We love a quirky work event, whether its a company workshop, team building day or just a gathering of great minds.
In the summer of 2020, just as Covid19 restrictions eased slightly to allow for groups of 30, we hosted a brilliant two day networking event at Pennard. Think early morning breathing exercises on the lawn, freshwater swimming, drumming workshops in the orchard, foraging in the woods, camping, fires and breakouts. The event brought together a mix of business owners and entrepreneurs to share new ideas and inspire new ventures.
If you are looking for somewhere different to host a company retreat, networking event or private event then do get in touch.
In the Summer this year we hosted a private festival-style work party for leading brand experience agency Amplify.
Amplify had got in touch to say they were looking for a unique venue to hold a two day summer party for 60 employees, and wanted a festival style to the event. This being just the sort of event we like putting on here at Pennard, and being just a stones throw from Glastonbury Festival, we quickly put together an outline for a truly bespoke away day.
Guests arrived and enjoyed champagne, canapes and live music on the terrace at Pennard House. After a couple of hours relaxing in the sun, they were then surprised by the arrival of a tractor and trailer, which they were invited to climb aboard and were driven across the fields to a hidden location where they found their own bespoke festival set up. Complete with luxury bell tent glamping accommodation, catering, fire pit, pamper and glitter tents to get in the party atmosphere, and a large tipi tent with bar and dance floor, where they partied late in to the night.
If you are looking for a something different for your work do or away day, whether it’s a one day working space or a 2 day festival style event, then please do get in touch and we’d be happy to discuss in more detail.
During a week of balmy summer weather in June, Pennard House welcomed back Chris Difford and his cohort of budding musical artists for the Chris Difford Songwriting Retreat.
It is a week where Pennard comes alive with music. Sponsored once again by the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation, this year there were a total of 40 artists from around the world, both successful and up-and-coming songwriters and artists spanning all music styles.
Every day they broke up in to groups to write songs, using any available space in the house, gardens and even the village hall. The songs they wrote that day were performed in the evenings in the Coach House, which local villagers came to listen to. One evening we were lucky enough to have some incredible acoustic performances outside the Coach House.
The final evenings performances saw the best songs of the week played in a concert in East Pennard village church. It was packed full of almost 150 spectators who got to see incredible performances by Kimmie Rhodes, Robert Vincent, Louise Goffin, Beth Neilson-Chapman, Judith Owen, Grace Pettis, Julia Fordham to name a few. All presented by Chris Difford (Squeeze) and ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris.
Below we share a photo round-up of the week at Pennard.
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If you haven’t heard The Pennard House Song – an example of the sounds and songs created at this songwriting retreat, have a listen here.
And if you missed the article in the Telegraph Property about Pennard House, published at the time of this songwriting retreat, you can read it here.
Should you like what you read, and are interested in hosting A Retreat of Your Own with us, please get in touch.
Pennard House has its own song! This song was written during the Chris Difford Songwriting Retreat 2016 at Pennard House.
A wonderful week of creative songwriting sponsored by the Buddy Holly Foundation, that sees some incredible artists and songwriters get together to write new music.
This song was written and recorded by Kimmie Rhodes and Robert Vincent during their week at Pennard.
On the hillside in a magic, ancient land,
Loyal, noble manor stately stands.
Made of bricks and mortar but its fathers, mothers, sons and daughters,
People in the house make a home.
[Chorus] The roses in the garden climb the wall,
Through the trees they watch the seasons rise and fall.
Hands wind clocks, the time keeps spinning round,
within the walls of the Pennard House.
Pillars hold the roof beneath the sky,
Sun shines through the windows open wide
Footsteps on the gravel lead to weddings in the chapel,
May the circle be unbroken by the light.
The roses in the garden climb the wall,
Through the trees they watch the seasons rise and fall.
Hands wind clocks, the time keeps spinning round,
within the walls of the Pennard House.
Tables where the welcome’s always warm,
Knows the tales of those who’ve come and gone before.
People in the picture frames watch the children run and play
and dream of what their future has in store.
The roses in the garden climb the wall,
Through the trees they watch the seasons rise and fall.
Hands wind clocks, the time keeps spinning round,
within the walls of the Pennard House.
The songwriting retreat 2017 takes place in June this year.
Look out for more details and photos from the week via Pennard House’s Facebook or Instagram.
This November one of England’s finest writers, Susan Elderkin, will be once again hosting a literary retreat with us. Guests will come and stay at Pennard and enjoy a structured programme of daily writing workshops, interspersed with lovely walks, enjoyable yoga classes and relaxed, communal dinners. Evenings are spent around the fire reading out inspirational texts or perhaps that day’s newly written piece. Now in its third year, we love welcoming back familiar faces and meeting new aspiring writers on the course. A must for anyone with a literary itch to scratch. Retreat Dates: 7-11th November, 2016, for more information click here.
And for anyone still in need of a Christmas gift, check out Susan’s latest book “The Story Cure: A-Z of books to keep kids happy, healthy and Wise” http://thenovelcure.com/
