EVER HAD A GREAT IDEA OR FASCINATION FOR IRISH LITERATURE?

Then a couple of residential courses at prestigious Dillington House conference and adult education centre, near Ilminster, Somerset, will, without doubt, satisfy your intrigue.

Enjoy the craic while getting an insight into some of the most important words and ideas of the 20th century.

Sadly you won't be able to attend them both because they run concurrently from Friday 5 February to Sunday 7 February.

But there's always the chance to swap notes after a sumptuous meal and drinks at the foremost meeting place in the south west.

The Modern Irish Literature course will cover a broad range of fiction, drama and poetry since the late 19th century until the present day.

The life and work of writers such as W.B. Yeats, James Joyce, Elizabeth Bowen, Sean O'Casey, Seamus Heaney, Edna O'Brien and Roddy Doyle will be studied in historical and cultural context and will be examined in relation to issues of nation, gender and emigration.

The tutor is author Tony Murray, PhD, MA Cultural Studies, BA (Hons), and Deputy Director of the Irish Studies Centre at London Metropolitan University. He has taught Irish and English Literature for many years and has run the annual Irish Writers in London Summer School since its inception in 1996.

Meanwhile the Great Ideas of the Twentieth Century course, with Dr Derek Tatton, will unpack and openly discuss some of the really important political and cultural themes of the last century.

Through participative discussions, the origins, development and legacy of six ideas or themes will be examined.

Taking the British NHS as an example the group will ask why this feature of The Welfare State has remained a popular great idea despite its origins in socialist principles and why it remains off-limits to all but the most right-wing of critics.

Other subjects will include the development of the mass media and its effects on our ideas of what constitute art and culture; the social impact of science and technology via, for example, the Internet, and lastly ecology and the green movement and the challenge of climate change.

This course is run in association with the Raymond Williams Foundation, a Welsh academic, novelist and critic. An influential figure on the political left, his writings on politics, culture, the mass media and literature remain significant. His work laid the foundations for the academic field of cultural and critical studies.

Residential fees for the course start at £177 per person and include en-suite accommodation, meals and refreshments.

For bookings and further information call Denise Borer on 01460 258613

email: dillington@somerset.gov.uk

www.dillington.com

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