Some of last year’s fabulous workshop characters!
Hello everyone,
It’s time to release our much anticipated annual WILLOW WORKSHOP with PENNY SIMONS on FRIDAY 07 OCTOBER! That said, we never can be quite sure if it will be annual…but this year Penny tells me she has collected plenty of willow and so our day is on! Woohoo!!
I’ve lost track of the number of quirky willow structures that have been created here over the years, but there are gardens all over that have a delightful focal point, made by the hands of their owner (I know of one garden that has several!).
Most peeps who join in this day have no prior experience, so please don’t be put off if you’re contemplating the idea. Participants do sometimes look a little daunted on arrival, but under Penny’s guidance and gentle coaxing, forms begin to take shape, and by day’s end magic has been woven. At times the big space in the Dairy is full of chatter as everyone gleefully goes about their work; at others there’s a resounding silence but for the gentle tap of willow on the concrete floor, with everyone in high concentration mode, their fingers hard at work. Slowly, the bundles of unwieldy willow whips on the floor (that Penny has harvested, prepared at great length and transported) for everyone to plunder dwindle; as beautiful forms take shape.
One thing Penny does say, if you’re wondering if the day is for you, is that you do need strong hands. It’s quite a physical day, but we’ve had all ages here and I’ve never seen anyone defeated or one piece leave that I wouldn’t be thrilled to have in the garden here. The thing I always say is…please come with an empty car in order to transport your beauty home!
Do join us! All the details and booking form are here and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me. Of course as always, a seasonal, garden-inspired lunch will punctuate the day and give you a bit of a breather before tackling the more intricate afternoon’s steps to completion.
Don’t forget that in the meantime we have the EARLY SPRING PERFUMERY & CANDLE MASTERCLASS on SUNDAY 25 SEPTEMBER with CRAIG ANDRADE, aka THE RACONTEUR when we’ll be celebrating the citrus…and they are budding up in preparation which is oh so exciting.
Also, there’s inTHE KITCHEN GARDEN SPRING / SUMMER on SATURDAY 01 OCTOBER. The kitchen garden is truly coming into its own now…the season of pure romance and produce are upon us and there is so much to see, learn…and taste. It’s at this time of the year you can really grasp the full cycle of plant life before your eyes and it is exquisite to behold.
I’d love to see you here…for them all! You’ll find details for the last two on the special events page here.
Oh and it was so lovely to see all those who were quick off the mark to secure a place at last Sunday’s early spring garden visit and morning tea – even if we did have four seasons in one morning! You can catch a glimpse of the cake & blossom fest here!!
Very best wishes to all,
Mickey
