10 reasons why Camp Glen Dye was absolutely what it should have been.

Photo: Department Two

Camp Glen Dye Edition 2 was wonderful. You might think ‘well you would say that, wouldn’t you? It’s your thing’. But, in common with so many people, I rarely feel that anything that I do is any good. But this was. It was wonderful. And here are the top ten reasons why.

It was the friendliest place on earth. That’s what we try to do with all of our courses and our festival. We meet people with our eyes and with a smile and they respond in kind.

1. It was the friendliest place on earth. That’s what we try to do with all of our courses and our festival. We meet people with our eyes and with a smile and they respond in kind.

2. It was a great mixture of people who had been to Glen Dye before and first timers; of groups, couples and people who came on their own. And within hours everyone was friends.

3. We had some of the best teachers in Britain. Seriously. Tom Herbert, master baker. Anja Dunk, cook, artist, author. James Sills, master choir assembler and musician. Gail Bryson, designer, artist, screen printer. Vivienne Rickman-Poole, swimmer and artist. And loads more; the amazing artist and teacher, Mel Shand. Drinks guru Sandy Kenneway. Forager Natasha Loyd. And The Free Company cooked. These are serious, proper experts.

4. The sun shone every day. Clear and penetrating skies lit perfect autumn colours. Seriously.

5. Everyone swum in the River Dye. It was absolutely freezing but they did it and warmed up in wood fired hot tubs and toasty cabins with hot chocolate and whisky.

6. Four people who came have bought the full kit to lino cut having been inspired by their classes with Anja.

7. We cooked our own hogget on the fire; from our very own farm, right there.

8. We cooked cod in a pit and it worked brilliantly.

9. Twenty people learned how to screen print with Gail

10. There were tears when it was time to go home.

BOOM!