Christmas Decorating with Shane Connolly and Sarah Raven

I love Christmas and having flowers and decorations in as many places as I can - making things look as good and jolly as they can possibly be, but... there is a dilemma for those of us who care about sustainability. We need to become increasingly aware of what of the classic Christmas stuff - the tinsel, glitter, wire, moss and plastic used by the skip-load by millions of us - is ok, and which is best avoided? We don't want to turn Christmas into any old day and wipe out the life-enhancing glamour, glitz, sparkle and joy we need in our lightless winter, but how can we decorate and minimize damage to the environment.

The brilliant and inspiring florist, Shane Connolly (who has done the flowers for two recent Royal Weddings) is my arbiter on these things and has guided me over the years - and is coming to do a demo at Perch Hill to guide us all.

I will start the day talking you through all I've learnt over the last 30 years on which are the best flowers to pick/grow/buy to give the best value at Christmas and how to condition them to maximise vase life. I'll also demonstrate 2 or 3 of my favourite Christmas decorating/flowery 'showstoppers'.

Shane will then take over and inspire us with his favourite ways of decorating our Christmas homes for ultimate loveliness without it costing the earth.

Itinerary:

10am : arrival tea/coffee

10:30am - 12pm : Sarah's talk and demonstration

12pm : tea/coffee break with homemade cake

12:20pm - 1:45pm : Shane Connolly talk and demonstration

2pm - 3pm : Lunch

The shop will be open after lunch and Sarah and Shane will sign and personalise books.

Directions to Perch Hill

From the M25Turn off the M25 (junction 5) onto the A21 for Sevenoaks / Hastings, heading south. In good traffic conditions, the journey from this junction to Perch Hill Farm will take approximately one hour. Bypass Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Pembury and continue on the A21 to Hurst Green. Turn right on the A265, signposted to Lewes. Go through Etchingham and continue to Burwash. Turn left by the church in Burwash follow this road down for 3 miles until you get to the crossroads at the top of the hill. Turn right into Willingford Lane (signposted Burwash Weald). Perch Hill Farm is on your right about ½ mile from the crossroads. Follow signs for Car Parking.

From a southerly directionIf you are approaching us from the direction of the coast via Battle take the B2096 Battle to Heathfield road. Go through Netherfield and on to Woods Corner. At The Swan Inn, on your left, turn right (signposted to Brightling) and follow the road for about ¾ mile, take the first left and go up the hill and turn first left into Willingford Lane. Follow the road down into the valley about ½ mile from the crossroads you will see Perch Hill Farm on your right. Follow signs for Car Parking.

From a westerly directionIf you’re coming in from the direction of Heathfield on the A265 travel through the town, up the hill and straight across the traffic lights, take the next right hand turn signposted to Battle (B2096). Continue through Punnett’s Town, Three Cups and on to Woods Corner. You will pass on the left a raised pathway and village post office just before a staggered crossroads with The Swan Inn on the opposite side. Turn left here and follow the road for about three-quarters of a mile, take the first left and go up the hill and turn first left into Willingford Lane. Follow the road down into the valley about ½ mile from the crossroads you will see Perch Hill Farm on your right. Follow signs for Car Parking.

Cancellations and refunds

If you are unable to attend a course/event you have booked and paid for:A friend or family member is welcome to attend in your place. You will need to provide us with their name, dietary requirements and contact email address/phone number as soon as possible prior to the course/event date.

If we receive 8 weeks notice or more:Sarah Raven's Cutting Garden Ltd will refund the full cost of your course/event.

If we receive more than 4 weeks notice:Sarah Raven's Cutting Garden Ltd will transfer you to another suitable course/event of the same value. In this instance this must be a straight swap onto another course we have availability on within the same season. I,e no more than 6 weeks from the original course date booked. Furthermore, we are unable to carry course credits over to the following calendar year. Please note, we cannot issue vouchers to spend on other products at sarahraven.com.

If we receive less than 4 weeks notice:We are unable to offer a refund or transfer as we have inadequate time to re-sell the place. A friend or family member is welcome to attend in your place. If you find you are unable to attend a Course with less than 4 weeks’ notice, please call us so we may advise further. A course/event place purchased as a gift carries the same cancellation policy. The course value cannot be transferred over to use on Sarah Raven products.

If we need to cancel a course/event:Sarah Raven's Cutting Garden Ltd may cancel any course/event due to illness or very low numbers, and you will then have the option of a transfer to another course/event of the same value or a full refund of your payment.

Contacting us

For all enquiries contact events_srcg@thecuttinggarden.com