Have yourself a Very Halsway Christmas! Come and start your Christmas celebrations at Halsway Manor, where we’ll be hosting our very first ‘Festive Festival’ in the run up to the big day.
Your host will be Gareth Kiddier, and joining him over the course of the weekend will be three bands who bring with them a veritable smörgåsbord of talent and a goodly heap of festive sparkle. Each group will be bringing their Christmas tour show to Halsway, one performance on every evening of your stay, as well as leading workshops with guests during the days.
Our Festive Festival bands are…
Friday evening
The Winter Wonderband are Saul Rose (Faustus, War Horse, Eliza Carthy) on melodeon & Maclaine Colston (Pressgang, Eliza Carthy) on hammered dulcimer, joined by Beth Porter (SpellSongs, Bookshop Band) on Cello and Jennifer Crook (Cythara, Broken Road) on harp and guitar. With spellbinding vocal harmonies backed by this beautiful combination of instruments, they sing of wintery tales and festive times, both traditional and original. Their debut album will be released ahead of this tour, in autumn 2024.
The Wonderband will be leading workshops on Saturday morning.
Saturday evening
Rosie Hood (vocals, tenor guitar, baritone ukulele, fiddle), Nicola Beazley (fiddle, 5-string fiddle, vocals), Rosie Butler-Hall (fiddle, 5-string fiddle, vocals) and Robyn Wallace (melodeon, percussion, vocals) are The Rosie Hood Band.
In November 2023, they released their first album, A Seed Of Gold, and they’ll be bringing us gems from this, alongside other delights, including some special festive treats.
Rosie, Nicola, Rosie and Robyn will be leading workshops on Sunday morning.
Sunday evening
Multi award-winning contemporary folk artists Jackie Oates and John Spiers meld together their shared love of English traditional folk tunes and songs with their fine voices and expertly played acoustic instruments. Their festive concerts are a beautiful and heart-warming antidote to the materiality that can be a feature of the Christmas season. The duo perform captivating traditional Christmas carols and tunes from England and beyond.
Jackie and John will be leading workshops on Sunday afternoon.
In addition to all that, we’ll be putting on our usual great meals, including a Christmas dinner, lighting the fires and encouraging you to enjoy yourselves! Bring your voices and instruments, and don’t forget your walking boots. Games and quizzes will be available as well, in case there’s even a single moment for some extra entertainment. More information about the workshops will be available soon, but we’re hoping to offer a little something for everyone – singing, harmony, instrumental ensembles, dance, maybe even some craft…
Who is it for?
Everyone who would like a short pre-Christmas break at Halsway Manor, complete with great gigs, interesting and entertaining workshops, and a break from the washing up!
If you’ve always fancied our Christmas House Party but like to be at home on the 25th, this is your chance to experience all the magic of a Halsway Christmas but still getting back in time to put out the carrot for Rudolph…