WELCOME TO ENGLAND

Upon arrival at Manchester Airport, everyone will gather at an appointed location to board our coach for the drive north. After an hour, we’ll stop to stretch our legs and explore the town of Lancaster. A guided walking tour will have us out and about, learning, listening and laughing with guide Gregory Wright. Then, since there’s a fantastic yarn store in Lancaster, we’re stopping in at Northern Yarn to hear about Kate Makin’s journey from knitter to yarn store owner to yarn producer. She’s holding an undyed batch of her regionally-sourced skeins for those interested in picking some up to use during our “Making Color” sessions later in the week. Then we’re back on the coach for another hour’s drive. Upon arrival at Bank Ground Farm, there will be time to unload, settle into our rooms, have a stroll or hang out with the lambs before dinner. The evening will also include a general welcome, introductions and an optional presentation on British wool and sheep breeds.

INTRODUCING… THE LAKE DISTRICT!

Every day this week starts with a fantastic Bank Ground Farm breakfast. After fueling up, we’ll gather for the first of our “Conversations in Creativity” sessions. But the rest of the day is dedicated to getting to know the Lake District. We’ll start by sitting down with textile historian and author Penelope Hemingway. She’ll be talking with us about the Arts & Crafts Movement in the Lake District and the special role played by linen here. Then we’re off to drive through Lakeland’s beautiful, winding valleys and toward a destination that will get us acquainted with some of the region’s most iconic personalities. The village of Grasmere is home to Dove Cottage, lovingly restored and housed within the Wordsworth Grasmere museum. We’ll take time to learn more about poet William Wordsworth and his sister, writer Dorothy Wordsworth. A fantastic farm-to-table lunch at 13 Valley’s Kitchen will follow. But then we’re in for a real treat… Mandy Marshall, Blue Badge guide, Herdwick entrepreneur and previous caretaker at Castle Cottage (Beatrix Potter’s personal home) will share her insights about the author, artist and naturalist so crucial to the preservation of the Lake District’s farms, Herdwick sheep and natural beauty. We’ll also have time to browse Grasmere’s lovely shops or head out for a hike around the River Rothay. Back at Bank Ground Farm, those not easily frightened can join in for an evening of Penelope’s “Knitting Ghost Stories”... (Cue: evil laugh, then fade to scary music.)

ARTISANS, FARMS & FELLS

Bring your coffee or tea along after breakfast and join us for Conversations in Creativity, Session 2. Our day continues with a visit to a Lakeland area farm. It’s an opportunity to learn more about this unique landscape and the ways humans have lived among the fells (hills) for hundreds of years – plus how modern economic and national management schemes affect contemporary farmers, livestock and the surrounding natural environment. After lunch, get ready to delve into the first of our hands-on workshops with artist Steve Pardue. Our session with him is entitled “Shortcuts to Nature Journaling”. Steve will introduce us to his methods for observing, recording and then embellishing individual journals using pencil, ink and watercolor. No experience in those media is necessary, nor is any particular artistic ability required. Steve’s friendly enthusiasm will quickly dissolve any inhibitions around writing and drawing. In his view, creative journaling is about a personal journey rather than the production of an end product. As he explains, “Each journal I make carries a journey - usually a journey through a three month period - sort of seasonal but not quite. I have decided there is much I cannot change so I am a witness instead. I witness the moving seasons and the changing landscape. There are no rules - the rules are mine to make and break - and the sketches are done for me only.” Steve will bring along lots of examples and provide demonstrations before helping us explore the media for ourselves. Your first opportunity to try out these methods will be right away! Our own hiking leader, Colleen Troy, will take interested folks on an afternoon walk up the fell (hill) right behind Bank Ground Farm! Our evening is a gentle one, with dinner onsite and opportunities to have some quiet time alone, work alongside others in our “open studio” or have a nightcap in the main house.

A DAY IN THE NORTH

This morning we’re up early to jump back on our mini-coach. Our destination? About twenty miles north of Bank Ground Farm lies a neolithic stone circle called Castlerigg. Fancy sitting among the stones, in new spring grass, and with mountains all around us during Conversations in Creativity, Session 3? Absolutely yes! Afterwards, a quick drive will have us at Greystoke Craft Garden and Barns, with coffee, tea and freshly baked goodies in our hands. Greystoke is the home of Quirky Workshops, a collection of courses offered throughout the year by proprietress Annie Swarbrick. We’ll have our own, bespoke course in calligraphy there with Claire Goulde of By Moon and Tide studio. This workshop is all about getting to grips with a dip pen and copperplate nib. Again, no previous experience required or even anticipated! The classroom set up allows you to watch Claire’s movements in detail. Her friendly, relaxed teaching will have you writing beautiful letters with flourishes and swirls by the end of the day. Really! Before heading back to Bank Ground Farm, we can decide whether to visit a nearby wool and textile cooperative, take a hike along Ullswater or perhaps have time to wander about and shop in one of the Lakeland villages. The evening is up to you: head directly to bed, get in some practice at the evening’s open studio, call home (it’s earlier there) or spend some quality one-on-one time with your journal.

MAKING COLOR

In 2018, yarn stores, weaving shops and craft environments began to carry an exceptionally beautiful book on how to create dyes and inks from foraged wild plants, garden produce and recycled food. With her book Botanical Inks, author, dyer and printmaker Babs Behan presented a contemporary twist on creating non-toxic color for use on textiles, clothing and paper. And she’s ours, all ours!!!! Babs will be joining us at Bank Ground Farm for two days of workshops. The first is a full day’s immersion in making color. We’ll gather and utilize botanical materials to make natural dyes for use on scarf-sized pieces of UK-grown organic peace silk, then also get color onto those skeins purchased during our stop in Lancaster at Northern Yarn. Babs will share her philosophies and experiences around non-toxic textiles through the day. It’s going to be a color extravaganza! 

EXPLORING NEW MEDIA

Wednesday will see us gathering for Conversations about Creativity, Session 4 in the morning. After a break and refreshment of tea, coffee and perhaps a brisk walk down to the lake, we’ll be splitting up into smaller groups for the day’s activities. Choose the session, and media, that intrigues you! There will be block printing and surface coloring techniques with Babs, a hike to local favorite spot Tarn Howe (plus creative journal prompts and ponderings) with our own Colleen Troy, and joining us for the third workshop option is local artisan, Helen Clues. Helen is a mosaic artist working with found, collected and traditional materials. Her work is extraordinary, full of delight and humor. If you’re ready to try something really unique and different, plan to spend the day with this wonderful teacher who insists on helping others find their own creative potential. Depending on what time your session ends, you can enjoy a leisurely walk over to the town of Coniston for dinner in one of the town’s lively pubs or restaurants. Or, enjoy a bit of time on Coniston Water! We’ll have two of Bank Ground Farm’s boats scheduled to give rides back and forth across the lake that evening. 

GATHERING IN

It’s the close of a week full of rich experiences, both internally and externally focused. We’ll gather for a round up of reflections during the morning’s Conversations in Creativity, Session 5. The rest of the morning and into the afternoon is yours to enjoy as you like. The open studio will be waiting for folks who want to finish up projects or start a quick, new undertaking. Colleen will lead another hike at one of her favorite Lake District locations. There may be a quick jaunt over to Beatrix Potter’s Hilltop or to the Arts & Crafts jewel, the Blackwell House. Or take time to give yourself some breathing space with a drink and some knitting time looking out on the beautiful setting. On this final day, spend your time in the Lake District wisely, knowing that we’ll all be headed back to our busy lives shortly. Just before dinner, we’ll gather for a “gallery viewing” of the week’s collected works. Then, a celebratory meal and some lively final activities will close out our week-long retreat. 

HEADING HOME

Take a final morning’s wander around Bank Ground Farm before breakfast. Watching the sun slowly light up The Old Man of Coniston (a hill top, or “fell”) is one of our favorite ways to say goodbye to the Lake District. We’ll pack up after breakfast, load the mini-coach and head back to Manchester for our flights home. Best wishes for everyone! May your creativity continue to flourish (wildly!) in the days ahead. 

Suzie Briddsang is an avid knitter, spinner, and all-around fiber enthusiast plus writer, gardener, adventurer and appreciator of both cityscape and landscape.  When she realized she could combine her love of making things with her love for travel and new experiences, she found her happy place! Suzie lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She’s the author and illustrator of The Nervous New Owner’s Guide to Angora Rabbits. No longer a fiber animal owner, she loves nothing more than visiting fiber animals someone else owns -- preferably in another country. She writes about her travel experiences at www.studiobriddsang.com

Colleen Troy is knitting multiple projects right now, spinning hand-blended fibers on her Lendrum DT, and has found it difficult but not impossible to knit and watch a South Korean show on Netflix with subtitles at the same time. She is curious about makers' stories of the lineage and evolution of their craft and where to find truly awesome pie.  Her professional background in outdoor tour guiding and small business ownership makes a great match with RTT. Colleen loves to drive a convertible, swim in natural waters and hula hoops. Does she talk to her plants? That’s what her friends want to know.