It’s said learning a new skill is the key to happiness. Discover your talents with our round-up of top 10 workshops and courses.
Around three-quarters of Brits are ‘more open’ to arts and culture than before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with photography chosen by 48%, drawing 45%, and painting by 39% according to new research. And it’s set to continue, with nearly two-thirds hoping to keep up their new hobby now that lockdown has lifted. Here’s our pick of the best courses and workshops to try in the region:
Candle Making
Candle making company Cosy Owl run virtual candle making workshops for beginners and more advanced crafts experts. Hosted on Zoom and streamed to their Facebook live with candle making expert, Abbey White, as your workshop host. Free to attend, you just have to buy a simple candle making kit before the event to participate. Launched in 2017, these clever crafters have gone strength from strength and during lockdown built their customer base to 6,500 with over 1.9 million views on TikTok. One of the most relaxing classes I’ve joined in with, it’s easy to make a pretty candle you can light with pride!
Wine Courses in East Anglia
Love a glass of wine but would like to know more about where it comes from, how to choose wine and pair it with your favourite foods? A Wine & Spirit Education Trust WSET wine course is a great way to explore the world of wine. The Level 1 and Level 2 Award in Wines courses are recognised across the world by professionals and enthusiasts alike and both courses suit anyone that wants to improve their knowledge. It’s a great way to help you navigate wine lists and help you start a collection too. The courses are available online and at venues in East Anglia, including The Cambridge Wine Academy and The Norfolk Wine School in Norwich.
Want to try: Course fees start from £135, for more information about where to study can be found here: www.wsetglobal.com/where-to-study
Asian Cooking Classes in Suffolk
Chef Lilian Hiw, formerly of legendary Raffles Hotel in Singapore, takes classes in Lilian’s Private Kitchen, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Lilian’s classes are fun, informative and interactive with detailed easy to follow recipes you can try again at home using ingredients that are readily available. Class numbers are limited so you get all the help you need and include how to make the perfect Sushi, Dim Sum and delicious Thai and Vietnamese dishes.
Classically trained as a Chef, she has worked in some of Asia’s top hotels and her travels all over Asia including Thailand, Honk Kong and Japan give her endless inspiration.
Want to join in? Prices range from around £98 for the Masterclass. For details and to book visit www.lilianskitchen.co.uk/cookery-class. Learn the cuisine of a different Asian country each month and different
Yoga classes for mental health
It’s so important to prioritise your health, fitness and mental well-being and if you’ve not been able to get back to the gym or prefer working out at home, at Kali Pilates you can access a range of online classes you can either join in Live with pilates/fitness instructors Lisa Webster and Karen Curren or do the workouts on demand. With over 28 years teaching experience between them, choose from ‘Classic Pilates’ to strengthen, tone and improve flexibility and mobility, ‘Step and Resistance’ sessions to boost metabolism and aid weight management and ‘Yoga and Relaxation’ to help cope with stress and mental overload.
There are workouts for beginners and the menopause, and you can work out for as little as 10 minutes!
Want to try: Price £20 a month to access over 200 classes and five live classes a month. Join in September and you can have a free seven-day trial plus a complimentary Pilates mini ball and two resistance bands to get you started. Visit www.kalipilates.co.uk for details.
Craft workshops in Essex
Lovers of card making, and all things scrap booking and decoupage, will love the easy-going craft sessions at Pinnacles, situated at Barleylands Farm & Craft Centre, Basildon, Essex.
The two-hour classes include all the craft items you need to make the project plus tea and coffee, just bring your own cup! There are also popular Pergamano sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and weekend workshops.
Want to try: Class prices are from £10 with all day Saturday lessons at £27 and you need to book, visit Pinnacles on FB for details and what to try.
Sketch classes in Cambridgeshire
Run by Studio Artist, Laura Pearson-Clark (Art in the Burrow), this informal sociable sketching club is for all abilities and experiences. Bring your own sketchbook and materials, flask of drink – although Arts Centre cafe is also open for refreshments and cakes – and camping chairs and make use of the wildlife and sculpture garden as inspiration in the company of a Haddenham Arts Centre studio artist. The Sketchbook Wednesday Club is on every Wednesday at the Wildlife Garden, Haddenham Arts Centre, near Ely during September and October, 10am-12pm. Price £10 per session, discounts for booking in blocks.
Want to try: Contact Laura Pearson-Clark on 07966727289 or visit www.facebook.com/artintheburrow or www.instagram.com/sketchbookwednesdayclub
Upskill courses
At the just-launched Courses Company – for the price of one cup of coffee – you can subscribe to over 100 courses to upskill and give you confidence with easy to access and enjoyable classes available in clever ‘Bundles’ you can mix and match. The Mindfulness Magic Bundle gives you access to over 100 courses covering everything from body confidence to wellness tips that you can use to improve your home and work life.
Want to try: The Courses Company bundles are available for a monthly subscription of just £3.99 and there are a range of Silver Masterclasses with some of the UK’s top experts giving you practical advice on everything from anti-ageing beauty to building fitness and eating the plant based way. For details visit www.coursescompany.com
Self-Love Sundays
What better way to spend an autumn Sunday than easing away stress and tension and discovering new ways to get in tune with your mind and body with Essex-based holistic therapists Louise Jane and Carla Banks initiative ‘Self Love Sundays’. As well as yoga, you can let go of your inhibitions with guided dance mediation as well as learn more about the art of journaling to express yourself. A great way to meet like-minded people, you’ll go home with a lovely goody bag containing crystals, oils and more. ‘Self Love Sundays’ take place on selected dates during autumn at various venues including the Galleywood Heritage Centre, Galleywood, Essex.
Want to find more: Self Love Sunday sessions cost £77 for around four hours and includes a healthy lunch. Find out more.
Flower arranging classes in Essex
Everyone loves buying and having fresh flowers in the house but there are tips and tricks for making them last and arranging them, so they look amazing. Multi-award winning The Stock Florist launched The Flower School last summer with classes and courses available at its Essex-based shop in Stock and in Bishop’s Stortford. Choose from half day, full day and three day and evening courses covering everything from perfecting a hand-tied bouquet to vase flower arranging with exciting wreath making and table centre design for Christmas dates coming soon.
Want to try: Prices from £60 with groups of up to 10. Sign up at www.stockflorist.co.uk/flower-school
Cocktail Masterclasses
Great for the party season, The Cocktail Masterclasses available at The Players Lounge, an eclectic entertainments venue in Billericay that features an indoor golf and restaurant, are available to book at any time. Ideal for hen parties, birthdays and for team building, up to 12 people can join in this 90-minute session to make two delicious cocktails under the watchful eye of the resident mixologist.
Want to know more: The Cocktail Masterclass costs £30 per person, including of nibbles and side dishes. Click here for details.
