THE HYDE WINS TOP RIBA AWARD

Dillington’s spectacular new building - The Hyde - has just won the 2010 Regional Architecture Award from the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Announced at the Wallace & Gromit studios in Bristol last Wednesday, the Jury Chairman congratulated the visionary development and commented on the relationship of the building with the historic and landscape setting.

The award was received by architects Dan Talkes and Tim Rolt on behalf of Purcell Miller Tritton of King Street, Bristol.

Wayne Bennett, Director of Dillington House, said “The award vindicates the vision for a building of architectural distinction at an important historic location. It is a fantastic addition to Dillington and it will make an important contribution to the work we do.”

The Hyde offers two large studio-style spaces for meetings and courses, a large glazed dining room with colourful works of art, 15 fully-accessible bedrooms with views across the countryside - most of which have private decks for sitting out and relaxing after a difficult day!

The building sports the largest grass roof in Somerset and is approached across a bridge over a sunken courtyard garden with bamboos, a reflecting pool and abstract sculptures.

The building incorporates many eco-features such as solar heating and rainwater harvesting. By using timber from renewable sources the upper part of the building is relatively lightweight and this allows an daring cantilever to fly over the old cider orchard wall.

Wayne Bennett added “Everyone seems to love the contrast between the traditional charm and elegance of the old House and Mews and the dramatic and inspirational spaces offered by The Hyde.”

See Dillington’s website for more or telephone Jacinta Elliott on 01460 258 610 to arrange a visit.

Photo by Dermot Galvin/Arty Media

THE HYDE - A YEAR ON

BUILDING projects take a time to get off the ground and timing is everything.

Ask any of the big house construction companies about the recession and they will tell you how the current crisis was not seen at all.

First it was Northern Rock. Then it was Lehman Brothers. Building stopped in its tracks and credit was frozen. Who could have foreseen it?

At Dillington House, near Ilminster, Somerset, the South West's foremost conference venue and adult education centre, the green light was given for a new state of the art building and eventually work began when the crisis was at its deepest in the late naughties.

The scheme was to construct a building of architectural distinction to be alongside the historic buildings at Dillington. The Hyde, a state of the art facility housing boutique accommodation and two studios costing some two million pounds, was offically opened to universal acclaim in February 2009.

The results are impressive but the timing was rubbish admits Wayne Bennett, Director of Dillington House, who recognises that trading conditions have been challenging to say the least.

"It is very difficult to be the Waitrose of the conference scene when some clients are wanting Lidl prices. I accept it is difficult for everyone and so it important that we are as flexible as we can be," said Mr Bennett.

"Dillington is one of the best meeting venues in the South West but real quality cannot be provided at stupidly low prices."

Although it has been a difficult year for everyone, Mr Bennett says things are looking up with Dillington’s forward bookings much stronger than last year.

In business it is often necessary to step back from the day-to-day hurly-burly and look at things strategically; to take stock and think afresh.

At Dillington in beautiful South Somerset you can find one of the region’s best places to meet – a place of real quality and refinement.

Dillington, a former Prime Minister's residence, has long enjoyed a reputation for first class service but it now boasts something that will inspire anyone in the business world. The Hyde - opened its doors to business a year ago and has been wowing users ever since.

Designed by the Bristol team of Purcell Miller Tritton, The Hyde boasts many surprising features that impress and surprise. For instance there is the deployment of an audacious cantilever which flies one of the studio rooms over the ancient garden wall.

Although you enter at ground level across a wooden bridge it soon becomes apparent that the ground drops sharply away and through large glass windows you are presented with amazing views of the Somerset countryside.

The effect is totally surprising and impressive. In a similarly stylish way, a mirror-pond reflects ripples across the ceiling of the Garden Room which leads to a sunken courtyard resplendent with giant bamboos and contemporary sculpture.

As well as two large meeting rooms and a stunning dining space, the building also incorporates fifteen boutique-style bedrooms many with their own private deck and extensive western views. Free wi-fi throughout is just part of the inclusive service.

The Hyde also has many eco-credentials. It sports perhaps the largest grass roof in Somerset as well as some very efficient solar panels. Much of the building is constructed in sustainably sourced timber and the insulation used consists of compressed wastepaper.

Rainwater is also harvested and is used for watering the gardens. Of course, locating a contemporary building on a historic site was challenging but with English Heritage support it has been ingeniously achieved without detriment to the other important buildings and their vistas.

This new addition adds enormously to the general offer at Dillington where excellence of service and flexibility are the key to its ongoing success.

Dillington House doesn’t do ordinary or mediocre and The Hyde demonstrates this in spades.

And so confident is Mr Bennett of Dillington and The Hyde's ability to convince newcomers of its excellence he even offers a free lunch to interested parties who telephone to set up a viewing.

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For further information go to website at www.dillington.com or telephone Dillington House on 01460 258 648.

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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.