Nottinghamshire Federation Denman Weekend
Friday 9 – Sunday 11 November 2012
95 Years Celebration Weekend

Come with us to Denman, your transport is organized, your course is organized, your meals are organized – and no washing up!  We have some super courses on offer.  The Transport is being subsidized by a Grant from the Agnes Salter Travel Fund that was set to help students travel to Denman. Please remember to read all the details before you send in your application form.

 Closing date for applications will be Friday 11th May. 

1. Complementary Therapies Taster. Cost £265
Spend a relaxing weekend where you can try and learn a little about a variety of holistic therapies.  We will explore various aromatic essential oils and learn how they could be used.  Work on the reflexes of the hand and foot in reflexology.  Try, and experience a head massage and the relaxation of shoulder and back massage.

2. Silver Clay Workshop. Cost £265
Silver Clay is a new art material, real silver that can be shaped with your fingers like clay!  This will be a fun and relaxing course with plenty of time to experiment and be creative.  No previous experience is necessary and no expensive tools or equipment are needed.  Learn the basic techniques of how to roll, cut and texture the clay and even paint a real silver leaf.  Additional cover charge of £55 for all materials provided by your tutor.

3. Christmas All Sewn Up. Cost £265
Add that personal touch to your home furnishings, decorations and Christmas gifts.  Learn how to make a couple of gifts and a range of techniques to use on other projects through the year.  Tutor will bring wadding and fabrics for purchase.  Additional cost for materials will vary from £5-20 depending on size and quantity of projects chosen.

4. Christmas Flowers. Cost £265
Learn the basics of flower arranging, using mechanics, conditioning plant material and the principles and elements of design.  Have fun making a least two lovely Christmas designs for the home - a wreath for the door or table and a table arrangement.  With time allowing make natural decorations to decorate gifts and your Christmas tree.  Approximate additional cost for materials will be £20.

5. 'It ain't half cold ma' - Winter in the Victorian era. Cost £265
Focusing essentially on November, December and January, we explore life and activities in Britain during these months in the Victorian era.  Aspects include Guy Fawkes Night, the Lord Mayor's Show and the making of the Victorian Christmas.  Also included is the nature of work and leisure in the countryside in winter together with the impact the weather had on urban life, notably London and its infamous fogs.  The popularity of ghost and detective stories, spiritualism and home entertainment, music, theatre and pantomime are also featured.

6. Christmas Cooking. Cost £289
We will produce a range of dishes, both savoury and sweet for a variety of occasions over the Christmas period, from canapés for a drinks party, tasty stuffing and preserves to serve with turkey and ideas for a vegetarian celebration dinner.  Some recipes will be ideal for using up left-overs too.

7. The Victorian Music Hall. Cost £265
A journey through this fascinating period of British musical history.  James Mitchell recreates the atmosphere of this unique entertainment, recaptures many of the characters that used to appear in or inhabit such places.  Sing along with many of the popular songs such as 'Champagne Charlie' and 'The Daring Young Men on their Flying Trapeze'.  He also brings his special collection of Victorian Sheet Music Covers.  A course for both music and history enthusiasts.

To avoid any disappointment please read the full course descriptions, available from your WI Secretary, from the office, or on our website before booking.  If a course is oversubscribed there may have to be a ballot.

Closing Date: Friday 11 May

Please send your application form to the Federation Office together with a cheque for £50 deposit; the cheque will not be presented until your place is confirmed after the closing date and you have accepted the course offered.  This deposit is then non-refundable. 
The Denman Cancellation Policy will apply and is on the reverse of the application form with a recommendation about insurance against the event of you having to cancel.  Please check your home insurance policy to see if you are already covered.

Balance to be paid by Friday 31 August.

THIS ABOVE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THIS PAGE.

“WE’RE BEEN TO DENMAN”

After a week at Denman acting as College Host I welcomed members from 35 WIs, for the Federation Weekend. We had beautiful weather which was enjoyed by the ladies who explored Wychwood Forest and spotted wildlife and flowers. Another group also enjoyed the weather as they discovered the Arts and Craft house and gardens at Rodmarton Manor. In the Cookery School twelve ladies learned how to use lots of herbs picked from Denman’s herb garden to create delicious meat and fish dishes, biscuits and ice cream. In the Bawden Room more ladies discovered the body shaped packages draped in cloth were actually bundles of willow from which they would be making baskets, platters and fantastic butterflies for their gardens. The terrified ladies who thought they couldn’t draw were surprised that with expert tuition they were able to produce accurate, lifelike pictures. The ladies on the Showstoppers course worked very hard on four songs from musicals from Les Miserables to Chicago and then on Saturday evening entertained us all with their routines. Members of the executive committee and WI members also entertained with sketches, the Mexican Hat Dance! and a WI take on the ‘I look down on him, but I look up to him’ sketch, and ‘Bobby’s Girl’ and no one present will forget Pam Stoddart’s ‘Terrible Tommy’  sketch.

I’m sure everyone went home with many happy memories of Nottinghamshire Weekend.