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events on thu 15 may
Felt: Needle Felted Bluebell Wood
Led by Rebecca Bennett
In this fun, one day workshop you will learn how to create a bluebell wood using the unique art form of needle felting. You will learn about compositions and how to layer and blend the wool to create a tranquil scene and there will be plenty of demonstrations and hands on assistance. This technique is addictive!
Rebecca will start by introducing needle felting, it’s history and explaining the qualities of the wool. Before you get started, you will be taught how to blend colours and be shown how to apply the wool in certain ways to create different techniques.
The image you work from, is just the starting point, as your piece will naturally develop and change slightly as you work with the wool, so don’t worry if you don’t have a specific image to work from. You might like to bring a photo of a bluebell wood to work from.
If you want to, you could develop your felted piece by adding texture and interest with colourful strips of fabric and lace and you can add sewn details through hand sewing and free machine embroidery, on your sewing machine.
A shadow box frame of 18 x 18 cm is included in the workshop and additional frames can be bought on the day.
Please be aware that the technique is fairly repetitive so may not be suitable for people with back / neck pain.
What to bring:
- Bluebell wood images to work from (Rebecca will provide lots of images you can use)
- Materials for embellishments, e.g. buttons, strips of hessian, lace, string, strips of fabric (optional)
- Embroidery needles and thread (colours suitable to your image) (optional)
Thur 15 May
11am - 4pm
£80
Zumba (Thursdays)
Led by Annet Bowler
Zumba with Annet is a fun, easy to follow, dance based class. Get fit and exercise in disguise to uplifting Latin rhythms!
This 60 minute class feels more than a party that exercise class. It suits all levels of ability and beginners are very welcome.
Zumba is a total workout, combining all elements of fitness – cardio, muscle conditioning, balance and flexibility.
It can help make you feel happy, healthy, strong, amazing, unstoppable and confident!
Spring
Thur 9 Jan - 24 Apr (excl 10 Apr)
11.30am – 12.30pm
Thursday 20 March
Thursday 27 March
Thursday 3 April
Please note these sessions will be led by Sheida Seddiq.
Summer
Sat 1 May - 31 Jul
£7 per class | £30 for 5 sessions a term
Age guidance: 18+ years
Live Music Lunch Club: Charlotte Spruit (violin)
A new regular spot for lovers of live music who prefer their concerts in the daytime, alongside a little lunch, in a relaxed environment.
Performances take place in the Studio in a cabaret set up so you can come and go during the music if you want to.
The ticket price includes a pre-show two course lunch from our Café Bar.
Ysaye Sonata for solo violin No 2 in A minor, Op 27 No 2
H.I. Franz Von Biber Passacaglia in G minor, for Violin Solo
Kurtag Selection from Signs, Games and Messages
J.S. Bach Partita no 3 for Solo Violin in E Major, BWV 1006
Born in the Netherlands in 2000, Charlotte Spruit was a winner at the 2023 Young Classical Artists Trust international auditions, and has previously been a prize winner at numerous international competitions. She was also selected as one of Classic FM’s Rising Stars of 2024.
Charlotte is a keen chamber musician and soloist, having performed at prominent locations such as the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Wigmore Hall in London and the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg. She has performed chamber works with acclaimed musicians including Janine Jansen, Rachel Podger, Gidon Kremer, Tabea Zimmermann, Lawrence Power, and Christian Tetzlaff.
As a concerto soloist, Charlotte has played with numerous orchestras, including the Residentie Orkest The Hague, The Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, the Pauliner Barockensemble, and Ensemble Esperanza.
She began her violin studies aged four with Coosje Wijzenbeek, culminating with her studying at the Guildhall School of Music in London with David Takeno, followed by the Royal Academy of Music with Ying Xue, where Charlotte recently completed her Master’s degree under Rachel Podger and Pavlo Beznosiuk.
Charlotte plays an 18th-century anonymous Italian violin, kindly on loan from the Dutch Musical Instruments Foundation.
Studio
£30 including a 2 course lunch
12.30pm - Lunch
2pm - Concert begins
Norden Farm Patrons, Bronze, Sliver and Gold Members can click here to login for Priority Booking.
Showstopper Tots
Led by Mairi Cowieson
Showstopper Tots Musical Theatre themed music and movement classes for ages 2 - 5yrs. Younger siblings are welcome. Under 6 months free.
Join us for our exciting Lion King themed term. I Just Can't Wait to be King! so, come and join other little lion cubs, as we get ready for our Morning Report and sing Hakuna Matata.
The classes take the children on an adventure, exploring the music and story of The Lion King. Learning a dance to help with their coordination, singing songs and playing drama games to help with their confidence. Each class ends with our mini theatre and story song, written especially for ShowstopperUk, by fabulous West End composers.
This story song is added to each week to enhance their engagement and concentration skills. It's also fun for the parents / carers who attend with their little ones.
Building confidence, musicality, coordination, concentration, all through the wonderful world of Musical Theatre.
Led by a professional West End performer and director.
Summer
Course 1: Lion King
Thur 24 Apr - 22 May (5 weeks)
Whole course - £40 (5 weeks) (1 adult and 1 child)
Trial on 24 Apr - £9 (1 adult and 1 child) Siblings £5.40
£32 (1 adult and 1 child) if you would like to continue for the rest of the remaining 4 weeks please put remaining dates in the basket when re-booking and a discount will apply.
Drop-in sessions for the rest of the term £9 (1 adult and 1 child) I siblings £5.40.
Course 2:
Thur 5 Jun - 17 Jul (7 weeks)
Whole course - £56 (7 weeks) (1 adult and 1 child)
Trial on 5 June - £9 (1 adult and 1 child) Siblings £5.40
£48 (1 adult and 1 child) if you would like to continue for the remaining 6 weeks please put remaining dates in the basket when re-booking and a discount will apply.
Drop-in sessions for the rest of the term £9 (1 adult and 1 child) I siblings £5.40.
Age guidance: 2 - 5 years
On Falling (15)
Dir: Laura Carreira 2024 | 101 mins
Exploring the silent, vital struggle to find meaning and connection.
Aurora is a Portuguese warehouse picker, working in a vast fulfilment centre in Scotland.
Trapped between the confines of her workplace and the solitude of her flatshare, Aurora seeks to resist the loneliness, alienation and ensuing small talk which begin to threaten her sense of self.
Starring Joana Santos, Inês Vaz, Piotr Sikora, Jake McGarry and Neil Leiper.
£10.50 | £9.50 conc
Neon Members - Free membership for ages 16 - 25
£5 (offer applied in basket once logged in). Find out more about Neon Membership here.
Three Films Ticket Offer
£9 | £8 conc tickets when you book for three films at the same time. Offer excludes event cinema screenings. Offer applied in basket.
Follow us on Letterboxd – the social platform for film lovers!
The perfect place to discover the latest films – as well as those you may have missed. Follow us here for the latest line ups, film news and reviews from our team.
Chair Yoga
Led by Susan Betts
This gentle and accessible class is designed to help you move with ease, build strength and find a sense of calm - no floor work required. Using the support of a chair, we’ll explore a range of seated and standing yoga poses to improve balance, flexibility and circulation, all at a pace that suits you.
Whether you’re managing an injury, returning to movement or simply looking for a softer style of yoga, this class offers a welcoming and inclusive space for all bodies. Expect clear guidance, a friendly atmosphere and time to breathe, stretch and reconnect with yourself.
Come as you are - no experience needed. Chairs are provided so just wear something you can move in and bring anything else that helps you feel at ease.
Summer
Thur 1 May - Thur 5 Jun (6 weeks)
Thur 12 Jun - Thur 24 Jul (6 weeks)
3.15pm - 4.15pm
£10 per class | £48 for 6 week course
Book Club
Share your thoughts on contemporary fiction with other readers in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.
This season our Book Club will be reading:
Thursday 17 April
The Romantic by William Boyd
Thursday 15 May
Normal Rules Don’t Apply by Kate Atkinson
Thursday 19 June
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Thursday 17 July
Table for Two by Amor Towles
Thursday 14 August
TBC
Suitable for 18+ years.
Spaces are limited, early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.
7.30pm – 9pm
£5 per session (includes a glass of wine or soft drink from the bar)
Avalon Edinburgh Preview: Matt Forde and Chloe Petts
A double header of comedy as two top comedians warm up ahead of the Edinburgh Festival.
Matt Forde
Matt Forde is one of the country’s most in demand satirists.
Described as 'our foremost satirical stand-up' by The Sunday Times, Matt Forde has toured critically acclaimed shows nationwide including most recently Clowns To The Left of Me, Jokers To The Right in 2022 and Inside No. 10 in 2023.
Matt Forde’s hit live podcast The Political Party transferred to the West End’s Duchess Theatre in 2021 after over 70 sold out shows at Westminster’s The Other Palace, for a twice extended fortnightly residency continuing in to 2024. Matt has brought Parliament to life with his stand-up and debate with some of politics’ most powerful figures including Keir Starmer, Nicola Sturgeon, Tony Blair, Eddie Izzard, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Angela Rayner, Michael Heseltine, Anthony Scaramucci, Alastair Campbell, Gordon Brown and Gary Neville. Matt has received numerous nominations from award bodies including the British Podcast Awards and Chortle Awards and the show is regularly highlighted as a top podcast pick in the press.
Matt wrote and voiced characters for Spitting Image (BritBox/ITV) including Boris Johnson, Keir Starmer and Donald Trump. Matt currently presents Absolute Radio’s weekly Rock ‘n’ Roll Football Show. He is also the co-host of Wondery’s flagship British Podcast Award winning British Scandal alongside Alice Levine.
In 2019 alone, Matt hosted the Alternative News Desk for Channel 4’s election night coverage, chaired the One Nation Conservative leadership hustings and debated Britain’s withdrawal from the EU with Tony Blair for the Institute of Global Change.
Matt hosted four series of Unspun with Matt Forde on Dave, receiving several nominations at the Broadcast Digital Awards, and has numerous other broadcast credits including: Have I Got News For You (BBC One), The Royal Variety Performance (ITV), Mock The Week (BBC Two), 8 out of 10 Cats (Channel 4), Hypothetical (Dave) Rory Bremner’s Coalition Report and Rory Bremner’s Election Report (BBC Two), Question Time (BBC One), This Week (BBC One), Newsnight (BBC Two) and Daily Politics (BBC Two).
Matt’s first book Politically Homeless was listed by The Sunday Times as one the Best Political Books of 2020.
Chloe Petts
'One of the most compelling young comics' Brian Logan, The Guardian
'Clearly a rising star whose name will soon be in lights' Bruce Dessau, The Evening Standard
Chloe has established herself as one of the most exciting up and coming acts on the circuit.
Chloe is returning to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer with her new show How You See Me, How You Don’t. This comes after a UK Tour of her show If You Can’t Say Anything Nice which sold-out in the first week of the Edinburgh Fringe last year, leading to 6 extra shows being added to the run. In 2022, she performed her debut show Transience to sold-out audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and for two five night runs at Soho Theatre, which led to a tour around the rest of the UK which ended with an extra date added at London’s Leicester Square Theatre. Receiving rave reviews from publications including The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Evening Standard.
On television and radio, Chloe recently appeared on Have I Got News For You (BBC One), and hosted her own segment every Saturday morning on Sky Sports News. She has also been a regular on The Frank Skinner Show (Absolute Radio), World Cup Breakfast (Sky Sports) for the Men’s Football World Cup 2022 and previously for Good Morning Euros (Sky Sports) for the UEFA Women’s Euros. Further appearances include MOTDx (BBC), Jonathan Ross’s Comedy Club (ITV), The Stand-Up Sketch Show (ITV2), Richard Osman’s House of Games (BBC Two), Random Acts (Channel 4), Hypothetical (Dave), Fighting Talk (BBC Radio 5 Live), BBC Three Quickies (BBC Three), as well as winning Pointless Celebrities (BBC One). In terms of podcasts, Chloe has appeared on Off Menu, Films to Buried With and co-hosted The Guilty Feminist.
An alumna of the prestigious Pleasance Comedy Reserve, shortlisted for the BBC Comedy Award, finalist of Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year Awards 2017 and runner-up in the Funny Women Awards 2017. As well as supporting Ed Gamble on current Hot Diggity Dog UK tour and previous tour Electric, Chloe has supported Frank Skinner during his West End run and performed at Melbourne International Comedy Festival this year and last year.
She is a co-founder of The Lol Word, a queer comedy collective that hosts sell-out monthly London nights, boasting the finest female and non-binary queer acts on the circuit. Their most recent Edinburgh run was a sell-out. Diva Magazine has described it as a space that is demographically queer, inclusive, and safe, and on top of all of that – the comedic talent is smart, insightful, hilarious, and completely relatable.
Studio
£12
Matt Forde
Matt's website
Chloe Petts
Chloe's website
X ChloePetts
Insta chloepetts