Home from Denman

I'm back from Denman, where I've been helping with the Textile Treasures exhibition and acting as College Chairman for a week. It's been fun, but rather hard work! We staged the exhibition last weekend, ready for the arrival of students on Monday morning.

Sue Lewis, of Suffolk East Federation designed the exhibition and did a wonderful job of ensuring that all exhibits got space to breathe and look their best. Did you see the Lydbrook WI table runner in the first photograph?

On Wednesday it was the official launch of the exhibition, which will go on tour (together with another 200 pieces) around the ICHF shows next year, to Exeter, Cardiff, Brighton, Harrogate, Glasgow and Birmingham. I'm going with it, so hope to see you there!

All week, the college was busy with students coming and going, doing Taster Days which were a great success. It was lovely to see so many familiar faces and quite a few Gloucestershire members too.
On Sunday, it was the College Open Day and we welcomed 900 members to look around. Fortunately the rain held off for most of the time and it only just began to rain steadily as everyone was heading home.

It was good to see how proud members are of their college and to be reminded of what a very special place this is.

It was even better to sleep in my own bed last night though!!

Women of Importance

We have always recognised the importance of our Presidents in Gloucestershire Federation, and thought it was time to invite them to a day at our college. The programme for the day included an inspiring workshop with Joy Greasley and some fun in the form of a belly dancing taster session with Denman tutor Bev Sabatini. Lots of chatter, plenty of time to network and to get to know one another - even those who were new to the role left feeling inspired and full of confidence!

About a third of our Presidents were able to join us on this occasion and we are committed to at least two further days to accommodate those who were unable to make it this time round. Thanks, Rosemary and Barbara for organising the event!

Further Denman news

Gloucestershire Denman Rep Sue Wilson and I were chairing at our college this weekend, and what fun we had! A great bunch of students in residence - as always - so there was a lively atmosphere and plenty of chatter.

It was good to see the hall redecorated and new furnishings in place - very smart it looks too. I think there are one or two finishing touches to put into place, still, but the new chairs are comfortable and the whole of the bar/drawing room/hall looks very classy indeed. The colours chosen for the decoration are from a lovely warm cream/ochre/terracotta/burgundy palette and though the furnishings are contemporary in style, they blend well with the style of the existing rooms.

Good to see so many first-time students there as well. Of course, the old Denman magic always means that anyone arriving alone on Friday leaves with fifty or more new friends on Sunday, and there were lots of fond farewells and "hope to see you again soon".

What a great place.

Just back from Denman

Our College was looking good as I left there this afternoon, on a chilly but clear winter day.
I thought that perhaps you'd be interested to see the progress with the refurbishments which are ongoing. I think the bar is more or less complete and it is very comfortable indeed.
The drawing room isn't quite done yet, but we loved the sparkling clean chandelier as it twinkled in the sunshine! The new chairs are comfortable but perhaps a little low in proportion to the room? But it's really too early to judge - we'll wait until all the finishing touches have been added.

We were lucky to be working in the Studio, where the wallhanging is open to view and offers something new to be noticed at every glance. I feel it's so familiar as I've been privileged to see it so many times, and yet there are still small details to be observed and appreciated.Following our Christmas concerts last week, I thought you'd appreciate the little choir scene, so very well observed. Note the red shoes!


Denman is a great place and we are so lucky to have such a college of our own. If you've not been already, you really should give it a try - you'll have a wonderful time.