On Retreat at Rydal Hall
by Ruth Axson
by Ruth Axson
NWCQ has just returned from its fifth retreat in the Lake District and has already booked again for 2016. The group is more committed than ever to the retreat, and it’s a highlight of the year for many of us. The retreat accommodates a maximum of 12, with a nucleus of the same people every year, one or two changing as personal circumstances dictate.
We are surprised that there don’t appear to be more groups doing this sort of thing. (Or if they are, perhaps their reports don’t reach this newsletter!) The retreat is a really positive experience in a supportive environment, away from domestic chores and with a total focus on doing the stuff we like to do best. There are many places similar to Rydal around the country, offering a good standard of reasonably priced accommodation together with food. Prices are very competitive in the early part of the year, which can otherwise be very quiet for accommodation providers. Use our ideas and create your own retreat!
We have previously written about the loveliness of Rydal Hall and the happiness and tranquillity it generates, so this time, I offer you some thoughts about our stay.
We are surprised that there don’t appear to be more groups doing this sort of thing. (Or if they are, perhaps their reports don’t reach this newsletter!) The retreat is a really positive experience in a supportive environment, away from domestic chores and with a total focus on doing the stuff we like to do best. There are many places similar to Rydal around the country, offering a good standard of reasonably priced accommodation together with food. Prices are very competitive in the early part of the year, which can otherwise be very quiet for accommodation providers. Use our ideas and create your own retreat!
We have previously written about the loveliness of Rydal Hall and the happiness and tranquillity it generates, so this time, I offer you some thoughts about our stay.

Rydal - a place of contrasts
· The quiet and darkness of the night or the white noise and visual assault of the beck (stream) in spate
· The laughter and background hum of conversation or the intense but companionable silence of
concentration
· The variety of individuals’ work and working methods or the unity of comfortable endeavour with other
CQers
· Our morning and evening self-imposed work schedule or the individuality of our afternoon activities
· The mid-morning traybake ritual timed to the minute or the relaxed evening trip to the bar
· The quiet and darkness of the night or the white noise and visual assault of the beck (stream) in spate
· The laughter and background hum of conversation or the intense but companionable silence of
concentration
· The variety of individuals’ work and working methods or the unity of comfortable endeavour with other
CQers
· Our morning and evening self-imposed work schedule or the individuality of our afternoon activities
· The mid-morning traybake ritual timed to the minute or the relaxed evening trip to the bar
“But what do you do on a retreat?”
Individual activities were interspersed by short talks by members of the group on things as diverse as Monotypes (Mags Ramsay), Rust Dyeing using Ferrous Sulphate (Leah Higgins), and India and its Fabulous Colours (Gillian Travis).
We each reviewed a textile related book we had recently enjoyed, and the titles were put into a “wish list” to enable us all to purchase at leisure. To ease the strain of intense sewing we stretched and wiggled on occasion in Pilates-style methods. Gelli plates were used and tested against more conventional monoprinting methods; forgotten sewing essentials were shared, although encroachment of table space was positively discouraged!; discussions ranged from the benefits of Leanne-toes (Italian conservatories) to greyhound trap racing, going past swimming lane rage, CQ summer school, the elemental nature of the weather, antique leach jars, and much more in between. We had a lot of fun and we will be doing it all again next year! What about you? |