THE DILLINGTON CIDER HOUSE RULES

JAMES Crowden, acclaimed author and leading authority on cider, plants the first sapling in Somerset's newest orchard.

Traditional varieties of native apples will form a 36-tree plantation in the old garden of Dillington House, Ilminster.

In a few years the harvest will produce Dillington's very own cider, which will no doubt delight delegates and guests at the South West's foremost residential conference and adult education centre.

Somerset is a county famous for its cider orchards; in 1894 there were over 26,000 acres devoted to the fruit. Many disappeared over the next century, but cider is trendy again and apple-growing is back in favour...and flavour.

The Somerset varieties to be planted are: Tom Putt, the bitter sharp tasting Kingston Black (which is believed to have hailed from Kingston St Mary, near Taunton) and Dabinett, a bitter sweet flavour which came from Mid Lambrook.

The orchard was the idea of Wayne Bennett, Dillington's director, who says: " I'm keen to capitalise on the local distinctiveness of the area and celebrate another of Somerset's array of wonderful food and fruit.

"Dillington has a reputation for excellence including its food, drink and service. Cider is very much in vogue and I thought it would be wonderful to establish our own orchard and very much look forward to tasting a pint of our own cider in a few years time.

" The project has been made possible by a grant from Somerset County Council and the trees being sponsored by local individuals, keen to support the tradition of orchards in the locality. They will each get a bottle of the first cider to be produced."

Mr Bennett added: “I am delighted that James Crowden did us the honour of planting the first tree. James’ new book ‘Ciderland’ celebrates much of what is unique about Somerset and Dillington is very much part of local landscape in the south of the county.”

Mr Crowden said: "Planting an orchard like this is phenomenally important in keeping a fine tradition alive as well as these old Somerset varieties.

"A while ago people buying properties here would dig up their orchards. Now they are planting trees. This area in particular has been associated with cider-making for many centuries."

Somerset cider gained attention recently as neighbouring Julian Temperley was awarded a top prize at the 'Food Oscars' - the BBC Food & Farming Awards.

The award was partly in recognition of the county's long history of cider-making.

The first orchard dates back to the 13th Century and monasteries had good orchards. Current cider-makers are in fact relying on methods discovered 150 years ago.

Somerset is a popular place for cider-making as the climate and soil characteristics are perfect.

For further information please contact Wayne Bennett, director, on 01460 52427 or wbennett@somerset.gov.uk

www.dillington.com

Notes for Editors

Dillington House dates back to the 16th century and was once the west country home of George III’s Prime Minister, Lord North. Since 1949 it has been run by Somerset County Council albeit in recent years on an entirely self-financing basis. The accommodation has been rated as 5-Stars under the English Tourism Council’s ‘campus’ Inspection Scheme and it is the only venue in England to hold this accolade. Today, Dillington marries the world of learning, business and the arts in a unique programme mix.

James Crowden can be contacted at www. james-crowden.co.uk or 01460 30795

pix and words courtesy of Dermot Galvin and prone (www.prone.biz)

DILLINGTON'S NEW DIRECTORIAL TEAM

Dillington director Wayne Bennett and his new deputy, Helen Chaloner, in an exclusive first picture together as they plot the future success of the South West's premier residential conferencing and adult learning centre.

THE CIDER HOUSE RULES

A NEW ORCHARD FOR SOMERSET

Sunday November 29th will see author and cider enthusiast, James Crowden, plant the first of 36 apple trees at Dillington House, near Ilminster.

The new orchard is being planted with local Somerset varieties, Tom Putt, Kingston Black and Dabinett and will eventually produce the apples for Dillington’s own special cider.

The orchard is the idea of Dillington’s Director, Wayne Bennett, who is keen to capitalise on the local distinctiveness of the area.

Wayne says: “I am delighted that James Crowden is doing us the honour of planting the first tree. James’ new book ‘Ciderland’ celebrates much of what is unique about Somerset and Dillington is very much part of local landscape in the south of the county.”

The public and press are very welcome to attend.

James Crowden is not just planting the first tree but will also be speaking at Dillington- the south-west's leading conference and residential adult learning centres - about the culture of cider making in a talk starting at 2.30pm.

Tickets cost £10 and include a cider tasting, tea and cake afterwards and can reserved on 01460 258 613.

You can buy a signed copy of Ciderland in readiness for Christmas too.

NEW FACE AT DILLINGTON

DEPUTY DIRECTOR ARRIVES

One of the south-west’s premier meetings venues, Dillington House near Ilminster, has just taken on board a new Deputy Director.

After a stint in London, Helen Chaloner returns to the west country bringing with her a special combination of creativity and business skills.

After initially working for the Burton Group, Helen spent many years in the US before settling in Devon where she was Programme Manager at Dartington Hall.

Then it was off to London where she did a degree in Fine Art after which she worked in management positions in the charitable sector.

Dillington House Director, Wayne Bennett, says ‘Helen’s arrival will significantly strengthen the management team and will reinforce Dillington’s special offer as a unique learning, creative and business environment.

"I know she is excited about returning to the west country where quality of life issues can merge with creativity to make a particularly interesting business environment.’

Notes for Editors

Dillington House dates back to the 16th century and was once the west country home of George III’s Prime Minister, Lord North.

Since 1949 it has been run by Somerset County Council albeit in recent years on an entirely self-financing basis.

The accommodation has been rated as 5-Stars under the English Tourism Council’s ‘campus’ Inspection Scheme and it is the only venue in England to hold this accolade.

Today, Dillington marries the world of learning, business and the arts in a unique programme mix.

FINE WEATHER, FINE TURN OUT AT OPEN DAY

SCORES of people took the opportunity of a lovely late summer's day to look around Dillington and to explore the House and gardens and history of the House.

Carol Crocker, operations manager, said later: "Open Day was a huge success with seemingly more people than ever before.

"Car parking extended right down to the lake I am told! Weather was key factor of course and although it was cloudy at times the sun did show and the rain stayed away.

"There was a really good buzz about the place and everybody appeared delighted with what they saw."

For many it was the first chance to see The Hyde, a spectacular new contemporary building, offering 2 superb multi-purpose studios as well as 15 boutique style bedrooms.

There was live music and many other attractions throughout the afternoon, including music from The Night Owls and Phoenix Brass.

Taunton Garrison brought the 17th century to life with their living history camp and re-enactment displays.

For the younger visitors David Wright, author of the children’s book series Dickie Duck, acted as a storyteller.

There was also the chance to talk to tutors and take part in a choice of free mini courses on subjects such as painting, family history, literature and writing, and Tai Chi.

OPEN HOUSE AT DILLINGTON

COME ALONG!

Sunday 6 September 12.00pm - 5.00pm Admission Free

A relaxing afternoon to look around Dillington and to explore the House and gardens and find out about the history of the House. For many this will be the first chance to see The Hyde, a spectacular new contemporary building, offering 2 superb multi-purpose studios as well as 15 boutique style bedrooms.

There will be live music and many other attractions throughout the afternoon, including music from The Night Owls, a four piece band playing hot syncopated ukulele songs and Phoenix Brass. Taunton Garrison will be bringing the 17th century to life with their living history camp and re-enactment displays. For the younger visitors David Wright, author of the children’s book series Dickie Duck, will be acting as a storyteller. UK Llamas will make a welcome return with the promise of a couple of “new arrivals”.

There will be the chance to take part in a choice of free mini courses on subjects such as painting, family history, literature and writing, as well as joining in a session of Tai Chi. Tutors will be on hand to chat about the many courses on offer in the current programme.

Enjoy a BBQ lunch and treat yourself to ice cream or afternoon tea with home-made cakes. Other light snacks and refreshments will be available.

Why not go along and take your friends and family for a great afternoon out!

For more information and a free copy of the Dillington programme of courses and events contact 01460 258648 or see the website www.dillington.com

EXCITING FORTHCOMING MUSICAL EVENTS

Concert Programme

Dillington House organises a series of public concerts throughout the year. These take place in the Mews Theatre which can seat up to 160 persons. The acoustics are excellent as are the sightlines.

Guitar Festival - Pro Arte Guitar Trio with Guests

Sunday, August 02, 2009

Guitar Festival - HiddenTango

Monday, August 03, 2009

Guitar Festival - Bach, Ballads & Blues

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Guitar Festival - Groningen Guitar Duo

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Guitar Festival - Vida Guitar Quartet

Thursday, August 06, 2009

Concert with the Alberni String Quartet

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Piano Recital with Mark Bebbington

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Concert with the Badke Quartet

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Concert Party with Miss Sylvia Griffin & Friends

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Concert with 'The Quartetto di Cremona'

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Two Harpsichords in Concert:Purcell & His World: A Musical Exploration

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Concert with The Navarra String Quartet

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Beethoven – The Complete String Quartets with The Alberni String Quartet

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Jazz Concert with John Law Trio

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Tickets Enquiry – daborer@somerset.gov.uk

WAYNE BENNETT AND VALERIE SINGLETON JOIN FORCES ON LIFELONG LEARNING

Lifelong Learning Is Good For Your Health - Official

by Wayne Bennett, Director of Dillington House, Somerset - a premier lifelong learning and business conferencing centre.

A GOVERNMENT think-tank recently produced a wide-ranging

study concerning mental health and wellbeing. Sir John Beddington –

the Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor – said that the most important single thing we can do help to maintain a quality of life in older age is

to keep learning. The conclusions were astonishing in claiming that one of the most powerful activities any individual could do to stave off the misery of depression and anxiety – especially in older age - was to keep learning.

Learning allows for an engagement with the world and the great issues that confront us all. It obviously improves our knowledge and widens our horizons in the process. It brings us into contact with other like-minded people and it challenges our own beliefs and opinions. Learning can also give us a deep sense of achievement and this improves our self-esteem and sense of wellbeing.

On July 17, Mr Bennett was at The Retirement Show at London's Olympia to join forces with TV presenter and writer Valerie Singleton, in a seminars organized by Discount-Age on the benefits of continued learning for the over 50s. Valerie, who is a director with Discount-Age, was introduced to a myriad of fascinating educational topics offered by Dillington House when she moved to the West country.

"I couldn't believe this was being offered by a county council-run facility and neither could I believe how beautiful Dillington House was.

"I have signed up for dozens of courses which have opened my eyes to so many news subjects in such a fresh and refreshing way. I'm a convert.

"And the courses were so well attended. I had to make sure I booked early and still missed out on some, which shows the huge demand."

While many similar educational centres are facing cuts backs or even closure, Somerset County Council has backed five-star Dillington's ability to deliver both in learning and business conferencing, by recently investing £2.3 million in a high-tech arts and ecologically-friendly accommodation facility. The Hyde, which, features boutique-style bedrooms and lecture studios overlooking the Somerset countryside is also fully accessible for disabled people.

For further information, interviews or photographs, please call:

Wayne Bennett, Dillington House : 01460 258 648

email: wbennett@somerset.gov.uk

Note for editors: Dillington House is Somerset County Council’s residential centre for professional development, adult education and the arts. Founded in 1949, it has been offering lifelong learning opportunities for nearly sixty years. The arts play an important role in creating the unique ambience which is Dillington. Although Dillington House is wholly part of Somerset County Council it operates without public subsidy and is responsible for meeting all of its costs. The Main House dates back to the 16th century and is one of the most beautiful houses in Somerset and features in Simon Jenkins’ book England’s 1000 Best Houses.

The accommodation is in a range of bedrooms, most of which are en-suite, that are located in the House, the Mews or the Hyde. Dillington House is neither an hotel, college nor simple conference centre. It is uniquely something special at which everything and anything is possible. Standards of service and accommodation are very high and Dillington remains the only establishment to have been awarded 5-stars by the English Tourism Council under their “Campus” quality assessment scheme.

IT'S OFFICIAL; LEARNING IS SERIOUSLY GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH

Education, education, education...

By Wayne Bennett, Director, Dillington House.

Towards the end of last year, a government think-tank produced a report concerning mental health and wellbeing. It was a wide-ranging study that pulled together evidence from a large number of sources.

The conclusions were astonishing in claiming that one of the most powerful activities any individual could do to stave off the misery of depression and anxiety – especially in older age - was to keep learning.

Indeed, learning throughout life is wonderfully good for us in all sorts of ways. Learning allows for an engagement with the world and the great issues that confront us all.

It obviously improves our knowledge and widens our horizons in the process. It brings us into contact with other like-minded people and it challenges our own beliefs and opinions.

Learning can also give us a deep sense of achievement and this improves our self-esteem and sense of well-being.

When interviewed on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, Sir John Beddington – the Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor – said that the most important single thing we can do to maintain a quality of life in older age is to keep learning. Wow!

If this is the case, then the news comes very late as the provision of government supported adult education programmes across the country are in a state of collapse.

Local councils, universities and colleges, driven by the need to follow the money, have abandoned much of what they use to do in favour of delivering courses in basic skills – literacy and numeracy etc. – as well as in courses leading to recognised qualifications.

Of course, nobody is staying that these are not important too. It is undoubtedly critical that we have a well-educated and qualified working population.

But why did we have to close down a great tradition of courses in village halls and local schools in the process? The provision of adult education programmes was a simple public service that had the means of transforming individual lives and families. Above all though, learning for learning’s sake is a deeply civilising concept and one that ultimately adds value to communities and society in general.

Now we hear that it is also good for our mental health as well. The decline in provision and the opportunities on offer has to be reversed and a renaissance in adult education begun.

The irony of the present state of affairs is that New Labour came to power on the mantra of ‘education, education, education’ and David Blunkett had a visionary mission of creating a culture of lifelong learning!

Of course, the loss of adult education classes is only part of a larger picture in which the notion of public service and collective responsibility is replaced by private provision and narrow economic objectives.

That said, there are still some organisations doing their best to keep things going. Notable among them are the Women’s Institute, the WEA and the U3A – a voluntary self-help learning network for older people.

There is also a scattering of residential colleges offering weekend courses in a social setting; and we mustn’t forget art centres, museums, clubs and societies who often provide a vibrant programme of talks and activities.

The Open University remains open although this involves academic study at a high level and at a price which many people may find off-putting. If you have the money then certain private providers such as Warner Leisure also offer study and activity breaks in hotels.

So what’s to be done? Well, the government have been stung by public criticism of what has happened to adult education and the recently moved former Secretary of State, John Denham, indicated that something had to be done.

The big problem is that, thanks to the disgraceful behaviour of the banks, the financial cupboard is bare and a general election will probably make no difference – adult education has never been high on the political agenda.

The reality is that we are probably on our own. Don’t despair, let’s get down to the library (if we still have one) or online and search out the opportunities that do exist and sign up now. Find out what is going on in your area and take those tentative first steps…the science says that it will be seriously good for us.

Wayne's column appears in the current edition of Mature Times, which is freely available at Dillington and many other reputable outlets. (www.maturetimes.co.uk)