Residential workshops are essentially musical holidays
where you can combine the thrill of singing with all the elements of a great relaxing break
With up to 40 people, it's a comfortable experience whether you come alone or with friends. Singing is still the central aim. Each day has two formal workshops where new songs can be learnt, developed and consolidated. Informal sessions often spring up outside of the workshops and there are opportunities to enjoy other activities associated with a relaxing holiday: walking in the countryside, visiting local attractions, socialising or enjoying the character and atmosphere of the buildings them selves.
The buildings are part of the Singing for Larks experience.
They have been chosen for their charm, unique style, beautiful surroundings and warm welcome, keeping a careful eye on access for disabled people too. None of the venues are hotels; instead Faith has sought out old Abbeys, grand houses and simple country estates in magical places. Rather than conference facilities and modern plumbing, Faith looks for quirky places that seem to celebrate the musical experience, where the atmosphere serves to enhance your holiday. While some of the venues offer five star service and facilities, others are simpler, and you mak be asked to help out by, for example, clearing your table or stripping your bed. An essential element in any good holiday is the food, and all the venues offer delicious and plentiful food, with vegetarian and other dietary requirements being well catered for. Faith's aim is to provide you with a choice to fit your pocket and your lifestyle.

RESIDENTIAL WORKSHOPS IN 2008

To find out more about the workshop theme, click on the button next to each workshop.

CHARNEY MANOR, CHARNEY BASSETT, OXFORDSHIRE Friday 25th - Sunday 27th July 2008	www.charneymanor.demon.co.uk "Singing in Harmony"
Charney Manor is a grade1 listed building, parts of which date back to the 13th century. It has 3 acres of garden, including a croquet lawn and tennis court, and it is situated on the edge of Charney Bassett, a small village in the Vale of the White Horse. In medieval times the manor belonged to the Benedictine Abbey of Abingdon and it is now owned by the Religious Society of Friends.The bedrooms are located in the Joan Vokins Annexe and the Barn as well as in the manor house itself, and each of these buildings has an area where guests can make their own hot drinks. We shall be singing in a light, airy meeting room, which has views of the garden. The food is freshly prepared, and the homemade puddings are often a talking point! There is no bar, but guests are welcome to bring their own drinks. About 14 miles south west of Oxford. 20 minutes drive from the M4 and 40 minutes drive from the M40. Nearest railwaw station: Didcot Parkway (14 miles) Prices per person for the weekend: Single en-suite Twin en-suite Non-Resident (sharing) £218.00 £218.00 £155.00 (single occupancy) £248.00 To book: Complete a booking form and send to Singing for Larks with a deposit of £35.00 PLEASE SEE LATEST NEWS BEFORE BOOKING
DILLINGTON HOUSE, ILMINSTER, SOMERSET Friday 17th - Sunday 19th October 2008	www.dillington.co.uk "Jazz & Swing Harmonies"
A popular venue with many Singing for Larks regulars, Dillington House is a large and very grand manor house, set in seven acres of mature parkland, with gardens and an arboretum, in beautiful South Somerset. The house, now owned by Somerset County Council, has been refurbished to very high standards, with paintings and tapestries throughout the building. This venue offers first calss facilities, excellent catering with a choice of menu, a bar, and service which shows great attention to detail yet remains friendly and informal. All of the very comfortable en-suite bedrooms have tea/coffee making facilities and many have TV and a phone. A small number of 'superior' en-suite rooms offer more spacious comfort along with a few extra touches. 20 minutes drive from the M5, about 12 miles from Taunton. Nearest railway station : Crewkerne (7miles). Prices per person for the weekend: Single en-suite Double or twin en-suite Double or twin superior en-suite Non-Resident (sharing) (sharing) £253.00 £253.00 £268.00 £182.00 (single occupancy) (single occupancy) £268.00 £284.00 For this workshop you need to book directly with Dillington House by phoning: 01460 258613. You can pay your £50.00 deposit by card or cheque.
BRAZIERS PARK, IPSDEN, OXFORDSHIRE Friday 5th - Sunday 7th September 2008	www.braziers.org.uk "Workshop Leaders' Training" Arranging Songs for Acapella
Braziers Park is an inpressive secenteenth century Gothic style house, complete with castellated roof and turret. It is set in a 50 acre estate in a picturesqu area of the Chilterns. Managed by a long-established community which studies group living, the house offers a friendly, informal environment with tasty home cooked food, largely organic, much of it grown in the kitchen garden. Whilst none of the rooms in the house have en-suite facilities, most have washbasins. If you would prefer an en-suite room, it may be possible to find accommodation in a local hotel or bed and breakfast. Please contact Faith to discuss this. Camping is permitted within the grounds. About 18 miles north west of Reading. 30 minutes drive from the M40 and M4. Nearest railwar station: Goring and Streatley (3 miles). Prices per person for the weekend: Single standard Double or twin standard 3 bedded standard Camping Non-Resident (sharing) (sharing £230.00 £210.00 £200.00 £172.00 £162.00 (single occupancy) £248.00 To book: Complete a booking form and send to Singing for Larks with a deposit of £35.00 Maximum 20 participants.

INFORMATION

TIMES : Friday around 6.30pm - Sunday around 4.00pm DETAILS : Further details about the venue, directions, and a timetable will be sent before the event to those who have booked. ACCESSIBILITY : All of the residential venues have workshop space, bedrooms and toilets either on the ground floor or on a floor with stair lift access. While not all the venues are fully adapted, all have arrangements in place to help people who use wheelchairs or who have difficulties with walking. Please contact Faith for further details. Information and song words can be made available on tape or in Braille. Please contact Faith to discuss you individual needs. PRICES : All prices are per person for the weekend and they include: Residential Package: tuition, accommodation, 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 evening meals, hot drinks. Non-residential package: tuition, 2 lunches, 2 evening meals and hot drinks. NB It's usually possible to add breakfasts if you prefer - please arrange this with Faith in advance. REDUCED RATE : At each weekend workshop a small number of places will be offered at a reduced rate: £38.00 off the original price for a singing weekend and £52.00 off the original price of the Workshop Leaders' Training Weekend. These places will usually be for a shared room. They are available to people on lower incomes for whom the prices might otherwise be prohibitive. Please contact Faith to check availability. PAYMENT : For the Dillington House workshop, your contact is with Somerset County Council and not with Singing for Larks, therefore please note the separate payment details on the booking form and the different booking conditions below. BOOKING CONDITIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL WORKSHOPS (excl. Dillington House) : Deposits are non-returnable. Deposits are transferable to another Singing for Larks workshop only if you notify the office at least 28 days before the original workshop is due to start. The balance of your fee will be due 28 days before the start of the workshop. After this date, Singing for Larks will refund your full payment minus deposit, only if it has been possible to re-allocate your place/s. BOOKING CONDITIONS FOR DILLINGTON HOUSE : Deposits are non-returnable and non-transferable. The balance of your fee is due 28 days before the start of the workshop. After this date, your full payment is non-returnable and non-transferable. BOOKING FORM : Available to download here GIFT VOUCHERS : Why not treat someone to a slice of Singing Heaven with a Singing for Larks Gift Voucher? You can buy a voucher for any amount and there is no time limit.