A cordial invitation to Regency Week

Round & About

Posted on

Workshops

Immerse yourself in the world of Jane Austen with dances, walks, talks, workshops and more from June 21st to 30th.

Alton Jane Austen Regency Week has been extended to a 10th day by popular demand to allow people to collect costumes ordered for the Summer Ball for the following day or attend a workshop to produce decorative accessories to wear with them.

There will also be a Welcome Reception in the evening to collect tickets, meet the organisers and hear from our Patron and Guest of Honour, Caroline Knight, Jane Austen’s five times great niece, who grew up at Chawton House.

Most of the first weekend will follow the regular pattern; Regency Day on Saturday with the Regency Market in the Town Centre, followed by a Dance Workshop in the afternoon and Summer Ball in the evening.

The Festivities move to Chawton on Sunday morning with a visit to Jane Austen’s house, a walk round the village and a parade to Chawton House for a picnic lunch with Caroline Knight. Tea at the Allen Gallery is followed by Regency Choral Evensong with the renowned St Lawrence Church Choir.

Monday starts with a talk about Embroidered Paper and continues with an afternoon at Wyards Farm, the home of Jane’s favourite niece and regularly visited by her, before ending with a Midsummer evening at Chawton House.

Tuesday it’s on to Gilbert White’s House at Selborne for a sewing workshop and House and Garden tours. In the evening the Allen Gallery will show the 1940 film version of Pride and Prejudice starring Laurence Olivier.

Wednesday brings a bonnet workshop while the more energetic can opt for a guided walk around Alton. Take part in a parasol decorating workshop and enjoy a talk about Mr Darcy from Jessica Bull and Louise Morrish covering Jessica’s new book.

The Lunchtime Regency Organ Concert at St Lawrence Church will wake everyone up after a quiet morning in the library exploring their Jane Austen book collection, followed by a discussion of Northanger Abbey at the Friends’ Meeting House before an evening circular walk around Chawton.

Friday will be spent in Chawton with two hours at Chawton House during the day and Jane Austen’s house will be open during the evening until 8pm.

The morning is divided between Chawton and Alton on Saturday starting with a tour of Jane Austen’s house followed by guided walk of Chawton. At the same time there will be children’s Regency inspired crafts at Alton Library. The increasingly popular Country Dance will be held at the Assembly Rooms in the evening.

The 10th and last day, Sunday 30th, features a guided walk of Alton in the morning and a Book Fair at the Community Centre during the day. The week closes with the popular Regency Supper at Jane Austen’s house in the evening.

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Sushi class sensation in High Wycombe

Round & About

Posted on

Workshops

Tomono Davies will lead a sushi-making workshop at the Mad Squirrel in Wycombe, 6-8pm on 12th June & at 1pm at The Front Room on 15th June & 13th July

Tomono Davies continues to share the joy of her homeland with her fun and educational sushi workshops, with monthly workshops at The Front Room & also at the Mad Squirrel.

Her friendly classes invite you to learn the art of sushi, from rolling different styles of maki to forming little gunkan boats and hand-shaping temari. Her trademark wit and skills have earned her a galaxy of five-star reviews as Japanese food-lovers leave with smiles on their faces, as well as a box of treats to take home.

“My aim is to bring out the best from both cultures – Japanese food with British local, fresh ingredients – to create better dishes in a fun and easy way, making sushi cooking at home accessible to all,” says Tomono who hails from Kochi, between Shikoku Mountain and the Pacific Ocean. “I believe Shokuiku (food and nutritional education) is a key factor in healthy and happy living, so this is the best way to share my culture.”

Since moving to the UK 26 years ago, Tomono has missed Japanese food hugely, especially sushi. Back then, Japanese ingredients had not widely crossed the oceans, so she began making it with local ingredients and without special equipment.

“Sushi is not typically made at home in Japan,” says Tomono. “It is something we used to have as take-away for celebrations or enjoy out at restaurants. But when you miss something and know there’s no access to what you miss, people will always invent something new! After many failed attempts, I found keeping it simple and authentic is the best way.”

With Tomono Sushi Party she takes hands-on masterclasses, demonstrations and parties to workplaces and homes across south Bucks and north London.

She adds: “My mother used to wake up at 5am to cook us a fresh breakfast – obento – and if she had 30 minutes to spare in her lunch break, she would drive home to start preparing for dinner,” adds Tomono. “I never appreciated my mother’s passion for food but now I am a mother myself, this is a tradition I would definitely like to pass on to the next generation.

“Some people might find sushi intimidating but it’s not; it’s 90% rice, after all. What’s been lovely is helping all the generations enjoy food and new flavours together and it’s great fun. I bring all the kit and also my kimonos which people love to try on for photos.”

For those who aren’t fish-lovers, Tomono can offer delicious alternatives such as teriyaki beef and she caters for all dietary requirements such as vegan, kosher and even gluten-free.

Visit Tomono Sushi Party & for info and book your tickets on Eventbrite.

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Helping mums make the right choices

Ellie Cox

Posted on

Workshops

K White Coaching helps mums connect and explore what they want next from life

As a stay-at-home mum or a working mum, balancing the demands of life is a constant challenge. Understanding what’s most important to you through self-discovery exercises and coaching can help you make choices around your life and career that are right for you. 

K White Coaching has been helping local mums to explore their current situation and what they want from their next chapter of life, on an interactive ‘Self-Discovery Workshop for Mums’ hosted by Kathryn, certified coach and mum of two small children.

The event was held at the Good Life Hub Co-Working Space in Hampstead Norreys. An inspiring place to work, connect and collaborate with others. 

The workshop was a great place for the participants to meet and connect with other mums, share their stories and aspirations, and feel supported in their self-discovery. After a session which helped participants understand and reflect on their personal values, the workshop included a life and career audit, group exercises around strengths and skills, and tools and exercises to help participants set goals and start acting towards these.

Jennie R, has already started taking action and is feeling excited about her future following the workshop: “Kathryn’s self-discovery workshop was absolutely fantastic! It gave a safe and welcoming space to really focus on what’s important to me. And how my values have changed since becoming a mum. She guided us all through a process that was actually much more personal and profound than I was expecting. The environment Kathryn created was warm, supportive and productive. She has extensive knowledge of techniques and strategies that helped each of us find clarity. I found her to be empathetic, wise and exceptionally good at helping me reach the next step in terms of moving forward. After the workshop I finally took action and have just begun studying for a higher national diploma, working towards a career that makes me feel genuinely excited about the future.”

The group enjoyed the workshop so much that they’ve decided to meet regularly to check-in and to help keep each other accountable on their next steps. 

Interested in joining the next workshop?

Head to kwhitecoaching.com to find out more and to join the waitlist.

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter: