Craft, Cookery & Gardening Courses 2012
Please download our printable Brochures or please scroll down to see our new 2012 workshops
Please print off a Booking Form if you'd like to book onto one of our workshops.
For details of how to pay, or to purchase Gift Vouchers, please scroll down to bottom of page.
Our Courses cover a range of topics from Gardening to Cookery to Crafts
All courses last for 1 day from 10.00am (unless otherwise stated) and continue all day with a special home-made lunch and a glass of wine, finishing about 4.30-5.30pm (depending on course). The maximum number of people on the workshops are small (4 to 6) to ensure everyone has time to create something special to take home. The cost ranges from £45 to £65 per person and includes materials (except where stated) plus lunch, tea, coffee and wine. Our aim is to have fun and learn new skills in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere
If you would like to attend one of the courses please ring Sherry on 01526 378717 or 07979 750750. Or you can send me an email at info@manorhousestables.co.uk
To reserve a place on one of our courses, please download and fill in the Booking Form and send it back to me by post or as an email attachment. A £25 deposit will secure your place and the remainder is payable on the day by cash or cheque. If you no longer use cheques we are happy to give you our bank details so you can pay directly into our account. You can now also pay by Paypal - please see bottom of this page.
Gift Vouchers
You can also purchase Gift Vouchers for Courses & Workshops - please contact us on 01526 378717 or 07979 750760 if you'd like to purchase one. You can specify any amount and for any workshop, provided that they are used within 6 months of purchase. The Voucher will be sent to either yourself or the intended recipient with a lovely card depicting the outside view of the Stables. A lovely present ideal for your friends and family.
May
NEW DATE. Bread making Day. Wednesday 23rd May. 8.45am - 5.30pm. £65. Maximum 4. Lunch & materials included.
There are 4 places on this course
On this one-day workshop you will learn everything you need to know about how to
bake a lovely loaf of bread. You will be taught the basics of bread making including mixing, kneading and proving and will be shown all the processes right through to the end when you can proudly admire your beautifully baked loaf! Along the way you will also learn how to use your creativity to produce both tasty and attractive loaves and rolls including white rolls, wholewheat loaves, Chelsea buns and well as your own pizzas for lunch! The day will finish with an afternoon session of creating shapes and plaits – all to take home to share with friends and family. Making bread can be a bit messy (but fun!) so please bring your apron! Maximum 6, £60. Materials, lunch and refreshments included. 8.45am - 5.30pm. £65. Max 4. Lunch & materials included
June
Special June Offers - 10% off all remaining course places in June!
Please note that bookings must be made no later than one week before the course, many thanks.
This is really my favourite month. The days are long and warm (we hope!), the garden is beautiful, perennial herbs are at their peak and celebrations abound. And this year they include not only the summer solstice which marks the longest day, but also the Queen's Diamond Jubilee!
Summer Preserving. Wednesday 6th June. 10am - 5pm. £60. Max 6. Lunch & materials included.
There are 4 places on this workshop.
On this one-day course you will start with the basics of jam making and be taken right through to learni
ng how to use your creativity in mixing flavours and textures which will result in unusual but delicious combinations! Raspberry Vinegar, Strawberry, Rhubarb & Vanilla Jam and Beetroot Chutney are just a few items we will make. Our jam-making workshops are run by Elaine from Saints & Sinners who has a portfolio of 200 seasonal preserves which she sells at shows, events and at selected outlets. Based on her workshops at the Manor House Stables, she has developed her 'The Inspired by.....Range', which is based on the imaginative results of course attendees as their creativity comes alive, and fantastic flavours are produced! Elaine chooses the best created flavour from each attendee and this will be featured in a limited edition for one month only. Examples include Heather's Raspberry, Madeira & Star Anise Jam, Wendy's Blackcurrant & Lemon Balm Jam and Emma's Apricot & Lavender Jam. Each 200g jar has a limited run of 20 jars & sells for £2.50 with 25p going to Macmillan Cancer Support Charity. See http://www.saintsandsinnershome.co.uk/ for Elaine's jams and preserves. 10am - 5pm. £60. Max 6. Lunch & materials included.
NEW DATE. Bread making Day. Friday 8th June. 8.45am - 5.30pm. £65. Maximum 4. Lunch & materials included.
There are 4 places on this course
On this one-day workshop you will learn everything you need to know about how to bake a lovely loaf of bread. You will be taught the basics of bread making including mixing, kneading and proving and will be shown all the processes right through to the end when you can proudly admire your beautifully baked loaf! Along the way you will also learn how to use your creativity to produce both tasty and attractive loaves and rolls including white rolls, wholewheat loaves, Chelsea buns and well as your own pizzas for lunch! The day will finish with an afternoon session of creating shapes and plaits – all to take home to share with friends and family. Making bread can be a bit messy (but fun!) so please bring your apron! Maximum 6, £60. Materials, lunch and refreshments included. 8.45am - 5.30pm. £65. Max 4. Lunch & materials included
Re-cycled Earrings and Bracelets - Saturday 9th June. 10am - 5pm. £55. Max 6. Lunch & materials included. 
There are 4 places on this workshop.
These really lovely earrings and matching bracelets are both stylish and eco-friendly and you can learn to make them on this one-day workshop. The pair in the photo are made using old Country Living magazines but you can use any old junk mail, gift wrap or other old magazines. You will be able to explore other ways of re-using everyday materials to create new and unique jewellery. In the afternoon Sue will also teach you how to do needle-felting and you will be able to produce some small pieces of jewellery using this method. By the end of the day you will take home some original pieces of jewellery and a new skill - and be able to make unusual jewellery for yourself or original gifts for friends and family. Artist/Craftsperson Sue from Hawkmoon Crafts runs this course and, like her felt-making workshops, you will be delighted with the products you make during the day. www.hawkmooncrafts.co.uk. 10am - 4.30pm. £55. Max 6. Lunch & materials included.
NEW DATE. Hand-made Chocolates. Sunday 10th June. 9.30am - 5.30pm. £75. Max 4. Lunch & materials included.
There are 3 places on this workshop.
Make your own hand-made chocolates - they're great to eat yourself or to give as a gift or other
special occasion. Using quality chocolate and professional moulds, you will make beautiful individual hand-crafted moulded chocolates in the morning which you will gift box before you leave.
In the afternoon, you will have a go at hand-dipping chocolates and decorating them in your own individual way. Rewarding, inspiring and completely irresistible! 9.30am - 5.30pm. £75. Max 4. Lunch & materials included.
Hand-made Chocolates. Wednesday 13th June. 9.30am - 5.30pm. £75. Max 4. Lunch & materials included.
There are 4 places on this workshop.
Make your own hand-made chocolates - they're great to eat yourself or to give as a gift or other special occasion. Using quality chocolate and professional moulds, you will make beautiful individual hand-crafted moulded chocolates in the morning which you will gift box before you leave.
In the afternoon, you will have a go at hand-dipping chocolates and decorating them in your own individual way. Rewarding, inspiring and completely irresistible! 9.30am - 5.30pm. £75. Max 4. Lunch & materials included.
Candle-making Workshop. Wednesday 20th June. 10am - 4pm. £55. Max 6. Lunch & materials included.
There are 2 places remaining on this workshop
Learn to make your own candles in this fun and popular workshop. Dawn from Kettler’s Cottage Crafts is
back to show us how to make several types of candle including scented soy wax and beautiful beeswax candles, then use gift wrap to turn your special candles into perfect presents. Dawn is committed to providing products that are as natural and environmentally-friendly as possible and sources ingredients locally. Soy candles are made from a type of soybean oil and are a very good alternative to paraffin candles - the wax comes from a natural renewable source and is not made from petroleum (like paraffin candles) and burning of soy candles does not increase the CO2 level in the atmosphere. Beeswax candles are also a great alternative to paraffin candles – they are brighter, last longer, smell like honey, do not produce smoke or soot and, of course they are sourced naturally from bees. Run by Dawn from Kettler's Cottage Crafts. www.kettlerscottagecrafts.co.uk. 10am - 4pm. £55. Max 6. Lunch & materials included.
Lotions & Lavender - Make your own Natural Beauty Products. Wednesday 23rd June. 10am - 5pm. £65. Max 6. Lunch & materials included.
There are 4 places on this workshop.
Make your own beauty products using natural materials and plant essential oils to use yourself or to give to friends and family. You do not need any specialist equipment and all materials are provided on the day. We start the day with lavender & mint tea followed by a talk about the wonderful properties of lavender. Before lunch we will learn to make lip balm, a simple glycerine soap and some bath melts and following a scrumptious lavender-themed lunch we will create a face cream and a facial oil tailored to your skin type using essential oils of your choice. Recipes will be given out on the day and reference material and other lavender products will be on sale in our shop. 10am - 5pm. £65. Max 6. Lunch & materials included.
The Organic Kitchen Garden - Part 3: The Harvest. Sunday 24th June. 10am - 5pm. £65. Lunch & materials included.
There are places on this workshop.
June is the summer mon
th when our organic gardens are beginning to show wonderful signs of life as our vegetables ripen, our herbs are at their peak and we are able to sample the results of all our earlier sowings. Part 3 of this 4-part course is packed with practical information and looks at the Harvest and what we do with the produce now that the early crops are ready. We will first re-cap on the reasons why we chose our vegetables and herbs and then conside
r the importance of picking them at the right time to get the optimum quality and yield. There are different techniques for harvesting particular vegetables, and there are various methods, both old and new, for storing and preserving your garden produce. Also important is ensuring that we have a continued harvest throughout the summer season, so now is the time to start on your second sowings. During the day, we will use the gardens of the Manor House to put theory into practice. This will also involve a practical session of planting seeds in pots or trays for harvesting later in the year - you will be able to take these home with you to grow in your own gardens. Other treats will be a lovely home-made lunch straight from the garden plus a bag of vegetables for you to take home with you. Run by Phil Moon from the Complete Gardener.
We will be running cookery workshops in August (19th) and September (23rd) when we will be harvesting vegetables from the garden and learning how to turn them into simple but nutritious meals. And also in August (29th) you can learn to turn your beetroot into chutney or your carrots into jam (just to name a few) by attending a Jam-making workshop.
Stained Glass making Day - Suncatchers and Hearts. Wednesday 27th June. 10am - 5pm. £65. Max 5. Lunch & materials included
There is 1 place remaining on this course. We are pleased to say that we will be running this workshop again on the 8th September. A stained glass Christmas Decoration workshop will also run on the 24th November.
Celebrate the Solstice by creating your own decorated stained glass Sun 
and practice the traditional skills of stained glass on this one day workshop. Or you can make beautiful hearts, the sign of the summer. Whichever you choose, you will be introduced to the art of copper foiling which was developed by the Tiffany work
shops for the magnificent and intricate lampshades. Choose from a vibrant selection of colourful glass and create your own special sun or heart-shaped decoration.
The workshop will be fun and relaxed and you will go away with pieces to be proud of! Suitable for beginners and improvers, but no experience is necessary, and all the tools and materials 
you need will be provided. The group size is small to ensure plenty of individual attention. Tutor - Gillian Wing from Strawberry Glass. www.strawberryglass.co.uk. 10am - 5pm. £65. Max 5. Lunch & materials included.
Chocolate-making Workshop. Saturday 30th June. 9.30am - 5.30pm. £75. Max 4. Lunch & materials included.
This course is now fully booked. This is our last chocolate-making workshop for the season but they will commence again in late September.
Learn to make your own hand-made chocolates for yourself 
or for a special occasion. Using quality chocolate and professional moulds, you will make beautiful individual hand-crafted chocolates in the morning which you will gift box before you leave. In the afternoon, you will have a go at hand-dipping chocolates and decorating them in your own individual way. Rewarding, inspiring and completely irresistible! 9.30am - 5.30pm. £75. Max 4. Lunch & materials included.
July
Another busy month in the garden, and in the kitchen, as our garden harvest increases and we must find ways of dealing with the excess produce - whether storing or preserving - ready for the months ahead.
Breadmaking Day. Wednesday 4th July. 8.45am - 5.30pm. £65. Max 4. Lunch & materials included.
There are 2 places left on this course.
On this one-day workshop you will learn everything you need to know about how to bake a lovely loaf of bread. You will learn the basics of bread making including mixing, kneading and proving and will be shown all the processes right through to the end when you can proudly admire your bea
utifully baked loaf! Along the way you will also learn how to use your creativity to produce both tasty and attractive loaves and rolls including white rolls, wholewheat loaves, Chelsea buns and well as your own pizzas for lunch! The day will finish with an afternoon session of creating shapes and plaits – all to take home and share with friends and family. Making bread can be a bit messy (but fun!) so please bring your apron! 8.45am - 5.30pm. Maximum 4, £65. Materials, lunch and refreshments included.
Lavender Make and Bake Day. Saturday 7th July. 10am - 5pm. £65. Lunch & materials included.
Details to follow soon.
Make a Basket in a Day. Sunday 8th July. 10am - 4pm. £65. Max 6. Lunch & materials included.
There are places on this workshop.
We also offer Willow Hearts (28th July) and Willow Sculpture for beginners (4th August) and for those with some experience (18th August)
In just one d
ay you will learn to make a lovely frame basket with a handle using beautiful willow, which can be filled with goodies to give to a special friend o
r family member. The weaving technique was traditionally used by agricultural workers or travellers who made the small round baskets from hedgerow materials. Alison is a great admirer of willow and she grows some of her own or sources it locally. The willow she brings to this workshop includes a variety of different species each of a different shade, from light brown to russet
to dark chocolate, and they can all be incorporated into your basket. Once the frame is made, weaving the coloured rods is fun, easy to do and very rewarding. The end result – a beautiful basket with a variety of uses which will last for many years! We have a small gift shop on site, selling items such as locally-made jams and honey, Lincolnshire plum bread, chocolates, and many other items which would be lovely if you wish to turn your basket into a special gift. Taught by Alison from Lincoln Willow. www.lincolnwillow.co.uk. 10am - 4pm. £65. Max 6. Lunch & materials included.
Perfume-making Workshop. Wednesday 25th July. 9.30am - 5pm. £65. Max 6. Lunch & materials included.
There are places on this workshop.
Learn to blen
d your own perfume on this wonderful new workshop. You will be able to create your own scent using natural plant oils, from florals such as rose, geranium or lavender to light citrusy scents such as lemon or bergamot. Or why not create an original perfume to give to friends or family. All the materials are provided and no previous experience is necessary. More details will follow soon. 9.30am - 5.00pm . Maximum 6. £65. Materials, lunch and refreshments included.
Weave a Willow Heart. Saturday 28th July. 10am - 4pm. £65. Max 6. Lunch & materials included.
There is 1 place remaining on this workshop.
Learn to make beautiful willow heart wreaths and decorate them with flowers or other natural materials. They are perfect for many occasions, such as wedding celebrations or m
ake beautiful hand-made gifts. You will be using colourful willow varieties and hedgerow coppice for the wreaths which will last for many years and can be re-decorated to suit any occasion. You will also learn to make circular wreaths and kissing bows. Bring along your own greenery or flowers for decoration if you wish, although there will be plenty to choose from in the garden of the Manor House. Taught by willow artist, Alison Walling from Lincoln Willow. 10am - 4pm. £65. Max 6. Lunch & materials included.
Natural Dyeing Day. Sunday 29th July. 10am - 3pm. £65. Max 4. Lunch & materials included.
There are places on this workshop.
Spend a day learni
ng how to 
dye fabric and yarn with plants, bark, flowers and roots. Discover the fascinating colours that can be achieved through nature's store cupboards. This workshop is suitable for complete beginners as well as those more experienced in dyeing fabrics. You will be taught about mordanting fibres and learn two different natural dyeing techniques. Taught by Angela Daymond of Fenland Textile Studios. http://www.fenlandtextilestudio.co.uk/index.html. 10am - 3pm. £65. Max 4. Lunch & materials included.
August
Bread-making Day. Wednesday 1st August. 8.45am - 5.30pm. £65. Maximum 4. Lunch & materials included.
There are 2 places left on this course.
On this one-day w
orkshop you will learn everything you need to know about how to
bake a lovely loaf of bread. You will be taught the basics of bread making including mixing, kneading and proving and will be shown all the processes right through to the end when you can proudly admire your beautifully baked loaf! Along the way you will also learn how to use your creativity to produce both tasty and attractive loaves and rolls including white rolls, wholewheat loaves, Chelsea buns and well as your own pizzas for lunch! The day will finish with an afternoon session of creating shapes and plaits – all to take home to share with friends and family. Making bread can be a bit messy (but fun!) so please bring your apron! 8.45am - 5.30pm. £65. Max 4. Lunch & materials included.
Weaving a Willow Bird - an Introduction to Random Weave Sculpture. Saturday 4th August. 10am - 5pm. £65. Max 6. Lunch & materials included.
There are 2 places on this workshop.
Learn the random weave technique to make a bird, or sphere if you prefer, to 
take home and add interest to your garden. You will use a variety of different coloured willows to make a chicken, pheasant, duck, or other bird of a similar size. Willow artist, Alison, will show you how to use your creativity to achieve amazing works of art which you can complete in a day. You will take home a new skill and a beautiful piece of art for your garden. Taught by Alison Walling from Lincoln Willow. www.lincolnwillow.co.uk. Suitable for beginners. Tools and materials supplied, but you may prefer to bring your own secateurs. 10am - 4pm. £65. Max 6. Lunch & materials included.
Lavender Make and Bake Day. Sunday 5th August. 10am - 5pm. £65. Lunch & materials included.
Details to follow soon.
Lotions & Lavender - Make your own Natural Beauty Products. Wednesday 15th August. 10am - 5pm. £65. Max 6. Lunch & materials included.
There are places on this workshop.
Make y
our own beauty products using natural materials and plant essential oils to use yourself or to give to friends and family. You do not need any specialist equipment and all materials are provided on the day. We start the day with lavender & mint tea followed by a talk about the wonderful properties of lavender. Before lunch we will learn to make lip balm, a simple glycerine soap and some bath melts and following a scrumptious lavender-themed lunch we will create a face cream and a facial oil tailored to your skin type using essential oils of your choice. Recipes will be given out on the day and reference material and other lavender products will be on sale in our shop. 10am - 5pm. £65. Max 6. Lunch & materials included.
Weave a Willow Sheep or other Animal - the Next Step. Saturday 18th August. 10am - 4pm. £70. Maximum 6. Lunch & materials included. 
There are places on this workshop.
This course will be suitable for those who have worked with willow previously (for example, those who have already completed the Willow Bird Workshop) and would like to make a larger four-legged sculpture using random weave. Sheep are the easiest to make and can be completed in a day to take home with you. Tools and materials supplied, but you may prefer to bring your own secateurs. 10am - 4pm. £70. Max 6. Lunch & materials included
The Organic Kitchen Garden: From Plot to Plate. Sunday 19th August. 9am - 5pm. £60. Lunch & materials included.
There are places on this workshop.
This wonderful workshop is all about bringing the harvest straight from the garden
into the kitchen and learni
ng how to prepare delicious but nutritious meals from your fresh produce. We will be making summer salads, spicy soups, delicious main courses using carrots, celeriac, parsnip and potatoes plus unusual desserts using simple garden ingredients. More details to follow soon! 9am - 5.30pm. £60. Max 6. Lunch & materials included.
Learn to Crochet Granny Squares and Flowers. Saturday 25th August. 10am - 5pm. £55. Max 4. Lunch & materials included.
Create a beautiful cushion cover by crocheting granny squares and sewing them together. This works
hop is for complete beginners as well as intermediates. In one day you will learn to follow a basic pattern as well as learning the stitches you will need to complete this beautiful crochet cushion cover - you will be able to complete several square as a beginner or even all 9 if you already have some experience in crocheting, and you will also be shown how to hand-sew them together. If you're feeling adventurous, you can keep making as many squares as you like once you get home, and make a full size throw rug! You will be provided with a crochet hook and the wool required to make a cushion cover, but if you'd like to order more for your throw rug, that is no problem but it will be at additional cost. We will be using the Eco Wool Chunky range for these projects. For those with some experience, I can show you how to make the very lovely crochet flowers for brooches, handbag accessories or other uses. 10am - 5pm. £55. Max 4. Lunch & materials included.
Breadmaking Day. Sunday 26th August. 8.45am - 5.30pm. £65. Max 4. Lunch & materials included.
There are 3 places on this workshop.
On this one-day workshop you will learn everything you need to know about how to bake a lovely loaf of bread. You will learn the basics of bread making including mixing, kneading and proving and will be shown all the processes right through to the end when you can proudly admire your beautifully baked loaf! Along the way you will also learn how to use your creativity to produce both tasty and attractive loaves and rolls including white rolls, wholewheat loaves, Chelsea buns and well as your own pizzas for lunch! The day will finish with an afternoon session of creating shapes and plaits – all to take home and share with friends and family. Making bread can be a bit messy (but fun!) so please bring your apron! 8.45am - 5.30pm. Maximum 4, £65. Materials, lunch and refreshments included.
More Summer Preserving - Jams & Chutneys. Wednesday 29th August. 10am - 5pm. £60. Max 6. Lunch & materials included.
There are places on this workshop.
On this one-day course you will start with the basics of jam making and be taken right through to learning how to use your creativity in mixing flavours and textures which will result in unusual but delicious combinations! Using fruit and vegetables which are in season, we will be creating a range of delicious jams and chutneys. Our jam-making workshops are run by Elaine from Saints & Sinners who has a portfolio of 200 seasonal preserves which she sells at shows, events and at selected outlets. Based on her workshops at the Manor House Stables, she has developed her 'The Inspired by.....Range', which is based on the imaginative results of course attendees as their creativity comes alive, and fantastic flavours are produced! Elaine chooses the best created flavour from each attendee and this will be featured in a limited edition for one month only. Examples include Heather's Raspberry, Madeira & Star Anise Jam, Wendy's Blackcurrant & Lemon Balm Jam and Emma's Apricot & Lavender Jam. Each 200g jar has a limited run of 20 jars & sells for £2.50 with 25p going to Macmillan Cancer Support Charity. See http://www.saintsandsinnershome.co.uk/ for Elaine's jams and preserves. 10am - 5pm. £60. Max 6. Lunch & materials included.
How to Pay
We accept cheques or direct transfers into our bank. If you would like to pay by cheque, please send your deposit (£25.00), or the full amount if you prefer, along with your Booking Form. If you would rather pay by direct transfer from your bank, please phone Sherry on 01526 378717 or 07979 750760 or email sherry@manorhousestables.co.uk and I will give you the details you require to do this.
Past Courses & Workshops
Our workshops finally started in October 2010. CLICK HERE to see how Rachel's Cutting Garden Course went
CLICK HERE to see what happened at the Barge Art Workshop
Look at what we achieved at the Wreath-making Course!
Please see http://www.catkinflowers.co.uk for more details of what Rachel does at Doddington Hall!
