As we lead up to Christmas we’ve lots of musical and crafting courses to get you in the festive mood and prepare you with gifts, skills and uplifting music. Silversmithing, copperwork, wreathmaking, willow decorations, are all on offer to help you craft your own gifts and decorations. And you can join us for seasonal workshops and concerts with Mellstock, John Kirkpatrick, Green Matthews, and Belshazzars’ Feast!
Between 14 and 16 December The Manor is dedicated to traditional crafts. Artist Sophie Courtiour’s popular Christmas willow workshops will enable you to sculpt a reindeer, weave angels, make wreaths, stars, platters and garlands to decorate your home or give as beautiful gifts. We’ve silversmithing with Somerset artist Cat Mills where you can learn to use smithing skills to create your own jewellery items. Cat is also leading a copper-forging day workshop where you can make copper decorations. Jan Boddington of Blue Shed Flowers offers a natural approach to wreathmaking and foam free floral table centrepieces using fresh flowers, garden and hedgerow foliage, moss and natural materials from her own flower fields.
For evening entertainment there are concerts by Belshazzars’ Feast (Mistletoe and Whine), The Mellstock Band (A Christmas in Melstock), GreenMatthews (Midwinter Revels), and John Kirkpatrick’s (Carolling and Crumpets). A heart-warming look at the timeless rituals and folklore of midwinter England. Mysterious and magical songs of wassailing, wren-hunting, stirring the fire and incessant feasting. Expect robust harmonies, catchy tunes, local songs, costumes and some unusual traditional instruments.
You are also are invited to join us in a Country Christmas Dinner and Folk Dance on 22 Dec with caller Simon Mapplesden leading the dancing and live music from musicians Chris Toyne and Henry Lovegrove.
We have two dates available in December where it may be possible to Halsway Manor for your group’s Christmas lunch or evening party. With a tasty menu and accommodation should you need it. Its a rare opportunity to bring your party to this comfortably glamorous and affordable venue with parking, accommodation for up to 40 and licenced bar on site. Contact us for availability.
Halsway Manor is an intimate venue for Concerts and workshops where you can relax by the fire in the panelled bar, celebrate with food, music and dance in the main hall, or take a walk in the grounds. A lovely opportunity to celebrate the season in style at our beautiful medieval manor house, just outside of Taunton, this Christmas – links to further details and booking information below .
Christmas Concert Programme
Sat 4 Dec 8pm Mellstock Band – Christmas in Mellstock
Thurs 9 Dec 8pm John Kirkpatrick – Carolling and Crumpets
Sat 11 Dec 8pm GreenWinters – Midwinters Revels
Mon 13 December Belshazzars’ Feast
Wed 22 Dec 6-11pm Folk Dinner Dance
Christmas Craft Workshops
5-7 Dec Short Course Willow Workshop – A Christmas Bounty
Tue 14 Dec 9.30 – 4.30pm Make a Willow Reindeer in a Day
Tue 14 Dec 10.00 – 4.00pm Silversmithing
Wed 15 Dec
9.30 – 12.30 Wreathmaking
2.00 – 5.00pm Floral Table Centrepieces
9.30 – 4.30pm Make a Willow Reindeer in a Day
10.00 – 4.00pm Silversmithing
Thurs 16 Dec
9.30 – 4.30pm Make a Willow Reindeer in a Day
9.30 – 12.30 Wreathmaking
2.00 – 5.00pm Floral Centrepieces
10.00 – 4.00pm Copper Forged Decorations