NEFS Winter Residential Weekend
Fri 1st – Sun 3rd December 2023
We had a wonderful weekend at Shepherds Dene near Riding Mill in December 2022, with lots of fabulous tunes, fiddle technique and sessions. The atmosphere was quite magical, and we are all keen to do it again this year!
** All places are now filled – if you are still keen to join us, please get in touch to go on a waiting list in case of cancellations.
This weekend will include our usual Saturday Workshop for the block, which will be on Saturday 2nd December 10.00 am – 5.00 pm. There will be three tune workshops from Melissa and Stewart and a session during the day, which will give us a chance to learn new tunes, work on the relevant techniques, and play some of our NEFS live tunes together. Tea and coffee is included, as is a light lunch provided by Shepherds Dene.
In addition, we will begin the weekend on Friday evening with dinner and an informal session, the bar will be open to purchase drinks and there will be an option to book Bed & Breakfast, so you can stay over, ready for the workshop on Saturday.
After the workshop on Saturday, they is the option to stay for dinner, and to join us for the evening. We are planning a short informal concert to inspire and entertain you, and this will be followed by a session. The bar will be open and there is again an option of bed and breakfast, so you can relax and enjoy the evening.
On Sunday morning, there is time for one more workshop with Stewart, and we will recap Saturday’s tunes, or learn a new one, depending on what people would like to do. This year, we will finish the weekend with coffee and head home at 11.30 am.
We have come up with a wide range of packages to allow you to book the events you wish to attend, whether residential or non-residential.
We have space for 16 residential guests at Shepherds Dene with single occupancy. There are 8 en suite rooms, and most other rooms have wash basins. There are plenty of bathrooms and toilets (10 rooms share 5 bathrooms – 3 on the first floor, 2 on the second floor) and there is a lift to the first floor.
When you book a place, you will be sent a form to complete, requesting your dietary requirements (including for Saturday refreshments and lunch) and accommodation needs if residential. Please return the form within seven days to confirm your booking. En suite rooms will be allocated first to those who require an en suite to attend, and then to those who would prefer one, in order of receipt of the forms.
Weekend Packages
** All places are now filled – if you are still keen to join us, please get in touch to go on a waiting list in case of cancellations.
To purchase the Saturday Workshop or any Weekend Packages, please visit the shop, or select a link below.
| Residential packages | ||
| Full Weekend: Friday dinner & session, B&B, Saturday Workshop, with lunch, dinner, concert & session, B&B, Sunday workshop & lunch Fri 17:00 – Sun 11:30, inc Fri & Sat B&B | weekend rate | FULL WEEKEND |
| Saturday Workshop with lunch, dinner, concert & session, B&B Sat 10:00 – Sun 09:30, inc Sat B&B | £165 | SAT+BB |
| Friday dinner & session, B&B, Saturday Workshop, with lunch Fri 17:00 – Sat 17:00, inc Fri B&B | £165 | FRI+BB+SAT |
| Friday dinner & session, B&B, Saturday Workshop, with lunch, dinner, concert & session Fri 17:00 – Sat 23:00, inc Fri B&B | £205 | FRI+BB+SAT+EVE |
| Saturday Workshop with lunch, dinner, concert & session, B&B, Sunday workshop & coffee Sat 10:00 – Sun 11:30, inc Sat B&B | £185 | SAT+BB+SUN |
| Friday dinner & session, B&B, Saturday Workshop, with lunch, dinner, concert & session, B&B Fri 17:00 – Sun 09:30, inc Fri and Sat B&B | £280 | FRI+BB+SAT+BB |
| Non-residential packages | Price | Buy Now |
| Saturday Workshop only Sat 10:00 – 17:00 (including tea/coffee and lunch) | £50 | SAT |
| Saturday Workshop & lunch, dinner, concert & session Sat 10:00 – Sat 23:00 | £90 | SAT+EVE |
| Friday dinner & session, Saturday Workshop & lunch Fri 17:00 – 23:00 and Sat 10:00 – 17:00 (Non-residential) | £90 | FRI+SAT |
| Friday dinner & session, Saturday Workshop & lunch, dinner, concert & session Fri 17:00 – 23:00 and Sat 10:00 – 23:00 (Non-residential) | £130 | FRI+SAT+EVE |
| Saturday Workshop & lunch, dinner, concert & session, Sunday workshop & coffee Sat 10:00 – 23:00 and Sun 09:30 – 11:30 (Non-residential) | £110 | SAT+EVE+SUN |
| Friday dinner & session, Saturday Workshop & lunch, dinner, concert & session, Sunday workshop & coffee Fri 17:00 – 23:00, Sat 10:00 – 23:00 and Sun 09:30 – 11:30 (Non-residential) | £150 | WEEKEND NON-RES |
A visual representation of the available packages.
Please note: Once a booking is made, any refund is at the discretion of NEFS Directors, and is dependent upon the terms of cancellation from the venue.
If you would like to make a donation to NEFS funds, you can add your selected amount before you checkout, once you have added your product to your basket. NEFS funds are used to offer discretional bursaries to those who would be unable to attend for financial reasons, and to ensure the continued running of NEFS. Thank you for any little extra you can add.
If you would like to attend, but find that financial circumstances mean you are unable to afford the full amount, please get in touch to request a discretional bursary to help with the payment, and we will consider all requests and do what we can to help.
Venue
Shepherds Dene Retreat House, Riding Mill, Northumberland NE44 6AF
01434 682212
http://shepherdsdene.co.uk/
Lifts to Shepherds Dene can be arranged from Riding Mill station if you plan to come by train, and car shares may be possible from various localities.
Outline Timetable
Friday
| Time | Event | …………………… |
| 17:00 | Arrive & tunes! | |
| 18:00 – 19:00 | Dinner | |
| 19:30 – 23:00 | Session |
Saturday
| Time | Event |
| 08:30 | Breakfast for residential guests |
| 09:45 | Physical warm-up |
| 10:00 – 17:00 | Saturday Workshop for Block 6 |
| 18:00 – 19:00 | Dinner |
| 19:30 – 20:30 | Informal Concert with guests |
| 20:30 – 23:00 | Session |
Sunday
| Time | Event |
| 08:30 | Breakfast for residential guests |
| 09:30 | Physical warm-up |
| 09:45 – 11:00 | Workshop with Stewart |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | Coffee |
| 11:30 | Depart Shepherds Dene |