Crafts and Giggles - A Twist on the Traditional Hen Party!

Since Loving Dorset joined Twitter, we have come across lots of unique and unusual people and businesses, and often sit pondering over all these wonderful places we'd love to go one day or see. This is one of those. How wonderful would it be to sit around a table with all your girlfriends and make something you can keep forever?
We noticed Crafts and Giggles and felt it was definitely an upcoming trend that needed shouting about! Katie Rand, Dorset based artist and founder of Crafts and Giggles, offers party entertainment in the form of bespoke craft workshops. These can be part of any party, event or occasion and can be tailored for all sizes from a selection of different craft workshops. 

The best part of this concept, we felt, was that it is such a more memorable way of celebrating your hen party. (Who ever really remembers what happened in that night club when you were wearing them ridiculous flashing sashes and shot glass necklaces?) 
During the workshop parties, hens will have the chance to make something as an individual, collectively, or as part of a group, and the bride will have a treasured memory to keep at the end of it all! We loved these hand-painted ceramic plates - these come as part of a workshop costing around £18 per person and suitable for all ages. During the workshop, the hens each choose an item to paint, resulting in a full, personalised tea set for the bride. (Which can be given as a collective wedding present to the bride and groom!).

The best thing is, you could choose to make something that will actually feature at the wedding day itself, such as floral decorations and wedding favours. Here are some paper bows and paper teacups that come under the 'Paper Table Decorations' workshops costing around £20 per person. This workshop is run by Dorset based artist Annisa Lee. 

There is a huge range of workshops available for all occasions which you can see on the website - Katie offers a mobile service too, covering Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Devon and even London on request. Every workshop includes all materials and expert tuition, and costs are dependent on location and duration. We are definitely hoping the next hen party we attend will be with Katie!!!
For more information, please contact Katie on 07824396645 or email katie@craftsandgiggles.com - they're also on Facebook and Twitter

The real meaning of the word Luxury!

Mention Summer Lodge to anyone who's visited and their eyes light up and a recommendation quickly follows.  I was lucky enough to be taken to dinner there one evening last winter so I can speak from first-hand experience.  The atmosphere, food, wine and service were all exceptional and definitely made it, for me, a Loving Dorset must have post.  With this in mind and being keen to see the hotel in the full light of day I called to ask for a show-round.  To cut a long story short, Kevin Reid, Director of Sales at Summer Lodge, very kindly met with me at Summer Lodge this week and gave me the full low down on what really is (and I hate the over use of ‘unique’) a unique venue!

Some might expect a venue like Summer Lodge to be extremely quiet on a damp spring afternoon but far from it.   Alive, pleasantly busy and a haven of peace, in equal measures, would be a more accurate description.  I saw several groups of people enjoying mouth-watering afternoon tea (which is served from 1.30pm), guests milling around and making the most of the hotel’s spa, relaxing beside the swimming pool.

Part of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection Summer Lodge has an excellent reputation and very comprehensive website but nothing compares with ‘seeing for yourself’!  Attention to detail, burning wood fires (because it’s a bit cool outside), sumptuous quintessential British country house decor with a quirky twist, fresh flowers and a warm and friendly atmosphere make for the perfect setting for any occasion.  I’m thinking weddings, anniversaries, christenings, private parties, corporate meetings, product launches and events - but it would lend itself to much more besides.

Summer Lodge oozes tradition and history but the team of people running it are forward thinking and on the ball.  Innovative packages include Adventures in Food where guests can rediscover the ancient art of foraging with acknowledged expert John Wright - star of TV show ‘River Cottage’. Here John introduces guests and diners to the joys of these fascinating food adventures and the hotels award-winning restaurant uses the produce collected during the day to create a sumptuous feast. 

The forages are free of charge to guests staying in the hotel on Friday or Saturday night as well as non-residents with Saturday night dinner reservations. The next event is a Seashore Forage on Saturday 19th May 2012 – definitely worth checking out. 

The Summer Lodge Wine Dinners are pretty exceptional too.  They have been established for some time and are held monthly.  For these evenings Chef Steven Titman teams up with Cellar Master Eric Zwiebel, recognised as one of the four best Sommeliers in the world, to create a series of extraordinarily enjoyable dining experiences.  The next date is 5^th June and presents wines from Yerling Station, Yarra Valley in Australia which looks sensational but I’ve got my eye on the 5 Sommeliers Black Tie Dinner on 19^th September! 

I have to say the thing that really impressed me the most was the relaxed and friendly atmosphere that greeted me throughout the hotel.  I didn’t feel intimidated for a second.   My experience was one of laid back luxury!  

It also boasts some impressive awards – recent wins include ... 

·         Dorset Restaurant of the Year - Taste of Dorset Awards 2011

·         Best British Cheese Board - The British Cheese Society Awards 2010

·         Sunday Times - Britain's Top 100 Restaurants 2010 - 2nd in the South West, 27th in the UK, Top 10 Best Wine Lists
Conde Nast Johansens 2010 Awards for Excellence - Most Excellent Service in the UK & Ireland

·         Recognised as Gold Standard Award Investors in People - the first company to gain this award on a worldwide basis.

Thank you Kevin – I really enjoyed my visit and will be back soon!  For further information please check out the website www.summerlodgehotel.co.uk