Week 1: 11th to 16th October 2020

Week 2: 18th to 23rd October 2020

I would like to thank everyone who has given such support and encouragement for the series of courses that we had planned for this coming Autumn. Sadly, we have taken the decision to postpone all 4 of them. We feel it would not be possible to teach while observing social distancing, therefore putting both tutors and students at risk.

However, we recognise many of you will be desperate to work with other people in a safe environment. Westhope College in Shropshire will remain closed this Autumn but Halsway Manor in Somerset will reopen in late September. We have agreed with Halsway that instead of taught courses, we will run two 5-day workshops for a maximum of 10 people each week.

All attending will be participants and there will be no teachers. Everyone will have their own bench and can bring whatever they like to work on, violin or bow making, restoration or repair. All will be able to work at a safe distance but still watch and learn from each other.

We believe mixing the violin and bow makers together will enable more people to experience the lovely environment that Halsway offers, but at the same time leaving it much easier to change plans if circumstances dictate. There may well be more bow makers during the second week as this is already in many peoples diaries. I will be participating for both weeks with Derek Wilson joining me for at least some of the time.  If we are fully subscribed, Derek and I may well work in the small summer house overlooking the lawn for the first week which will have room for one or two people to sit in and observe if desired. Kathrin Heugel will be in the main workshop for at least the first week and we anticipate that other experienced violin makers will also be present, making it an interesting environment to work as much or as little as you feel like.  The main workshop has space for 8 benches with plenty of room to move around safely. We will also have use of the rough workshop with a bandsaw and more benches.

Due to the coronavirus, we will only be able to offer single ensuite rooms, unless you are coming with a partner or house mate. The great news is that we can offer the 5 day workshops for just £400 each to include the ensuite room and all food from the Sunday evening meal to Friday afternoon tea. The cost for those wishing and able to share will be £370 each.

Please click "REGISTER" to sign up by paying £100 deposit with the balance due by the end of August. We recognise that these are uncertain times, so all money will be fully refundable if anyone is unable to attend or Halsway has to close again. Please take out your own insurance against any potential losses for travel. 

Tim Baker

BVMA Courses Coordinator