Despite not having rain for ten weeks now it’s been perfect weather for a variety of garden events and parties over the last few weeks. Today we have a yoga retreat taking place here and it’s wonderful that everyone can enjoy just being outside! They even used the tree house - so much energy flowing around the whole place tonight! Tomorrow we have one of our granddaughter's birthday parties so a bouncy castle will be in full bounce on lawn I dare say! The poor garden has taken a bashing from the lack of rain but the numerous tubs continue to flourish with love and attention! I'm beginning to get slightly bored with watering I confess as I have over 120 pots, of all shapes and sizes, to find and drench every couple of days.  

 

The Tendring Hundred Farmers Club annual show was a huge success. Once again I organised the Art Show with the help a very good team of people. We had a record number of paintings and a large footfall and attracted a good deal of praise and comment but sadly sales were down on last year. Maybe it was the heat?  

 

Kris Marriott—Wet Felting Workshop—Wed 7th August, £75 including all materials and a delicious farmhouse lunch of course—something exciting and different and one of our marquee workshops. Click on this text to edit it. 

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A big thank you again for everyone who has replied to the GDPR emails—I think we are all thoroughly sick of that subject now, me included. 

This spring was eventful—some amazing courses but also a few cancellations due to weather and tutor illness etc but it was lovely to finally host busy, creative and happy days here after that oh so long cold winter. 

Looking forward to the summer and you can see the tents have just gone up! They have already been in used, firstly for a beautiful memorial service and on Monday we hosted a very successful year group visit from the local primary school with historical and art based activities. This weekend we have a Clarinet workshop in the studio plus on Sunday about sixty people will be joining us for a garden party and the weather so far, fingers crossed, looks good! 

Tendring Show—Saturday 14th July. Do come and see me in the Art and Lifestyle Marquee where I shall be most of the day as I run the Art Show. Trevor Osborne will be demonstrating hare sculpting and Alison Burchert her amazing pastel techniques! www.tendringshow.co.uk—a really brilliant day out for all the family! 

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Important Notice re GDPR (general data protection regulation act). I know, it’s maybe not something you all feel you want or need to understand, however I am now required to ensure that everyone I mail or email with newsletters, brochures, or other promotional material is happy to receive them. Please, please, if this is something you wish me to continue to do can you email me to that effect.  

 

This includes people already booked on courses this year! THANK YOU. 

The snow has finally gone, hopefully for good, and we have finally started back with some fabulous courses already this month. We have a busy spring ahead of us but luckily, for those of you wishing to reboot, or enhance your artistic skills and techniques, we have some spaces still free—details below! 

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Spring is coming—honest! After a winter of hard work redecorating the studio we are looking forward to welcoming students back when courses resume next month. The first two are full but we fortunately still have spaces left on others to offer. Please do see the NEW WEBSITE for more details. 

Vacancies: March 

Studio Refurbishment We are busy renovating and redecorating the studio before it’s first event of 2018 – The Pudding Club Lunch on February 18th.in aid of Essex and Herts Air Ambulance. We think you’ll notice the difference! 

Studio Refurbishment Many people think we have the winter off before courses start again in March– I wish! The builders, despite the weather, have already replaced studio roof and undertaken internal renovations.  

 

After Christmas we carry on with decorating and generally sprucing up and re-vitalising the place. We feel that after eighteen years of hard service it deserves some serious TLC - I do hope regulars notice the difference! 

What an amazing year we have had. It was so lovely to see so many of you on courses throughout the year. We’ve covered all media I think, from experimental watercolour to lino printing, iPad painting to oil portraits – it’s been inspiring and very enjoyable.  

 

The weather has been unusually dry and pretty warm too and we have enjoyed many alfresco lunches on the terrace and coffee on the veranda. 

What do YOU want for Christmas, or what do you want to give someone else? Are you struggling for suitable present ideas? Why not ask for, or give, an enjoyable and memorable experience gift instead of some unwanted ‘thing’! 

 

Watershed Gift Vouchers can be for any amount of money—from £20 upwards. Every little helps to­wards a course from our exciting 2018 programme! 

 

Just a phone call or email will sort out your present worries! Vouchers are sent out in a festive gift card.