The good news and the good news.....
With 2019 well and truly behind us and with warmer weather hopefully on its way, we are approaching our events season with all its challenges and possibilities with a spring our our step despite the news that the lovely Kerry Larkin, who was to lead our joint quilting workshop, had to pull out for health reasons. A hard act to follow but her workshop partner, botanical dyer Edie Ure, was undeterred and we managed to swiftly replace Kerry with the remarkable young quilter, Heidi Parkes.
By Hand - Plant to Fibre
from 3rd - 9th June
Suddenly it is all systems go! Both Edie and Heidi have large and enthusiastic fan bases, places on the workshop have filled up quickly and there is now only one place remaining (we want to keep the numbers relatively small so there is plenty of one-to-one with the two leaders). If dyeing from garden plants, and hand-stitched quilts, fly your kite then don’t delay as this workshop looks like being a unique and fascinating experience.
Who wouldn’t like to introduce (or re-introduce!) more happiness, fun, spontaneity and laughter into their lives?
After hosting two previous super-successful, massively enjoyable Comedy workshops led by Chris Grimes, Mike Akers & Leah Jannine Fletcher of Instant Wit, we’ve invited them back for another
Laughter Lab from 13th-18th May
This year’s offering will be a little bigger, better and longer - a 4 day/5 night immersive - thus proving the Comedy Rule of Three by inviting Chris and the team back for a third time. Add to this our celebrated hospitality, great food and stylish accommodation and what’s not to like? I don't wish to steal Instant Wit’s thunder by describing this event in too much detail (I was a participant of last year’s workshop myself!!), but it offers plenty of opportunities to experiment with and develop our unique and innate spontaneity in a safe and supportive environment; a brilliant life skill which can be so very useful when creating or presenting work, or when criticism of it appears from left field. This is absolutely not just for performers - this is a workshop experience for anyone wishing to explore spontaneity and innate creativity, and basically all that is required is a willingness to take part. If it seems both terrifying and amazing, then you should definitely pursue it, do please listen to what Chris has to say; then get in touch if you’d like to find out more. Or just flex your spontantaeity muscle and book a place!
We had a great response to our Literary quiz in the last newsletter and most of your got most of the answers correct. The winner was Therese from Boston who received one of our hand-made Les Soeurs Anglaises aprons (little consolation prizes were also sent out to all those with correct answers). If you haven’t had a chance yet to try the quiz, or would like to check the answers, click here.
To continue our Christmas literary theme, and because we love book recommendations ourselves, here are Soeur Susie’s best reads of 2019:
Is a love of reading synonymous with being creative, perchance? Who knows but none of Les Soeurs could live without ”literature”. Over the years at the LSA workshops, as those of you who have been to one will recall, we’ve often asked you for your favourite books and authors. However, there’s a difference between grabbing a book and a book grabbing you. The problem we’ve found is that, whereas in our “youth” we could recall plot and author with no difficulty, we now find it very hard to remember details, however much we’ve enjoyed the “read”. I’m pleased to confess I read “physical” books only (Kindle has passed me by) and I keep all those I love. From 2019 these were my top three:
Firstly, John Le Carré”s “Agent Running in the Field”. I confess, I have a penchant for spy novels, fictional rather than real, and have consumed them all my life (well from about 9 - my collection of first editions of James Bond would be worth a fortune if I’d kept them)! This novel is topical and a real “cracker” of a tale – it never lets up, keeps you on tenterhooks and, though I suspect in reality “spying” can be pretty tedious, it ensnares you.
Secondly, “Prisoners of Geography” by Tim Marshall. It’s non-fiction. It explains clearly and succinctly how important geography is to how countries develop and how much politics and behaviour are affected. It makes what could be a dull subject fascinating and certainly there is plenty to mull over. The funny thing is, that since reading it, I’ve had a couple of very interesting conversations with strangers who were also enthusiastically reading it - a rare event in my experience (not talking to strangers but enthusing about books with strangers)!’
Thirdly (but not least), Michael Ondaatje’s “Warlight”. Having read only one other of his books, “The English Patient”, (can’t think why as I’ve loved both) he again made me care about strange characters in unusual circumstances. The period and place resonated with me and I just loved it. An easy but enthralling read.
These books have reinforced the view that being a writer is not a “walkover” and that books are a treasure trove that never empties.
If you’ll forgive the pun, the cherry on the cake for us this month has been confirmation from Sven Hanson Britt - who last month was crowned champion of MasterChef: The Professionals, Rematch 2019 after going up against some of the UK’s top young chefs! - will be joining us once again to cater for the entire three days of our Blue & Boogie Weekend, including the concert evening. It comes as he continues to work towards the opening of his own restaurant, Oxeye, in Melbourne Hall, Derbyshire. UK. (Such is his following that his recent Kickstart campaign reached the £30,000 goal in less than a week). @svenhansonbritt
We are absolutely thrilled that Sven has found the time in his busy schedule to join us again this July. And it guarantees the weekend will not only be full of great music - we have some of the best International Blues & Boogie musicians performing - but amazing food, special wines and stimulating company. Visit our dedicated Blues & Boogie website for more details and book a place; and don’t delay as residential places are strictly limited to make sure the event is relaxed and welcoming.
