THE EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT. TO BE ADDED TO THE CANCELLATION LIST PLEASE EMAIL MRSPARKMANS.AOFN@GMAIL.COM
Nicola of Hands Across the Sea Samplers and Sue of Minnie McBean’s are pleased to announce details of our 2025 event to be held at DoubleTree by Hilton in Swindon, England sponsored by Hobby House Needleworks.
MRS PARKMAN’S ACADEMY OF NEEDLEWORK
A STITCHING RETREAT AND WORKSHOP FOCUSSING ON
NEEDLEWORK LESSONS TAUGHT IN THE VICTORIAN CLASSROOM
OPTIONAL PRE-EVENT
We will commence with some pre-event complimentary activities which are optional.
On Thursday, October 16th there will be an early bird dedicated shopping day and stitch-in day in the main ground floor event room (10.00am to 10pm).
There will be 4 pre-retreat complimentary workshops running throughout Thursday and the morning of Friday, 17th October in the first-floor event rooms (for those in the US – a UK first-floor is the equivalent to a second-floor in the US). These bonus workshops are complimentary and will be taught by Jane Greenoff, Cissy Bailey-Smith of Gentle Pursuit Designs, Rae Niles of Red Barn Samplers and Polly Kalich.
For these workshop(s) you will be sent a list of materials which you will probably have in your stash. You will also be sent instructions/patterns for any required pre-stitching. You will be guaranteed one workshop and possibly more dependent on demand. We will try to accommodate your first choice.
On Friday, October 17th exclusive access to the exhibition “While her fingers on the canvass move” at Witney Antiques’ showroom for a private viewing hosted by Rebecca Scott. You will need to make your own transport arrangements.
THE WEEKEND EVENT – RETREAT AND WORKSHOP
Cost: £450.00 (Deposit £225.00 / Balance £225.00) Balance due no later than July 29th, 2025.
The retreat and workshop will be held in the ground-floor Lydiard Suite during the following hours:
Friday, October 17th from 17.00hrs to 22:00hrs.
Saturday, October 18th from 09.00hrs to 22.00hrs.
Sunday, October 19th from 9.00hrs to 17:00hrs.
Besides lots of stitching and laughs, the opportunity to make new friends and happy memories, the event will include:
The academy’s workshop is based on needlework lessons from the Victorian classroom which will be taught by Mrs Parkman and will include 14 different stitches. A kit for the sampler will be provided as part of the event fee and will include instructional videos which you will also be able to access on your return home. Please note that due to the stitches being taught the project will be worked on 36ct linen with Soie d’Alger.
Mrs Parkman will also be teaching a further class with a twist. The project kit will be provided as part of the event fee. You will be able to complete this project during the weekend and have a memento to take home with you.
Expert speakers to include Rebecca Scott of Witney Antiques who will give a lecture on the items featured in the exhibition “While her fingers on the canvass move”.
Retreat goodie bag.
Show & Tell – please bring one item you have stitched.
An optional smalls exchange on Sunday, October 19th, 2025.
A chance to win one of the door prizes throughout the weekend.
Access throughout the course of the weekend to the boutiques to purchase a selection of needlework supplies, linen, fripperies and antique samplers.
3-course dinner buffet on Friday, October 17th.
Cold buffet lunch on Saturday, October 18th, 2025.
3-course dinner buffet on Saturday, October 18th, 2025.
Hot carvery lunch on Sunday, October 19th, 2025.
Meal times will be advised closer to the event.
Coffee/tea and accompaniments am and pm on Saturday, October 18th, 2025 and Sunday October 19th, 2025.
Bottled water will be provided for each table.
Complimentary Wi-Fi and parking (all guests must register their vehicle at reception upon arrival).
The organisers reserve the right to amend the itinerary if circumstances dictate.
RETREAT FEE: £450.00 GBP. A 50% (£225.00) deposit will be required at the time of booking. You will be sent an invoice for the balance on July 1st, 2025 which should be settled no later than July 29, 2025.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE RETREAT FEE
Hotel room rental: you should make reservations by using a special link that Hilton has set up for the event. This link is active now for advanced reservations and will be contained within the information you receive acknowledging your place at the event.
Hilton is providing a bed and breakfast rate of £129.00 per night single occupancy and £139.00 per night double occupancy per standard room. There is a supplement of £10 per night for a family room, £20 per night for a deluxe room and £50.00 per night for a suite.
There are alternative hotels in the near vicinity and details can be provided on request.
Transportation to and from the retreat.
Transportation to Witney Antiques.
Breakfast is not included in the event fee.
Other than the bottled water provided for each table and the tea and coffee served in the event room beverages are not included.
REFUND POLICY
We are not able to offer full refunds. If you cancel your place before October 1st, 2025 we will endeavour to find a replacement. If a replacement is found we will refund the monies you have paid less a cancellation fee of £100.00.
If you cancel after October 1st, 2025 you will not be entitled to a refund. In this event your workshop kit will be shipped to you after the weekend. You will be responsible for the shipping fee.
We thank you for your understanding as costs are immediately incurred by the organisers and we need to ensure that these are covered.
Attendees are responsible for cancelling any additional related bookings, such as accommodation and transportation.
