We had a wonderful weekend at Shepherds Dene 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 in the future. Do keep an eye on the website and Facebook page for any upcoming events.
Fri 1st – Sun 3rd December 2023 @ Shepherds Dene Retreat Centre
for another NEFS Residential Weekend.
Full details and Booking Information on this page:
http://www.northeastfiddleschool.org.uk/classes/nefs-winter-res-2023/
NEFS Residential Weekend
Fri 2nd – Sun 4th December 2022
We will be holding our first in-person NEFS Residential Weekend at the beautiful Shepherds Dene Retreat Centre near Riding Mill on Friday 2nd – Sunday 4th December 2022.
This weekend will include our usual Saturday Workshop for the block, which will be on Saturday 3rd December 10.00 am – 5.00 pm. There will be three tune workshops 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 tunes together. Tea and coffee is provided, and there is the option to add lunch provided by the venue. Otherwise you are welcome to bring a packed lunch, or to drive down into Riding Mill for something to eat. The lunch break will be 1 hour long.
In addition, we will begin the weekend on Friday evening with dinner and an informal session, 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 to purchase drinks and there is again an option of bed and breakfast, so you can relax and enjoy the evening.
On Sunday morning, some short 1-1 sessions with Stewart will be available for those who are interested, and we will recap Saturday’s tunes, or learn a new one, depending on what people would like to do. We will finish the weekend with lunch provided by Shepherds Dene before we head home.
We have come up with some packages to allow you to book the events you wish to attend. These include the following options:
- Saturday Workshop (tea & coffee included, bring a packed lunch, or…)
- add Lunch provided by the venue during the Saturday workshop
- Evening meal and a session (Friday evening, and/or Saturday evening including the concert)
- Bed & Breakfast on Friday and/or Saturday night
- Sunday workshop and lunch
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 which includes a meal or bed & breakfast, you will be sent a form to complete, requesting your dietary requirements and accommodation needs. 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.
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 option 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.
Weekend Packages
To view all Weekend Packages, please visit the shop.
Non-residential packages | Price | Buy Now |
Saturday Workshop Sat 10:00 – 17:00 (bring your own lunch) | £42 | SAT |
Satuday Workshop, with lunch included Sat 10:00 – 17:00 including lunch | £47 | SAT+L |
Saturday Workshop & lunch, dinner, concert & session Sat 10:00 – Sat 23:00 | £85 | SAT+EVE |
Friday dinner & session, Saturday Workshop & lunch Fri 17:00 – 23:00 and Sat 10:00 – 17:00 (Non-residential) | £85 | FRI+SAT |
Friday dinner & session, Saturday Workshop & lunch, dinner, concert & session Fri 17:00 – 23:00 and Sat 10:00 – 23:00 (Non-residential) | £120 | FRI+SAT+EVE |
Saturday Workshop & lunch, dinner, concert & session, Sunday workshop & lunch Sat 10:00 – 23:00 and Sun 10:00 – 14:00 (Non-residential) | £120 | SAT+EVE+SUN |
Friday dinner & session, Saturday Workshop & lunch, dinner, concert & session, Sunday workshop & lunch Fri 17:00 – 23:00, Sat 10:00 – 23:00 and Sun 10:00 – 14:00 (Non-residential) | £150 | WEEKEND NON-RES |
Residential packages | ||
Saturday Workshop with lunch, dinner, concert & session, B&B Sat 10:00 – Sun 10:00, inc Sat B&B | £160 | SAT+BB |
Friday dinner & session, B&B, Saturday Workshop, with lunch Fri 17:00 – Sat 17:00, inc Fri B&B | £160 | 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 | £185 | FRI+BB+SAT+EVE |
Saturday Workshop with lunch, dinner, concert & session, B&B, Sunday workshop & lunch Sat 10:00 – Sun 14:00, inc Sat B&B | £185 | SAT+BB+SUN |
Friday dinner & session, B&B, Saturday Workshop, with lunch, dinner, cocnert & session, B&B Fri 17:00 – Sun 10:00, inc Fri and Sat B&B | £255 | FRI+BB+SAT+BB |
Full Weekend: Friday dinner & session, B&B, Saturday Workshop, with lunch, dinner, concert & session, B&B, Sunday workshop & lunch Fri 17:00 – Sun 14:00, inc Fri & Sat B&B | weekend rate | FULL WEEKEND |
A visual representation of the available packages.
Venue
Shepherds Dene Retreat House, Riding Mill, Northumberland NE44 6AF
01434 682212
http://shepherdsdene.co.uk/
Guide 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 |
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 – 11:00 and 11:30 – 12:45 | Optional 1-1 teaching slots with Stewart / Tune Workshop |
12:45 – 14:00 | Lunch to finish |