Beautiful Things Craft Retreat 2023

Description

Because we are based in Essex this year accomodation is optional and whilst we would love for you to stay over and enjoy a break away, there is an accomodation free option.  This does include all of your meals and also a ticket to our fantastic party on Saturday night but you could always take a taxi home or grab a lift if you’d like to enjoy a few drinks!!

Your weekend will look something like this:

Saturday 13th May 2023

9am – 10am check-in and arrival for all weekend guests.  Tea & Coffee

10am – 12.30pm  Crafting time

12.30 – 1pm  Buffet Lunch in Marcos New York Italian Restaurant.

1pm – 5pm Crafting time

5pm – 6.30pm Leisure time.  If you are staying over you might want to make use of the pool or have a drink in the bar.  If you are a day guest and want to get changed for the evening then you can make use of the hotels toilets but unfortuantly the gym changing rooms are reserved for hotel guests only.  Bags and coats can be left in the sewing rooms over night and during the party.

6.30pm – 7.30pm Enjoy a buffet dinner in the Marcos New York Italian Restaurant.

8pm – Midnight Catwalk show (taking part is optional) and then a disco with the wonderful DJ Ricky Spires in our own private function suite.  (Drinks are chargeable at the bar)

Sunday 14th May 2023

7am – 9am Breakfast for all overnight guests.  Day delegates are welcome to join us at a charge of £15.95 paid directly to the hotel.

9am – 12.30pm Crafting time

12.30 – 1pm Buffet Lunch in Marcos New York Italian Restaurant.

1pm – 5pm Crafting time

5pm Guests depart

Prices:

Day delegate weekend retreat £265 (Refreshments and retreat delegate fee Sat & Sun, Lunch Saturday, evening dinner Saturday, party, & lunch Sunday)

All-inclusive overnight weekend retreat £395 (single occupancy) £710 (double occupancy split the cost between 2 of you and share a room £355 per head) (Accomodation Saturday night, Refreshments and retreat delegate fee Sat & Sun, Lunch Saturday, Dinner Saturday, Party, Breakfast & Lunch Sunday)

Optional Friday night accommodation package £125 (single occupancy) or £130 (double occupancy split the cost between 2 of you and share a room £65 per head) (Bed & Breakfast rates only, dinner is available in the hotel restaurant or there is a lovely Vintage Inns Pub or a Harvester less than 10 mins away)

All the finer details

• There is a dedicated facebook group that we have set up for you to join as soon as your deposit payment has been made.  In this group we will help you plan your projects to make during the weekend, discuss our outfits for the party and generally get excited.
• There will be an exclusive retreat only online course and project for all delegates included in the ticket price.  This will give you access to an online video course to sew an item.
• There will be 2 conference rooms in use during the weekend and these will be laid out with a 130cm x 65cm table per person, with some additional tables for cutting and pressing.  Irons and ironing boards will be provided. You are requested to bring your own sewing machines, tools and materials to work on whatever projects you wish. (We will have some machines available to borrow for those people who are unable to bring there own but this is limited and must be pre-arranged)
• There will be some lounge-style chairs for all of our crafters who prefer to knit or crochet. Again please bring your projects with you to work on.  There will be tables and chairs available too for anyone wishing to paint, draw or undertake a table-based craft.  Whilst we tend to have more sewers thant crafters you are not expected to sew!!
• You can keep your area set up all weekend.
• There will be an onsite fabric and haberdashery stall available for you to purchase any materials you may forget to bring along with you.
• On Saturday night we will have a party night with a disco.  You are encouraged to make an outfit or accessory to wear and you will be welcome to walk our catwalk to show it off (this is totally optional).   If you have any music requests please let us know so our DJ, Ricky Spires can prepare for you.  There will be a bar in operation all night. (Please note this is at your cost)
• All dietary requests can be catered for. Kosher meals are available but there is a small supplement for this option. We are happy to establish the cost of this with the organisers if required.
• Accommodation is onsite in the hotel.  All rooms are twin or double. Prices are for single or double occupancy and you can request a double bed or twin beds if you are sharing.
• If you wish to bring a partner along who does not want to take part in the crafting time then there is onsite Leisure club available for hotel guests.  Brentwood Town Centre is a 20 minute walk or short taxi ride away.  There is no change in the price but your partner is welcome to join us for all meals and evening entertainment.
• Your £30 deposit secures your booking.  The balance of your booking needs to be paid on or before 1st April 2023.  You are welcome to pay off the balance in installments over this time if you prefer or pay in full, please contact us seperately to arrange a payment plan.
• Once we receive your booking we will send you an email with some questions to answer, this will help us ensure we cater for your needs, dietary requirements and interests and also allocate your rooms and a settlement figure.  This will be sent out to you early 2023. You do not need to worry about this information just yet.
• An optional Bed & Breakfast package is available for the night of Friday 12th May if you would like to travel down the night before. If you choose to stay on Friday night then your booking will need to remain either single or double occupancy for the rest of the weekend and you will remain with the same partner retaining your room throughout the whole event.  You are welcome to use the bar facilities and the onsite leisure club in the main hotel during the evening.
• In light of the recent COVID 19 pandemic, we encourage you to take adequate travel insurance against your booking however we do have insurance in place for cancellation.  Please note that we will be obligated to follow any kind of guidance that may be in place during the event such as distancing and the use of masks etc.  We will be following the venue’s COVID 19 policy a copy of which is available upon request.
• Should you cancel your booking within 30 days of the event then there will be a 15% curtailment charge that we will be required to pass to the venue.

If you would like to see how much fun we had on last years retreat then please enjoy this YouTube vlog