For Maxine and I it was our second visit to the hotel as we had first spent a night there at the end of last November when we checked it out as a possible new venue for our ‘Harmony’ events following the uncertainty of being able to continue using the hotel in Scarborough we had been using for the last several years. We were blown away by Dumbleton Hall that first time and, if anything, we were even more enraptured by our second visit.
We arrived midday on the Sunday and after a picnic lunch overlooking the lake in the hotel ground with a couple of black swans hovering around hoping we would give them something, we checked in to our room. Then we met up, not only with Yasmine and Karen, but also Kitty Ribbons whom we had arranged to meet to discuss the arrangements for her burlesque performance and workshops that she would be doing for the October event. We all loved meeting her and are greatly looking forward to seeing her performance.
After Kitty had left, the four of us wandered around the beautiful hotel grounds. There are 19 acres in all which includes the wonderful lake, gardens, woodland and open grassland. It was just a most enjoyable afternoon with so many stunning views, Yasmine and I could not stop taking photos. Unfortunately, Yasmine and Karen had to leave late afternoon but after Maxine and I had changed for the evening we had the most excellent 3-course dinner. The food at the hotel is altogether most superb.
However the purpose of our stay at the hotel was not just to have the most wonderful time there, but to sort out details for the October event. Besides meeting Kitty we needed to work out details for a Treasure Hunt that we have planned and other arrangements with the hotel manager. Also on the Monday, we arranged to meet Jayne at her Pre-loved Bridal Boutique (www.prelovedbridalboutique.co.uk) who will be having a trade stand at our Dumbleton Days event. It won’t just be wedding dresses though as Jayne also has a large collection of Prom dress, ballgowns and ‘occasion’ dresses, in all sizes and at very reasonable prices. If we can fit it in to a very busy day of events planned for the Monday, we hope to have a fashion show where any of you attending the event can model the beautiful dresses. Also even if you don’t want to buy one of dresses, there will be an opportunity to dress up and have a photo session with the professional photographer who will be attending the event. Jayne will also offer a ‘dress-up’ service at her boutique (near Evesham) at other times by arrangement.
Before our appointment with Jayne, we spent some time in Evesham and found an amazing place for lunch. With the most unusual name of ‘Jelly Pickle Jam’, it is a vintage tea, gift and craft shop packed full of all sorts of retro items and serving excellent light lunches, teas, cakes and sweets. It is situated at the end of Vine Mews in the heart of Evesham and I can highly recommend you give it a visit. Evesham is a most lovely town to explore anyway.
Talking of places to visit, I’m planning an optional outing along the lines of those we used to have for previous Harmony Weekends. For those staying the Tuesday of our Dumbleton Days, I’m planning a coach trip to Sudeley Castle and Gardens. It looks like a very interesting place to visit and provided we get at least 15 interested, the group rate including coach travel both ways would work out at about £21 each. Please let me know if you’d like to do the trip.
Martine