Press Information January 2013 HOMEMADE WEDDING WITH THE HELP OF WEST DEAN West Dean College Near Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 OQZ www.westdean.org.uk Why waste money on expensive wedding extras when you could learn new skills and add a really personal touch by making something so much more beautiful yourself? West Dean offers a wide programme of creative short courses to help you with every aspect of your wedding, from flower arranging, photography and producing fabulous food, to making exquisite hair and bridal accessories, making the perfect dress and hat. Gain the confidence to cater for your daughter’s wedding by coming for an inspiring day of demonstrations of perfect dishes for summer buffets and easy entertaining. With an emphasis on savoury dishes, you’ll learn how to scale up favourite recipes for large numbers. Summer sensations – fabulous food for parties large or small, May 17, £116. Learn how to create finishing touches to add the wow! factor to your food on a one day food course which combines demos and practical tasks including demos of a range of fabulous puddings for summer feasting. Finishing touches – garnishes, decorations and fabulous puds, May 18, £116. Learn how to choose and use suitable flowers for hand-tied bouquets and table decorations for special occasions on a one day ‘Taster Day’, Celebrate with flowers – flower arranging, August 17, £115. Perk up an old hat, or even repair a damaged hat, using a range of traditional and innovative trimming and shaping millinery techniques on a one day ‘Taster Day’, Retrim, re-craft, renew – upcycle an old hat, August 27, £96. Learn a variety of millinery techniques using vintage trimmings which can be applied not only to hats but to other items such as textiles, jewellery, dressmaking and soft furnishings. The range of materials used include ribbons, feather, silk, felt and straw. Vintage-inspired trimmings for millinery and textiles, August 27 – 30, £317. Learn the basics of pattern cutting to create a dress pattern that is a perfect fit. The shape will be based on a flattering 50’s style ‘fit and flare’ design, with opportunity to customise the dress to your own taste with different sleeve, length and fabric options. Perfect dress, perfect fit – pattern cutting and dressmaking, September 1 – 6, £484. Discover a wealth of techniques to create unique decorative silk purses with delicate metal frames or handles. You will make your purse from start to finish, including basic metalwork for the frame and various construction methods for making rounded shapes, ridged box shapes or soft sided bags to decorate with silk paints layering and embroidery. Making silk purses with bespoke metal frames, September 27 – 30, £333. Learn how to make original headdresses, tiaras and combs for your hair using vintage and recycled materials – antique brooches, silk flowers, vintage lace, old bead and chains. A range of techniques to create individual pieces are demonstrated giving you the skills to continue making work at home. Make hair and bridal accessories, October 4 – 6, £222. Discover the key principles of taking successful portrait photographs as you learn about the necessary theory, camera controls, lighting and putting your subjects at ease on a one day ‘Taster Day’, Digital portrait photography, October 12, £94. FURTHER INFORMATION AND BOOKING Accommodation is available from £93 for a weekend, including dinner, bed and breakfast. For further information, to request a brochure or to book a place, please visit www.westdean.org.uk/college, e-mail bookingsoffice@westdean.org.uk or call 0844 4994408 SPECIAL OFFER! Save 5% on all courses booked online. If you are new to West Dean you are entitled to a 10% discount on the cost of course fees (telephone bookings only). Notes to editors:       All photography is free to use for promotional purposes. The Edward James Foundation, a charitable trust comprises the West Dean College, West Dean Gardens, West Dean Estate and the West Dean Tapestry Studio. Charity No. 1126084. The College runs over 700 short courses in arts, crafts, gardening, creative writing, food and music each year as well as postgraduate programmes in visual arts, conservation and making and creative writing. The Gardens are open from 1 February – 23 December supported by events in the Grounds: Fusion – a weekend of creativity, 22 & 23 June, Chilli Fiesta, 9,10 and 11 August, Grow!Cook!Eat!, 5 & 6 October, Winter Wonderland, 14 & 15 December. Any journalist interested in attending a course or event for news or review purposes should contact the Communications Office. West Dean College is situated on the A286, six miles north of Chichester and six miles south of Midhurst. For further information and high-resolution digital images, please contact Ellen Cheshire, Head of Communications,+44 (0)1243 818277 ellen.cheshire@westdean.org.uk Penny Smith, Press Officer, +44 (0)1243 818301 Penny.smith@westdean.org.uk West Dean College, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 OQZ www.westdean.org.uk To unsubscribe to this e-mail please e-mail deborah.tyne@westdean.org.uk