The Kingcombe Centre - Brochure 2017

DORSET WILDLIFE TRUST

The Kingcombe Centre

Part of a nationwide network of Wildlife Trusts

Protecting Wildlife for the Future

Welcome

Photo Š Stephen Banks - dorsetscouser.com

to The Kingcombe Centre, nestled in the heart of 450 acres of stunning nature reserve within the ancient West Dorset landscape of rolling hills, woodland and wildflower meadows.

Explore our Dorset Wildlife Trust is the largest conservation charity in Dorset committed to ensuring that there is a secure future for Dorset’s nature - its distinctive wildlife and natural spaces. The Kingcombe Centre is central in supporting people to engage, celebrate and connect to the landscape, the way it is managed and its wildlife.

Gateway to West Dorset - we are set in the heart of our ‘jewel in the crown’ Kingcombe Meadows Nature Reserve, famed for the myriad of wildflower meadows and pasture still traditionally farmed by our team, and a stone’s throw from the ancient woodland of Powerstock Common.

This is a precious ancient landscape where past knowledge and practise is at the forefront of how we manage it for future generations of wildlife and people.

This is a landscape where farming and conservation work together in balance.

Living Landscape

Experience

the tranquillity of the natural world

Dorset is a rich tapestry of stunning landscapes, alive with wildlife. For centuries this county has motivated not only naturalists and scientists but also provided the creative inspiration for artists, writers and poets.

For 30 years, the Kingcombe Centre has continued this tradition. From just three farm buildings and a handful of acres, we have evolved into a hub for the creative arts, with traditional craft workshops, art exhibitions and courses, as well as being a study centre for the natural world.

Create

your own connection to nature through learning a new skill or developing your passion. From photography, painting, traditional craft or willow weaving, to conservation, wildlife and ecology.

Looking for a venue for a Group Workshop or Holiday?

We are the perfect base for creative retreats, group exploration or team meetings. Packages include catering, accommodation and dedicated studio / workspace.

Homemade

honest food is at the heart of our menu.

Although our cream teas and cakes are now part of the Kingcombe legend, we also offer a range of light lunches and of course scrumptious dinners for all our residents or special events.

Homegrown

produce from our veggie garden, foraged fruits from the orchard and hedgerows, fresh beef and lamb from our own cattle and sheep grazed on the Kingcombe Meadows, all feature seasonally.

Escape

to nature by staying in one of our stunning accommodation options.

Take time to relax with family or friends at Beech Cottage, our beautiful five bedroom stone farmhouse overlooking the meadows.

Snuggle up in our Orchard Hut with its cosy woodburner for a taste of the outdoors while you drift off to sleep under incredible star-strewn night skies.

Recharge

with a comfortable night’s sleep and a home cooked breakfast in our Bed & Breakfast Lodge.

Free Range Family Fun Connect your family to the great outdoors through joining one of our special family events or make your own free-range family fun by visiting one of our nature reserves!

Nurture their creative imagination with natural material crafts or develop the nature detective in them.

For over 50 years, Dorset Wildlife Trust has been helping children to explore, play and learn with our fantastic range of activities throughout the year. We are committed to inspiring our future generation to value the natural world through our work with schools and groups on a range of levels.

This page © James Burland

Internal photos Pg 1-2: Main © DWT. L-R © Richard Endicott, Wild Days Conservation, Maurits Fontein, Heather Radice, DWT, DWT. Pg 3-4: Main © Tony Bates MBE. L-R © DWT, Maurits Fontein, Sarah Morrish, DWT, Norah Kennedy, Debbie Billen.

Pg 5: All images © Katharine Davies except bottom right © DWT. Pg 6: Main © Stewart Canham. L-R © DWT, Classic Cottages, DWT. Pg 7-8: All images © Katharine Davies except bottom left © Tom Marshall

“I am very aware of the ever increasing pressure on our wildlife and I know that the Trust will play a valuable part in helping to create a better environment for us all in the twenty first century.”

Sir David Attenborough

In the forward to our book, ‘Dorset a Naturalist’s County’

“The Centre has a lovely calm, friendly ambience which makes it very easy to relax and enjoy whatever course you have come to do” Angela Guest 2016

“..most stunning nature reserves, Kingcombe and nearby Powerstock Common … two matchless stretches of unspoiled countryside…”

Michael McCarthy The Independent

The Kingcombe Centre Workshops, Courses and Events 2017

Welcome to Kingcombe 2017 This year we are celebrating 30 years of Kingcombe Meadows Nature Reserve with a packed programme of workshops, courses and events; from naturally inspired creative workshops, conservation and natural history courses, to a range of seasonal events.

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Why choose the Kingcombe Centre?

Our location allows you to immerse yourself in the tranquillity of 450 acres of stunning nature reserve right outside the door, providing an inspirational backdrop.

Our size allows us to create an enriched personal experience by offering small groups comfortable accommodation and delicious homemade food.

Our people include national experts, inspirational teachers and a professional customer service team.

What’s included Residential (R) Includes full board, sole occupancy accommodation, all tuition / guided activities and materials where applicable.

Arts / Creative

Non–Residential (NR) Includes all of the above except accommodation and breakfast.

Day Workshop / Event (D) Includes all tuition / guided activities, specified catering, transport and materials where applicable.

Bed and Breakfast Create your own crafty or wildlife weekend getaway by combining workshops.

Or simply extend your stay. Great B&B rates available all year.

Special Events In addition to our packed programme, we also offer a range of shorter events. Find out what’s coming up on the website.

Guided Walks

explore wildlife, conservation & folklore

Supper Club

Children’s Activities

Lifestyle

Natural History

Food Event

inspiring speakers, nature detectives, to craft to wildlife workshops discovery

30th Celebration

Check the website for full details plus look out for new events

Book online at www.kingcombe.org or call our Booking Office on 01300 320684 Pre-booking is required for all our events, courses and workshops.

MARCH

Fri 21 – Sun 23 Apr

Sat 27 – Mon 29 May

Fri 10 Mar

Willow Workshop Weekend

Kingcombe Arts Weekend

Discover the ancient craft of willow weaving whilst you enjoy making traditional baskets to take home, with Norah Kennedy.

R £289 NR £209

Experience the myriad of colours as the meadows come into bloom. Art exhibitions, events and family activities.

Check the website for more details.

Illustrating Feathers Workshop Learn how to draw fabulous feathers and then illustrate them in detail using watercolours and gouache, with Sarah Morrish.

D £80 Sat 11 – Sun 12 Mar

Sketching the Beauty of Owls Workshop Experience the incredible opportunity of having live owls as your sketching subject, with Sarah Morrish.

R £229 NR £189 Fri 17 – Sun 19 Mar

Willow Basket Weekend Workshop Discover the ancient craft of willow weaving whilst you enjoy making traditional baskets to take home on this fun workshop, with Richard and Suzanne Kerwood.

R £289 NR £209 Fri 24 Mar

Astronomy Workshop

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Discover the star strewn dark skies of west Dorset and learn about constellations and deep space, led by Stephen Tonkin.

D £65

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Sat 25 – Sun 26 Mar

Astro-photography Workshop

Discover the techniques for capturing the incredible night sky, including composition & post production, with Stephen Banks.

R £169 NR £129

APRIL Fri 7 Apr

Dawn Chorus Breakfast Early morning in spring is a feast for the senses at Kingcombe. Join Steve Piotrowski for a guided bird walk and a hearty breakfast.

D £18 Mon 10 – Wed 12 Apr

Landscape Photography Workshop Develop your skills in technique, composition and image processing in west Dorset, with award-winning photographer Mark Bauer.

R £349 NR £269 Fri 14 – Sat 15 Apr

Willow for the Garden Workshop Create your own willow plant supports, hurdles or structures for your garden, with Richard & Suzanne Kerwood.

R £219 NR £179 Fri 14 – Mon 17 Apr

Kingcombe Spring Easter Weekend Kicking off our celebrations for 30 years of Kingcombe Meadows Nature Reserve, join us for fun seasonal activities for the family. Check the website for details.

Mon 24 Apr

Willow Structures for the Garden Create wigwams, trellises and willow structures, with Norah Kennedy.

D £85 Tue 25 Apr

Lichens and Mosses Identification Discover the world’s oldest land plants, the small yet vital groups of lichens, mosses and liverworts. Led by Bryan Edwards.

D £65 Tue 25 – Thur 27 Apr

Historical Ecology of a Spring Dorset Landscape Uncover the hidden stories of the ecology, geology and wildlife of Kingcombe & Powerstock Common that define this ancient place. With Bryan Edwards.

R £289 NR £209

MAY Tue 2 – Fri 5 May

Painting Spring Blossoms & Plants

JUNE Fri 9 Jun

Morning with Moths Discover the diversity of species at Kingcombe during early summer using light traps, with David Brown, before tucking into a delicious brunch.

D £18 Fri 9 – Sun 11 Jun

Butterflies and Moths of Dorset Discover the butterflies and moths of early summer in Dorset’s famed landscape of ancient pastures and woodland, with expert David Brown.

R £289 NR £209 Mon 12 – Fri 16 Jun

Summer Plants in Watercolour Paint the abundant flowers and plants of the summer meadows, hedgerows and gardens on this stimulating, friendly workshop with Christina Hart-Davies.

R £499 NR £339 Fri 16 – Sun 18 Jun

Illustrated Traveller’s Sketchbook

Learn to paint and illustrate fantastic flowers and plants on this relaxed workshop, with Sarah Morrish, brushing up on your plant ID skills along the way.

R £399 NR £279

Learn how to master the art of keeping a sketchbook when you are out and about, inspired by the stunning landscape of Kingcombe, with Hugh Dunford Wood.

R £299 NR £219

Fri 5 May

Sat 24 – Sun 25 Jun

Morning Chorus Breakfast Early morning in spring is a feast for the senses at Kingcombe. Join Edward Jackson for a guided bird walk and breakfast.

D £18 Fri 5 – Sun 7 May

Identifying Birds by Sight & Sound Improve your skills through watching, listening and using the latest app technology to build your knowledge in the field, with expert Edward Jackson.

R £289 NR £209

Midsummer Meadows Weekend Join us to celebrate 30 years of Kingcombe Meadows Nature Reserve with a weekend of family events and local produce, surrounded by the wildflower meadows. Full details on the website.

Wed 28 – Fri 30 Jun

Wildflowers, Orchids and Grasses Identification Workshop Improve your identification skills, using our mosaic of ancient pastures, meadows and woodlands, with Leif Bersweden.

R £289 NR £209

Thur 11 May

JULY

Naturally Dyed Silk Scarves with Shibori

Sat 1 Jul

Learn how to create stunning patterns through stitch resist and natural plant colours to make your very own textiles, with Annabel Wilson.

D £85

Design and create your own unique butterfly brooch or picture inspired by the butterflies of the Kingcombe Meadows, with Carla Taylor.

D £75

Wed 17 – Fri 19 May

Walking in West Dorset Discover the ancient hills and vales of west Dorset on extended walks learning about natural history and conservation along the way, with Jim White & Maurits Fontein.

R £269 NR £189

Needle Felted Butterfly Workshop

Fri 7 – Sun 9 Jul

Macro Photography Weekend Develop your skills in close-up and macro photography, focussing on the abundant summer insects & plants of Kingcombe, with John Bebbington FRPS. R £289 NR £209

Mon 10 – Fri 14 Jul

Tue 5 – Thur 7 Sep

Sat 21 – Sun 22 Oct

Dorset’s Butterflies and Moths

Wildlife Garden Planning & Design

Kingcombe Autumn Weekend

Discover the diversity of summer butterflies and moths across Dorset’s famed landscape of chalk downlands, pastures, woodland & coast, with expert David Brown.

R £495 NR £335

Enjoy visits to some of Dorset’s best gardens, large and small; learn from demonstrations & design sessions to take your inspiration home. Led by Briony Baxter.

R £299 NR £219

Enjoy the colour and seasonal bounty of autumn with great food events, family activities & more. Details on the website.

Fri 14 Jul

Fri 8 Sep

Morning with Moths

Willow Frame Baskets in a Day

Discover the huge diversity of species at Kingcombe during high summer using light traps, with David Brown, before tucking into a delicious brunch.

D £18

Create your own beautiful willow basket, perfect for collecting bountiful autumn fruits, with Richard Kerwood.

D £85

Fri 21 – Sun 23 Jul

Historical Ecology of an Autumn Dorset Landscape

Hay Making Weekend

Fri 8 – Sun 10 Sep

Join us for our celebration of traditional haymaking by hand - scything, turning & gathering the crop. Great family fun plus barn dance and plenty of local tasty produce! Find out more on the website.

Uncover the hidden stories of the ecology, geology and wildlife of Kingcombe, that define this ancient landscape. Led by Bryan Edwards.

R £289 NR £209

Fri 21 Jul

Fri 15 – Sun 17 Sep

Improving Meadows & Grasslands Find out how to create a bountiful wildflower meadow or restore a species rich grassland using local seed and low impact techniques, with Nick Gray.

D £65 Sat 22 Jul

Scything Workshop Learn the skill of using a scythe on this practical course, with Chris Riley.

D £85

AUGUST Wed 2 – Fri 4 Aug

Nature Drawing and Illustration Explore drawing and painting techniques of natural history illustration, in the studio and out in the field, with Sarah Morrish.

R £289 NR £209 Sat 5 – Sun 6 Aug

Illustrating Butterflies and Moths Learn how to draw beautiful butterflies and moths before illustrating them in detail using watercolours and gouache, with Sarah Morrish.

R £219 NR £179 Fri 11 – Sun 13 Aug

Shibori with Indigo Workshop Learn this traditional Japanese art of stitch resist dyeing to create your own unique textiles for cushions, scarves, quilts and more, with Annabel Wilson.

R £289 NR £209

SEPTEMBER Fri 1 – Sun 3 Sep

Wallpaper Weekend Workshop Create your own plant inspired designs using lino blocks, learning how to repeat patterns before printing a length by hand.

No experience required. With renowned printmaker Hugh Dunford Wood.

R £329 NR £249

Astro-photography Weekend Discover the techniques for capturing the night sky, including composition & post production, on this extended workshop, with Stephen Banks.

R £289 NR £209 Tue 19 – Wed 20 Sep

Grazing Animals for Habitat Management Learn about the benefits, challenges and management techniques of using animals to improve a variety of wildlife habitats across Dorset, led by Emily Newton.

R £219 NR £179

OCTOBER Fri 6 Oct

Birds Songs and Calls Learn the basic skills to identify common garden and woodland birds on this morning workshop, led by Edward Jackson.

D £45 Fri 6 – Sun 8 Oct

Autumn Bird Watching Weekend Whether you’re new to birding or have some previous experience, come & spend a weekend learning how to identify resident, migrant & wintering birds of inland & coastal Dorset. Led by Edward Jackson.

R £319 NR £239

Sat 21 Oct

Tasty Tales on the Trail Celebrate autumn on a unique evening of fine food, folklore & spellbinding stories to delight the senses & tickle the imagination, with professional storyteller, Martin Maudsley.

D £30 Sun 22 Oct

Deer at Dawn

Join Sam Hamer on an early morning walk to discover the autumn deer rut at Powerstock, before a full breakfast back at the centre.

D £18 Sun 22 Oct

Kingcombe Farm Walk and Feast Discover how we farm with wildlife on a guided walk, followed by Sunday lunch.

With Emily Newton & Ashlea Kirk.

D £30 Fri 27 – Mon 30 Oct

Autumn Plants in Watercolour Explore the rich colours and varied forms of autumnal berries, fruits, seed heads and flowers with Christina Hart-Davies.

R £399 NR £279 Fri 27 Oct

World of Waxcaps Fungi Discover these colourful fungi that are abundant in our internationally important unimproved grasslands of Kingcombe Meadows, led by Bryan Edwards.

D £65 Sat 28 Oct

Fungi Foray at Kingcombe Meadows Learn of the amazing fungi amongst the ancient pastures, with John Wright.

D £69

NOVEMBER Mon 6 – Wed 8 Nov

Landscape Photography Workshop Develop your skills in technique, composition and image processing, covering the land and coast of West Dorset, with awardwinning photographer Mark Bauer.

R £349 NR £269 Fri 10 – Sun 12 Nov

Sat 7 Oct

Sculptural Needle Felted Squirrels Create your own unique woodland squirrel inspired by a beautiful array of autumnal coloured wools, with Carla Taylor.

D £75

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Willow Basket Making Weekend

Discover the ancient craft of willow weaving whilst you enjoy making traditional baskets, with Richard & Suzanne Kerwood.

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Mon 13 – Thur 16 Nov

Willow Workshop Discover the ancient craft of willow weaving whilst you enjoy making traditional baskets, with Norah Kennedy.

R £399 NR £279 Fri 17 Nov

Festive Willow Stars, garlands, reindeer and more on this fun, crafty workshop with Norah Kennedy.

D £85

The Kingcombe Centre Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, Dorset. DT2 0EQ 01300 320684 kingcombe@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Sat 18 Nov

Lino Printmaking Workshop Create your own exciting designs to print your own labels, papers, cards and more, with Hugh Dunford Wood.

D £85

Bristol Bath

Sun 19 Nov

Festive Printmaking Workshop

Warminster

Join this fun festive workshop to learn how to use lino blocks to create personalised Christmas tags, labels, cards or wrapping paper, with Hugh Dunford Wood.

D £85

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Create your own personalised designs using the collagraph relief printmaking technique, with Annabel Wilson.

D £80

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Sat 25 Nov

Festive Willow Stars, garlands, decorations and more on this fun crafty Christmas workshop, with Richard Kerwood.

D £85 Sun 26 Nov

Festive Felt Create your own handmade fabulous felt decorations for your tree and home including robins, baubles and more, with Carla Taylor.

D £75

DECEMBER

How to find us:

From Dorchester, take the A37 towards Yeovil. Turn onto the A356 towards Crewkerne. Continue through the village of Maiden Newton. At the top of the hill, turn left, signposted to Toller Porcorum.

Turn right in the village, signposted Lower Kingcombe and Hooke.

The Kingcombe Centre is one mile on your right.

More information:

Check the website for details on our latest events, cafe opening hours, accommodation and visiting our reserves. Or call one of our team to discuss your requirements further on 01300 320684.

Sat 2 – Sun 3 Dec

Kingcombe Festive Weekend Come along to enjoy festive crafts, food and seasonal events.

Check the website for details.

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Taunton

Fri 24 Nov

Christmas Card Print Workshop

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Find out more at www.kingcombe.org

Find your connection to nature

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Find your connection to nature The Kingcombe Centre Lower Kingcombe, Dorchester, Dorset. DT2 0EQ 01300 320684 kingcombe@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

www.kingcombe.org

Front cover image - “A view near Burton Bradstock”, oil on linen, 240x80cm, 2016 © Kit Glaisyer - www.kitglaisyer.com

The Kingcombe Centre helps achieve Dorset Wildlife Trust’s vision for Dorset’s environment to be richer in wildlife for everyone, through working to rebuild Dorset’s biodiversity, inspiring people to care about wildlife, protecting our natural heritage and promoting sustainable living.

Registered Charity No. 200222