Sudden availability on Mike’s painting course
Due to cancellations, we now have places on Mike Willdridge’s inspiring painting course this September. For Mike’s course, from Saturday 8 September to Saturday 15 September 2018, the Donatello bedroom is free for one painting guest. Details of the room can be found by clicking here.
Come and join us on one (or both) of these fun-filled, sun-filled painting courses. We’d love to welcome you here.
Painting holidays: the inspiring 2018 line-up
Sandra Strohschein
9 June to 16 June 2018 - two places left
16 June to 23 June 2018 - two places left
Watercolours
To learn more about Sandra, her course at the mill and to see more of her pictures, please visit her Profile Page
Andrew Geeson
23 June to 30 June 2018 - two places left
Watercolours
To learn more about Andrew, his course at the mill and to see more of his pictures, please visit his Profile Page
Terry Jarvis
7 July to 14 July 2018 - still single or double rooms available
Watercolours (and oils, pastels and acrylics)
To learn more about Terry, his course at the mill and to see more of his pictures, please visit his Profile Page
Rebecca de Mendonça & Nel Whatmore
1 September to 8 September 2018 - one or two places left
Pastels
To learn more about Rebecca & Nel, their course and to see more of their pictures, please visit their Profile Page
Mike Willdridge
8 September to 15 September 2018 - one place left
Watercolours and drawing (also gouache and acrylics with an emphasis on sketching and drawing on location)
To learn more about Mike, his course at the mill and to see more of his pictures, please visit his Profile Page
Claire Warner
15 September to 22 September 2018 - course full, waiting list open
Watercolours (and oils and acrylics)
To learn more about Claire, her course and to see more of her pictures, please visit her Profile Page
Vicki Norman
6 October to 13 October 2018 - course full, waiting list open
Oils en plein air
To learn more about Vicki, her course at the mill and to see more of her pictures, please visit her Profile Page
Tim Wilmot
13 October to 20 October 2018 - course full, waiting list open
Watercolours
To learn more about Tim, his course at the mill and to see more of his pictures, please visit his Profile Page
Our Summer painter in residence,
Sandra Strohschein
Come and join us and enjoy the magic at the mill!
*** Why not bring your non-painting partner as well?
There’s a generous £250 discount for him/her if they share a room with you - and there’s plenty for them to do. Have a look at our Partner’s Activities Page for suggestions.
Use the 2018 programme link below to view the full list of our inspiring 2018 painting tutors
One place left on Lisa’s exciting knitting week
Another cancellation means we now have one place available for Lisa Richardson’s inspiring knitting course this Autumn. It is in our Donatello bedroom. (Please click here for more details of the bedrooms
Lisa Richardson's name is instantly associated with the Rowan pattern house. Lisa joined Rowan in 2003 and, after years of turning her hand to many different roles and tasks as part of the set-up, is now a celebrated and well established designer in her own right. She says: “I’ve always made things – my Gran taught me to knit and crochet – but I started at Rowan doing homeware, not knitwear at all. Working there you are surrounded by yarns, and people creating amazing things with them, and I was soon finishing off and doing bits of embroidery to help out. Then I got asked to crochet a cardigan and it just went from there. I don’t think there’s a job at Rowan I haven’t done.”
Inspired by shape and texture, Lisa’s designs showcase interesting stitch details, unique garment structure and stylish techniques with a classically understated, yet innovative brilliance which is reflected in the global status she now commands.
Lisa has created two special projects for participants on her course: the first is a fairisle and textured cushion using rowan felted tweed, inspired by the different tiles that you will find in the various rooms at the watermill. The second is a textured and lace beret worked in the round using a beautiful cashmere yarn.
Here’s some praise from knitters on Lisa’s course in 2017:
“I had the most wonderful knitting holiday at the Watermill in Posara! Really everything was taken care of by our perfect hosts Lois and Bill as well as by the rest of the great staff. Having Lisa Richardson as our knitting tutor was a delight and great inspiration! A huge thanks to you all.”
“Such perfection, I am spoiled for anywhere else! A wonderful relaxing holiday with knitting. Everything was superb, and I was particularly touched by the warm friendly reception from Bill and Lois. The knitting was led by the talented and delightful Lisa Richardson, a calm presence who worked miracles with those of us who struggled from time to time. Our finished work is something we shall all treasure.”
Here’s the current 2018 knitting line-up:
Marie Wallin - course full, waiting list open
14 July to 21 July 2018
Knitting and La Bella Vita
To learn more about Marie and her course at the mill, please visit her Profile Page
Lisa Richardson - one place left
29 September to 6 October 2018
Knitting and La Bella Vita
To learn more about Lisa and her course at the mill, please visit her Profile Page
Don't forget your partner!
And don’t forget that your friend or partner doesn’t need to participate in the creative course, whether it’s painting, language, knitting or yoga.
We offer them a range of Alternative activities for partners on all our 2018 courses, as well as a generous £GBP 250 discount if they share a room with you.
An ‘honorary woman’ on the importance of Jo’s Writing your Life Stories course
It’s been a few years since Jo Parfitt, our enthusiastic and inspiring writing tutor took a Writing Your Life Stories course here. She’s been in the Far East, but we are delighted that she’s back in Europe and able to join us in Posara again.
And we make no excuses for sharing with you again the reminiscenes of our old friend the scriptwriter Laurence Marks, (Goodnight Sweetheart, Birds of a Feather, The New Statesman,etc., etc.) who came on Jo’s first memoir-writing course here some five years ago.
(Left) An old photo, well saved, of the group on Jo’s last course at the Watermill
(Right) Laurence Marks
Laurence still has fond memories. The battered photograph, top, sent to us recently by another participant, shows Laurence among our other writing guests. He says: “For a week I became an honorary woman. Eleven women and me, all intent on learning the rudiments of how to write a memoir. I went home with my manhood intact, but I also left the Watermill knowing considerably more about the shortcuts and methods of chronicling my life. Under the careful, learned and sympathetic supervision of Jo Parfitt, I am now twelve chapters into my magnum opus and not a morning passes when I don’t refer to the notes and advice Jo passed on to me.”
Not bad praise coming from a successful professional writer! But Jo’s course is for aspiring writers of all levels. All you have to do is want to write! Jo says:“The class will include several methods and genre and is perfect for anyone wanting to write about their own lives for an effective journal, memoir or blog. If you would enjoy an injection of inspiration in a safe and supportive environment this course is for you. It is appropriate for students of any level.”
Jo Parfitt
18 August to 25 August 2018 - four places left
22 September to 29 September 2018 - course full, waiting list open
Write Your Life Stories
To learn more about Jo and her course at The Watermill, please visit her Profile Page
Unitevi a noi nel 2019 per il divertimento e l'italiano!
.... join us next year for fun and Italian!
Sorry, we are having to turn people away from our 2018 Italian language course (but there may be cancellations, so if you are keen, we’ll put you on the waiting list.
And we are already taking bookings for 2019 (please click here for more details)
Giulia Balestri
30 June to 7 July 2018- one or two places still available
7 July to 14 July 2018 - possible course if there is demand
Italian language week
To learn more about Giulia and her course at The Watermill, please click here
An early preview of our 2019 creative courses
Because of the unprecedented demand for our courses this year, we’ve decided to open up most of our 2019 courses for bookings. There’s a preview section on the Watermill website, which you can see by clicking here.
And there’s a Special Offer: If you book for a 2019 creative course before 1 September 2018, you can reserve your place at 2018 prices. (After 1 September, the costs for 2019 courses will change.) Please have a look at the exciting courses for NEXT year and if you find a tutor and a course that you like, please be in touch as soon as you can, using the 2019 Preview Enquiry Form which you’ll find on the 2019 Watermill website 2019 Preview Section.
*** If you are keen NOW is the time to book: we already have more than 50 bookings for 2019. Two courses are already sold out and others are filling fast. ***
Everything's included in your watermill painting holiday, yoga retreat, creative writing holiday, knitting week or Italian Language course
Don’t forget that everything is included in the cost of a painting holiday, yoga retreat, knitting, personal development or language holiday: tuition, accommodation (including all linen and towels), pre-dinner aperitifs, all meals and local transportation (including transfers to Pisa airport; an excursion by train to visit the ancient walled city of Lucca or the stunning seaside villages of the Cinque Terre). All you have to do is to get to Pisa airport and we do the rest.
Whether you're travelling alone or with a partner you can be sure of a warm welcome, and that you'll be well looked after. We have built our reputation on the comfort of the mill and the care we provide.
Become a friend of The Watermill at Posara
Visit our Friends Website (Link below). Just follow the instructions to Register as a Friend and then Log In to enjoy special privileges. If you become a ‘Friend’ (it will cost you nothing) you’ll enjoy many exclusive benefits, including dozens of practical and inspiring tips from our international painting and creative writing tutors and recipes from the watermill’s mouth-watering menus. And there will be exclusive offers for Friends to make our courses and holidays even more attractive.
We very much look forward to welcoming you to the mill this year, and for those of you who have already tasted the many delights at The Watermill at Posara, we look forward to welcoming you back.
With very best wishes a tutti
Lois and Bill Breckon