Courses - Homes and Gardens

APPRECIATION OF EARLY OAK FURNITURE 

9 November 2007

An appreciation of early oak furniture
An illustrated lecture exploring the qualities and characteristics of early furniture, followed by a guided visit to a local private collection of oak furniture. 10am-4pm.

Tutor: Victor Chinnery

Victor is the author of the standard work on early oak furniture - 'Oak Furniture - The British Tradition'. He operates as a consultant to a number of private collectors, museums and historic houses in Britain and the USA, advising on the interpretation of interiors, their furnishings and interior decoration; where he regards the evidence of documentary and archaeological sources as of primary importance. He also catalogues the early oak furniture for Christie's, the auctioneers.  

Victor acted as consultant for the project to re-display the interior of the Birthplace as it might have appeared in the 1570s, during Shakespeare's boyhood. Victor was a founder member of the Regional Furniture Society in 1984, and in 2003 was elected President of the Society.

Course fee: £75 including a light lunch, coffees & teas.

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WILLOW WREATH FOR CHRISTMAS

8 December 2007

Make up to three willow wreaths to take home and decorate for Christmas.  Choose from traditional round, star or heart shapes, using either white, buff or brown willow (or a mixture of all three).  These re-usable wreaths are a beautiful addition to your Christmas decorations, and are also great to give as presents to your friends and family.

Tutor: Deborah Albon
Course fee: £40

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CHRISTMAS HERBAL GIFTS AND DECORATIONS

8 December 2007
18 December 2007

Make up to five different festive herbal compositions such as wreaths, fragrant baskets and candle decorations.

Tutor: Christina Stapley.  Her Website contains information on her workshops, book extracts, talks, and information on her garden.
Course fee:  £40 plus some materials on the day.  Morning coffee and afternoon tea included.

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HOW TO BE A HOUSE DETECTIVE

3 March 2008

Techniques for tracing the history of your house will be revealed in this day school covering both physical features and the use of primary sources commonly held in record offices and local history libraries. 

Tutor: Penny Olsen
Course fee £60 to include tea coffee and a light lunch.

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LOCATION, LOCATION... AND ENERGY PERFORMANCE

3 April 2008

The new Home Information Packs and Energy Performance Certificates for house sellers mean that the saleability of your house will be affected by its energy efficiency. This course will show you how to maximise your energy performance rating and thus the value of your home. It will cover a wide range of ideas from simple, low cost energy efficiency tips to generating your own renewable energy. 9.30am–4.30pm

Tutor: Dave Barton
Course fee:
£75

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SOAP AND SOAP MAKING

4 April 2008

Find out how people lived without modern detergents.  A day-school on Tudor hygiene and cleanliness, learning how to make lye and soap, and the uses of soapwort.  10am-4pm

Tutor: Ruth Goodman
Course fee £60

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PEOPLE AND HOUSES IN THE WEALD AND DOWNLAND REGION

10 April 2008  Part 1: 1300 AD - 1650AD
22 May 2008  
Part 2: 1650 AD - 1900AD

Each day will explore the history of five of the Museum’s houses by placing them in their social and economic context and looking at the social status and household structure of their earliest inhabitants.  An overview of the methods and sources for reconstructing the past will also be provided.

Tutor: Danae Tankard
Course fee £60

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GET A TASTE OF THE GOOD LIFE - SUSTAINABLE LIVING

30 April 2008

Whether you are aiming for self-sufficiency or simply want a greener lifestyle, this course aims to inspire and help you live more sustainably. Topics covered will include generating your own energy, growing your own food, making the most of your resources and reducing the impact of your home on the environment. 9.30am–4.30pm

Tutor: Dave Barton
Course fee:
£75

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15TH CENTURY - HERBS IN THE MEDIEVAL MANOR

14 June 2008

From household accounts, cookery recipes and leechbooks comes a wealth of information and recipes using herbs as flavourings, colourings, preservatives, fragrances, medicines and pest repellents. In making recipes participants will learn to balance herb flavours in sweet and savoury dishes to create a delicious spread on the table in North Cray. Scented water for washing, blending fragrances and protection in strewing herbs and decorating the house for special occasions will bring the past to life. Sage, parsley, garlic, tansy, pot marigolds, rosemary, saffron and wormwood are some of the herbs explored on the day. 9.30am–4.30pm

Tutor: Christina Stapley.  Her Website contains information on her workshops, book extracts, talks, and information on her garden.
Course fee:
£50

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SECRETS OF THE TUDOR STILLROOM

20 June 2008

The stillroom was the source of a variety of potions, salves, pest repellents, cleansers, cosmetics and fragrant mixes in addition to the all-important distilled aromatic waters.  Come and explore some of the recipes handed down over the generations from medieval times, making cough sweets, salves, herb honeys and drinks. 

Tutor: Christina Stapley.  Her Website contains information on her workshops, book extracts, talks, and information on her garden.
Course fee: £50 includes coffee, lunch and tea.

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HERBS FOR HEALTH

21 July 2008

The origins of the herbaceous border lie in growing herbs for home remedies in the past.  Led by a medical herbalist, the course offers guidance on the most safe and useful herbs to grow and how to harvest and use or preserve them.  A practical day, including the opportunity to make a footbath, herbal honey syrups, herbal teas, infused oil, a herb pillow and more.  9.30am-4.30pm.

Tutor: Christina Stapley.  Her Website contains information on her workshops, book extracts, talks, and information on her garden.
Course fee: £50 includes coffee, lunch and tea.

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17TH CENTURY - HERBS OF THE NEW WORLD

21 August 2008

Find out about the herbs used by settlers setting out for North America in this century of change and discovery.  From the herbs they took with them such as great mullein, plantain and tansy, to new world herbs like gums, sassafras and Virginian snakeroot, students will learn about the use of herbs in medicines and cookery. 9.30am-4.30pm

Tutor: Christina Stapley.  Her Website contains information on her workshops, book extracts, talks, and information on her garden.
Course fee:
£50

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19TH CENTURY - HERBS ELEGANT AND DEADLY

23 September 2008

During the 19th century the medicinal herb patch evolved into the herbaceous border.  At the same time people who were better-off developed flower crafts.  Come and re-create their elegant effects using pressed, dried and fresh herbs and seeds in miniature gardens and baskets for display. The contrasting healing and poisonous natures of herbs will also be explored.  9.30am-4.30pm

Tutor: Christina Stapley.  Her Website contains information on her workshops, book extracts, talks, and information on her garden.
Course fee:
£50

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Gardens

LIVING WILLOW WORKSHOP

23 February 2008
24 February 2008

Come along to this one day workshop and make a living willow structure which you can plant in your own garden.

Tutor: Deborah Albon
Course fee: £75

 

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WILDLIFE FRIENDLY GARDENING

11 March 2008

The day will be full of tips on how to make your garden more wildlife friendly, including biodiversity and the organic approach, design and layout to help create a balanced and abundant wildlife garden. 10am – 4.30pm

Tutor: Phillip Jeffs
Course fee:
£50

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WILLOW FOR THE GARDEN

24 May 2008

garden wicker course

Make interesting contemporary plant supports to enhance your garden using English willow and traditional methods. 

Tutor: Deborah Albon
Course fee: £60 tea and coffee included.

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