Inspiring Women – motto of the Women’s Institute
I went on a wonderful adventure last weekend – a flower arranging course in a Georgian mansion in the beautiful village of Marcham, in Oxfordshire. It wasn’t just in any old place – I went to Denman College which is part of the Women’s Institute.
Denman is home of the cookery school, craft and lifestyle courses – there are over 500 courses each year from day courses to week long ones covering all sorts of topics – not just what you’d expect from the WI – cooking, preserves, crafting, dress making, etc. They have classes on history, writing, dancing, drumming, as well as lots of trips and walks.
It was a spur of the moment thing to go – I’ve had such a rough time last year and things are hard going at work, because of departmental mergers. I thought of the contributors to ‘In a vase on Monday’ from all around the world and especially our host Cathy – so much inspiration and support from everyone. I’ve learnt alot about flower arranging since I started my blog in February last year, though I mostly ‘plonk’ flowers in vases. I thought now was a good time to learn more. Also a change of scene – Denman and it’s 17 acres looked amazing on the photos. So I ‘seized the day’!
Do have a look at Cathy’s vase over at ‘Rambling in the Garden‘ – she has some beautiful tulips this week. Quite a few of my fellow – vase fillers have chosen tulips this week too. My tulips in the garden are nearly ready to bloom – lots of purple and white ones from what I remember. They’re one of my favourite flowers so I’ve planted many in the garden this year, which seem to have escaped the squirrels – hurrah!
So today’s ‘In a vase on Monday’ isn’t what it should be – not posted on a Monday (Sunday!), not flowers from my garden and not a vase…. so I hope you don’t mind.
- most of flowers and foliage are from Christine Pearce’s (the tutor) north facing garden in Abingdon in Oxfordshire, or from around the grounds of Denman (with permission) and the roses, tulips and carnation are from the wholesaler. – I hope this counts as ‘local’ for purposes of ‘In a vase on Monday’.
- flowers – tulips, carnations and roses
- foliage – Elaeagnus, rosemary, ivy, cornus, Choisya, euonymus
- wreath base – hessian and hay with a block of oasis at the bottom right.
- the wreath has a tiny vase in it – can you spot it?
- I used Oasis for the first time – not too complicated considering everything… and I’ll definitely make more wreaths
My Chap was very impressed!
Wreath Repair
The wreath needed a bit of repair when it got home as it was warm in the classroom and the car…droopy tulips – so I added the first tulip from our garden and a tête a tête.
I’m going to write more about my time at Denman in other posts:
- how to make this Spring wreath – surprisingly simple to do and my first time using Oasis.
- pot fleur flower arrangement – my 2nd arrangement on the course.
- my hand tied bouquet with Spring flowers – 3rd arrangement – v simple and logical to do.
- staying at Denman College – for a Women’s Institute newbie like me 🙂
Anyone can attend a course at Denman – you don’t need to be a member of the WI or a woman! People hold weddings there too.
I had a truly wonderful time, in a beautiful location, great food but most of all, with some lovely ladies (mostly from the WI and some not) – the sun was shining too. I’ll definitely be back.
Carpe Diem
love Bec xx
Note: I paid full price for my course at Denman College and neither Denman or the Women’s Institute asked me to write a blog post about my visit.
Your wreath is so beautiful! Sounds like you learned a lot and enjoyed seizing the day to learn something new – kudos!
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Thanks Eliza – all a spur of the moment thing. I learn such alot 🙂 and will definitely make wreath’s again 🙂
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What a wonderful wreath, I love the tulips 🙂 Denham college sounds/looks like like a wonderful place to visit! I’m glad you had fun x
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Thanks Emma – I was so chuffed with my wreath – really easy to do. Denman is wonderful (great food and cake!) – long days though, so it’s taken me all week to recover…
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What a beautiful wreath, aren’t you clever. There is no way I could do anything like that!
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Thank you – it’s not nearly as difficult as it looks 🙂 I’ll definitely make some more 🙂
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Thanks you so much for sharing this Bec – most interesting to hear about the college and what it entails. I have never thought of doing a spring wreath before – but why not, as it is very decorative. I know you said it wore you out but nevertheless I hope it was still the tonic that you thought it would be.
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Thanks for sharing your day at Denman with us, it’s sounds like a wonderful day was had. I’ve checked out some of the other courses – luckily (for my waistline!) the course on making patisserie was booked up! Your wreath is beautiful – it becomes quite addictive so I hope we’ll be shown more of your new skills!
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We love going to our local garden centre and building our own wreath. It’s amazing how easy they are too.
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they are aren’t they – I’ll definitely make others… it was so easy love Bec 🙂
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Oh I love a wreath at any time of year! And what a great venue!
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thank you – it was really easy to do. And Denman was lovely – like a mini stately home (with amazing food too) and beautiful en suite bedrooms. I’ll definitely go back 🙂
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Oh I love a wreath at any time of year- well done x
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I love wreaths and believe they can be used at any time of the year, not just Christmas! I’ve never made one yet though… is on my list of things to do!
Laura x x x
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Yes – I think I’d have them at other times too. I’m definitely going to make more. I’m writing another post about how I made it. Really simple to do 🙂
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How pretty! The wreath is so lovely and the place looks stunning
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This looks lovely. It’s the type of thing I would probably approach thinking you’d made it look easy, only to find that it’s quite hard! Well done!
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What a great class and wow I love the wreath…..
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Thank you donna – it was a wonderful weekend away – the class was great. Long days though. I’m so chuffed with my wreath too 🙂
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