scandals from mexico,
pakistan, south africa and Japan. from this country
we will look at some well-known scandals but also
others less well remembered such as genesis p.
orridge and cosey fanny tutti at the Ica, and the
strange case of raf fauld. all-comers welcome.
Tutor: David Cuthbert
JAN
Oh Mr Jelly! The Life,
Times & Music of Jelly Roll
Morton, "Originator of Jazz"
If you have ideas for courses or events you
would like to see in our programme, or you
are a tutor keen to run a course at dillington
then we want to hear from you.
send an email with your suggestions to
[email protected]
I can't wait
to come back.
Bettany Hughes
?
FAQs
see
page 68
t: 01460 258613
e: [email protected]
The Latest Country Houses
1986-2016:
An Unknown Architectural
Phenomenon with Mike Hope
Sunday 22 January 2.30pm
Tickets £13 (includes tea and cake)
Pre-booked lunches available at £17
Whilst everyone is aware of the much publicised
destruction of some two thousand plus country
house across the twentieth century, what has been
almost totally ignored is the remarkable story of the
phoenix like rebirth of country House building in
this country. It is a number which is almost
unbelievable. along side the building of houses,
the creation of new gardens and estates and new
collections, has been the revival of so many related
crafts and skills.
w: www.dillington.com
13
JAN
Bookbinding for Beginners
Sacconi Quartet &
Charles Owen (piano)
Sunday 29 January 2.30pm
Tickets £17 (under 18s £8.50)
Pre-booked lunches available at £17
Chamber Music Weekend
with the Sacconi Quartet
& Terry Barfoot
Dinner Friday 27 – Lunch Sunday 29 January
Fees (£):s567t513l544n491H491u388 : 70
this weekend is one of the cultural highlights of the
year, with live performances in the intimate
surroundings of the Hanning room in the House.
Beneath the glittering crystal chandelier we will
hear four concerts by the sacconi Quartet, who will
be joined by one of the finest British pianists,
charles owen, for a performance of dvořák’s piano
Quintet. the other featured composers will include
Haydn, mozart, sibelius, suk and Beethoven.
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We welcome the return of award-winning sacconi
Quartet, recognised for its unanimous and
compelling ensemble. for this concert they
will be joined by one of Britain’s finest pianists
charles owen, for a performance of dvořáks’s
piano Quintet. other works include mozart’s
string Quartet no.14 in g major, 387 and suk’s
meditation on the old czech Hymn “st Wenceslas”.
This concert is sponsored by a Dillington Patron and
a group of Friends.
musicologist terry Barfoot will provide the context
for the performances with a series of illustrated
lectures, and there will be full programme notes.
the food will be exceptional and wine is included
with your lunches and evening meals. Whether you
regard yourself as a musical novice or something of
an expert, this will be a weekend to enjoy for all.
everyone is welcome.
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Lunch Monday 30 January Lunch Wednesday 1 February
Fees (£): s 422 t 369 l 401 n 347 H 347u 244
even complete beginners can construct a
straightforward book on this course using a
minimum of equipment. the aim of the course is to
equip participants to have fun and bind pamphlets
or create case bindings almost from their kitchen
table. on this course participants will make a single
section case binding and a multi sectioned case
binding. the book block will be blank paper which
can then have multiple uses. all basic equipment is
provided. Tutor: Sarah Jarrett-Kerr
Valerie Singleton OBE
A delightful way
to spend your
time, relaxing
in beautiful
surroundings
and learning
something
fascinating.
Photo by Jenny Waddilove
What's in a Word?
An Introduction
to English Etymology
Dinner Friday 3 – Lunch Sunday 5 February
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
this period is amongst the most dynamic and
dramatically changing periods in the entire History
of British art & design. from the traditional fine
arts to the new age of mass culture and
entertainment change is embraced. new
opportunities arise in commercial art, publishing
and photography. this period also sees the setting
up of quasi-governmental bodies such as the
empire marketing Board and mass observation.
all-comers welcome. Tutor: Mike Hope
Sunday Carvery
see
page 24
Dinner Friday 3 – Lunch Sunday 5 February
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
the history of the Hudson Bay company
employees’ exploration of canada is little known in
Britain yet the tale is a fascinating and exciting one.
the aim of the weekend is to illuminate the story
through the lives of key figures such as samuel
Hearne and the undeservedly little known figure of
the derbyshire man, peter fidler. during the course
we will encounter the stories of the explorers
through a study of their journals and maps. the
sessions will look at the stories of first meetings
with native americans, the intermarriages and the
dramatic history of inter-company rivalry which
almost amounted to a civil war at the end of the
eighteenth century. all welcome.
Tutor: Dr Bob Davies
The History of
Landscape in Art and Music
Saturday 4 February Fee: £52
our feeling for landscape is embedded in our
sense of what it is to be British. But where does the
sensibility come from? this course will explore why
and how our ideas of landscape have emerged and
how they have become so firmly embedded in our
culture. By examining a wide range of paintings
and listening to some extraordinary pieces of music
we will begin to properly understand the
phenomenon. all-comers welcome.
Tutor: Wayne Bennett
Excellent and enjoyable
course with relaxed,
informative tuition.
15
FEB
British Art & Design
Between the Wars 1918-1939
Dinner Friday 3 – Lunch Sunday 5 February
Fees (£): s 390 t 337 l 369 n 315 H 315u 212
the course aims to illustrate the english language
through the development of its words. tracing the
antecedents and relatives of words from a
dictionary and specialist sources will demonstrate
contributions to the modern english vocabulary.
the existence, development, and usage of english
words will be examined through directed and
assisted participant presentations and group
discussions. simple projects and presentations to
stimulate group discussion will be an important
part of the course. the etymological aspects will be
essentially non-academic and so all that is required
is an enquiring mind and a willingness to be
delighted at how readable and informative a
dictionary can be. You do not have to have
previously ‘done’ Latin or greek (or french or
german). all-comers welcome.
Tutor: Brian Jaques
Traders, Trappers & Tribes N
Three Ways to Paint An Abstract
An Introduction to
Free-Machine Embroidery
FEB
Saturday 4 February Fee: £52
as a genre, abstract art may be over one hundred
years old but it can still baffle and provoke as much
as it intrigues and excites. this one day practical
course in acrylics demystifies the art form by
looking at the fundamentals of painting before
guiding participants through the creation of three
very different works. Ideal for all comers; from
doubters to the plain curious, this course is for
anyone who wishes to gain more confidence with
their colours as well as their brushwork, whatever
their preferred genre. Tutor: David Chandler
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Saturday 4 February Fee: £52
this day course presents opportunities to develop
individual creativity through experimentation,
using the technique of free-machine embroidery.
discover this liberating technique, using the
sewing machine, whereby the needle is free to
draw as if on paper. You will be shown ways to
develop and extend your stitch vocabulary and
explore line, texture, and pattern. there will be
demonstrations and a chance to experiment and
develop personal skills through sample making.
please note this course is aimed at those with
competent sewing machine skills who have
practical experience of using their own machine
which you will need to bring with you.
Tutor: Jenni Cadman
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Social Events & Celebrations
dillington is the perfect setting for any
occasion, such as a birthday celebration,
wedding anniversary, a wake, family reunions
and christmas parties. We can seat any
number up to 150 for a meal and 200 for
a party. With 40 en-suite bedrooms we
can accommodate up to 78 guests.
Celebrate in style
© Jodie Hurd Jdphotographybyjd.co.uk
for information and to arrange a
viewing contact the events team
© mattsweeting
16
© Jodie Hurd Jdphotographybyjd.co.uk
[email protected]
01460 258648
www.dillington.com
Hand Embroidered Landscapes
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Book Club with Elizabeth Rapp:
The Wide Sargasso Sea by
Jean Rhys
Tuesday 7 February Fee: £24
Includes coffee and three course lunch - see page
6 for full details. For this month’s book club we
will be reading The Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean
Rhys published by Penguin.
Singing Workshop:
“Grease is the Word” N
Wednesday 8 February Fee: £52
The 70s cult teen-movie Grease may have moved
into the 'nostalgia' category for many movie
lovers, but you can't deny that it's abundance of
feel-good moments, catchy rock 'n' roll songs and
general euphoric buzz make you want to sing and
shimmy like you were 16 again! Join vocal coach
Jo Sercombe for a journey through the highs and
lows of teenage life in the 1950s as we learn to
sing a selection of songs from the show in this fun
group-singing workshop. We'll even learn the
hand-jive to complete the 50s vibe! Suitable for
male and female voices and with no need to be
able to read music notation – all are welcome to
come and have a go. Tutor: Jo Sercombe
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Gaskell, Eliot & Dickens
Dinner Friday 10 – Lunch Sunday 12 February
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
this course is designed to study a range of works by
elizabeth gaskell, george eliot and charles dickens.
as well as close study of particular works, there will
also be some attention paid to issues such as the
aesthetics of the mid-victorian novel and the social
concerns with which these novelists engaged. the
course aims to extend your familiarity with the
works of these three literary giants and to enable
you to develop a broader understanding of the
mid-victorian novel and its social concerns.
all-comers welcome. Tutor: Dr Greta Depledge
The People of
Stonehenge
Dinner Friday 10 – Lunch Sunday 12 February
Fees (£): s 442 t 389 l 421 n 367 H 367u 264
stonehenge is an iconic monument, familiar to
millions around the globe. But the world inhabited
by the people who built and used it would have
been anything but familiar to us. drawing on the
latest archaeological discoveries this course will
explore that world, and reveal what life was like for
the people who built, used and were buried at one
of the greatest monumental complexes on the
planet. a visit to stonehenge and the Wiltshire
museum is included in this weekend. all comers
are welcome. Tutor: Dr Nick Snashall
t: 01460 258613
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e: [email protected]
Phil Grabsky
w: www.dillington.com
Few places offer
such repose,
intellectual
stimulation and
comfort.
17
FEB
Dinner Friday 10 – Lunch Sunday 12 February
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
Hand stitch a landscape of your choice using a
variety of basic hand embroidery stitches, such as
straight stitch, fly stitch, french knots and detached
chain stitch. the background can be covered with
layers of sheer fabric or simply stitched. the tutor
will supply a selection of outline designs, ideas and
materials which can be expanded upon by
changing the flowers, seasons, gates and walls to
make it your own individual piece. Beginners and
experienced stitchers are welcome.
Tutor: Clare Clensy
FEB
Social Media for the
Terrified – Promote Your
Organisation Online
Sculptural Needle Felting Country Hares & Foxes
Saturday 11 February
Fee: £59 (includes materials)
Love wool? then you'll love needle felting! fibre
artist, carla taylor of the mousehole Woolery will
guide you step by step through the basic
techniques of needle felting to create your own
unique country hare or fox out of beautiful wool,
ready for you to take home or if you can part with
them to give someone as a special gift! a fun,
creative and inspiring day! all-comers welcome.
Tutor: Carla Taylor
Tchaikovsky's Pushkin Operas
Saturday 11 February Fee: £52
during this day course we will explore tchaikovsky’s
three most important but very contrasting operas eugene onegin, mazeppa and the Queen of
spades - all three based on memorable works by
the great russian writer, alexander pushkin.
tchaikovsky’s wonderful melodic gifts, superb
orchestration and feeling for the plight of his
characters are evident throughout in these very
interesting and dramatically compelling operas.
all-comers welcome. Tutor: Andrew Borkowski
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Saturday 11 February Fee: £52
do you run a local club, organisation or charity and
would like to raise more awareness or interest in
your group? In this course we will consider several
social media applications, including facebook,
twitter and pinterest. there will be an opportunity
to create accounts and discuss privacy and security
issues, but further than this we will discuss how to
run these accounts to gain the maximum followers,
and the most interest in your group. You will end
the day with the tools to comfortably and effectively
raise awareness of, and interest in, your group,
using online social media. all-comers welcome but
some previous computer experience is advisable.
Tutor: Siobhan Allen
Have
Your say
If you have ideas for courses or events you
would like to see in our programme, or you
are a tutor keen to run a course at dillington
then we want to hear from you.
send an email with your suggestions to
[email protected]
Istanbul: A Tale of Three
Cities with Bettany Hughes
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Sunday 12 February 2.30pm
Tickets £13 (includes tea and cake)
Pre-booked lunches available at £17
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Art Deco – An International Style N
Dinner Friday 17 –
Lunch Sunday 19 February
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
art deco burst upon the world for an unforgettable
but brief existence. from the famous paris 1925
exposition Internationale to the 1939 new York
World’s fair, art deco took hold around the world,
embracing new media such as the cinema and
radio, new forms of transport and the associated
buildings, and above all brought a sense of luxury,
fun and escapism to the world during some of its
hardest times. all welcome but please note this is a
repeat of the course that took place in november
2016. Tutor: Mike Hope
Thank you
for a lot of
pleasurable
learning
over the years.
Flower Arranging for Beginners
Watercolour Wildlife
Dinner Friday 17 – Lunch Sunday 19 February
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
after the demise of the ardent russian nationalists
in the 1880s and the ‘arrival’ of stravinsky in paris
russia entered a fascinating period of artistic
development in music, art and ideas. rimskyKorsakov taught alexander glazunov who in turn
taught the emerging prokoviev in st petersburg.
prokoviev came second to rachmaninov as a pianist
graduating from st petersburg. meanwhile
skryabin gradually exchanged his late romantic
language for more experimental and mystical
works. all of these happened while vrubel painted,
checkov wrote and Bardayev thought. this course
will explore some of the works of the composers
making their name in russia before the revolution
and their exile and view them alongside russian
life and the other arts. all-comers welcome.
Tutor: Roderick Swanston
Dinner Friday 17 – Lunch Sunday 19 February
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
an opportunity to explore a variety of watercolour
techniques to describe British creatures in their
natural habitat. experiment with wet into wet
techniques using glycerine to develop beautiful,
atmospheric scenes. shari has a wealth of
wonderful reference images (deer, foxes, owls,
badgers, hares etc). this course is best suited to
those with some previous watercolour experience.
Tutor: Shari Hills
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Bridge For
Absolute Beginners
Dinner Friday 17 – Lunch Sunday 19 February
Fees (£): s 389 t 336 l 368 n 314 H 314u 211
come and learn this fascinating game which will
give you hours of pleasure while improving your
short term memory. You do not need to be
numerate, that is a myth. enthusiasm is all that is
required. singles players are welcome as partners
will be found for those coming alone and notes will
be provided. Tutor: Titch Glenday
t: 01460 258613
e: [email protected]
Agincourt 1415
Saturday 18 February Fee: £52
Henry v ascended to a throne that his father had
usurped, leaving him with a struggle for legitimacy.
france, under a sick king, was suffering damaging
power-struggles within the aristocracy. this course
will cover the invasion of france, the siege to
capture Harfleur, the subsequent march across
france and the remarkable victory at agincourt.
all aspects of the weapons and armour used in
the battle will be discussed along with tutor
demonstrations of the longbow, crossbow, swords
and hand weapons. there will also be an
opportunity to handle accurate replicas.
all-comers welcome. Tutor: Neil Eddiford
w: www.dillington.com
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FEB
Music in Fin De Siècle Russia:
1890-1915
Saturday 18 February Fee: £52
spend a fun day learning how to create easy flower
arrangements made from seasonal flowers and
foliage. specifically designed for beginners the aim
of the day is to have fun and learn lots of hints and
tips. during the day you will make three special
designs. You will be provided with a list of materials
to bring to complete your designs. alternatively the
tutor can provide some or all of the materials (must
be arranged in advance) at an additional cost up to
a maximum of £45 payable on the day.
Tutor: Angie Blackwell
Lectures
at Dillington
The Latest
Country Houses
1986-2016:
An Unknown
Architectural
Phenomenon
with Mike Hope
sunday 22
January
Istanbul: A Tale
of Three Cities
with Bettany
Hughes
sunday 12
february
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The Wild Hunt
and the Witches'
Sabbath with
Professor Ronald
Hutton
sunday 5 march
Goya - Visions of
Flesh and Blood
with Phil
Grabsky
sunday 19 march
Tierra del Fuego
‘The Land of Fire’
with Brian
Anderson
sunday 23 april
Tickets £13 (includes tea & cake) • All lectures start at 2.30pm • Pre-booked lunch available at £17
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Alignment Therapy
FEB
Saturday 18 February Fee: £52
do you have back (or other) pain and want to
relieve it? the evans technique of alignment
therapy, officially recognised in 2011 by the
Independent professional therapists International
(IptI), is an extremely gentle and painless way of
relieving back and other joint pain. during the day
we will look at ways of using simple body
movements to relieve aches and pains. this selfhelp course is designed for those who want to
relieve their own aches or want to help others with
theirs. all-comers welcome. Tutor: Ann Evans
carverY
LuncHes
2017
Buckfast Abbey:
The Rebuilding of a Medieval
Monastery with Mark Cottle
Friday 24 February 1.00pm
£23 (includes three course lunch with coffee
and lecture)
Buckfast abbey is a unique example of a medieval
monastery beautifully rebuilt to its original design
and use. founded in 1018, it is now approaching
its millennium year. nearly four centuries after its
dissolution by Henry vIII in 1539, the abbey was
rebuilt by a small group of dedicated monks in a
project lasting just over thirty years. using archive
photographs from the 1880s to the late 1930s, this
lecture will tell the story of abbot vonier’s great
vision and how against the odds this was realised
in stone.
22
Booking
now being taken for
the following dates:
15 January
12 February
12 March
21 May
11 June
Main Course £11 per person
(under 10s £6.50)
dessert £4 per person
call 01460 258611 to reserve a table
Lunch will be served either in the Hyde or
the House
for 2017 we will also be offering a special
Mother's Day Lunch on Sunday 26 March
2017 – see page 34
FEB
Beatrix Potter Study Day
Saturday 25 February Fee: £52
2016 marks the 150th anniversary of Beatrix
potter's birthday and it is important to celebrate her
genius in creating a new genre of children's stories.
We will discuss briefly the quality of victorian
children’s books then examine her life from a
lonely childhood with animals kept as pets to a
busy and prosperous life as a sheep farmer in
cumbria. We will also look at her work for ecology
and her concern that beautiful areas of the fells
should be preserved for posterity, which led to her
bequeathing much of her land and farms to the
national trust. all-comers welcome.
Tutor: Elizabeth Rapp
Classical Guitar
Orchestra Weekend
Dinner Friday 24 – Lunch Sunday 26 February
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
a unique musical experience for classical guitarists
of all ages and of varying abilities (but not
complete beginners). the emphasis is on
participation, with students working in a noncompetitive and supportive environment. parts of
the orchestra range in difficulty from elementary
(grade 2) to advanced (grade 8) and are allocated
in accordance with each students’ playing standard.
the music required for the course will be made
available one month before, to allow for some
advance preparation. Tutor: Peter Rueffer
Dillington
House
worked its
customary
magic.
After Elizabeth: The Stuarts
Dinner Friday 24 – Lunch Sunday 26 February
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
falling between the tudors and the georges, the
stuarts are arguably one of england’s more
neglected dynasties. However, the stuarts oversaw
a dynamic period of significant change in english
history, not least in shaking off medieval and tudor
precedents and laying foundations for a more
modern world. the course will begin with a
summary of the tudors, in particular, elizabeth’s
reign, and will then consider the stuarts in turn,
assessing their reigns. all welcome.
Tutor: Mark Cottle
01460 258613
[email protected]
www.dillington.com
Day Courses
info on
page 52
23
Impressionism Around The World
MAR
Saturday 25 February Fee: £52
although it originated in france, Impressionism
became a worldwide phenomenon. We examine
the great achievements of Impressionism in the
united states and its links with monet at giverny.
We look at Impressionism in great Britain and the
establishment of the new english art club in 1886.
finally we look at Impressionism in spain, Italy,
scandinavia and germany. this study day will
introduce wonderful paintings by artists who are
maybe not as famous but are equally talented as
the french Impressionists. all-comers welcome.
Tutor: Julian Halsby
FU
Stumpwork Thistle
Dinner Friday 3 – Lunch Sunday 5 March
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
thistles are a prolific part of the countryside, in
many shapes and colours. they provide a great
variety of decorative ideas to embroider, with
names like milk thistle, cotton thistle, Yellow star
thistle and meadow thistle, they make wonderful
subjects for raised embroidery. this course is
suitable for all abilities. Tutor: Annette Bolton
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King solomon
Frauds, Fools & Financial
Disasters: Have We learned
the Lessons from History?
with Dr Paul McDonald
Friday 3 March 1.00pm
£23 (includes three course lunch with coffee
and lecture)
group BooKIngs
With up to 40 bedrooms available,
we welcome groups looking to stay
somewhere special.
for further details contact the conference
team at [email protected]
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folly, fraud and all kinds of financial chicanery
have been part of human history since the very
beginning and have involved a fascinating list of
characters from King solomon to a man described
as the swedish match King, along with a galaxy of
swindlers, speculators and fakes in between. their
activities have embraced just about everything
from gold, silver and land to butter, tulips and
railways, and have become ever more ingenious as
time has gone on. this lecture will examine a range
of schemes designed to part people from their
money and will try to determine their relevance to
today’s economic and financial circumstances.
Michael Wood
In a world
of increasing
dislocation,
Dillington has
a real sense of
its place in
the world.
Have
Your say
If you have ideas for courses or events you
would like to see in our programme, or you
are a tutor keen to run a course at dillington
then we want to hear from you.
send an email with your suggestions to
[email protected]
Art, Faith & Power: Rome from
The Renaissance to Mussolini
Chinese Brushpainting –
Mist & Waterfalls in
Freehand Style
Dinner Friday 3 – Lunch Sunday 5 March
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
through the tutor’s brief introduction and
demonstration and followed by one-to-one
guidance, beginners will learn the basic skills of
landscape painting in free hand style, painting
trees, rocks, mountains, and mainly to learn how to
paint waterfalls and mist with some cultural
background. more experienced learners will benefit
from the tutor’s individual supervision and develop
their preferred areas to create a complete piece of
landscape work. this course is suitable for all
abilities. Tutor: Kaili Fu
The Ultimate Guide to Being
English: The Poetry of John
Betjeman & Philip Larkin
Saturday 4 March Fee: £52
What inspired medieval men and women to give
their lives to god? We will examine the lives and
writings of four very different individuals: In the
morning we will explore the lives and work of
saints dominic and catherine of siena, and in
the afternoon we will look at writings by two later
saints, teresa of avila and John of the cross.
Tutor: Sister Elizabeth Rees
MAR
Dinner Friday 3 – Lunch Sunday 5 March
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
In 1420 a united papacy returned from avignon to
embark on a radical transformation of the city.
this course will trace the development of the city
from this renaissance transformation, through the
Baroque period, to its emergence as the capital of
united Italy and the capital of mussolini’s new
roman empire. We will explore the relationship
between the building programmes of successive
rulers and their religious and ideological
preoccupations. all-comers welcome.
Tutor: Richard Henderson
Four Late Medieval Saints
The Story of
the Ordnance Survey
Saturday 4 March Fee: £52
founded at the end of the 18th century, the
ordnance survey is one of the world’s greatest
cartographic organisations. although today we
regard its work as definitive, the story of its
evolution shows that things were not always so
certain or indeed accurate! this day course will
chart its history from enlightenment ambition
through to the digital age and supercomputers.
no prior knowledge nor map-reading expertise
will be assumed! Tutor: Wayne Bennett
Dinner Friday 3 – Lunch Sunday 5 March
Fees (£): s 390 t 337 l 369 n 315 H 315u 212
John Betjeman and philip Larkin, more than any of
their contemporaries, were the poets who put
england into verse. although many of their poems
celebrate its landscapes and its people, they were
not afraid to complain loudly as well about things
they didn’t like. Whilst they are mainly known as
poets, they also left a rich legacy of prose writing
and, in Betjeman’s case, films, some of which we
will look at during the weekend. all-comers
welcome. Tutor: Dr Paul McDonald
01460 258613
Excellent and
enjoyable course
with relaxed,
informative
tuition.
[email protected]
The Wild Hunt and the
Witches' Sabbath with
Professor Ronald Hutton
Sunday 5 March 2.30pm
Tickets £13 (includes tea and cake)
Pre-booked lunches available at £17
the Wild Hunt is a phenomenon which looms large
in the modern Western consciousness, both in
works of fiction and in those of history; and in the
latter it has recently achieved a special importance
as one of the building blocks of the idea of the
witches' sabbath. It is generally viewed as a
nocturnal cavalcade of ghosts and fairies, led by a
supernatural male or female figure and derived
from pagan antiquity. this lecture aims to answer
the questions of where this idea comes from, how
much it corresponds to actual ancient and medieval
belief, and how much it did contribute to the
concept of the witches' sabbath.
www.dillington.com
25
Meditation & Mindfulness N
MAR
Monday 6 March Fee: £52
a one-day course designed for beginners, and for
anyone wanting to refresh their own practice. We
will look at how traditional meditation is now
‘mainstream’, formulated as mindfulness by Jon
Kabat Zinn et.al., and used therapeutically in the
nHs, schools, prisons, etc. We will have short
periods of silent practice with different meditation
supports, starting with the breath. a perfect
introduction for those dealing with change or
stress, or the simply curious. there will be chairs to
sit on (no special postures required!), but wear
loose clothing and warm socks. If you wish to sit on
the floor please bring a cushion and small blanket.
all welcome. Tutor: Hilary Armstrong
Running an Empire: How
The Roman World Worked
Dinner Friday 10 – Lunch Sunday 12 March
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
the roman empire worked well for several
centuries not withstanding a population of perhaps
100 million people and over 40 languages. the
course will look at the systems that administered
and controlled this huge area, from governors
down to the humblest civil servants, what worked
and what didn’t, and how the local populations
played their part, not least with their taxes!
all-comers welcome. Tutor: Nick Griffiths
Architecture & Design in Albania
Book Club with Elizabeth Rapp:
Miss Garnet’s Angel
by Sally Vickers
Tuesday 7 March Fee: £24
Includes coffee and three course lunch - see page 6
for full details. for this month’s book club we will
be reading miss garnet’s angel by sally vickers
published by Harper collins.
26
Dinner Friday 10 – Lunch Sunday 12 March
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
for decades an inaccessible place of mystery,
albania is now flourishing and becoming aware of
its cultural heritage. from ancient Illyrian
archaeology, through outstanding greek and
roman classical sites (apollonia and Butrint) to
ottoman mosques, orthodox churches and
venetian fortresses, we examine some hidden
gems of architecture. We also look at traditional
crafts such as embroidery for clothes and filigree
decoration and jewels which were highly prized by
other Balkan peoples. In addition we will look at
the young nation of Kossova, with its majority
albanian population and the outstanding serbian
cultural heritage there of the churches at decani,
pecs and gracanica. Both fortresses in this much
contested region and vernacular buildings were
once drawn and painted by edward Lear and other
Western travelling artists, and we look at their work
too. all-comers welcome. Tutor: Mark Powell
An Ordinary Czech Musician:
The Musical & Personal
Friendship of Antonín Dvořák
with Johannes Brahms
Dinner Friday 10 – Lunch Sunday 12 March
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
‘an ordinary czech musician’ - that is how antonín
dvořák described himself, an attitude reflected in
the awe in which he held his older contemporary
Johannes Brahms. the two composers eventually
became good friends, and in this course we shall
consider how their mutual respect manifested itself
in their many masterpieces in many varied genres
of music – symphonies, concertos, songs, choral
music and chamber music. there will be plentiful
examples on cd and dvd; no specialist knowledge
is required. Tutor: Gwyn Parry-Jones
Nivelle Offensive & the United
States Declaration of War
MAR
Saturday 11 March Fee: £52
this standalone day course is one of a rolling series
covering the centenary of events as they occurred
during the great War. as the Western allies planned
their coordinated offensive at arras and on the
chemin des dames, the germans had withdrawn to
the heavily fortified siegfried stellung. despite
local canadian success at vimy ridge, french
failure shaped entente strategy for the remainder
of the war. german resumption of unrestricted
submarine warfare and the maladroit Zimmerman
telegram finally tried the united states’ neutrality
and a recently re-elected president Woodrow
Wilson declared war. thus started the race by which
germany needed to despatch russia and then the
Western allies before america’s industrial power
could be applied militarily. all-comers
welcome.Tutor: Mike Shaw
Chi Kung To Benefit
The Heart & Circulation
Saturday 11 March Fee: £52
this routine lasts 10 minutes and focuses on
the heart, pericardium and kidney meridians.
It is suitable for anyone, as it may be performed
standing or sitting. notes are provided for
reference. the principal action is to relax the
heart and stimulate circulation. Loose clothing is
required, plus flat shoes (plimsolls, rather than
trainers) or bare feet. Tutor: Patrick Harries
Piano Recital with
Mark Bebbington
Unsung Heroes:
Pioneers in the Story of Ballet N
Saturday 11 March Fee: £52
for many the story of ballet is all about the iconic
stars of the past: auguste vestris, marie camargo,
marie taglioni, tamara Karsavina, vaslav nijinsky,
anna pavlova, george Balanchine, margot fonteyn,
galina ulanova and so many more; names that are
still familiar today and their stories endlessly
fascinating. However, behind all great people are
the stories of the people who moulded them, who
championed the development of the art of ballet
and helped make ballet what it is today. archive
film clips will bring to life these unsung heroes of
ballet and shine a spotlight on their enormous
contributions to the story of ballet. all welcome.
Tutor: Bridgett Vane
01460 258613
[email protected]
Sunday 12 March 2.30pm
Tickets £17 (under 18s £8)
Pre-booked lunches available at £17
mark Bebbington has an international reputation
for his performances and recordings of British
music and in this concert he includes Beethoven's
sonata in c minor opus 13, one of his best loved
piano sonatas, together with popular works by
chopin. mark will also perform John Ireland's
magical portrait of the channel Islands, sarni. a
programme not to be missed by lovers of great
piano music! see the website for full details. This
concert is sponsored by the John Ireland Trust.
www.dillington.com
27
An Introduction to
Designing Your Own Garden N
MAR
Tuesday 14 March,
Tuesday 21 March,
Tuesday 28 March
Fee: £144
this classroom based course, which runs over three
consecutive tuesdays, provides an opportunity to
improve and refresh your garden with support and
help from a professional garden designer. You will
learn, step by step, how to redesign your own plot.
the course will begin with basic principles and go
on to consider choosing the right plants. By the end
of the course you will have produced a new design,
to scale, for your garden. no previous experience is
required but you must have a garden on which to
base your work. please note this is a lecture based
course and does not include practical hands-on
gardening. Tutor: Christine Pritchard
The Queen's German Cousins N
Tuesday 14 March Fee: £52
2017 is the hundredth anniversary of the House of
Windsor and this standalone day course, which is
part of a series of three connected courses, will look
at various aspects of the royal family's connections
to germany. the Queen's grandparents george v
and Queen mary, one the grandson of Queen
victoria and the other a great granddaughter of
george III shared many family links. a great many
of King george's cousins married into german
royalty and the family was put under a lot of duress
during the first World War. What became of these
families? prussia, schleswig Holstein, Hesse,
Hanover, coburg, Battenberg, Hohenlohe - did the
contact survive World War two? all welcome.
Tutor: Jane Ferentzi-Sheppard
The Glory of Galicia
Dinner Friday 17 – Lunch Sunday 19 March
Fees (£):s387t334l366n312H312u209 :70
this weekend will focus on the wonderful northwestern region of galicia. We shall focus equally
on its colourful history, its culture, language, music
and traditions which set it apart from the rest of
spain as well as the beauty of its cities and
landscapes. celtic history, the region's links with
england (John of gaunt was King of galicia and sir
John moore is buried in La coruña), its coastal
heritage and glorious landscapes will all feature.
as will the pilgrimage to santiago, the flourishing
of medieval galicia, the decline of the 19th century
leading to the enforced exile of many galicians
throughout the 20th century and the modern rebirth, post franco (himself a galician). We taste
(visually) the region's food and wines and discuss
the depiction of galicia on film. Wayne Bennett will
accompany chris pollard during this course and on
the study tour (see opposite) and he will present a
session on 'el camino: the road to santiago'. allcomers welcome. Weekend plus is available for
residents wishing to stay on the sunday evening.
Tutor: Chris Pollard
Early Bird Bookings
for those courses marked an early bird
discount of 10% will apply if booked
by the end of march.
28
Mah Jongg Workshop
Monday 20 - Friday 24 March
christopher pollard tours is organising a five day
study tour to supplement the above weekend
course - the glory of galicia. the tour will depart
from Heathrow airport on the direct flight to La
coruña, arriving early evening. You will spend four
nights in santiago de compostela and visit
pontevedra, finisterre and the so-called coast of
death, the roman city of Lugo, as well as santiago
itself.
the cost of the tour will be £1,150 (plus single
supplement of £90 if applicable). this includes
flights, transfers between Heathrow and dillington,
and all-inclusive tour.
: Weekend Plus
You can extend your weekends by staying
an extra night for a special tariff of £70
subject to availability. this covers a light
supper and accommodation on sunday
night, and a full english breakfast on
monday morning.
full details can be obtained from christopher
pollard tours, tel: (01823) 286097, e-mail,
[email protected] or by post at
prioryfield House, 20 canon street, taunton,
ta11sW. Bookings and enquiries for this study tour
should be made directly with christopher pollard
tours.
01460 258613
Dillington
House
worked its
customary
magic.
[email protected]
Contemporary British
Political Themes & Issues N
Dinner Friday 17 – Lunch Sunday 19 March
Fees (£):s387t334l366n312H312u209 :70
this course will explore current themes and issues
within the British political landscape. these include
historical and contemporary looks at the evolution
of the role of the prime minister, foreign policy and
whether British politics is too “London-centric”.
anyone, whether arriving with prior knowledge or
none whatsoever, would benefit from the course. It
aims to offer tutor-led lectures but with plenty of
interaction and subsequent discussion. It is led by a
current university tutor who has a background as a
political aide. all welcome. Tutor: Max Stafford
Charles I & The Whitehall
Group: Art Patronage in
Early Stuart England
Saturday 18 March Fee: £52
this study day, designed to coincide with an
exhibition at the royal academy, will focus on the
artistic patronage of charles I, a passionate collector
of art, patron of rubens, van dyck and gentileschi.
the patronage of aristocratic patrons around the
king, known as the Whitehall group will also be
examined. these men included the king’s favourite,
the duke of Buckingham, the earl of arundel and
the 3rd and 4th earls of pembroke. We will consider
how these individuals fostered a taste in england
for Italian art and a classically inspired approach to
architecture, and the ways in which the king used
art to bolster his belief in his divine right to rule.
all-comers welcome. Tutor: Angie Smith
www.dillington.com
29
MAR
Study Tour with Christopher
Pollard Tours led by Chris Pollard
An Adventure in Galicia
Dinner Friday 17 – Lunch Sunday 19 March
Fees (£):s387t334l366n312H312u209 :70
mah Jongg has been known as the chinese
national game for centuries. the beauty of the tiles,
the variety of the rules, the eastern tradition and
culture in the playing makes the game logical,
competitive and addictive. contrary to common
belief, it is easy to learn how to play this fascinating
game, but as in many other games, the more one
learns, the more one realises how much one needs
to learn. the weekend course will show you how to
play the game in a joyful and encouraging style,
the simple and straight-forward chinese standard
ways of scoring will be introduced with the progress
of the course. all-comers welcome.
Tutor: Dr Xuzhuang Li
Looking Good Feeling Good
MAR
Saturday 18 March Fee: £57
our style needs to evolve as we age so if it’s been a
while since you took an honest look at your colours
and styles, this is the perfect opportunity to spend a
relaxing day gaining input into what suits you and
why. realise your true potential with colours that
suit your natural colouring and clothing and
accessories that flatter your personality. make
dressing a joy not a chore and find the real you.
this course is specifically designed for women.
all-comers welcome. Tutor: Jenny Webb
Dillington, as
always provides
such an escape
from everyday
life, I adore
coming here.
Marcel Pagnol:
une enfance provençale
Saturday 18 March Fee: £55
discover, or re-discover, the charming
autobiographical tales of a childhood in provence at
the beginning of the twentieth century: La gloire de
mon père and Le chateau de ma mère. the day will
focus mainly on reading a selection of extracts
together, but we will also spend a little time setting
them in context, and considering the author’s life
and fictional works. suitable for anyone with a
reasonable reading knowledge of french - some
vocabulary help will be provided.
Tutor: Marian Jones
A wonderful
course amazing tutor.
30
Goya - Visions of Flesh
and Blood with Phil Grabsky
Sunday 19 March 2.30pm
Tickets £13 (includes tea and cake)
Pre-booked lunches available at £17
now in its third series exhibition on screen has
given art lovers worldwide the opportunity to enjoy,
marvel and delight at the works of some of history’s
greatest ever painters. award-winning arts
documentary maker phil grabsky will present his
latest film in this ground breaking series with the
story of spain’s most celebrated artist. filmed at the
national gallery through extensive location
footage, goya’s revealing letters and a unique
exhibition of masterpieces from great collections
across the world, this film builds a fascinating
portrait of the painter and the colourful world he
painted.
Josep ginestar
Two Pieces
Spring
courses
rts
ConatceDillington
4
1
1
Sacconi Quartet
& Charles Owen
(piano)
sunday 29
January 2.30pm
Mark
Bebbington
Piano Recital
sunday 12 march
2.30pm
Simon Crawford
-Phillips &
Philip Moore
Piano Duo
sunday 14 may
2.30pm
dvořáks’s piano
Quintet, mozart’s
string Quartet
no.14 in g
major, 387 and
suk’s meditation
on the old czech
Hymn “st
Wenceslas.”
Beethoven's
sonata in c minor
opus 13, works by
chopin and John
Ireland's magical
portrait of the
channel Islands,
sarni.
debussy (arr.
ravel) prélude à
l'après-midi d'un
faune, mozart’s
sonata in f, K.497
and stravinsky’s
rite of spring.
2
32
3
The Classical
Guitar Festival
sunday 30 July –
thursday 3 august
daily at 8.00pm
(full details page
53).
The Coull Quartet
sunday 24
september 2.30pm
schubert’s string
Quartet no. 9 in g
minor, d.173,
Britten’s three
divertimenti,
Bridge’s three
Idylls and Brahms
string Quartet no.
3 in B flat opus 67.
5
Bookbinding
F
L
L
U
Thanks to all staff for
maintaining such a high
standard to the
Dillington experience.
Five Symphonies
Dinner Friday 24 – Lunch Sunday 26 March
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
over the course of the weekend we will explore the
context and music of five symphonies, composed
between the 1790s and the 1890s, by Haydn,
mendelssohn, tchaikovsky, Bruckner and mahler.
programme notes will be provided, and we will
listen to the examples on excellent equipment
including dvd with large screen.
Tutor: Terry Barfoot
Exploring Egypt in London
Wild Flowers in Stumpwork N
Lunch Wednesday 22 – Lunch Friday 24 March
Fees (£): s 419 t 366 l 398 n 344 H 344u 241
this course will explore the wonderful variety of
wild flowers as subjects for both surface and
stumpwork embroidery. a number of different
materials are used to capture a dimensional
realistic look to your favourite flowers. You will be
given ideas on how to make up your finished
design and advice on further techniques to try. this
course is suitable for all abilities.
Tutor: Annette Bolton
MAR
Lunch Monday 20 - Lunch Friday 24 March
Fees (£): s 774 t 668 l 730 n 624 H 624u 418
this course is for those who have reached an
intermediate standard of bookbinding and are
looking to expand their knowledge, including
those who have taken the beginners' course and
would like to progress further. students may work
on their own projects, but may also take the
optional special topic of 'gold finishing for
beginners'. You will start by using tools and gold
foil for titles and simple decoration and, if you wish,
proceed to using gold leaf for more complex work.
a course suitable for beginners with sarah JarrettKerr will take place on 30 January.
Tutor: Angela Sutton
Dinner Friday 24 – Lunch Sunday 26 March
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
sit back and let Lucia take you on a virtual guided
tour of the many ancient egyptian treasures that
today reside in London – from towering ‘cleopatra’s
needle’ on the banks of the thames, to the
beautiful alabaster sarcophagus of pharaoh seti I in
the John soane’s museum. exploring too the
fabulous collections of egyptian antiquities housed
in the British museum and petrie museum of
egyptian archaeology. all-comers welcome.
Tutor: Lucia Gahlin
01460 258613
Lectures
see
page 21
[email protected]
Landscape –
A Vital Energy
Dinner Friday 24 – Lunch Sunday 26 March
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
this course will encourage you to respond
imaginatively to the landscape using acrylic,
drawing materials and collage. We will combine
observation, imagination and memory in the
making of mixed media paintings taking
inspiration and encouragement from artists such
as peter Lanyon, arshile gorky, Lee Krasner, david
Bomberg, elisabeth cummings and grace
Hartigan. Tutor: David Cuthbert
Floral Designs at Easter
Saturday 25 March Fee: £52
come along and join our enthusiastic and
flamboyant tutor and create three sumptuous
designs for easter from seasonal flowers, foliages
and materials to enhance your home and delight
your family and friends. during the day there will
be demonstrations and lots of hints and tips to
learn. all welcome. You will be provided with a list
of materials to bring to complete your designs.
alternatively the tutor can provide some or all of
the materials (must be arranged in advance) at an
additional cost up to a maximum of £45 payable
on the day. Tutor: Angie Blackwell
www.dillington.com
33
A Special Day,
a Special Person,
a Special Place
Mothering Sunday Lunch
MAR
sunday 26 march
Simply Ukuleles
Saturday 25 March Fee: £52
Join our regular ukulele workshop leader on this
one day exploration of the seemingly simple
ukulele. the workshop will focus on instrumental
pieces including popular classics, jazz standards,
folk songs and music hall favourites. the emphasis
will be on learning and developing your playing
technique without the distraction of vocals. a
chance to really get to grips with improving your
style and playing skills from percussive basics to
fingerpicking style and the principles of effective
ensemble playing. suitable for any level of player
with a grasp of half a dozen basic chords.
Tutor: Sally Vaughan
Wiltshire:
The Best County in England
Saturday 25 March Fee: £52
during this day the tutor brings his own take on
Wiltshire, a land-locked county of distinct
landscapes, from the chalk uplands of salisbury
plain and the marlborough downs to the special
vales of pewsey and Wardour. attractive villages
and towns include Bradford on avon, devizes,
Lacock, malmesbury and salisbury with its
cathedral spire. the county is rich in archaeology
from prehistoric avebury and stonehenge to castles
and churches, breweries, canals and railways. all
these make Wiltshire special. all-comers welcome.
Tutor: Dr Peter Stanier
34
celebrate mothering sunday with a superb
lunch whilst enjoying the beautiful
surroundings of dillington. this is the
perfect occasion for the family to get
together and dillington is the perfect
setting to celebrate this special day.
for full details contact the events team on
01460 258648
A326 OU Empire
Revision Course
Tea Sunday 2 – Lunch Thursday 6 April
Fees (£): s 774 t 668 l 730 n 624 H 624u 418
What better place to learn about empires than
dillington, the home of Lord north, the prime
minister when Britain lost the us colonies?! this is
a course for open university a326 students. the
objectives are: revision; preparing tma06 and the
ema; and creating a supportive atmosphere. the
course is based on lectures, films and discussions.
It would be helpful if participants could read Block
5 on decolonisation in advance (or as much of it as
possible). no check will be made to see if Lord
north has turned in his grave! please note this
course is run independently of the open university.
Tutor: Dr John Kirkaldy
Botanical Illustration
Tea Monday 3 – Lunch Thursday 6 April
Fees (£): s 581 t 502 l 548 n 468 H 468u 314
Botanical Illustration is precise detailed work, a
combination of art and science. this studio based
watercolour course is for all ability levels; no
experience of art or botany is required, just
commitment. We aim to enjoy working in an
atmosphere of relaxed industry. students will work
at their own pace on the subject of their choice.
the course will cover the use of basic materials and
methods for beginners and will offer professional
advice to advanced students. the emphasis will be
on individual development. all-comers welcome.
Tutor: Susan Hillier
Sunday Carvery
see
page 22
Sullivan Without Gilbert
Drawing Workshop:
Landscape & Buildings
Tuesday 4 April Fee: £52
Beginners and improvers will enjoy this informative
and supportive course which includes regular
demonstrations and notes and tips on colour and
perspective. the familiar natural features are all in
evidence here at dillington to be used as subjects
inside or out, whatever the weather!
Tutor: Stella Murray Whatley
Ukulele Workshop: Beginners
Tuesday 4 April Fee: £52
always wanted to play an instrument
but thought you never could? –
Yes uke can! this workshop will introduce you
to the ukulele from scratch. You will learn
how to: hold it, tune it, strum it, play 5
simple chords and put them all together in
a few familiar songs. this one day course is
ideal for anyone who has little or no
experience of playing a musical
instrument. It is also suitable for
those who have tried to teach
themselves the ukulele but
would like some guidance. In
a few short hours you will
be strumming along to
familiar songs and enjoying
the pleasures of communal
music making
in a friendly and supportive group. ukuleles are
available to loan for the day but please request one
on booking. please also indicate if you are a lefthanded player. Tutor: Sally Vaughan
One of the
best weekend
courses I
have been to.
APR
Tuesday 4 April Fee: £55
arthur sullivan was a fascinating character – restless
and unfulfilled despite all the trappings of worldly
success. part of his discontent stemmed from the
faustian pact with his savoy colleagues, gilbert and
d’oyley carte: so let’s forget them for a day, and
look at sullivan in a wider musical sense! His work
covers a vast range, from the grand opera “Ivanhoe”
to songs, a symphony, and impressive church
music. above all stands “the golden Legend”, a
remarkable masterpiece which magnificently
stands the test of time. so come and discover why
we’d still remember sullivan, even if he and gilbert
had never met. all-comers welcome.
Tutor: Tim Porter
The Quartet Party – Vienna 1784
Wednesday 5 April Fee: £55
one memorable evening, a couple of British expats threw a party in vienna. string quartets were
played, and the four performers were four stars –
mozart, Haydn, vanhal and dittersdorf. this one day
course tells the story behind the party, and
considers the music which may have been
performed – especially with regard to the “other
two” composers, whose subsequent neglect has
certainly not been justified! We will also
commemorate the Irish raconteur michael Kelly,
who was a guest, and who left us his lively account
of the great occasion. all-comers welcome.
Tutor: Tim Porter
Book Club with Elizabeth Rapp:
Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit
by Jeanette Winterson
Tuesday 4 April Fee: £24
Includes coffee and three course lunch - see page 6
for full details. for this month’s book club we will
be reading oranges are not the only fruit by
Jeanette Winterson published by vintage.
01460 258613
[email protected]
www.dillington.com
35
Prince Philip, Who is He? N
APR
Medieval Stained Glass
1100-1540
Wednesday 5 April Fee: £59
(includes materials)
Love wool! then you'll love needle felting! fibre
artist, carla taylor of the mousehole Woolery will
guide you step by step through the techniques of
needle felting of which will include the more
advanced technique of learning how to work
around wire to create your own unique woodland
squirrel out of beautiful wool ready for you to take
home or if you can part with it to give someone as a
special gift! a fun, creative and inspiring day!
all-comers welcome. Tutor: Carla Taylor
Dinner Monday 10 – Lunch Wednesday 12 April
Fees (£): s 413 t 360 l 392 n 338 H 338u 235
this course sets out to show how the development
of stained glass moves from the importation and
copying of the early gothic french style to the
sixteenth century when it has blossomed into a
recognisable english style with powerful regional
schools (for example, York (John thornton)
coventry, Winchester, exeter, London, canterbury
and norwich). this emphasis on the output of
english medieval glaziers will be offset by a series
of talks on key continental names and schools such
as, metz (valentin Busch), tournai (arnold of
nijmegen), gouda (dirck and Wouter crabeth).
all-comers welcome but please note this course
includes a trip. Tutor: Mike Hope
A Celebration of Medieval Art
The Operas of Massenet
Sculptural Needle Felting Woodland Squirrels
Thursday 6 April Fee: £55
medieval art is all about us. It is for us to decide
how we look at these amazing creations from the
past, and how to interpret them. great buildings
and their contents, precious masterpieces in
museums – they’re dotted all over our landscape,
and this day course suggests fresh ways to enjoy
and interpret them. a bit of information, a bit of
cross-referencing and lateral thinking… and
suddenly one is inside the world of those stone
carvers, woodcarvers, painters, tilers and glaziers.
Here is a chance to celebrate their genius.
all-comers welcome. Tutor: Tim Porter
36
Tuesday 11 April Fee: £52
although massenet is chiefly remembered as the
composer of the beautiful Manon, he wrote several
other fine and often very moving operas that
deserve to be much better known, especially
Werther, Thais, Le Cid, Le Roi de Lahore and
Esclarmonde among others. In all of them
massenet demonstrates his superlative melodic
gifts, mastery of sensitive vocal writing and
orchestral colours, and the ability to express the
drama convincingly. all-comers welcome.
Tutor: Andrew Borkowski
Tuesday 11 April Fee: £52
2017 is the hundredth anniversary of the House of
Windsor and this standalone day course, which is
the final part of a series of three connected courses,
will look at various aspects of the royal family's
connections to germany. In 1947 philip
mountbatten married princess elizabeth, but who
was he? at the time very little was said about where
he came from and who his family were. Lord
mountbatten was his uncle, but where did all this
fit in? only on the Queen's first visit to germany in
1966 did the extent of philip's connections in
germany become known. His four sisters had all
married german princes. What was the connection
to greece? We will look at all these aspects and find
out how royal he really is. all welcome.
Tutor: Jane Ferentzi-Sheppard
Trouser Block & Trouser Making
Tuesday 11 & Wednesday 12 April Fee: £100
many people have difficulty in finding trousers to
fit correctly in a style that suits them, this course is
aimed at overcoming that problem. We will spend
day one of the course making a trouser block and
pattern to fit you, followed by making up a pair of
trousers from the pattern on day two. this will
enable you to make up many other pairs of trousers
so that you will have confidence in the knowledge
that your future garments will fit correctly. allcomers welcome but please note you will need
basic sewing knowledge, including the ability to
use your own sewing machine, which you will need
to bring with you. Tutor: Jenny Harrison
Thanks to all staff for
maintaining such a high
standard to the
Dillington experience.
Shaker Boxes N
APR
Wednesday 12 April Fee: £52
come along and spend a day handcrafting your
own individual shaker boxes. originally designed
by the shaker community in america over two
hundred years ago these striking boxes are perfect
for storage and make ideal gifts. during the day you
will make a small key or loose change tray then
progress onto making two full stacking boxes. By
the end of the day your boxes will be ready to take
home for a final sanding and sealing. there will be
an additional charge of £20 for materials payable
to the tutor on the day. all welcome.
Tutor: Richard Gibson
History of Travel Photography
with Brian Anderson
Thank you
for a lot of
pleasurable
learning
over the years.
Friday 21 April 1.00pm
£23 (includes three course lunch with coffee
and lecture)
travel photography is taking images which capture
the essence of a place or places. this talk focuses on
the finest travel images from the early nineteenth
century to the mid-twentieth century with work by
some of the greatest photographers, including du
camp, george fenton, ponting and Hurley. We will
also look at the developing technology of
photographic processes over the period, which
include the caloptype and collodian, which
increasingly enabled photographers to shoot and
process their images on their travels in mobile
darkrooms.
01460 258613
[email protected]
Photography Workshop:
An Eye For A Good Picture
Dinner Friday 21 – Lunch Sunday 23 April
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
on this weekend course you will learn how to create
pleasing and striking compositions and
photographic images. after a quick introduction to
Brian’s work, we will look at the depth of field and
the effects and moods it can produce; the six key
elements of a successful image; practical tips and
compositional techniques such as balance and the
rule of thirds, cropping, use of silhouette effects
and visual juxtaposition and much more. the
theory and techniques will be illustrated by
examples of wildlife and travel images. You will
also have a chance during two or three outdoor
sessions to take some shots in dillington’s grounds,
practising the techniques and tips covered. suitable
for beginners and keen amateurs, but to get the
maximum benefit from this course you must be
familiar with the basic controls of your camera.
Tutor: Brian Anderson
www.dillington.com
37
Folk Heroes: The Music of Gustav
Holst & Ralph Vaughan Williams
APR
Dinner Friday 21 – Lunch Sunday 23 April
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
these two great englishmen were born about
twenty miles from each other in gloucestershire,
and with less than two years between their
birthdays. they became great friends, and, on their
forays around rural Britain in search of folk-songs,
they discovered and preserved many treasures of
the genre. as composers, though of very different
temperaments, they shared much, and were both
of huge importance to British music in the
twentieth century. We shall explore famous pieces,
such as The Planets and the Tallis Fantasia, as well
as lesser known works. all-comers welcome.
Tutor: Gwyn Parry-Jones
Silk Painting Big & Bold
Dinner Friday 21 – Lunch Sunday 23 April
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
silk painting is an accessible and hugely enjoyable
medium, which is suitable for all levels of ability.
this course is suitable for experienced silk painters
and for complete beginners. It starts with an
introduction to the basic techniques including;
gutta, wet-in-wet and salt effects. However most of
the course will be devoted to participants own
projects. there will also be on-going
demonstrations by the tutor, John farmelo, who is
a trained teacher and has been teaching the subject
for over twenty five years. Tutor: John Farmelo
38
Tierra del Fuego ‘The Land of
Fire’ with Brian Anderson
The Writings of Virginia Woolf
Saturday 22 April Fee: £52
this course will consider a range of novels by
virginia Woolf. during the day we will consider the
social and historical context of her work and
consider the literary and narrative techniques
which Woolf brought to the genre of fiction writing.
all-comers welcome. Tutor: Dr Greta Depledge
Build a Website
& a Blog in a Day
Saturday 22 April Fee: £52
do you have a lot to say, but no way of letting the
world know? on this course we will use a free
website hosting site and a free blogging site to
create your own website and blog. We will discuss
and plan how you would use these sites to promote
your company, share your passion or hobby, or
keep a family diary. all-comers welcome but some
previous computer experience would be advisable.
Tutor: Siobhan Allen
Sunday 23 April 2.30pm
Tickets £13 (includes tea and cake)
Pre-booked lunches available at £17
In 1519 magellan became the first european to
navigate a wild and remote channel linking the
atlantic and pacific oceans. sailing in search of a
westward route to the spice Islands, magellan
sighted many fires along the coastline. His sailors
christened this uncharted area, “tierra del fuego”
or ‘the Land of fire”. sailing the same waters in
1577, sir francis drake described this southern tip
of south america as “the uttermost part of the
earth”. charles darwin visited the region in 1832
and 1833 and described the fuegian tribes as the
“most uncivilised savages” he had ever
encountered. Join Brian anderson for the
incredible story of tierra del fuego and view his
stunning landscape and wildlife images from four
expeditions to the region. You will see the fuegian
red fox, penguins, sealions, magnificent caracaras,
skuas and shags, plus many other animals and
plants which survive in this most remote and
inhospitable region of the southern hemisphere.
The Art of David Hockney
with Wayne Bennett
Friday 28 April 1.00pm
£23 (includes three course lunch with coffee
and lecture)
Dinner Friday 28 – Lunch Sunday 30 April
Fees (£): s 420 t 367 l 399 n 345 H 345u 242
this weekend will focus on the influential gardenmaking of four ‘working amateurs’ – gertrude
Jekyll, vita sackville-West, margery fish and Beth
chatto - as well as the growth in professional
training for women gardeners. We shall explore the
relationship of each gardener to her period and
culture as well as to one another, using their
writings to support illustrations of their gardening
styles and practice. the weekend includes a
saturday afternoon visit to look at the Jekyll
planting at Hestercombe gardens, introduced
by the Head gardener. all-comers welcome.
Tutor: Jane Crozier
APR
Hockney is probably the world’s most famous
living painter. His work is hugely popular and he
constantly reinvents himself just like his idol, the
world’s greatest dead painter - picasso. this talk
will coincide with the tate Britain’s exhibition
which celebrates the extraordinary colorful world
of Hockney’s life and art.
The Rise of Women
Gardeners in the
Twentieth Century
Honiton Lace
Collage Creativity
Dinner Friday 28 – Lunch Sunday 30 April
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
this is a practical course designed for bobbin
lacemakers of all abilities. for those who have
knowledge of basic bobbin stitches there is the
opportunity to be introduced to the techniques of
this classic english lace. those experienced in
Honiton lacemaking can expand their skills and
understanding of this lace and gain inspiration and
guidance on interpretation and design
development. Whatever your level, come and enjoy
the magic of lacemaking. Tutor: Liz Trebble
Dinner Friday 28 – Lunch Sunday 30 April
Fees (£): s 387 t 334 l 366 n 312 H 312u 209
Let your creativity run riot as you assemble and
work on pictures made from a range of materials.
piece together images that will enthral and
entertain. Be serious or humorous - be both if you
want. release the inner child and create something
serious in the process. think different and surprise
yourself by what you can achieve. places are
limited. students of every confidence are welcome.
Tutor: Wayne Bennett
01460 258613
[email protected]
Gold, Amber
& Bronze: The Shining
Past & Its Objects
Dinner Friday 28 – Lunch Sunday 30 April
Fees (£): s 407 t 354 l 386 n 332 H 332u 229
exquisite gold-work is a shimmering glimpse into
our anglo-saxon past. the staffordshire and
snettisham hoards revealed the skill and
techniques of these master metalsmiths and their
international trade routes. Bronze and amber too,
sparkle and shine, and show us how technology, art
and spirituality are intertwined in ancient British
societies, long before the saxons arrived. do
glittering objects lifted from graves tell us of
personal identity, wealth and power? might they
offer deeper insights into religion and how our
ancestors understood the world and valued their
place within it? during the weekend we will visit
the museum of somerset to see some of these
precious objects first hand. all-comers welcome.
Tutor: Dr Paula Gardiner
www.dillington.com
39
The Shock of The New:
Stravinsky & The Rite of Spring
MAY
The Paintings of
Kenneth Butler Evans
Saturday 29 April Fee: £52
Kenneth Butler evans was a cousin of the Butler
Yeats. Born in 1924, he was a political cartoonist
and then started to paint in the early 70s. His funny
characters and mystical paintings somehow came
together when he became a healer. after he died in
1987, he communicated with his wife, ann, about
his paintings. during this day ann will show his
work and discuss his surprising views on life. It is
light-hearted and often inspiring. all-comers
welcome. Tutor: Ann Evans
Book Club with Elizabeth Rapp:
Air and Angels by Susan Hill
Tuesday 2 May £24
Includes coffee and three course lunch - see page 6
for full details. for this month’s book club we will
be reading air and angels by susan Hill published
by mandarin.
40
Shakespeare, Rome &
Italy: An Enduring Affair N
Tea Monday 8 - Lunch Wednesday 10 May
Fees (£): s 422 t 369 l 401 n 347 H 347u 244
In 2017 the royal shakespeare company will mark
the 2000 anniversary of the death of ovid with
their rome season. Join amelia marriette for her
new course which both focusses on and broadens
the theme of shakespeare and rome, by
considering shakespeare's obsession with Italy. the
course looks at ovid’s Metamorphoses and the
importance of that text on shakespeare’s mind and
imagination and will include a consideration of the
royal shakespeare company’s long relationship
with shakespeare’s roman plays. We will spend a
session focusing on some extracts of shakespeare’s
roman works on film (including marlon Brando as
marc antony). some key scenes will be considered
and how actors approach acting shakespeare texts
is included. the course looks at the importance of
ancient rome in the Western World and, just like
shakespeare’s texts, discusses how much we are
indebted to the romans today. the course will also
include an afternoon visit to the excellent recently
refurbished (a 2.3 million pound project) museum
of somerset to look at their roman collection.
Tutor: Amelia Marriette
Dinner Friday 12 – Tea Sunday 14 May
Fees (£): £289 shared twin/double
£315 single room £195 non resident
stravinsky’s score for his ballet The Rite of Spring is
one of the key works of music history. Both the
ballet and the music caused a sensation at the first
performance, at paris for the Ballets russes in the
théâtre des camps Èlysées, on 29 may 1913. In
due course the composer came to prefer the music
in the concert hall, and it has indeed become a
cornerstone of the orchestral repertory. our
weekend will explore all these aspects of this
extraordinary masterpiece. We will consider the
music itself and its background; we will place it in
the context of its time; we will see the ballet
performed on film. the weekend will conclude with
a live public performance of stravinsky’s piano duet
version of The Rite of Spring, by philip moore and
simon crawford-phillips, Britain’s leading piano
duo. run in association with arts in residence.
the fees are per person and include wine with
dinner. Weekend plus available (subject to
availability). Tutor: Terry Barfoot
News from the Fronts –
The French Army Mutinies,
the Battle of Messines &
Russia’s last offensive
Silver Jewellery Making N
Gothic Architecture Part 1:
Simon Crawford-Phillips
& Philip Moore
Four Hands on a Piano
Sunday 14 May 2.30pm
Tickets £17 (under 18s £8)
Pre-booked lunches available at £17
simon crawford-phillips and philip moore occupy a
unique place amongst piano duos: they are
established chamber musicians in their own right,
yet since 1995 have devoted several thousands of
hours to this most exacting of disciplines, giving
them extraordinary musical empathy. We are
delighted to welcome this exceptional duo to
dillington for a programme which includes,
stravinsky’s rite of spring, described by Leonard
Bernstein as “one of the most important pieces of
music of the twentieth century”.
Saturday 13 May Fee: £77 (includes materials)
spend the day making your own decorative
pendant on a silver chain. during the workshop you
will learn traditional silversmithing skills and
techniques such as soldering, forging, forming,
stamping and decorative mark making to create
your own beautiful and unique piece of jewellery.
all welcome. Tutor: Ness Bird
t: 01460 258613
A lovely
relaxing day
e: [email protected]
From St. Denis to Early
English 1140-1290
Dinner Sunday 14 – Lunch Tuesday 16 May
Fees (£): s 424 t 371 l 403 n 349 H 349u 246
this is the first of a series of three courses, which
charts the development of the gothic style. from
the earliest stirrings of the gothic style at the abbey
church of st denis outside of paris c.1140, this first
course will chart the development of gothic in
northern france and its spread across france and
Britain. We will trace the development from a pure
french style to a fully matured early english gothic
and the development of particular regional schools
of architecture in Britain. all-comers welcome but
please note this course includes a visit to see an
example of gothic architecture first hand.
Tutor: Mike Hope
Recorder Course
Dinner Sunday 14 – Lunch Tuesday 16 May
Fees (£): s 392 t 339 l 371 n 317 H 317u 214
this is an ensemble course for upper intermediate
level recorder players. We shall play as a large
conducted ensemble, exploring music in many
different styles and from all periods of music from
the sixteenth to the twenty-first century. the music
to be studied will utilise all sizes of recorder, from
descant to contrabass. students are required to
have the ability to play in f and c fingerings. the
repertoire will include some renaissance multichoir pieces along with music by gabrieli, purcell,
challinger and others. all music will be provided.
Tutor: Helen Hooker
w: www.dillington.com
41
MAY
(Saturday 13 May Fee: £52
general nivelle’s failed offensive lead to incidents
of mutiny and more widespread indiscipline in the
french army. the British sought to divert german
attention by prolonging the Battle of arras and then
initiating an offensive in flanders. the new russian
government launched an ill-planned offensive
which finally broke its sorely tested army. at sea
merchant marine losses to german u-boats
escalated. In the turkish theatre the news was
mixed and no american soldier had yet landed in
europe. all-comers welcome. Tutor: Mike Shaw
A335 - Open University
Literature in Transition
MAY
Lunch Monday 15 – Lunch Thursday 18 May
Fees (£): s 606 t 527 l 573 n 493 H 493u339
this course is designed specifically for open
university students studying a335 and preparing
for the examination. Its purpose is to revise and
consolidate the work that has been done during the
year, and to examine ways of turning it to the best
effect in the examination. We will revise theoretical
material and key themes, and relevant skills of
analysis will be practised. We will also discuss
examination strategy. please note this course is
run independently of the open university.
Tutor: Dr Lynda Morgan
‘Brilliant Things’: Ancient
Egyptian Faience & Glass
Monday 15 May Fee: £52
In this course Lucia will explore with you some of
the most colourful examples of ancient egyptian
art and craftsmanship – a huge range of ancient
artefacts including jewellery, inlay, vessels,
figurines, and amulets – made of polychrome glass
and a similar material, often found in a sumptuous
turquoise-colour, a material that egyptologists like
to call faience. the ancient egyptian word for
faience and sometimes glass - was ‘tjhenet’
which we translate as ‘brilliant stuff’. the ancient
egyptians started working in faience as early as
4000 Bc. they became skilled glass-makers in
the 15th century Bc. Join Lucia on a journey,
going back some 6000 years, as we explore
together these truly dazzling works of art.
Tutor: Lucia Gahlin
42
Dancing to Freedom, The Russian
Dancers Who Left Their
Homeland
Dinner Tuesday 16 - Lunch Thursday 18 May
Fees (£): s 387 t334 l 366 n 312 H 312u209
When serge diaghilev’s Ballets russes made their
début at the théâtre du châtelet in paris in may
1909, it caused a sensation and was the spark that
lit a resurgence in interest in ballet in the West. the
amazing technique of both the male and female
dancers was a revelation as was the company’s high
artistic aims. the influence of the technique
continued throughout the company’s lifetime and
beyond. With the political upheaval of the first and
second World Wars many russian dancers and
teachers stayed in the West. But what happened to
the next generation born in a post-revolutionary
russia? this course, which includes archive film
clips, will look at all these stories and follow what
happened next, how their careers took off in the
West and again, like the Ballets russes all those
years ago, how they have contributed so much to
art and the story of ballet. all welcome.
Tutor: Bridgett Vane
Bookbinding – Leather Binding
Lunch Monday 22 - Lunch Wednesday 24 May
Fees (£): s 422 t 369 l 401 n 347 H 347u244
Binding in leather can be complex and time
consuming. However, a crossed structure is
amongst the simplest structures that allows a
leather binding to be created. Learn to bind cross
structures on this course, even if you are a
beginner. the book block is sewn directly to the
cover and it is a structure that moves without
restraint. We will create a paper cross structure
binding and progress to a leather cross structure.
Tutor: Sarah Jarrett-Kerr
Choosing Plants for Your Borders
Tuesday 30 May, N
Tuesday 6 June,
Tuesday 13 June
Fee: £144
this classroom based course, run over three
consecutive tuesdays, is for those who want no
more expensive mistakes through impulse buying.
Whether you are planting a border from scratch or
trying to improve an established garden, the wealth
of plants on offer can be overwhelming. By
considering a few simple guidelines, putting plants
together to good effect need not be so difficult.
professional garden designer christine pritchard
will guide you through choosing the right plants for
your garden and how and when to buy them,
discussing suitable trees, shrubs and perennials
and how to achieve maximum impact with minimal
fuss. please note this is a lecture based course and
does not include practical hands-on gardening.
Tutor: Christine Pritchard
Excellent all
round service,
extremely responsive,
and catering outstanding
Lecture
& LUNCH
Whether you live locally or would like to arrive early for your weekend course,
why not book yourself in for a delicious lunch followed by a bit of mental
stimulation? The talks are always informative and enjoyable and together with
lunch it’s amazingly good value too.
friday 13 January
The Mythologising of a Pharaoh: Akhenaten, Deformed or Divine?
with Lucia Gahlin
friday 24 february
Buckfast Abbey: The Rebuilding of a Medieval Monastery
with Mark Cottle
friday 3 march
Frauds, Fools & Financial Disasters: Have we learned the
Lessons from History? with Dr Paul McDonald
friday 21 april
History of Travel Photography with Brian Anderson
friday 28 april
The Art of David Hockney with Wayne Bennett
friday 22 september
A Life in Sketchbooks with Paul Johnson
Tickets: £23 (pre-booking is essential)
ticket includes pre-talk lunch (three courses with coffee)
served at 1.00pm followed by a 50 minute talk.
Lunch will be served on shared tables and seats for the
talk are unreserved.
43
Summer School
courses
Singing Workshop:
Summer with the Drifters
Bobbin Lacemaking British & European
Book Club with Elizabeth Rapp:
Death in Venice by Thomas Mann
JUNE
Tuesday 6 June £24
Includes coffee and three course lunch - see page 6
for full details. for this month’s book club we will
be reading death in venice by thomas mann
published by penguin.
Experimental
Watercolour Techniques
Tea Sunday 25 - Lunch Wednesday 28 June
Fees (£): s 581 t 502 l 548 n 468 H 468u314
using natural themes – flowers, trees, birds and
elements from the wonderful surroundings of
dillington – architectural features, statues,
decorative fencing, weathered stone etc, to explore
a range of watercolour techniques. using glycerine,
wet into wet backgrounds and developing ideas
with the use of collage, simple printing, gesso and
water soluble pencils and crayons. gather
information within the lovely grounds by sketching
or photographing or simply absorbing! shari will
also bring a wealth of references for those that
prefer to be more studio based. this course is most
suitable for those with some previous watercolour
experience. Tutor: Shari Hills
46
Tea Sunday 25 June - Breakfast Saturday 1 July
Fees (£): s 894 t 851 l 851 n 840 H 840 u 554
this is a practical course for all abilities of
lacemakers from those who have a knowledge of
only the basic stitches to those who wish to study
advanced techniques in the British and european
laces. many of the continental laces are taught with
the aid of a colour-coded diagram to help students
continue their work at home. time will be given to
relating threads to patterns and finishing and
mounting lace. Tutor: Patricia Bury
Monday 26 June Fee: £52
as one of the biggest-selling soul and doo-wap
bands of all time, the drifters have sold in excess of
114 million albums worldwide and are one of the
longest-serving bands in history. their laid-back
grooves and effortless harmonies form the
foundation of the 50s doo-wap vocal sound and
their light-hearted themes just make you feel so
good! so why not become a fifties ‘throw-back’ for
the day and enjoy singing summer classics like
‘under the Boardwalk’ and ‘come on over to my
place’ with experienced vocal coach Jo sercombe.
suitable for male and female voices and with no
need to be able to read music notation – it’s gonna
be a party! Tutor: Jo Sercombe
Coppélia: Behind the Doll's Mask
Monday 26 June Fee: £52
to many, coppélia rates as little more than a pretty
ballet, perfect to take children to, as indeed it is.
However as part of the story of ballet it sits at a
major crossroads, not only in the history of ballet
and its development, but also at a turbulent time in
europe’s history. coppélia is the last masterpiece of
the Ballet of the second empire. Its true story is one
of poignancy and great sadness, yet its sunny
legacy lives on – proof of its choreographer arthur
saint-Léon’s genius and also that of the composer
Léo delibes. By looking behind the doll’s mask the
true story of how coppélia was brought to life at its
première in paris in 1870 unfolds. this story weaves
together the fascinating lives of those involved with
its first creation, through the prism of a major
european war, to its enduring story today over 140
years later. Includes archive film clips. all welcome.
Tutor: Bridgett Vane
Expressive Calligraphy & Design
Lunch Wednesday 28 - Lunch Friday 30 June
Fees (£): s 422 t 369 l 401 n 347 H 347 u 244
this course is for beginners to intermediate levels.
during the course the theory and practice of various
tools will be demonstrated by the tutor with
emphasis on group and one to one tuition. We will
cover the use of inks, watercolour and gouache
paints on a variety of papers and look at layout and
design. all levels welcome but some experience of
basic calligraphic skills would be ideal, such as
uncial, round hand and italic.
Tutor: Gerald Mynott
Brass & Beer:
Industrial Archaeology
in Somerset & Dorset
Silver Jewellery Making
Making a Stained Glass Panel
Drawing Workshop: Life Drawing
Thursday 6 July Fee: £62
during this workshop of traditional study we will
draw from the artist’s model to increase your skills
helping to improve your drawing technique for
whatever is your usual choice of subject. Beginners
and ‘improvers’ are very welcome, as we shall
progress step-by-step, allowing everyone to
proceed at their own pace. Individual attention and
tutor demonstrations combine with information
and explanations. simple materials are all that is
needed and easels and boards will be provided.
our professional model is with us all day so come
and enjoy this cheerful and informative course.
Tutor: Stella Murray Whatley
An Introduction
to British Architecture
in the Victorian Period
Tea Monday 10 – Breakfast Thursday 13 July
Fees (£): s 528 t 449 l 495 n 415 H 415 u 261
during Queen victoria's long reign, Britain was
transformed. Industry expanded, cities grew vastly,
and the country reaped the benefits of a large
empire. Builders and architects responded with
relish as Britain's greatest building boom took
hold. on this course we will explore the variety of
victorian architecture and discover the often
dazzling ways in which victorian architects revived
ancient styles of architecture to design all kinds of
structures, from churches and town halls to schools
and factories. We will look at the new kinds of
buildings that the victorians developed, including
railway stations, large hospitals, and exhibition
halls, and the striking use they made of the latest
technologies in their construction. We will discover
how victorian builders laid the foundations for our
own times in all kinds of areas including housing,
city planning, school building, industrial
architecture, and the creation of what is probably
Britain's most famous and symbolic building, the
Houses of parliament. all comers welcome.
Tutor: Philip Wilkinson
01460 258613
[email protected]
JULY
Thursday 29 & Friday 30 June Fee: £100
this course will enable you to create your own
stained glass panel using the traditional method of
combining coloured glass with lead. stained glass
is an ancient art of using colour and light to create
atmosphere and to depict images and stories.
traditionally, stained glass windows tend to be
associated with cathedrals, churches and country
houses, but these days stained glass is also used in
homes for decoration and there are many ways to
manipulate glass to provide colour, texture and
pattern. the panel that you choose to make could
be for a location in your house and will be suitable
to either build into a window or frame as a hanging
panel. there will be an additional cost of £20 for
materials payable to the tutor on arrival. all
welcome. please note day one finishes at 4.30pm.
Tutor: Jackie Hunt
Thursday 6 July Fee: £77 (includes materials)
spend the day making your own decorative
pendant on a silver chain. during the workshop you
will learn traditional silversmithing skills and
techniques such as soldering, forging, forming,
stamping and decorative mark making to create
your own beautiful and unique piece of jewellery.
all welcome. Tutor: Ness Bird
Tea Monday 10 – Lunch Thursday 13 July
Fees (£): s 659 t 580 l 626 n 546 H 546 u 392
this year’s course examines industries in north east
somerset and West dorset. alongside introductory
lectures, two days of field visits will include the
saltford Brass mill near Bristol, the avon river
navigation, mendip lead smelting, and tours of a
traditional brewery and a modern factory making
high-tech webbing in Bridport. no previous
knowledge needed and all are welcome but please
note walking is involved on the field visits and the
ground may be rough in places on the first day’s
visits. Tutor: Dr Peter Stanier
Gardens of Wessex
Tea Monday 10 – Lunch Thursday 13 July
Fees (£): s 709 t 630 l 676 n 596 H 596 u 442
from your base at beautiful dillington House join
horticulturist, christine pritchard, who will guide
you around some of the most interesting private
gardens, both large and small, from the heart of the
countryside to the somerset coast. In the company
of like-minded enthusiasts, you will learn about the
development of the gardens from the owners or
head gardeners. You are sure to take home ideas
and inspiration. no particular gardening
knowledge is necessary to enjoy this relaxed
course. Tutor: Christine Pritchard
www.dillington.com
47
Creative Writing Workshop:
Beatrix Potter
Tuesday 11 July Fee: £52
many children, including ourselves, have been
enchanted by the characters created by Beatrix
potter and have loved the delicate paintings which
illustrate the tales. Her genius lies in the humour,
style and vocabulary, with her use of adult words,
such as soporific, which bring to life these little
creatures based on the animals she kept as pets.
our writing will be stories of our own pets we have
kept or imaginary tales from other sources. We will
discuss famous stories of animal characters.
Tutor: Elizabeth Rapp
Dowsing
JULY
Tuesday 11 July Fee: £54
dowsing is a way of finding out about things we
cannot see, and it is a tool we can all use. this
course will enable you to learn the ancient art of
water divining, search for pipes and cables, check
food and drinks, and much more. You will receive
practical tuition in the use of dowsing tools, and
hands on experience. all comers welcome.
Tutors: Kate Fortlage & Mandy Bennett
Alexander Technique
Wednesday 12 July Fee: £52
the course is designed to introduce the ideas of the
alexander technique in a simple, yet dynamic way,
using anatomy, illustration and personal
experience. the core ideas of naturally lengthening
the spinal column in order to reach a more
balanced uprightness, allowing muscle that is
usually active to find repose, will be presented in
both theory and practice. through experimentation,
observation and anatomical understanding, each
student can gain a clearer picture of what skilful
use of our muscle system, in repose and in
movement, is like and how this wonderful
experience can be achieved. all welcome but
participants undertake the course at their own risk.
Tutor: Jerry Nightingale
48
If you have ideas for courses or events you
would like to see in our programme, or you
are a tutor keen to run a course at dillington
then we want to hear from you.
send an email with your suggestions to
[email protected]
Molière’s L'Avare
Dancing Through History
Tuesday 11 July Fee: £52
What did dancing mean to chaucer, shakespeare
and Jane austen? How did ordinary people dance?
How do we know? How did Italian quattrocento
dances reach england, what did charles II call "the
old dance of england", and why did ex-slave
Ignatius sancho name a dance tune "trip to
dillington"? follow english dancing through five
centuries of literature -- and maybe try some! all
welcome. Tutor: Ann Hinchliffe
Have
Your say
Singing Workshop:
The Best of Billy Joel
Wednesday 12 July Fee: £52
from his first hit ‘piano man’ in 1973 to the present
day, Billy Joel has amassed thirty three top 40 hits
and twenty three grammy award nominations, and
is acknowledged as one of the most gifted songwriters and composers of modern times. spend a
day singing some of his best creations including
Always a Woman and the 80s hit Uptown Girl in this
friendly group-singing workshop. suitable for male
and female voices, a bit of harmony singing
experience would be helpful but you don’t need to
be able to read music notation. all welcome.
Tutor: Jo Sercombe
Wednesday 12 July Fee: £55
come and spend a day enjoying molière’s social
comedy about avarice and wealth, L’avare. We will
read as much of the play as time allows, while still
finding time to look at the social and historical
context and discuss the themes. this course is for
anyone with a reasonable reading knowledge of
french. If in doubt, why not read the play in english
first? Tutor: Marian Jones
The Flowering of Europe: Europe
in the 11th & 12th Centuries
Tea Monday 17 - Lunch Wednesday 19 July
Fees (£): s 397 t 344 l 376 n 322 H 322 u 219
this course will explore the european civilisation of
the eleventh and twelfth centuries when Western
europe emerged for the obscurity of the dark ages
to discover a new cultural, religious and political
self-confidence. this is the era of the great gothic
cathedrals and abbeys, of the crusades, and the
rediscovery of learning in the new universities of
france, england and germany. all welcome.
Tutor: Richard Henderson
Mindfulness, Yoga
and Stress Awareness
Tea Monday 17 - Lunch Wednesday 19 July
Fees (£): s 397 t 344 l 376 n 322 H 322 u 219
Leave behind the busyness of the modern world,
your routine and responsibilities and join likeminded people to relax and enjoy a few days of
mindfulness, yoga and stress awareness. suitable
for all levels of ability and experience, from those
with a regular yoga and meditation practice to
those wishing to simply discover what these are all
about. the course includes yoga practices, yoga
nidra, mindfulness and meditation, stress
awareness and a talk and meditation focussed on
getting a good night’s sleep. the atmosphere is
welcoming and friendly and the schedule is relaxed
and casual - you are welcome to do as much or as
little as you like! Tutor: Bev Alderson
Working with Line & Wash
Excellent all
round service,
extremely responsive.
Catering outstanding.
Tuesday 18 July Fee: £59 (includes materials)
Love wool? then you’ll love needle felting! fibre
artist carla taylor of the mousehole Woolery will
guide you step by step through the techniques of
needle felting as well as sharing lots of tips and
tricks that she has learnt along the way. Inspired by
the butterflies of the British countryside you will
learn how to design and transfer your butterfly
design on to felt and then, with a beautiful array of
wool, needle felt your own unique butterfly design
that can then be transformed into either a brooch or
framed as a picture! a fun, creative and inspiring
day! all welcome. Tutor: Carla Taylor
Beginning Family History
Tuesday 18 July Fee: £52
Just starting out on family history or want to
understand in more detail those core research
documents such as Birth, marriage and death
certificates and census pages? did you know a uK
birth certificate often contains between six and
eleven facts which you need to record? We will also
look at the various providers of information, both
paid for and free, looking at indexes and
transcripts, and the challenges of searching for
information. this is a lecture based course so you
will not be carrying out your own research directly,
but by the end of the day you will have gained the
knowledge and confidence to go away and work on
your own research at home. Tutor: Jane Taubman
01460 258613
[email protected]
News From the Fronts: Focus
on the Third Battle of Ypres
Tuesday 18 July Fee: £52
this standalone day course is one of a rolling series
covering the centenary of events as they occurred
during the great War. By high summer 1917 the
original belligerents were feeling the strains of
protracted industrialised war. In france general
petain had been hurriedly appointed to nurse the
demoralised french army back to fighting spirit. on
the eastern front the czar's army was fragmenting
by the day and germany was on the point of victory.
under these circumstances field marshal Haig was
about to follow up his recent local success at
messines with a drive on the Belgian coast to take
out the german submarine bases which constituted
the most immediate threat of starving the British
Home front. and as yet only one american soldier general pershing, the commander designate - had
landed in europe. Tutor: Mike Shaw
www.dillington.com
49
JULY
Tea Monday 17 - Lunch Wednesday 19 July
Fees (£): s 397 t 344 l 376 n 322 H 322 u 219
a course looking at pen and ink techniques and
combining them with watercolours to create line
and wash artwork. We will be looking at how to
create textures, tones and decorative patterns with
ink and also how to paint various washes and then
combine the two to produce line and wash effects.
demonstrations, help and advice will be given
throughout the course and you should be able to
handle your materials with confidence by the end
of the sessions. suitable for beginners and for
those with some experience. Tutor: Jane Beech
Sculptural Needle
Felting – Butterflies
Conferences
at Dillington
If the purpose of a meeting or
conference is to engage,
stimulate and inspire its
participants, then the choice of
venue has a critical role to play.
customer feedback confirms that
in all these respects Dillington
House delivers.
on arrival, delegates will find
ample parking and if first
impressions count, the impact
of the main house and its
surrounding gardens is stunning.
the contrasting juxtaposition of
the modern Hyde building with
the architecture of the main site
works magnificently. an extensive
survey of our customers
conducted recently revealed that
93% rate Dillington’s
impression on delegates as
either very good or excellent.
once inside, dillington staff
demonstrate both friendliness
and helpfulness – 91% of survey
respondents scored our team
as very good or excellent for
these qualities. We endeavour to
provide a flexible and positive
response to issues on the day
which so often arrive
unexpectedly.
dillington has 12 well equipped
meeting rooms varying in size
to meet most requirements and
40 stylish en-suite bedrooms for
residential events.
food always features as a key
component in delegates’
enjoyment of the day. Whether
it’s a self-service hot fork buffet or
a serve to table dinner, close to
90% of respondents perceived
the quality of Dillington’s
catering to be very good or
excellent.
adding value to your event is
what dillington is all about.
If you need further information
on dillington’s facilities or pricing
relating to a meeting, conference,
business dinner or group
accommodation, please contact:
the conference team
01460 258608
[email protected]
Images by Hollie solomon – facebook – holliesolomon.photographics
Belle Epoque Paris
Wednesday 19 July Fee: £55
during this day we will consider a whole range of
aspects of Belle epoque paris, from its history and
social context, to its famous artists and writers,
reading a wide range of texts and extracts – all in
english! this course is for anyone who loves paris
and wants to know more about this exciting era.
especially for anyone planning (another?) visit, who
would like a focus for their sightseeing.
Tutor: Marian Jones
Photography
WORKSHOPS
with Brian Anderson
Three Dorset Towns
: Weekend Plus
You can extend your weekends by staying
an extra night for a special tariff of £70
subject to availability. this covers a light
supper and accommodation on sunday
night, and a full english breakfast on
monday morning.
Newcomers &
Refreshers Workshop
Tuesday 25 July Fee: £60
for all newcomers and those wanting a refresher
session, this photography workshop looks at how
a camera works, the optics and basic controls,
types of camera, lenses, equipment etc. not all
cameras are the same but the basic controls are.
this workshop will also be appropriate for those
who use digital or film cameras and ipads.
although this session looks at some of the
technical aspects Brian will illustrate and explain
things simply and clearly so it is understood by
everyone.
Intermediate &
Creative Skills Workshop
Wednesday 26 July Fee: £60
this second photography workshop builds on
what we learned from the first, but it is also ideal
for keen photographers who know the technical
basics and now want to improve the creative
quality of their images. We look at the various
01460 258613
[email protected]
rules and techniques to create images
which are well composed and balanced.
We look at the rule of thirds, anchor points, the
key picture elements, cropping images, portrait
or landscape format etc. all richly illustrated with
examples of Brian’s landscape, wildlife and
people images from around the world.
JULY
Wednesday 19 July Fee: £52
a look at Lyme regis, Bridport and dorchester from
1760 - 1930. How the towns developed and
changed their identities over the years, the people
who lived there and what they did. Lyme becomes a
seaside resort, Bridport sees the expansion of the
rope and net industry and dorchester, the county
seat, encompasses the coming of two railway lines
and a major brewery. very different towns, but with
a lot of shared history making them the places they
are now, Ideal for anyone interested in local and
social history. all welcome.
Tutor: Jane Ferentzi-Sheppard
Basic Digital Editing
Thursday 27 July Fee: £70
photograph dillington’s gardens, architecture
and sculpture; then learn how to enhance your
images in two easy-to-follow editing tutorials.
Brian will look at adjusting brightness, contrast,
saturation and sharpness, cropping and using
effects filters to make your digital images look
stunning. You will then edit your own images on
your laptops or ipads. In addition to your camera
and lenses, you will need to bring your laptop or
ipad with your preferred photo editing software
installed. this extended workshop will start at
9.30am and will finish at 5.00pm. please note
numbers are limited for this day.
www.dillington.com
51
Meditation & Mindfulness
Tuesday 25 July Fee: £52
a one day course designed for beginners, and for
anyone wanting to refresh their own practice. We
will look at how traditional meditation is now
‘mainstream’, formulated as mindfulness by Jon
Kabat Zinn et.al., and used therapeutically in the
nHs, schools, prisons, etc. We will have short
periods of silent practice with different meditation
supports, starting with the breath. a perfect
introduction for those dealing with change or
stress, or the simply curious. there will be chairs to
sit on (no special postures required!), but wear
loose clothing and warm socks. If you wish to sit on
the floor please bring a cushion and small blanket.
all welcome. Tutor: Hilary Armstrong
Music & Words
JULY
Tuesday 25 July Fee: £54
during this day we will examine the combined
activity of poet and composer from medieval times
to opera by way of folk song, songs by schubert,
popular songs and opera. much thought and care
is expended by composers in their attempt to bring
words a deepening of their meaning through the
tunes that are added. significant examples will be
examined in the work of purcell, Handel, gilbert
and sullivan, Bizet, verdi and puccini. all welcome.
Tutor: Eric Wetherell
Food
absolutely
delicious!
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Everything You Need To Know
About Acrylics
Tuesday 25 July Fee: £52
Learn how to get the very best out of your paints
with acrylics specialist ali cockrean. offering huge
versatility and flexibility of use, acrylics can be used
in so many ways to achieve a wide variety of effects.
the tutor will demonstrate inspiring techniques
using different tools and pass on her invaluable
hints and tips throughout the day to ensure you can
utilise this exciting medium to its full extent. With a
series of practical exercises incorporated into the
sessions, you can confidently practice your new
skills. suitable for all levels. Tutor: Ali Cockrean
Housing the Romans From Palaces to Tenements
Thursday 27 July Fee: £52
from the great palaces of the emperors such as
nero and Hadrian to the smaller villas, town houses
and tenements of the roman populace, there is a
wide variety of architecture and decoration. this day
course will look at the range of houses and some of
the contemporary comments about them. all
welcome. Tutor: Nick Griffiths
Dream Homes: Building Your
Own
Wednesday 26 July Fee: £52
If you've been inspired by tv programmes and
wondered if you could build your own home, then
this is the course for you. Learn how to turn your
dreams into reality. from her personal experience
Lesley Watson will guide you through the whole
process from plot finding to moving in, and how to
avoid major pitfalls. this is a very practical survival
guide to all ‘would-be’ self-builders! all welcome.
Tutor: Lesley Watson
Roman Blinds
Wednesday 26 July Fee: £52
roman blinds are a great way of dressing a window,
giving a simple uncluttered look. this course will
cover all the techniques and stitches required to
make a lined and interlined roman blind by hand,
in order to produce a professional finish. You will
make a sample roman blind approximately one
meter square. all levels welcome but please note
you will need basic sewing knowledge, including
the ability to use your own sewing machine, which
you will need to bring with you.
Tutor: Jenny Harrison
DAY COURSES
registration for most courses takes
place from 9.00am and the first session
usually begins at 9.45am. courses
normally end at 4.00pm with tea and
cake. the fee covers not only tuition, but
also a three-course lunch, refreshments
and any field trip and entrance fees (if
applicable), unless stated otherwise.
please note that for out and about type
courses a packed lunch will normally be
provided.
23
the twenty third dillington
this year we will be
celebrating 23 years of the
dillington guitar festival.
the music of spain and
Latin america will feature
throughout the week with
concerts by some of today’s
leading international
ensembles and soloists.
2017 sees guitar virtuoso
graham devine and the
brilliant copenhagen guitar
duo make their festival
debuts, while the fabulous
vida Quartet make a long
overdue return visit to
dillington.
classical guitar festival
Sun 30 Jul
Graham Devine - Guitar Virtuoso
includes works by Bach, tarrega & albeniz
Mon 31 Jul
“Espana” - Five Centuries of Spanish Guitar Music
Guitar Solos, Duos & Trios
simon pearce with Lydia Hepworth & peter rueffer
includes works by rodrigo, turina & garcia-Lorca
Tue 1 Aug
Copenhagen Guitar Duo
allan sjolin, martin Buono
includes works by scarlatti, albeniz & piazzolla +
music by danish composers anders Koppel &
martin Lohse
Wed 2 Aug
Canciones y Danzas - Music from Spain &
South America Guitar Duos & Trios
arne Brattland, debra adamson & raymond Burley
includes works by granados, piazzolla & mompou
Thur 3 Aug
Vida Guitar Quartet
mark eden, mark ashford, amanda cook,
christopher stell includes works by Bach,
villa Lobos & vaughan Williams
Tickets (per concert)
£12 (under 18s £6)
Festival Season Ticket £50
Pre-concert suppers available
at £23
All concerts start at 8.00pm
The Twenty Third Dillington Classical Guitar Summer School Directed by Peter Rueffer
Tea Sunday 30 July – Breakfast Saturday 5 August
P
Fees (£): s 895 t 837 l 859 n 780 H 780 u 510
this popular event, which celebrates its 23rd anniversary, offers classical guitarists a unique opportunity to
participate in a varied programme of music making, with plenty of time to develop playing and music reading skills.
In an atmosphere of mutual support, your confidence will grow whilst performing in ensembles both large and
small. the emphasis is on participation, with students working in a non-competitive and supportive environment
but please note the course is not suitable for complete beginners.
Highlights for 2017 include an original commissioned work for guitar orchestra as well as several new arrangements
by peter rueffer. there will also be an opportunity for all to participate in a concerto performance with the vida guitar
Quartet and in a guitar duet class directed by the copenhagen guitar duo.
each evening you will join the audience of the classical guitar festival to relax and enjoy the concerts given
by a fantastic line up of international artists. come and be part of a week of fun, friendship and performance
and you’ll get hooked!
53
Summer School at Dillington
TWO WEEKS OF A RICH MIX OF LEARNING & PLEASURE
Join Wayne Bennett, Chris Pollard, Mike Hope and friends for our annual residential summer school and enjoy learning with like-minded
people in the relaxed and beautiful environment of dillington. together we will enjoy one another’s company, learn from each other and have a
great time - whatever the British weather throws at us! as you can see there are two varied programmes, each lasting a week. as well as the
daytime course programme, an offering of after-dinner presentations, talks and activities is also organised. all in all both weeks are a rich mix of
learning and pleasure.
1
2
WEEK
WEEK
Tea sunday 6 - Breakfast sat 12 aug
Week one offers you a selection of courses
from which to create your own special
holiday with a difference. choose to spend
the week out and about with mike Hope,
take part in a week long painting course
with clare duvergier, or put together a
programme of shorter courses or selfcontained days with offerings from Wayne
Bennett, chris pollard or tim porter.
Tea sunday 13 - Breakfast sat 19 aug
the courses run from monday –
friday, from 9.30am – 4.00pm, with
the exception of the out and about
courses where times may vary.
Week two offers you a selection of week-long
courses. choose to spend the week out and
about with Wayne Bennett, or join mike Hope
or mark cottle for a dillington based course
(with a couple of visits), immerse yourself in
spanish with chris pollard, or get creative with
annette Bolton.
Resident Fees (£): s 995 t 871 l 938 n 810 H 810 P
*a supplement applies to some courses – see
individual course descriptions for details.
fees include course/s of your choice, six
nights’ en-suite accommodation, full board,
refreshments and evening activities.
54
You may opt out of any of the excursions or
activities during the week but please note
there is no reduction in fee. for those
booking both weeks please be aware
accommodation is not available on saturday
12th august.
Non Residents
non residents and day attendees may book
a place on any of the courses – see individual
course descriptions for the relevant fee.
accommodation is only available for
residents booking the complete week.
SHORT COURSES
1
WEEK
ALL WEEK COURSES
(monday to friday)
P
The World of English Music
with Tim Porter P
(Monday to Wednesday)
The English Country House and
Garden - Public and Private with
Mike Hope P
Be A More Confident Painter
with Clare DuVergier P
this five day course is designed to challenge
painters with some experience. the emphasis will
be on watercolour, especially for preliminary work,
but finished studio pieces could be in any medium.
take time in the glorious surroundings of dillington
to unwind and take a critical look at your own work.
Be honest, are you stuck in a rut? are you producing
the same slightly tired and overworked paintings
time and time again? Is there a better painter
lurking within? together we will examine the
essential elements of a good painting to find the
better painter that exists within us all.
Non Resident Fee: £260
through 500 years of development the english
country house, garden and its estate has always
reflected, not only the sociology-political
ambitions of their owners but have also been
inextricably linked to the wider social, political and
cultural developments of the country. from the
choice of architectural style to the contents of
these properties, they have acted as a reflection of
their owners’ tastes and ambitions. Likewise the
creation of the landscapes in which they sit are a
further opportunity for generations of landowners
to reveal their knowledge and passion for plants.
this course sets out, through both a series of
lectures and carefully selected properties, to create
a more complete picture of what is one of the most
important cultural contributions to the visual make
up of this nation.
There will be a supplement of £180 for this
course towards the cost of transport and
entrance fees
Non Resident Fee: £440 (includes supplement)
the story of english music is the story of england.
one moment it’s part of world culture, the next it’s
expressing something that’s entire unto itself.
during this course we examine both impulses,
covering aspects of english music that spans five
centuries, with never a dull moment and much
cause for thought. and, of course, a heap of
fabulous music, from famous names like elgar and
purcell, to others whom you may not know, but
will be very glad to discover! all welcome.
Non Resident Fee: £156
The Medieval Welsh
P Marches:
History, Landscape & Buildings
with Tim Porter P
(Thursday and Friday)
the anglo-Welsh marchland forms a beautiful
landscape of steep hills, hidden valleys and
ancient woods. the pattern of human settlement
has given it the extra dimension of unrivalled
historic buildings. come on an armchair tour
without leaving dillington. Beginning with offa’s
dyke, we proceed through the days of the
marches’ Lords with their mighty castles and
gorgeous churches; a vibrant hybrid culture which
lasted till the days of the tudors.
Non Resident Fee: £104
55
1
WEEK
DAY COURSES
The Foundations of British Art 1500-1850
with Wayne Bennett P
using five interlinking themes we explore the artistic riches found in British art across some three and a half centuries. as well as visually feasting
on some fabulous paintings, we will make some important observations regarding the development of the nation, its politics, economy, cities
and the people. In this way we will see how art embodied and documented the changing fortunes and values of a country that was to create the
largest empire the world had ever known. Handouts supplied and illustrated throughout. no prior knowledge will be assumed.
Non Resident Fee: £52 per day
MONDAY
Portraiture & Class
starting with some
extraordinary tudor portraits
we will examine how
portraiture was used to
project ideas of hierarchy and
social superiority. Within this
genre we will see how
foreign artists influenced
indigenous talent and how
the rich and powerful wanted
to see themselves.
56
TUESDAY
The Landscape
Before Us
Images of the landscape are
rare in the sixteenth century
but soon the paintings of
poussin and claude were to
exert an enormous influence
on a whole tradition
culminating in the amazing
canvases of constable and
turner. through these and
other artists, we travel from
the past and the eternal to
the present and the moment
caught in time and space.
WEDNESDAY
The City Rises
It is not surprising that the
emergence of London as the
greatest and richest city in
the world attracted artists
from all over. despite a few
setbacks along the way,
Britain emerged as the most
powerful country with the
largest economy in the world
and its art reflects these
circumstances. from the
ashes of burnt-out London
via the ancient ruins of
rome, we will see a new
forged city at the heart of a
burgeoning culture taking on
the world without a second
thought.
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
Mad Men &
Mavericks
Romantic
Sensibilities
as well as depending on the
mainstream for a livelihood,
some artists used their craft
to create a successful niche;
george stubbs, Hogarth and
canaletto come to mind.
some artists found
themselves expressing
a unique vision of an
altogether different sort - that
of the mind. the names and
work of Henry fuseli and
William Blake resonate in
this respect but there are
others too.
out of the classical world
of the seventeenth and
eighteenth centuries a
different sensibility emerged
that was to dominate art
through to our own time.
the study of nature gave rise
not just to scientific thought
but to an appreciation of the
senses through experience.
the power of nature was both
a reminder of our own
insignificance and mortality
as well as a metaphor for the
heroic.
1
WEEK
DAY COURSES
Viva España
with Chris Pollard P
a mini festival of individual subjects celebrating the vibrancy of spanish history and culture. all complete in themselves but
amounting to a week discussing and revelling in all things spanish. topics during the week range from art, music, politics and history.
Non Resident Fee: £52 per day
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
Placido Domingo
The Story of The
Basques
Valencia:
City of Culture
The House of
Bourbon
the history, language and
culture of the Basques make
them the mystery people of
southern europe. We follow
their story from pre-roman
times to the political
upheaval of the 20th century
and the relative stability of
the present day.
valencia has emerged as a
great success story of
renewal. after a
distinguished medieval
history, it went into decline
until, in the 1980s, it was
reborn as a modern city with
cutting edge architecture,
fabulous museums, a great
orchestra, a major opera
house and the status of a
regional capital. this course
focuses both on the history of
valencia and its renaissance
as a city of the future.
We will explore the 300 years
of the ruling spanish
monarchy: their arrival after
the War of the spanish
succession, the re-building
of eighteenth century spain
in their image; their exile
during the peninsular War;
the catastrophic restoration
of fernando vII; the political
tribulations of Isabel II; her
exile during the first
republic and the reigns of
alfonso XII and XIII, both of
whom came to the throne as
children; finally, the civil War
and the reigns of Juan
carlos I and philip vI who
have returned stability and
respectability to the ruling
house of Bourbon.
Salvador Dali:
Genius or
Charlatan?
the remakable story of
possibly the greatest operatic
performer of all time. It
starts in mexico in the 1950s,
continues with his long
career as a peerless theatrical
tenor and is still unfinished
60 years later.
Open Mon-Fri 9.00am-4.30pm
01460 258613
[email protected]
www.dillington.com
this day follows the
fascinating story of salvador
dali, his early life and his
relationship with Lorca,
Buñuel and members of the
surrealist movement,
through the 1930s and the
civil War until he is
established as the major
cultural figure of franco’s
spain. at the end of his long
life his reputation suffered a
serious decline as he
appeared to be involved in
fraud and deception on a
grand scale.
57
2
WEEK
ALL WEEK COURSES
(Monday to Friday)
Architectural Outsiders Regional Schools of Architecture
& Design in The South West
with Mike Hope P
Adventures in Landscape
History with Wayne Bennett P
this course is about the history all around us.
preceded by a short 45 minute presentation at
dillington each morning, we will set out in a
minibus to spend the day discovering history as it is
observed in the landscape. along the way we will
find field systems that date back to the Bronze age,
we will view some remarkable vestiges of the
roman empire, the remains of monastic sites,
medieval settlements and ancient woodlands. Look
at the creation of aristocratic estates, the enclosure
of land and the creation of the turnpike road
system and rail network which did so much to join
up communities and create new local economies.
By the end of the week we will have seen,
interpreted and understood some great landscapes
and we will all know the differences between celtic
fields, strip lynchets, pasture, pannage and
turbage! there will be some walking although final
itineraries will be dependent on the weather
during the week.
There will be a supplement of £135 for this
course towards the cost of transport.
Non Resident Fee: £395 (includes
supplement)
58
the south West region has, over the course of the
last seven hundred years, seen the growth and
development of a number of important
architectural and design related clusters. In some
cases these would become not just regionally
important but nationally and internationally.
However, in the main these developments reflect
the changing wealth and socio-political ambitions
of individuals, towns and cities of the south West.
the course will introduce you to the important late
medieval architects of Bristol and gloucester. from
Bristol three hundred years later, are the paty
family, who were responsible for the appearance of
much of georgian Bristol. from Bath in the same
period, it is the Wood family. further south and the
names of nathaniel Ireson and the Bastard family
of Blandford forum come to the fore. from the
victorian period such characters as John Hayward
of exeter and charles fowler, another devon man,
will be discussed. there will also be lectures on the
Bristol based teams of local and Italian plaster
craftsmen. the course will be largely lecture based
but will include a couple of visits to towns and
villages where we will see a range of examples of
the architecture and design of some of the
individuals whose work you will have seen in the
lectures.
elizabeth I was the most remarkable woman of a
remarkable age. Her reign was marked by great
religious, social and economic changes at home
and serious threats to her and her kingdom’s
survival from abroad. Yet, this was to be one of the
greatest creative periods of english history –
literature, music, art, secular architecture and
overseas exploration all reached unprecedented
heights. following a survey of elizabeth’s reign and
england in the second half of the sixteenth century,
the course will focus on these areas of achievement
and the elizabethans behind them. there will be a
visit to montacute House to see one of the loveliest
and least altered elizabethan houses in the country
and the collection of tudor portraits from the
national gallery housed there. all welcome.
there will be a supplement of £60 for this course
towards the cost of transport and entrance fees
Non Resident Fee: £320 (includes supplement)
there will be a supplement of £30 for this course
towards the cost of transport and entrance fees
Non Resident Fee: £290 (includes supplement)
Portrait of an Age:
Elizabeth & The Elizabethans
with Mark Cottle P
Three Favourite Winter
Weekends: Berlin,
Krakow & Vienna
Practical Spanish
with Chris Pollard P
Tuesday 29 August Fee: £52
during the course of his many travels our resident
military Historian Brigadier mike shaw has got to
know the countries of central and eastern europe
well as they have thrown off the last constraints of
the cold War. this year, as part of our summer
programme, he presents his take on the history and
hinterlands of three central european cities easily
accessible from here in the south West. He will
offer advice on travel, public transport, where to
stay and how to make the most of a short winter
break and, if your time allows, where to explore in
their immediate areas. Tutor: Mike Shaw
a course for those who love spain and using their
spanish. participants will be encouraged to engage
in many different ways in order to practise and
improve their language skills in a friendly, relaxed
environment. We shall listen to radio programmes,
watch television, read the daily newspaper. We
shall discuss the burning issues of the day and get
a taste of current popular culture. In the course of
the week we shall watch a film; watch an episode of
the prize-winning telecinco drama ‘el príncipe’ (a
magnificent exposé of life and crime in ceuta);
watch and discuss a recent production of the
wonderful Zarzuela ‘doña francisquita’; read
‘el asedio’ by arturo pérez reverte, a masterly
crime novel set in the 1811 siege of cadiz.
Non Resident Fee: £260
AUG
Botanical Illustration
Stumpwork Embroidery
with Annette Bolton P
stumpwork is a three-dimensional embroidery
technique that originated in the mid-1600s in
england, with its heyday during the second half of
the seventeenth century. It utilises many different
materials and stitches, including a variety of
padded work, silk shading, incorporating beads
and gold in your work, and needlelace, together
with surface embroidery. Inspiration will be taken
from flowers and plants throughout the year,
together with the beautiful gardens of dillington.
this course is suitable for all abilities.
Non Resident Fee: £260
Tea Tuesday 29 - Lunch Thursday 31 August
Fees (£): s 397 t 344 l 376 n 322 H 322 u 219
Botanical Illustration is precise detailed work, a
combination of art and science. this studio based
watercolour course is for all ability levels; no
experience of art or botany is required, just
commitment. We aim to enjoy working in an
atmosphere of relaxed industry. students will work
at their own pace on the subject of their choice. the
course will cover the use of basic materials and
methods for beginners and will offer professional
advice to advanced students. the emphasis will be
on individual development. all levels welcome.
Tutor: Susan Hillier
59
Two Germans in Bristol A Tale of Rags To Riches
Summer Sketchbook
Tea Tuesday 29 - Lunch Thursday 31 August
Fees (£): s 397 t 344 l 376 n 322 H 322 u 219
enjoy a few days sketching or painting in the
beautiful environment of dillington House and
grounds with the guidance of an enthusiastic tutor.
all levels are welcome on this course, including
complete beginners. demonstrations, notes and
tips on what to look for in your chosen subject will
make the sessions informative and rewarding.
Inside and outside dillington offers a fund of
memorable images to fill your book or portfolio,
which you can use at a later date. Bring whichever
medium you like and plenty of enthusiasm!
Tutor: Stella Murray Whatley
AUG
Jane Austen’s Early Novels
Tea Tuesday 29 - Lunch Thursday 31 August
Fees (£): s 397 t 344 l 376 n 322 H 322 u 219
Immerse yourself in the addictive world of Jane
austen’s novels and learn about how austen crafted
her heroines, spot traces of her novels in her letters
and life, and consider how vital debates relating to
gender, social class and marriage in the eighteenth
century were represented in novels written by an
author who hid behind the name of ‘a lady’. this
course is a unique journey through two of Jane
austen’s early novels, ‘pride and prejudice’ and
‘northanger abbey’. If you love reading and have
always wanted to know more about why Jane
austen’s novels have such a prized place in english
literature, this is the course for you. all welcome.
Tutor: Dr Danielle Grover
60
Charlemagne: Father of Europe
Wednesday 30 August Fee: £52
on christmas day 800, charlemagne, who had
acquired mastery of most of Western christendom,
was crowned emperor by the pope in st peters
basilica in rome. this course will examine the
significance of the event in european history and
explore charlemagne's influence on european
culture, education, religion and the concept of
medieval governance. all welcome.
Tutor: Richard Henderson
You The Jury
Wednesday 30 August Fee: £52
over the course of the day we will be considering
two different real life cases of murder which
occurred in england between 1900-1950.
participants will be expected to listen to the
evidence, making notes as they go, then discuss the
case and attempt to reach a verdict, based on what
they have heard. no advance reading or knowledge
of the english judicial system is needed. the cases
have been selected with an eye to the insight they
can give us on various aspects of our judicial
system and social history, and at the end of the day,
the verdicts reached by the original juries will of
course be revealed. these are all real cases but no
distressing crime scene photographs will be used.
all welcome. Tutor: Diane Janes
Wednesday 30 August Fee: £52
conrad finzel fled germany in 1810, arriving in
London with nothing. In 1815 he moved to Bristol,
already a sugar refiner. after several partnerships
with various merchants in Bristol he set up his
business with his son, another conrad, at
counterslip in 1839 - it was to become one of the
largest and most progressive sugar refineries in the
country. In the 1830s he befriended fellow german
george muller, a pastor, who soon started
orphanages in the city. finzel became his financial
backer allowing him to build his orphanage
empire. By the time of finzel's death in 1859 he
was wealthy, a much loved employer and had a
county seat, 'frankfort Hall', in clevedon. all
welcome. Tutor: Jane Ferentzi-Sheppard
Singing Workshop:
The Rat Pack Collection
Thursday 31 August Fee: £52
In their 1960s heyday, jazz vocalists frank sinatra,
sammy davis Jr. and dean martin ruled the roost in
Las vegas, playing sell-out shows together and
filling casinos' coffers as their fans flocked to the
city to hear the most popular voices of the era,
dubbed by journalists 'the rat pack'. now it's our
turn to have a go at hits by all three in this fun,
accessible group singing workshop. suitable for
male and female voices, you don’t need to be able
to read music notation. With songs like sway and
I've got You under my skin there's something for
everyone to enjoy – so come and have a go!
Tutor: Jo Sercombe
?
FAQs
see
page 68
Autumn
courses
New Towns of the Middle Ages
Thursday 31 August Fee: £52
over three hundred years around one hundred and
fifty completely new towns were established across
england and Wales; often well planned, they were
designed to be market centres bringing profits to
their founders. many have survived, some have
flourished and others have vanished. during this
day course will we look at a wide selection. all
welcome. Tutor: Nick Griffiths
Photography
WORKSHOPS
with Brian Anderson
Creative Writing Workshop:
My Heart Is Like a Singing Bird
Thursday 31 August Fee: £52
Birds have been a source of fascination to human
kind since the dawn of history. their freedom to fly
and live in a dimension so different from our
earthbound selves has made them objects of awe
and divinity. they have been worshipped as gods
and symbols of power and majesty. during the day
we will have three writing sessions using the theme
of birds as our stimuli., we shall study the folklore
about a variety of birds and the power and
influence they have on our lives.
Tutor: Elizabeth Rapp
AUG
Creating a Soft Style Hat
Tuesday 12 September Fee: £52
Have fun creating your own soft style hat from a
fabric of your choice. make an
individual creation! use
fabrics such as tweed,
check, velvet or corduroy,
use a contrast material for
the brim, maybe even fake
fur, the choice is endless!
decorate with a contrast
lining making it reversible! this
course is suitable for students who are able to use a
sewing machine with basic sewing skills – you will
need to bring your own sewing machine.
Tutor: Jenny Harrison
62
Newcomers &
Refreshers Workshop
Tuesday 12 September Fee: £60
for all newcomers and those wanting a refresher
session, this photography workshop looks at how a
camera works, the optics and basic controls, types
of camera, lenses, equipment etc. not all cameras
are the same but the basic controls are. this
workshop will also be appropriate for those who
use digital or film cameras and ipads. although
this session looks at some of the technical aspects
Brian will illustrate and explain things simply and
clearly so it is understood by everyone.
Intermediate &
Creative Skills Workshop
Wednesday 13 September Fee: £60
this second photography workshop builds on what
we learned from the first, but it is also ideal for
keen photographers who know the technical
basics and now want to improve the creative
quality of their images. We look at the various
rules and techniques to create images
which are well composed and balanced.
We look at the rule of thirds, anchor points, the key
picture elements, cropping images, portrait or
landscape format etc. all richly illustrated with
examples of Brian’s landscape, wildlife and people
images from around the world.
Basic Digital Editing
Thursday 14 September Fee: £70
photograph dillington’s gardens, architecture and
sculpture; then learn how to enhance your images
in two easy-to-follow editing tutorials. Brian will
look at adjusting brightness, contrast, saturation
and sharpness, cropping and using effects filters to
make your digital images look stunning. You will
then edit your own images on your laptops or
ipads. In addition to your camera and lenses, you
will need to bring your laptop or ipad with your
preferred photo editing software installed. this
extended workshop will start at 9.30am and will
finish at 5.00pm. please note numbers are limited
for this day.
Singing Workshop: Fleetwood
Mac - 40 Years of Rumours
Tuthmosis III:
Egypt’s Warrior Pharaoh
Wednesday 13 September Fee: £52
It takes remarkable songs for an album to truly
stand the test of time and with fleetwood mac's
seminal album Rumours, good songs are in no
short supply. as popular now as it was on its release
in february of 1977, the album has a timelessness
that is only achieved through sheer quality of
craftsmanship. Written during a time of huge
drama and controversy for those involved, the
outcome has provided the soundtrack for countless
stories over the last forty years. come and
experience the absolute favourites as we celebrate
the music in the best way possible: by singing it!
all welcome. Tutor: Jo Sercombe
Tuesday 19 September Fee: £52
the iconic pose of the ancient egyptian pharaoh is
one of might as he was depicted smiting the
enemy. But did the pharaohs of ancient egypt lead
their troops into battle? Were they great military
leaders? on the whole they probably weren’t, but
tuthmosis III was. In the 15th century Bc he
extended egypt’s control into syria-palestine,
conducting no less than seventeen military
campaigns. But he was also a great builder and
patron of the arts. In this course we will explore this
multifaceted pharaoh of the 18th dynasty, from
overshadowed stepson and nephew of Hatshepsut,
to egypt’s greatest military pharaoh. for many his
schist statue in the Luxor museum is ancient
egyptian sculpture at its best. He was a man not
merely bellicose but fascinated by what he found
beyond egypt’s borders. He is, for example,
credited with having introduced glassmaking to
egypt from syria. spend a day exploring this
intriguing pharaoh. all comers welcome.
Tutor: Lucia Gahlin
Colour Scheming Your Home
with Flair
Pop-Up Pictures
September in Somerset
Monday 18 – Thursday 21 September
Fees (£): s 349 t 269 l 316 n 236 H 236
price includes tea and cake on arrival and three
nights dinner, bed and breakfast.
dillington is located in a region that is steeped in
history and has a rich and varied landscape, from
moor to sea all within easy reach. enjoy a three
night stay in the stunning surroundings of
dillington and be free to explore the wonderful
counties of somerset, dorset and devon. return to
a delicious evening meal and a relaxing evening.
01460 258613
[email protected]
Tuesday 19 September Fee: £52
"feeling Blue" about some aspect of your home?
Join Lesley Watson and learn how, by using the
correct colour combinations for your individual
needs, you can transform the way you feel. colour is
the most important means of creating a
harmonious place in which to live. drawing on
colour psychology/therapy and theory, the day will
provide you with real insight into creating varied
and interesting colour schemes which reflect your
own personality. all welcome.
Tutor: Lesley Watson
www.dillington.com
63
SEPT
Tea Monday 18 Breakfast Thursday 21 September
Fees (£): s 538 t 459 l 505 n 425 H 425 u 271
during this course we will make a pop-up that can
hang on a wall like a painting. You will select your
own theme – a landscape, still life, decorative or
abstract, for example. the finished piece will be
case bound in a hard cover. all welcome.
Tutor: Paul Johnson
Gounod: The Man & His Music
Tuesday 19 September £52
charles gounod wrote music of great melodic
beauty, richly orchestrated. He is celebrated
principally because of his ever popular opera, Faust,
but we will also be exploring several of his other
operas, particularly Mireille and Roméo et Juliette,
arguably his finest work. We will also consider
some of his inspired religious works and delightful
miniatures such as his charming songs. all
welcome. Tutor: Andrew Borkowski
Uke 'n' Nashville
Wednesday 20 September £52
In 2017 many music venues in nashville will be
celebrating some special anniversaries and we will
join their celebrations with this workshop, which
focusses on some iconic pieces from this home of
country music. this is a chance to really get to grips
with improving your style and playing skills from
percussive basics to fingerpicking style and the
principles of effective ensemble playing. suitable
for any level of player with a grasp of half a dozen
basic chords. Tutor: Sally Vaughan
: Weekend Plus
SEPT
You can extend your weekends by staying
an extra night for a special tariff of £70
subject to availability. this covers a light
supper and accommodation on sunday
night, and a full english breakfast on
monday morning.
!
64
don’t mIss out
BOOK EARLY
A Life in Sketchbooks
with Paul Johnson
Friday 22 September 1.00pm
£23 (includes three course lunch
with coffee and lecture)
for over twenty years from 1943 until his
premature death, Wilfrid Johnson, a factory worker,
filled twenty-five sketchbooks comprising drawings
of family life in a two up, two down terraced house
– his wife doing the laundry at the kitchen sink,
portraits of visiting friends, his young son ill in bed
doing a jigsaw puzzle. paul Johnson, one of our
leading pop-up paper engineers, and author of
over fifteen books, presents his exceptional father
through his sketchbook drawings.
Dillington String Quartet
P
Coaching Weekend
Lunch Friday 22 - Lunch Sunday 24 September
Fees (£): s 499 t 445 l 478 n 422 H 422 u 317
for 2017 this weekend will be slightly extended, at
special request of last year’s participants. We are
thrilled that the members of the coull Quartet have
agreed to return once again to lead this weekend of
coaching for string quartets who play to a good
standard. the coull are one of the finest and most
experienced quartets in the country and promise a
weekend of serious music-making and fun. the
course includes a seat at the sunday afternoon
concert by the coull Quartet.
Tutors: Coull Quartet
A Forgotten Generation?
British Music Between the
Two World Wars
Dinner Friday 22 - Lunch Sunday 24 September
Fees (£): s 418 t 364 l 397 n 342 H 342 u 236
peter Warlock, frank Bridge, Lord Berners, gerald
finzi and John Ireland, not forgotten perhaps, but
certainly not as celebrated or as highly valued today
as they deserve to be. the period from the final
decade of the nineteenth century through the first
half of the twentieth century was in many ways a
golden era for British music. these, and the other
composers we shall encounter on this course, were
brilliantly gifted, and in some cases wildly eccentric
figures, who each made vital contributions to the
richness of our musical culture. this course includes
a reserved seat at the sunday afternoon concert by
the coull Quartet. all welcome.
Tutor: Gwyn Parry-Jones
The Coull Quartet
Sunday 24 September 2.30pm
Tickets £18 (under 18s £8.50)
Pre-booked lunches available at £17
the magnificent coull Quartet offers a rare
combination of maturity and freshness and we are
delighted that once again they are returning to
dillington. for this year’s concert their programme
includes schubert’s string Quartet no. 9 in g minor,
d.173, Britten’s three divertimenti, Bridge’s three
Idylls and Brahms string Quartet no. 3 in B flat
opus 67.
Bookbinding: Book
Structures Based on Concertinas
01460 258613
[email protected]
Tuesday 26 September Fee: £59 (includes
materials)
Love wool? then you'll love needle felting! fibre
artist carla taylor of the mousehole Woolery will
guide you step by step through the techniques of
needle felting as well as sharing lots of tips and
tricks that she has learnt along the way. Inspired by
the autumn colours of the British countryside you
will learn how to create pumpkins, acorns, autumn
leaves, fungi, conkers and fox brooches using a
beautiful array of wool that can then be
transformed into either a garland to give your
home that cosy autumn feel or wear as an autumn
brooch! a fun, creative and inspiring day. all
welcome. Tutor: Carla Taylor
The Glasgow Boys &
The Scottish Colourists
Tea Monday 25 Lunch Wednesday 27 September
Fees (£): s 406 t 352 l 385 n 329 H 329 u 224
the glasgow Boys and the scottish colourists were
two major modern art movements who journeyed
from scotland to france for their inspiration. artists
such as James guthrie and arthur melville
embraced french naturalism, while J. d. ferguson
and samuel peploe immersed themselves in the
fauvism of matisse and derain. to balance these allmale groupings we include some excellent scottish
women artists, and examine also the architecture of
charles rennie mackintosh. all welcome.
Tutor: Dr D. Jan Cox
www.dillington.com
65
SEPT
Lunch Monday 25 - Lunch Wednesday 27
September
Fees (£): s 431 t 377 l 410 n 354 H 354 u 249
this course will explore the use of the
concertina/accordion fold as a basis for making and
creating book structures. You will learn different
ways to fold accurate concertinas and when to use
them. You will then make several books exploring
the use of the concertina as an integral part of the
book structure either as the pages themselves; as a
support structure for attaching sections, pages or
even other concertinas; as guards for albums; and
as a basis for folded models. this course is intended
for all levels from the complete beginner to the
more experienced and will take place in a studio
that is well equipped for general bookbinding.
please note there is an additional charge of £10
towards the cost of general materials.
Tutor: Diana Illingworth-Cook
Sculptural Needle
Felting - Autumn Woodland
Sunday Carvery
see
page 22
Argyll Scottish
Country Dancing Weekend P
Dinner Friday 6 - Lunch Sunday 8 October
Fees (£): s 437 t 378 l 413 n 355 H 355 u 239
suitable for those who already have a good working
knowledge of common steps and formations in
scottish country dancing, this weekend will
provide you with an opportunity to improve your
technique, learn new dances and enjoy all social
aspects of scottish country dancing. there will be
social dancing on friday, saturday and classes both
saturday and sunday morning and an optional
workshop on saturday afternoon. please note this
weekend is not suitable for beginners. the balance
of fees for this weekend will be payable by 11
august 2017.
Tutors: Margo Priestley & Tom McKinley
Musicians: Robert Mackay & Judith Muir
Argyll Scottish Country
Musicians Weekend P
OCT
Dinner Friday 6 – Lunch Sunday 8 October
Fees (£): s 437 t 378 l 413 n 355 H 355 u 239
for musicians interested in playing for scottish
country dancing within a band; no experience of
band playing is required. a practical grounding in
all aspects of band musicianship and playing for
dancing, drawn from Ian’s experience over 35
years. Learn the characteristics of the reel, Jig and
strathspey, uniquely scottish instrumental
techniques, phrasing, sequencing and repertoire,
the body language associated with drive and lift …
and more besides! the balance of fees for this
weekend will be payable by 11 august 2017.
Tutor: Ian Muir
66
Singing for Larks – P
Singing in Harmony Weekend
Dinner Friday 13 - Tea Sunday 15 October
Fees (£): s 438 t 382 l 416 n 358 H 358 u 254
singing with others is an exhilarating and
liberating experience that everybody can enjoy.
singings for Larks workshops, run by faith Watson,
are based on the tradition of learning songs by ear.
this approach makes the joy of singing with others
easily accessible to those who are new to singing,
whilst offering more experienced singers the
opportunity to develop their aural skills. on this
singing in Harmony workshop the songs are drawn
from a variety of cultures and styles, from
international folk to soul, from golden oldies to
original songs. some are simple and bring instant
rewards and some are more complex, taking longer
to learn. all the songs are carefully chosen and
arranged to inspire people of different abilities and
tastes to sing together in perfect harmony.
to make a booking telephone the Bookings office
01460 258613. for further information about
singing for Larks and this course, go to:
www.singingforlarks.co.uk or you can contact
singing for Larks direct:
[email protected] 0161 881 0855.
Tutor: Faith Watson
Silk Painting Big & Bold
Tea Sunday 15 – Lunch Friday 20 October
Fees (£): s 992 t 856 l 935 n 798 H 798 u 536
silk painting is an accessible and hugely enjoyable
medium, which is suitable for all levels of ability.
this course is appropriate for experienced silk
painters and for complete beginners. It starts with
an introduction to the basic techniques including;
gutta, wet-in-wet and salt effects. However, most of
the course will be devoted to participants own
projects. there will also be on-going tutor
demonstrations by the tutor, John farmelo, who is
a trained teacher and has been teaching the subject
for over twenty five years. Tutor: John Farmelo
A Crash Course
in Philosophy
Dinner Friday 20 – Lunch Sunday 22 October
Fees (£): s 396 t 342 l 375 n 319 H 319u 214
formerly philosophy was the preserve of phds and
the intellectually precocious, until now. during this
weekend let’s disinter its hermetic meaning as we
meander thorough metaphysics, amble through
aesthetics, perambulate through political
philosophy and explore epistemology as we use
lectures and debate to address the question: what
is the value of philosophy? all welcome.
Tutor: Darren Harper
The Architecture of
Georgian Towns & Cities
Dinner Friday 20 – Lunch Sunday 22 October
Fees (£): s 396 t 342 l 375 n 319 H 319u 214
much of Britain's most beautiful architecture was
created by the georgians in the eighteenth century.
this course looks at how the georgians transformed
our towns and cities, exploring the evolution of the
town house, the careers of the great architects, the
beauties of interiors, the planning of towns from
London to Blandford forum, and the crafts that
made it all possible. all welcome.
Tutor: Philip Wilkinson
Bobbin Lacemaking British & European
Dinner Friday 20 - Lunch Monday 23 October
Fees (£): s 559 t 476 l 525 n 442 H 422 u 284
this is a practical course for all abilities of
lacemakers from those who have a knowledge of
only the basic stitches to those who wish to study
advanced techniques in the British and european
laces. many of the continental laces are taught with
the aid of a colour-coded diagram to help students
continue their work at home. time will be given to
relating threads to patterns and finishing and
mounting lace. Tutor: Patricia Bury
Advance Booking
Bobbin Lacemaking British & European
An Introduction
to Jazz Guitar
Dinner Friday 17 – Lunch Sunday 19 November
Fees (£): s 396 t 342 l 375 n 319 H 319u 214
this weekend is an introduction to the jazz guitar
style for guitar players with an established guitar
technique who are new to jazz. You should be
familiar with note names on the fret-board and
some major and minor scales, be fluent in basic
major, minor and 7th chords, and be able to read
notations or taB. tunes are chosen to highlight a
particular aspect of jazz guitar technique and will
cover melody playing, chords, arpeggios, modes,
improvisation, harmonisation and solo-chord
playing. Tutor: Branco Stoysin
Tea Sunday 24 - Breakfast Saturday 30 June
Fees (£): s 916 t 872 l 872 n 861 H 861u 568
this is a practical course for all abilities of
lacemakers from those who have a knowledge of
only the basic stitches to those who wish to study
advanced techniques in the British and european
laces. many of the continental laces are taught with
the aid of a colour-coded diagram to help students
continue their work at home. time will be given to
relating threads to patterns and finishing and
mounting lace. Tutor: Patricia Bury
Bookbinding
01460 258613
[email protected]
Dillington House has a bursary scheme to
assist those on very low incomes. If you
qualify, instead of the advertised fee you
can attend a weekend course for £50.
Please note however that some courses
are excluded from this scheme or require
an extra supplement. The concession is
only available to residents of Somerset,
East Devon and West Dorset and is offered
on a first-come first-served basis. Places
are obviously subject to availability.
for more details contact the
Bookings office on 01460 258613
or email
[email protected]
www.dillington.com
NOV
Lunch Monday 20 – Lunch Friday 24 November
Fees (£): s 793 t 685 l 748 n 639 H 639 u 428
the optional special subject for this course will be
paper repair. students will look at how to assess a
particular book, how to clean and wash it (if
necessary), and how to use repair papers. students
should bring with them some books with pages
that are torn or damaged and need attention
before binding. the course is aimed at
intermediate level, but beginners who have
attended sara Jarrett-Kerr’s course in January 2016
would find it useful if they are interested in
rebinding old books. Intermediate-level students
who do not wish to pursue the optional subject are
welcome to come and bring their own projects to
work on. please note there is an additional charge
of £10 towards the cost of general materials.
Tutor: Angela Sutton
Financial Assistance
for Residential
Weekend Courses
67
Your Questions Answered
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?...
We hope you find all the information you need on this page, but if you have
any further queries please contact the Bookings Office (see below). Once you
have made a booking we will email your booking confirmation to you. Closer
to the course date we will send you a further email containing your course
timetable, a ‘what to bring list’ and some general information.
HOW DO I MAKE A BOOKING?...
Telephone the Bookings Office with your booking and payment details or
complete the Booking Form and return with your payment.
WHAT ACCOMMODATION IS AVAILABLE?...
Dillington House has 40 en-suite bedrooms offering a variety of styles and
sizes across three buildings:Superior bedrooms provide more space with a
few extra touches and all of the bedrooms in The Hyde are superior and fully
accessible. Against each residential course you will find a series of symbols
and prices, which give the fees per person, relating to the different grades of
rooms and occupancy.
s
Superior en-suite double/twin room single occupancy
t
Superior en-suite double/twin room shared occupancy
l
Small en-suite double/twin room single occupancy
n
Small en-suite double/twin room shared occupancy
H
Single en-suite room
Non-residential fee
u
:
Weekend Plus (includes supper on
Sunday evening plus bed & breakfast – subject to availability)
2
Please note that rooms are allocated on a first-come first-served basis.
Early booking is recommended if you have any special requirements.
Your course timetable will provide details of the time of your course
registration and bedroom check in. The standard time for checking out of
bedrooms is 10.30am on the day of departure.
WHAT DO I GET FOR MY MONEY?...
Fees quoted are per person unless stated otherwise. VAT is included where
applicable.
The residential fee includes tuition, full board and accommodation plus travel
and admission for field trips where applicable, unless stated otherwise.
The non-residential fee includes tuition, lunch, dinner and refreshments plus
travel and admission for field trips where applicable, unless stated otherwise.
The day course fee includes tuition, lunch and refreshments plus travel and
admission for field trips where applicable, unless stated otherwise.
VAT is included where applicable.Registration for most day courses takes
place from 9.00am and the first session usually begins at 9.45am with the
day ending at 4.00pm.
Students are generally responsible for providing their own materials and
individual items of equipment especially on practical courses. If there are
any additional costs, they will be shown on the course information sheet. If
the tutor is able to provide materials or equipment, this will also be shown.
Please note: Dillington House reserves the right to vary the course
programme or substitute a tutor should it be deemed
necessary for whatever reason.
68
WHAT DO I PAY AND WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL?...
Residential Courses - a deposit* is required when booking all residential
courses. The balance of your fee will be due four weeks prior to the course
start date, unless stated otherwise. After this date you will be liable for the
full course fee. (* £50 unless stated otherwise)
Day Courses, Concerts, Lectures, Events, Pre-booked Meals and Additional
Stays are payable in full on booking.
We accept payment by Credit/Debit Card except American Express. Cheques
should be made payable to Somerset County Council.
Payments are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another course or
event. If you cannot attend then you can nominate a substitute at no further
cost. We recommend that you take out your own insurance in case you have
to cancel through illness or unforeseen circumstances.
In the event of Dillington holding a waiting list for places on a course we will
attempt to replace your booking. If we are successful, a refund will be
calculated based on the difference between your fee and the fee of the
replacement booking, which may not be the same.
CAN I BRING A PARTNER OR FRIEND?...
We are happy to accommodate partners or friends who are not attending a
course. Likewise, if you wish to stay at Dillington in order to undertake
private study, we will do our best to accommodate you. Please contact the
Bookings Office for availability and costs.
CAN I GET TO DILLINGTON ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT?...
The nearest railways stations are Crewkerne and Taunton. Taxis to Dillington
cost £20-£30 one way. See our website for further details of how to get to
Dillington by other means.
WHAT IF MY COURSE IS CANCELLED?...
Dillington House reserves the right to cancel a course for whatever reason but
where this happens we will endeavour to give as much notice as possible.
In the event of a cancelled course your fee and your deposit will be refunded.
FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED?...
We have 16 fully accessible en-suite double bedrooms available, mostly in
The Hyde. Most lecture rooms have induction loops, and information can be
provided in other formats for those with a visual impairment. Personal
assistants to disabled people can attend a residential course with a fee
reduction of 20%. Please contact the Bookings Office to discuss your needs.
CHANGES?...
Every effort is made to ensure that the courses run as described. However,
we can take no responsibility for consequential losses should, in exceptional
circumstances, any arrangements need to be changed for any reason.
Open Mon-Fri 9.00am-4.30pm
01460 258613
[email protected]
www.dillington.com
Index
SUBJECT
TUTOR
PAGE
SUBJECT
TUTOR
PAGE
Archaeology
dr paula gardiner
dr nick snashall
dr peter stanier
39
17
47
Craft
Art History
Wayne Bennett
dr Jan. d. cox
david cuthbert
Julian Halsby
chris pollard
tim porter
angie smith
8, 15, 56
65
13
24
57
36
29
Art - Architecture
mike Hope
mark powell
philip Wilkinson
15. 18, 41, 55, 58
9, 26
47, 66
angie Blackwell
ness Bird
annette Bolton
patricia Bury
Jenni cadman
clare clensy
richard gibson
Jenny Harrison
Jackie Hunt
diana Illingworth-cook
sarah Jarrett Kerr
paul Johnson
angela sutton
carla taylor
Liz trebble
19, 33
41, 47
12, 24, 33, 59
46, 66, 67
16
17
37
11, 36, 52, 62
47
65
14, 42
63
33, 67
18, 36, 49, 65
39
Art Practical
Jane Beech
Wayne Bennett
david chandler
ali cockrean
david cuthbert
clare duvergier
John farmelo
Kaili fu
susan Hillier
shari Hills
stella murray Whatley
gerald mynott
simon Williams
49
39
16
52
33
55
38, 66
25
34, 59
19, 46
12, 35, 47, 60
46
11
Creative Writing
elizabeth rapp
48, 62
Culture
Wayne Bennett
diane Janes
marian Jones
chris pollard
mike shaw
max stafford
28
60
51
8, 28, 57
59
29
Culture - Religion
sister elizabeth rees
8, 25
Dance
Bookbinding
diana Illingworth-cook
sarah Jarrett-Kerr
angela sutton
65
14, 42
33, 67
ann Hinchliffe
argyll scottish country dancing
Bridgett vane
48
66
27, 42, 46
Dillington
Book Club
elizabeth rapp
17, 26, 35, 40, 46
summer school Wk1
summer school Wk2
september in somerset
54, 55, 56, 57
58, 59
63
Family History
Jane taubman
49
Field Trip
Wayne Bennett
mark cottle
Jane crozier
dr paula gardiner
mike Hope
amelia marriette
christine pritchard
dr nick snashall
dr peter stanier
58
58
39
39
36, 41, 55, 58
40
47
17
47
Classical Guitar Festival
53
Computer
18, 38
Concert
siobhan allen
14, 27, 32, 41, 53, 65
69
Index
SUBJECT
TUTOR
PAGE
SUBJECT
TUTOR
PAGE
Gardens &
Countryside
Wayne Bennett
Jane crozier
Jane ferentzi-sheppard
mike Hope
christine pritchard
dr peter stanier
58
39
51
55
28, 42, 47
8, 34, 47
Lifestyle (cont)
Jerry nightingale
Lesley Watson
Jenny Webb
48
52, 63
30
Literature
Brian anderson
Wayne Bennett
mark cottle
dr Bob davies
neil eddiford
Jane ferentzi-sheppard
dr paula gardiner
nick griffiths
richard Henderson
mike Hope
diane Janes
chris pollard
tim porter
dr nick snashall
max stafford
dr peter stanier
Bridgett vane
37
25, 58
23, 58
15
19
11, 28, 36, 51, 60
39
26, 52, 62
25, 48, 60
36
60
8, 57
12, 55
17
29
8, 34
27
dr greta depledge
dr danielle grover
marian Jones
dr paul mcdonald
amelia marriette
elizabeth rapp
17, 38
60
30, 48
25
40
17, 23, 26, 35, 40, 46
Military History
mike shaw
11, 27, 41, 49
History
History - Egyptology Lucia gahlin
9, 33, 42, 63
Languages
Brian Jaques
marian Jones
chris pollard
15
30, 51
59
Lecture & Lunch
Brian anderson
Wayne Bennett
mark cottle
Lucia gahlin
paul Johnson
dr paul mcdonald
37
39
22
9
64
24
Lecture
Lifestyle
70
13, 18, 21, 25, 30, 38
Bev alderson
Hilary armstrong
ann evans
Kate fortlage & mandy Bennett
titch glenday
patrick Harries
dr Xuzhuang Li
tim moorey
49
26, 52
22, 40
48
19
27
29
12
Mothering Sunday Lunch
34
Music Appreciation terry Barfoot
Wayne Bennett
andrew Borkowski
mike denham
gwyn parry-Jones
tim porter
roderick swanston
Bridgett vane
eric Wetherell
14, 33, 40
15
18, 36, 64
13
26, 38, 65
35, 55
19
27, 42, 46
52
Music Practical
Music Practical Guitar
Music Practical Recorder
Music Practical Strings
Music Practical Ukulele
argyll scottish country musicians
peter rueffer
Branco stoysin
Helen Hooker
66
23, 53
67
41
coull Quartet
64
sally vaughan
11, 34, 35, 64
OU Related Course
dr John Kirkaldy
dr Lynda morgan
34
42
Philosphy
darren Harper
66
Photography
Brian anderson
37, 51, 62
Singing
ann evans
Jo sercombe
faith Watson
13
17, 46, 48, 60, 63
66
Sunday Lunch
22
Please use block capitals
Forename
Surname
Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Dr
Forename
Surname
Address*
Post Code
Telephone
(Daytime)
(Evening)
E-mail
On receipt of your booking an email booking confirmation will be sent to you.
*If contact details are different for second person, please supply this information on a separate sheet.
Course / Event Title
Date(s)
*Accom Reqd
Fee per person
Fee(s) Total Payable £
whether you require Single or Shared Occupancy, Superior or non-Superior, Twin or Double Room.
*Please state
A non-refundable deposit of £50 is required for all residential courses per person/per course.
Day Courses, Concerts, Lectures, Events, Pre-booked Meals and Additional Stays are payable in full when booking.
postal booking form
Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Dr
If you wish to pay by Credit/Debit Card there is no need to complete the booking form please ring the Bookings
Office with your booking request and your payment details – 01460 258613
If you wish to pay by cheque please complete the booking form and send with your cheque to the address
below. Please make cheques payable to Somerset County Council.
Food Intolerances, Allergies and Accessibility Requirements (please specify)
You are invited to give any information (age, medical condition, disability etc.) which will help us in the allocation
of bedrooms and in making other arrangements.
Please turn over
Please post to Dillington House, Ilminster, Somerset TA19 9DT
Please use block capitals
Current Name
Address
Post Code
Telephone
(Daytime)
(Evening)
Email
New Name
Address
Post Code
Telephone
(Daytime)
(Evening)
Email
If you do NOT wish to remain on our mailing list, please tick this box
MAILING LIST AND DATA PROTECTION
The first time you book a course you will be asked if you want to go on
our mailing list to receive future programmes and, unless you indicate
otherwise, to also receive details in connection with future courses and
associated publicity. If after 3 years you have not made a booking you
will be removed from the list. If at any time you wish to be put back on
please ring the Bookings Office.
Your personal information will not be disclosed to any third party.
change of details
PLEASE INFORM US OF ANY CHANGES TO YOUR DETAILS SO THAT WE CAN AMEND OUR RECORDS
©matt sweeting
©matt sweeting
© Will Pryce
The Dillington
challenge
the dillington programme may include lecturers or tutors who hold
views that may be considered controversial or provocative.
In the spirit of free speech we believe it is right that our programme includes challenging
viewpoints, however the granting of a platform does not imply that dillington endorses or
opposes any views expressed.
We hope that those attending will enjoy the opportunity to consider a range of opinions and challenge them if they wish.
©matt sweeting
Working Together for Equalities
as part of somerset county council, dillington House
promises not to discriminate unfairly on grounds of
race, colour, ethnic or national origins, nationality,
religion, accent, language, literacy, disability, age,
income or social background, sex, marital status,
caring responsibilities, sexual orientation, political
or trade union activity.
DILLINGTON HOUSE
IIminster Somerset TA19 9DT
Bookings & enquiries
01460 258613
main switchboard
01460 258648
RIBA Award
[email protected]
www.dillington.com
dillington’s spectacular building
the Hyde won the 2010
facebook:
facebook.com/dillington
regional architecture award
from the royal Institute
of British architects.
twitter:
@dillingtonhouse
The citation reads:
the building displays a spatial and formal
sophistication, precision and quiet confidence
which is incredibly rare. It sits with real sensitivity
within a very complex site mediating changes
in level, capturing light and framing views.
It is a fabulous addition to the fine collection of
historic buildings which exists on the site.
DILLINGTON HOUSE
A service provided by
Somerset County Council
Cover images
Top Left © Lee Scott
Top Right © Lee Scott
Bottom Left © Amelia Wood
Bottom Right © Brian Anderson
Design & Printed by
o
C
&
www.charlieandco.co.uk