Hand Spinning & Wellness Retreat

We all know that crafting is good for our souls but it can often be difficult to take the time we would like to dedicate to our favourite pastimes. So this Hand Spinning & Wellness Retreat will allow you to spend two days of enjoyment and relaxation doing the craft you love, with like-minded people.

As a Retreat guest you can also make full use of the hotel leisure facilities which includes a swimming pool, steam room, sauna and jacuzzi. You may also like to make use of our 20% discount and treat yourself to a spa treatment during your stay. The emphasis of this retreat is for you to relax, have fun and learn in the most beautiful surroundings. Read on for further information.

The Knight's Hill Hotel and Spa is situated in the picturesque area of West Norfolk with the stunning coast and countryside on the doorstep with easy access from surrounding counties. You may even like to extend your hotel stay to explore our beautiful county and its wealth of attractions. The venue offers a fabulous space in which to relax and learn being very spacious, light, quiet and accessible.

Although the emphasis of the retreat is for you to relax and take time to enjoy your crafts there will also be lots for you to learn and do too. Or you may choose to simply relax and enjoy time spinning to finish a project you haven't yet been able to perhaps, while chatting with friends old and new. The choice really is yours.

Each morning from 11am until 1pm there will be a mini workshop, which you may choose to attend or not, but I hope that you will. The workshop themes will be Fun Yarns With Purpose on Day 1 and Create With Colour on Day 2 when you may have already had the opportunity to blend colours at the Blending for Colour Work Station ( see below). You can then spend the afternoons practising these techniques knowing that I shall be on hand to support you if needed.

If you are a new spinner then this will offer the perfect opportunity for you to take that all important time to practise your new skills or even to take those first steps in learning to spin. Fellow spinners are always generous of their time and knowledge to support new spinners, and I shall of course be available to help you too so bring your wheel and prepare to fall in love with hand spinning and the supportive community that spinning creates.

There will also be two dedicated work stations; one for Carding and Combing and one for Blending for Colour. There will be a supply of fibres and tools for you to use including drum carders, hand cards, blending boards and wool combs. This may be helpful to try them first if you are deciding which tools you may like to buy. If you have your own preparation tools please bring them to use as you will be familiar with them and will help with a sufficient supply. I shall be available to demonstrate the use of all tools to ensure you get the very best preparations from your wools and fibres.

We shall have a very exciting new addition to our retreat this year; our Grand Craft Exhibition which will showcase your very own crafting projects completed for the retreat. There will be an independent judge and wonderful prizes awarded for each category and Best in Show too. It's going to be super exciting.

The theme of the exhibition will be 'Celebrating British Wool' with categories for  Hand Spun Yarn of Choice, Garment, Homeware or Accessories and you may enter just one, two, three  or all four categories and more than one of each if you would like to. Items may be hand spun, knitted, crocheted or woven in whatever way you can imagine. The only stipulation is that it must be made from British Wool. You are not obliged to buy wool from The Spinning Barn but if you choose to then you will receive a discount on ordering.Your entries will need to be delivered to me by June 30th 2024 to enable me to display them at their best before the event. See below for more details. There is no requirement for you to take part but I do hope that you will. So why not unleash your creativity and start planning ahead today to help celebrate our glorious British Wool!

No event would be complete without some shopping therapy so there will be equipment and fibres available to buy to either spin during your stay or take home after. Remember to save space in your suitcases!

And finally no social event is ever complete without good food so all of your refreshments and lunch are included on both days and dinner with drinks reception on the first night also. All food preferences and allergies will be catered for. Further information and a menu from which to choose will be sent to you upon booking.

We really hope that you choose to spend your valuable hand spinning time with us at this very special retreat and look forward to welcoming you.

Theresa & James

 

About Your Tutor

This hand spinning retreat will be hosted by Theresa George, owner of The Spinning Barn who will also be teaching the two workshops during the event and supporting you throughout.

Theresa first learned to spin almost twenty years ago and has been lucky enough to teach hundreds of new spinners over the last ten years to help them to fully appreciate this wonderfully relaxing, absorbing and productive craft.

With a real passion for spinning Theresa has one main philosophy, being that spinning should always be enjoyable in whatever way that means to the spinner. Some spinners like to spin for the sheer relaxation it affords while others prefer to have a real project in mind and spin from a more technical perspective. Some do a bit of both. There are no rules as long as the spinner understands the principles and applies them to achieve the outcomes they had planned.

So why not come along and maybe discover the type of spinner you are, or want to become and you will be assured of Theresa's full support.

The Details:

Cost: £345  

Booking details: 

• A non-refundable deposit of £50.00 will secure your booking with the balance due by June 1st 2024. Bookings made after that date will require the full fee payable at the time of booking. 
• At the time of booking you will have the choice to pay the deposit only or the full price. 
• When you have paid your deposit you will receive a separate email in which you will find a booking form to complete, your dinner menu from which to choose, the Grand Exhibition label template and further information about how to make your balance payment.

Location:

Knight's Hill Hotel & Spa, Knight's Hill Village, King's Lynn, NORFOLK PE30 3HQ  TEL 01553 675566

Accessibility:

There are steps into the main venue area but additional flat access is available for ease of access if required. Please note any specific access requirements at the time of booking to ensure that any support is made available to you.

Car parking:

On site car parking with easy access to the venue. Disabled parking is available. Please ask if assistance is required.

What is included:

• Two days retreat
• Workshops
• Use of equipment with fibres
• All refreshments
• Lunch on both days
• Drinks reception and Dinner on 10th July. Menu to be sent upon booking. Vegan and Gluten Free options available.
• Prizes awarded on the evening of 10th July for our Grand Craft Exhibition.
• Full use of the hotel leisure facilities at the onsite Imagine Spa for hotel guests and day guests. Please inform staff that you are attending as a retreat day guest if applicable.

What is NOT included: 

Accommodation is not included in the price of the retreat however the Knight's Hill Hotel has agreed a price of £95 per person per night for Double/Twin Bedroom (single occupancy) including breakfast.  This arrangement will offer choice  and enable guests to choose their preferred room at Knight's Hill, choose to stay at an alternative hotel or attend on a day basis if local to the area.   

Contact the Hotel directly on 01553 675566 and quote The Spinning Barn Hand Spinning and Wellness Retreat to book your accommodation.

Spa Treatments:

Although leisure facilities are included spa treatments are not. However Imagine Spa has kindly offered a 20% discount to retreat guests. Please be aware Spa treatments must be booked and paid for prior to the retreat. Quote Hand Spinning Retreat to secure your discount.  Enjoy!  

What To Bring:

• Spinning wheel in good working order. 
• E Spinners - must be PAT tested and in date (portable appliance test) if using mains electricity. Please supply an extension lead, also PAT tested. Alternatively use a battery pack which is fully charged.
• Any associated equipment required for your wheel eg sufficient bobbins, lazy kate, niddy noody, oil,  spare leader yarn etc.
• Fibre preparation equipment eg hand cards, wool combs, blending board, drum carder.
• Other craft items you may like to bring eg knitting, crochet, weaving, felting.
• Any fibre preparation equipment must be adequately covered to protect the tines and cloth from damage and to prevent injury when not in use.
• All equipment should be labelled with your name to save confusion.

Grand Craft Exhibition: 

Categories: 

1. Hand Spun Yarn of Choice 
2. A Garment
3. A Homeware 
4. An Accessory

Mediums: 

1. Hand Spinning
2. Knitting
3. Crochet
4. Weaving

Stipulations: 

1. Must be created from British Wool. 
2. Purchasing British Wool: There is no obligation to purchase from The Spinning Barn however if you choose to do so you will receive a 10% discount using the voucher code RETREAT10 at checkout. It is anticipated that a range of British Wools will be available in our online shop https://www.thespinningbarn.co.uk/shop by January 1st 2024.
3. All items must be hand delivered or posted to The Spinning Barn by June 30th 2024 to facilitate collation of categories and plan the display. The display will be arranged on the night preceeding the start of the event.
4. At the time of booking the retreat you will receive a label template to allow you to present the details of your chosen item/items.
5. Any items to be posted should use a postal /courier tracking system and the delivery should be signed for. The Spinning Barn cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage of packages.
6. Judges decisions are final.

 

The Spinning Barn Hand Spinning & Wellness Retreat - Terms and Conditions

Event Date: July 10th & 11th, 2024

Please read these terms and conditions carefully before registering for The Spinning Barn Hand Spinning & Wellness Retreat. By registering and participating in the event, you agree to comply with the following terms and conditions:

1. Registration and Payment:

• All participants must register in advance and complete payment to secure their spot at the retreat. 
• A non-refundable deposit of £50 is required at the time of booking. The final balance is payable no later than June 1st 2024.
• Registrations made later than June 1st 2024 will be required to pay the full amount at the time of booking. 

2. Retreat Schedule:

• The schedule of events is subject to change at the discretion of the organisers. Registered participants will be notified of any changes in advance.

3. Health and Safety:

• Participants are responsible for their own health and safety during the retreat.
• The organisers are not liable for any injuries, accidents, or health issues that may occur during the event.

4. Conduct:

• All participants are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and considerate manner throughout the retreat.
• Any disruptive or inappropriate behavior may result in the participant being asked to leave without a refund.

5. Photography and Recording:

• Participants are permitted to take photographs and record videos for personal use, but they must obtain consent from others before including them in their photos or videos.
• The organisers may also take photographs and record videos for promotional purposes, and participants agree to grant permission for their likeness to be used.

6. Cancellation and Refund Policy:

• In the event of a cancellation by the organisers, registered participants will receive a full refund of the registration fee paid at that time, excluding the deposit.
• No refunds will be provided for participant-initiated cancellations of less than eight weeks prior to the retreat start date.

7. Liability:

• The organisers are not responsible for any loss, theft, or damage to personal belongings during the retreat.
• Participants are advised to obtain their own insurance for any unforeseen circumstances.

8. Changes to Terms and Conditions:

• The organisers reserve the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time. Participants will be notified of any changes.

By registering for The Spinning Barn Hand Spinning & Wellness Retreat, you acknowledge that you have read and agreed to these terms and conditions.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at info@thespinningbarn.co.uk

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What is a hand spinning retreat?

• A Hand Spinning retreat gives the opportunity to spend uninterrupted time focusing on your craft with others who enjoy the same hobby. All meals and refreshments are included.

2. Who is this retreat suitable for?

• This retreat is suitable for all levels of spinners from beginners to more proficient. There will be help and advice for everyone who needs it.

3. What will be covered during the retreat?

• The focus will be on enjoying the time to relax while spinning. There will be a mini master class on each morning for those who would like to attend including a colour-based workshop and focusing on simple art yarns.

• There is also a friendly Craft Exhibition to showcase your creativity and celebrating British Wools. Enter your hand spun garments, accessories or homewares for a chance to win exciting prizes kindly donated by leading spinning suppliers including Wingham Wool Work, The Threshing Barn and World of Wool.

4. Who are the instructors?

• Your tutor will be Theresa George, owner of The Spinning Barn who has been a spinner for about twenty years and has been teaching hand spinning for over ten years.

5. What materials do participants need to bring?

• You will need to bring your spinning wheel which must be in good working order. Also bring sufficient bobbins, spinning wheel oil, threading hook, lazy kate, niddy noddy, fibre to spin (although fibre will be available to purchase also). You may bring hand cards , drum carder and wool combs but these must all be stored safely. Please mark all equipment with your name or initials.

6. Is lodging included in the retreat package?

• Lodging is not included in the price. Knight's Hill Hotel are kindly offering a discounted price for attendees of the retreat on a Bed & Breakfast basis. Just inform the hotel at the time of booking.

• You may prefer to attend as a day guest especially if you live locally or if you choose alternative accommodation.

7. What meals are included?

• Lunch and refreshments twice daily are included for both days. Our Gala Dinner will take place on the evening of July 10th. A Menu will be sent to you at the time of booking to make your choices from.

• Dietary requirements will be catered for. Please include this information at the time of booking.

8. What is the schedule like?

• Each day will start at 9am and end at 4.30.

• Mini workshops will take place at 11am each day.

• You may choose when to make use of the leisure facilities if you choose to.

• Refreshments will be available each morning and afternoon.

• Lunch will be served at 1pm.

• Dinner will be served at 7pm

9. Are there any social or networking opportunities?

• This will be a very sociable event where you will network and make friends. Please ask to share contact details and build our community of hand spinners.

10. How do I register for the retreat?

• Simply click the Register Now button on the event page at https://www.thespinningbarn.co.uk/retreat2024

11. What should I wear or bring?

• Clothing should allow for comfort and freedom of movement. Flat footwear is preferable for ease of spinning and safety.

• You will have access to the leisure facilities so don't forget your leisure wear and swimming costume.

12. What are the travel and car parking and access arrangements?

• By Car King’s Lynn sits at the intersection of three major routes, the A10, A17 and A47, giving good access from London, the Midlands and the South. It’s easily accessible by road from major airports.

• By Rail Hourly services operate to King’s Lynn from London King’s Cross (1h 55m) and Cambridge (56m). With excellent connections from the Midlands via Ely, which is 36 minutes away from King’s Lynn by train. There are good links by train from Stansted Airport and other major airports. On arrival, you won’t have far to go, the station is conveniently located just a short walk from the town centre. You may need to pre-book a taxi which will be a ten minute journey from the railway station.

• By Bus You can get direct services to King’s Lynn by bus from surrounding towns and villages, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Norwich and Peterborough. The Coastliner travels to King’s Lynn from Fakenham, Wells-next-the-Sea and Hunstanton. King’s Lynn bus station is in the heart of the town centre next to the Lynn Museum and the Vancouver Quarter shopping complex.

• Car Parking There is sufficient car parking for guests at the front of the hotel and to the rear. Easy access parking if required is immediately behind the venue to avoid steps into the building.

13. What makes this retreat unique?

• As far as we are aware this is the first Hand Spinning Retreat to take place in Norfolk, a county of outstanding natural beauty offering a perfect setting in which to relax. You may even choose to extend your break and explore our beautiful area at your leisure. Norfolk is also home to a vibrant crafting community so there may be the opportunity to network with others who indulge in other crafts too. The community of hand spinners is valuable in terms of friendship and support and this

retreat will help you build on that community. It also offers the opportunity to relax and be productive while learning new skills too such as new spinning and wool preparation techniques.