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)

FESTIVE DINING

The lead-up to Christmas is always a special
time at Dillington House. Once again we open our diary for bookings to individuals and groups.
There is a choice of an excellent carvery lunch, or something a little more special - a superb festive dinner with all the trimmings.
A great choice of wines, by the bottle or the glass, is available to compliment your meal.
Not only will your meal be a great prelude to Christmas, but our spectacular Christmas tree and roaring log fire are guaranteed to put you in the festive mood.
We also have a few evening dates available for parties.
Reservations are now being taken so book early to avoid disappointment.

CARVERY LUNCH

Thursday 18th December
Friday 19th December

Pre-lunch drinks from 12 noon, lunch served at 12.30pm
Sweet Potato and Ginger Soup
or
Pressed Duck Confit and Smooth Liver Parfait
with Red Onion Marmalade and Brioche Toasts
~~~~~~~~~~~
Saffron Roasted Turkey Breast
with Chestnut Pâté, Sausage and Bacon Rolls
and Cranberry Gravy
or
Roast Sirloin of Beef served with
Beetroot Crisps with a Chasseur Sauce
or
Homemade Parmesan and Spinach Ravioli with a Herb Butter
~~~~~~~~~~~
Dauphinoise and Roast Potatoes
A selection of Seasonal Vegetables
~~~~~~~~~~~
Christmas Pudding
with Brandy Crème Anglaise
or
Whiskey Marmalade Bread & Butter Pudding
or
Red Wine and Honey Poached Pears
with Clove Scented Chantilly Cream
~~~~~~~~~~~
Coffee & Mints
£19.90 per person
VAT & service included

DINNER

Thursday 18th December

Pre-dinner drinks from 7.00pm, dinner served 7.30pm

Roast Pumpkin and Carrot Soup with Parmesan Crisp
or
Chicken Liver Parfait
with a Cumberland Sauce and a Herb Scone
or
Crisp Tart of Caramelised Beetroot and Goats Cheese
~~~~~~~~~~~
Roast Breast of Turkey with traditional trimmings
or
Slow Roasted Lamb Shank
with Winter Greens and Butter Beans
or
Salmon Supreme with a Crab Crust & Basil Velouté
or
Butter Nut and Leek Lasagne
with Aubergine Chutney
~~~~~~~~~~~
Dauphinoise and Roast Potatoes
A Selection of Seasonal Vegetables
~~~~~~~~~~~
Chocolate Tiramisu Terrine
with Home made Baileys Ice Cream
or
Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce
or
A Selection of West Country Cheeses
~~~~~~~~~~~
Coffee & Mints
£29.50 per person
VAT & service included

Overnight accommodation is also available.

Contact Sue Wrigglesworth
Tel 01460 258610
swrigglesworth@somerset.gov.uk

Why not stay over night and enjoy a full English
breakfast to complete the Dillington experience?
Great value at £50.00 per person!

CONFERENCE & MEETINGS IN DECEMBER

Book your meeting, conference or training event
during December and enjoy a sumptuous Christmas lunch.
We look forward to welcoming you to
Dillington House this Christmas.
For enquiries please contact
Jacinta Elliott Conference Manager
Tel 01460 258611
jelliott@somerset.gov.uk
Dillington House
Ilminster Somerset TA19 9DT
www.dillington.com

BANISH THE CREDIT CRUNCH BLUES – HAVE A HEN PARTY

WARD off the January blues in splendid surroundings. You and your business deserve it.

Christmas at Dillington House is always special and the diary gets pretty full with corporate dinners and country house parties for work colleagues. Some even manage to combine a meeting in the morning with a hearty Christmas lunch before heading off home mid-afternoon.

For Dillington, near Ilminster, Somerset, this is just part of the seasonal cycle and no sooner is everyone back from the New Year celebrations than everything changes gear and the diary entertains small teams of colleagues meeting to re-assess business performance and start preparing strategies for the new financial year.

The convivial privacy and charm of Dillington – which is not a hotel – offers the get-away-from-it-all atmosphere without breaking the budget.

The crisp country air and the perfect parkland setting of a former Prime Minister's country retreat contrast with the roaring log fire in the Hall and the warm-as-toast comfort of the bedrooms which, this January, is supplemented by a stunning new contemporary accommodation building that overlooks Rosie Boycotts’s walled garden and the River Isle floodplain…this is Somerset after all.

After the financial trials and tribulations of 2008 let 2009 be a year of renewal and growth and let the wonderful Dillington House be a part of how you achieve your business aims.

In full flight Dillington, and its high-tech, free broadband connections, is one of the West country's premier conference and training venues – Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth and South Wales are all within easy reach, just an hour or so away - but it is equally suitable for working on a much smaller scale.

The food is all homemade from quality ingredients – the kitchen takes 650 eggs from Rosie’s hens each week! – and the facilities and equipment are as you’d expect in a professional working environment. The amazing collection of art is a bonus…as is being able to borrow books from the library.

Take an invigorating walk through the Secret Garden and fresh, new ideas are sure to flow

Dillington House: 0146052427
www.dillingtonhouse.com
For more information or photographs, please call:

Wayne Bennett or Carol Crocker on 0146052427
Issued by prone www.prone.biz 0208 1333016

Organising a Conference

Big or small, conferences take a lot of managing and if you’re new to the role, then planning one can seem a daunting task.

Essentially you need a clear vision of what is required, according to Wayne Bennett, the manager of Somerset’s flagship residential business conference centre, Dillington House.

Set in acres of parkland near Ilminster, the beautiful historic house has been awarded a five star rating by VisitBritain, the official website of the British Tourist Authority.

“Dillington House is an amazing venue for business,” says Wayne, who is delighted with the award.

“A wide range of rooms and settings together with all the latest technology and customer support make any meeting away from the office a complete breeze.

“It is a creative place where colleagues can work together and get things done without the usual distractions.”

Dillington House provides conference facilities for up to 160 delegates and the
type of conference staged here vary enormously from high-profile events involving government ministers to meetings involving a few colleagues who want somewhere quiet where they can think creatively about their business.

“There have been top-secret meetings lasting several days dealing with military procurement as well as more zany conferences featuring clowns and drumming!” says Wayne.

He imparted a few of the basics when it comes to organising your own event.

*Securing the date in the dairy is the first thing.
*Is it residential or non-residential?
*What other rooms are to be required and what equipment is needed?
*Does the event need technical assistance of any sort?

The diverse range of venues in Somerset, from historic country houses such as Dillington to purpose built centres, attracts organisations looking for an easily accessible location.

For a list of venues go to www.visitsomerset.co.uk/conferences
Contact Dillington House on 01460 52427; www.dillington.com
We would like to thank Somerset Life magazine - this article appears in the November issue

WIND IN THE WILLOWS

TOAD and his pals will be doing their best to promote the National Year of Reading when they arrive at Dillington House, Ilminster, Somerset, on Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 October 2008.

The Wind in the Willows characters are a little peeved that many British youngsters spend large amounts of their time on their computers, yet so little reading.

So they are stepping out of the pages of Kenneth Grahame's classic children's novel which is 100 years old this year.

Hundreds of youngsters from Somerset's schools have been invited to Dillington, the county's leading conferencing and adult education centre, to enjoy two days of events to promote the enjoyment of reading, the use of libraries and encourage volunteers to come forward to read to children.

Toad, arrogant as ever, will have the use of a limo from Hayne's Motor Museum, along with a replica of a Romany caravan.

Fox, Mole and Ratty will chat to visitors in Dillington's gardens and woods.

The event is funded by Somerset County Council, and its staff will be helping the characters run it.

Sarah Cook, senior primary literacy consultant for Somerset county council said:

“The aim is to promote the fun and enjoyment in reading. So many youngsters now turn on their computers and enjoy the visual aspect of that, which is fine. But there is so much to be gained from reading too.

“We hope the two days in a beautiful location, with the characters an workshops will also help spread the word about the wonderful library system which is available to all and encourage people to sign up as reading volunteers because so many children don't have adults at home to read to them which deprives them of so much .”