Spring at Treetops

We are having a quiet week, as it's half term, enjoying the sunshine and the snowdrops.

Don't forget if you love snowdrops and are near Newbury, go and visit 

Welford Park

open til Sunday 3 March

(closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)

After half term we are welcoming Claire back after her hand operation, and we have spaces available on 

A Walk in the Cotswolds

Wednesday 27 February

Magnolia Spring Blossom

Thursday 28 February

Both classes run from 9:30am - 3pm and cost £75

This includes all of your materials and a 2 course lunch with a glass of wine.

*

Further ahead in March we have our popular

Beginners & Refreshers Watercolour Class

Tuesday 26 March

Singing in the Rain

Wednesday 27 March

A Colourful Market Scene

Thursday 4 April

For all other Watercolour dates, click HERE

We have one space left on our February Candlelit Yoga Supper Evening with Laura

Tuesday 26 February

7pm - 9:30pm

£30

&

5 places left on

Friday 22 March

*

Laura is holding a Relax & Restore Retreat Day here on Saturday 9 March

11:30am - 4:30pm

A lovely relaxing day, full of yoga, relaxation, fresh air, creativity, delicious food and sound meditation.

£75

2 places left

Our next AromaYoga evening with Rachel is on Wednesday 1 May

7pm - 9pm

£25

*

Lucy is here for a NEW Freehand Machine Embroidery workshop on Tuesday 19 March

10am - 3pm

£60 this includes all your materials and a light lunch

(bring your own machine)

and also another Papercutting Class,

these are great fun, and our next one on Tuesday 7 May is Personalised Papercutting, you will choose in advance some templates for cards, that Lucy will prepare for you and bring along to the class.

10am - 3pm

£60

I'm really looking forward to welcoming Linzi from The White Horse Flower Company for a Floral Workshop

Tuesday 14 May

9:45am - 1:30pm

£90

Linzi will be bringing some beautiful flowers and baskets of goodies and will show you how to create some beautiful floral arrangements.  May is the perfect month for this class.

You will then have a go, with her help, to make something stunning to take home with you.

*

In the kitchen we have Sarah returning for an

Aga Baking Class

Thursday 18 April

9:45am - 1:30pm

£65

and I will be running a

Free From Cookery Class

Friday 10 May

10am - 1:30pm

£50

great recipes without gluten, dairy, egg etc

Both classes include a tasting lunch of all the food cooked.

We hope to see you at one of our Spring Classes

To book please email me

Treetops through the Summer .......

Treetops is open throughout the Summer for Relax & Restore classes.

We are here every Monday morning for Restorative Yoga and Meditation/Breathwork

9:30am - 10:30am

10:45am - 11:45am

£10 per class

We have our Retreat Day on Saturday 11 August

11:30am -4:30pm

£75

A great day, full of relaxation, yoga, meditation, time outside, nutritious food, creativity ...

Next Friday we have our new class AromaYoga, this is with guest tutor Rachel, the evening is a mix of gentle yoga flow with essential oils.  I went to one of Rachel's recent classes and thought we must have an AromaYoga evening here, it was so relaxing, both in our poses and the gorgeous smells.  Rachel talks us through which oils are useful for various ailments and their health benefits.

The class runs from 7pm-9pm and includes time for drinks and nibbles

£25

We also have another date booked with Rachel on Friday 17 August.

I'm busy putting together our new Autumn timetable of classes, the usual mix of watercolour, pen & wash, oils, yoga and Aga BUT with some new additions and new tutors!

Dates will be sent out mid-August, watch out for an email in your inbox or keep checking the blog.

Enjoy the sushine

A little update .....

Latest new from Treetops....

All of our Art classes are booked until the end of the year.

We will be announcing 2018 Spring classes starting in February very soon, so keep your eye on this blog and your email, as once out they will book very quickly.

***

There are spaces available on our Christmas Parties Aga class next Thursday, the 30 November

9:45am - 1:30pm

£75

***

A great gift voucher idea would be an invite to our next Relax & Restore Retreat day on Saturday 20 January

11:30am - 4:30pm

£75

A mix of yoga, relaxation, mindfulness, meditation, healthy eating, a creative activity and a gentle walk.

A great way to start 2018

***

Before then if you would like to come and try Yoga or Meditation (or both) with Laura, you are very welcome to come to our Monday morning sessions, we have 2 left before the end of the year.

Monday 4 December

Monday 11 December

9:30am - 11:30am

£25 per session

Some new dates for the diary

I have some new Autumn dates for you and the diary, for Art and also Aga.

We have an Acrylics and Collage day with Claire Warner

Thursday 14 September

A Cafe Scene

followed by an Oils class with Claire

Wednesday 27 September

Inspired by Turner

Both of these classes run from 9:30am - approx 3pm and cost £80.

This includes all of your materials, a 2 course lunch with a glass of wine and refreshments throughout the day.

We have two brand new Aga classes next term with Sarah Whitaker; 

Autumn Treats

Tuesday 26 September

A brand new set of recipes from Sarah.  I'm looking forward to this one already; warming stews, soups, pies, tarts and puddings.  All the great autumnal meals that the Aga is so fantastic at during the autumn and winter months. 

Christmas Parties

Thursday 30 November

Another NEW class, full of delicious ideas to start the festive season, from canapes to roulades, tarts to flapjacks with lots of festive flavours.  Sarah will show what can be prepared ahead and how to make the most of your freezer as well as the Aga at this time of year.

Both classes run from 10am - approx 1:30pm and cost £70.

This includes a tasting lunch of all the food cooked, a glass of wine, refreshments on arrival and a copy of all the recipes to take home with you. 

Our Autumn Art and Aga Class Dates

We are taking bookings for next term's classes and have a great variety available.

Claire Warner is back for our Art classes and Sarah Whitaker for our Aga classes. 

A Day at the Beach

Cromer/Norfolk Watercolour

Tuesday 27 September

Hares Watercolour

Tuesday 4 October

Autumn Berries Watercolour

Tuesday 11 October

An Autumn Landscape Watercolour

Thursday 10 November

Winter Scene Watercolour

Wednesday 16 November

Acrylics Collage Seascape

** NEW **

Friday 25 November

Winter Scene Pen & Wash

Wednesday 30 November

All Art classes run from 9.30am - approx 3pm and cost £70 (** except Acrylics Collage which costs £75).  This includes all of your materials, a 2 course lunch and refreshments throughout the day.

We have our very popular Aga Class next term:

Christmas Aga

(this year it will feature Beef) 

Friday 4 November

This class is perfect whether you are new to an Aga or have owned one for years, with lots of great ideas and tips, Sarah shows you how to use the Aga efficiently, how to maintain temperatures whilst cooking and shares delicious recipes.

There is plenty of time to ask questions.

We finish the demo with a delicious tasting lunch of all the food cooked, along with a glass of wine.

Sarah brings with her a Travelling Shop, full of useful items for the kitchen including all her recipe books.

The class run from 9.45am - approx 1pm and costs £65.

To book your Art or Aga classes please email me at Treetops to guarantee your place.

Happy New Year Everyone!

I hope you had a lovely Christmas and are fighting fit for the start of 2016.

Here is an up to date list of which classes are available this term with places:

Pen & Wash

with Claire Warner

Friday 22 January

9.30am - approx 3pm

£70

A Misty Morning Watercolour

with Claire Warner

Wednesday 3 February

9.30am - approx 3pm

£70

Springtime Aga Cookery

with Sarah Whitaker

Friday 5 February

9.45am - 1:30pm

£65

Wild Animals Watercolour

with Claire Warner

Tuesday 9 February

9.30am - approx 3pm

£70

We look forward to seeing you soon

Summer Holidays

We wish you all a lovely Summer and look forward to seeing you next term.

We have some great classes to look forward to:

Beginners Watercolour

Wednesday 9 September

English Seaside Watercolour

Friday 18 September

A Winter Scene

Wednesday 25 November

Winter Anemones

Tuesday 8 December

All of our Watercolour classes are with Claire Warner and cost £70, this includes all of your materials, a 2 course lunch, a glass of wine and refreshments throughout the day.

9:30am - approx 3pm

Gift Vouchers are available for the term.

Sarah Whitaker returns for more Aga Classes, along with her newly published recipe book!

One Pot Wonders

Wednesday 16 September

Christmas Aga - Turkey

Tuesday 10 November

9:45am - approx 1:30pm

£65, this includes a tasting lunch of the food cooked, a glass of wine and a copy of the recipes to take home.

Summer Term Classes

We have some great classes to look forward to next term, below is a list of our Art classes run by Claire Warner, which have spaces available:

Bluebells Watercolour
Tuesday 12 May

Feathered Friends Watercolour

Wednesday 13 May

Cornish Sunsets Watercolour

Wednesday 20 May

Blossom with Acrylics, Inks and Tissue Paper*

Wednesday 3 June

Mixed Media in Watercolour
Tuesday 9 June
(new and alternative methods of using this unusually flexible medium.
Things you never realised you could do!)

Beginners Watercolour

Thursday 18 June

All Art Classes run from 9.30am - approx 3pm and cost £70
(*Acrylics = £75)

This includes all of your materials, a 2 course lunch with a glass of wine and refreshments throughout the day.

Sarah Whitaker will be here for an Aga class on Friday 15 May

RELAXED DINNER PARTIES

a new class with plenty of fresh ideas for parties and suppers along with loads of Aga advice and support.

10am - 1:30pm

£65

This includes a copy of all the recipes to take home and a delicious tasting lunch of all the food cooked and a glass of wine.

I am also taking bookings for her September class called
ONE POT WONDERS
 this will be held on Wednesday 16 September.

Latest News from Treetops

We had some lovely snow this morning, enough to look pretty but not to cause chaos.

I am busy setting up for tomorrow's Watercolour Class, aptly titled Frosty Mornings!

On Friday, Sarah Whitaker joins us for Making the Most of Your Aga, which will be a really fun and interesting class.  Lots of new Aga owners and our regular Aga friends are coming.

Coming up we have a few Watercolour Classes with spaces:

Fresh Flowers - Still Life

Thursday 26 February

Rugged Scotland - A Landscape

Tuesday 3 March

Seascapes - Acrylics, Inks, Tissues

Thursday 12 March

The art days run from 9.30am to approximately 3pm and include all of your materials and lunch, it's a real treat of a day.  Small groups with a fun and attentive tutor called Claire.   Suitable for any levels of artist, so even if you haven't painted for a while, come and give it a go.  It costs £70 for a class and you will take home a finished painting.

Aga - A Taste of Spain

We had Sarah Whitaker, the Aga Lady, here today, for a class entitled "A Taste of Spain".

Full of lovely flavours and ingredients, in particular saffron, chorizo, thyme, spanish olive oil .....

In the photo above Sarah is whizzing a delicious Gazpacho Andaluz.

Below is a sizzling Tortilla straight out of the Aga.

All the recipes showed how to make the most of your Aga, whether it was frying, simmering or grilling.

The most popular dish was Lentejas, a spicy Lentil Stew, this had fiery chorizo in it, some serrano ham, red wine and many other ingredients that happily simmered away infusing in the simmering oven whilst lunch was being prepared.

My favourite was Saffron Chicken, we also had Paella, a Galician style fish stew and a yummy Sofrito (tomato sauce), which went very nicely with the Tortilla.

The pudding was a big oozy Caramel Custard .......

We advertise the Aga classes as including a "tasting lunch" but as you can see, there is alot to taste!  Nobody leaves hungry!

Thanks Sarah for a great day.

Happy Easter - Latest News

Happy Easter Everyone, I hope you are all enjoying a lovely long weekend.

Classes recommence next week, starting with;

Aga - A Taste of Spain with Sarah Whitaker

There are a few places remaining, the class runs from 9.45am - 1.30pm and covers all the Aga techniques you need to know for successful Aga cooking, along with new ideas, tops tips and some delicious recipes.  After Sarah's demonstration we enjoy a great tasting lunch of all the food cooked.  There is plenty of opportunity to ask Sarah your Aga questions, buy her books and find some useful items in her travelling shop.

The class costs £65, to book please contact me asap.

***

The following week we welcome Claire Warner back for our popular Watercolour classes.

There are spaces available on:

Cricket on the Green - Tuesday 29 April

9.30am - approx 3pm

£70

(this includes all of your materials, a 2 course lunch and a glass of wine)

Further on in the term, we have:

Friday 6 June - A Lazy Day on the Thames

Wednesday 2 July - Summer in the Med (feat. Boats)

Thursday 3 July - Summer Sunshine

We hope to see you soon

Emily, Sarah and Claire.

Our Christmas classes .......

Our Christmas Classes are filling quickly, so please book soon.

Christmas Aga with Sarah Whitaker is on Friday 29 November

Sarah demonstrates how to cook a fantastic Christmas Dinner on your Aga, whilst juggling the ovens, pans, retaining the heat, preparing things in advance and answering any of your questions.

This year Sarah will be cooking a Beef Wellington and a Festive Ham, but there will be plenty of opportunity to ask your Turkey questions!

The class runs from 945am -1.30pm and costs £65 per person.

This includes a delicious tasting lunch of all the food cooked, plus a glass of wine and a copy of the recipes.

Susanna from Tiger Rose is with us the following week for Christmas Flowers, this is such a popular class, we have to do it twice!

Tuesday 3 December  (1 PLACES REMAINING)

or

Wednesday 4 December  (1 PLACE REMAINING)

Susanna demonstrates a variety of ideas and arrangements with flowers and foliage for you to decorate your home this Christmas which show you lovely ways to add scent, colour and pattern.

After morning coffee, there is then time for you to make your Festive Wreath, either for your front door or hall table.

At this point, the kitchen is full of Christmas scents including eucalyptus, pine (and mulled wine!)

After a light lunch, Sarah demonstrates a final idea before you head home with your stunning creation.

The class runs from 9.45am - 2pm and costs £80, this includes all of your materials, a light lunch and a glass of mulled wine.

To book a place on these classes, please call 01635 44850 or email emily@treetops-newbury.co.uk

Spaces Available ....

Somewhere the sunshine and warmth are just waiting ....

In the meantime, our classes are filling up for next term, here is a reminder of what is available:

Beginners Watercolour

Tuesday 18 June

9.30am - 3pm

£70

All materials and a 2 course lunch included

3 spaces left

Sunflowers in Watercolour

Wednesday 19 June

9.30am - 3pm

£70

All materials and a 2 course lunch included

1 spaces left

Coastal Watercolour

Wednesday 3 July

9.30am - 3pm

£70

All materials and a 2 course included

4 places left

To book please either call or email me.

Gift vouchers are available.

Further Treetops information is available on the website:

Treetops

Aga Class - Effortless Entertaining

Sarah Whitaker was here this morning for a popular class titled "Effortless Entertaining".

Sarah's demonstration covers how to use the Aga whilst creating delicious food as she shows us around the Aga, showing us exactly how to roast, simmer, bake etc.

Above is a delicious mushroom risotto with parmesan, no more standing by the oven stirring, pouring in stock, stirring etc, in "Aga-Land", it all gets measured and then popped inside the Aga.

These are roasted carrots withs smoked paprika, a great combination.

We also had a leg of lamb with a delicious creamy sauce, a stilton cheesecake that can be used as a starter, pesto bread and a gorgeous velvety chestnut and sweet potato soup. 

One of the puddings today was a pecan and ginger tart, it smelt amazing.

Sarah always brings her travelling shop, with lots of useful kitchen and Aga goodies, as well as her recipe books.

In two weeks time, her new book will be published:

Effortless Aga Cooking 

Sarah returns to Treetops on Friday 9 November for Christmas Aga, to book please contact me.

Aga Fabulous Fish Class

Here is the table set for us to enjoy the food's cooked at today's Aga Class.

Sarah was here to cook us a feast of Fabulous Fish, whilst showing us our way around an Aga at the same time.

There were plenty of Aga tips and cookery ideas shared during the demonstration.

It was a delicious spread.

Here are some photos of the Fab Fish.

Firstly a Seafood Cassoulet, fantastic with some crusty chunks of bread.

Followed by a Smoky Fish Pie, a hint of stilton in the mash and a hint of horseradish in the sauce, really turned this into something special. 

Sarah always demonstrates a tart, to show that in Aga-Land we don't blind bake, your tarts and quiches can just go straight into the Aga on the floor of the Roasting Oven, which is such a time saving revelation!

Today's tart was Smoked Mackerel and Spring Onion.

Next is a Steamed Sea Bass with an amazing tangy sauce.  Today, Sarah also had some Poulting fish which she used too.  We roasted the fish for this recipe.

There were other dishes such as scallops with cauliflower, sesame crusted tuna, slow roasted dill salmon and a chunky baked cod with a rocket crust

Sarah is back at Treetops on Friday 21 September for Effortless Entertaining, from 9.45am - 1.30pm.  

£65

And also for Christmas Aga (Turkey this year) on Friday 9 November.

Spring Term - Available Classes

It hasn't been too chilly a half term break, and we've had some lovely sunny moments.

Looking ahead at the rest of term, here is an update of spaces that are available on our classes:

Beginners Watercolour 

Wednesday 22 February

9.30am - 3pm  £70

Cupcakes

Wednesday 29 February

10.30am - 12.30pm  £50

Sewing - Making a Bag

Friday 2 March

10am - 12.30pm  £50

Fun with Acrylics

Thursday 8 March

9.30am - 3pm  £70

A Day at the Races Watercolour

Friday 16 March

9.30am - 3pm  £70

I'm also taking bookings for the following classes:

Cupcakes - Stage 2

Saturday 21 April

9.45am - 12.15pm  £60

Aga - Fabulous Fish

Friday 18 May

9.45am - 1.30pm  £65

Aga - Effortless Entertaining

Friday 21 September

9.45am - 1.30pm  £65 

Aga - Christmas 2012 (Turkey)

Friday 9 November

9.45am - 1.30pm

A Great Aga Roasts and Puddings Class

The day may have started at -6, but we had a very cosy and warming Aga class here today.

Sarah was here to take us through Aga Roasts and Puddings.

It was all delicious.

We learnt how to slow roast ham, medium roast a leg of lamb and fast roast some pork, with great crackling.

Using different Aga ovens and different timings, it was lovely to see and taste the results.

Alongside the roast meats, we had roast potatoes, parsnips, vegetables, bread, gravies, apple sauce, onion sauce, the feast was huge!

Today's meal included three puds; a chocolate fudge pudding, a ginger and pear steamed pudding and a yummy raspberry tart.

After Sarah's demonstration, it's always lovely to sit down and enjoy a taste of all the foods cooked along with a glass of wine.  There is plenty of opportunity to ask Sarah Aga questions and chat with other Aga owners.

SARAH RETURNS:

Friday 18 May for Fabulous Fish

Friday 21 September for Effortless Entertaining

and Christmas Aga (Turkey) is on Friday 9 November.

Bookings are being taken now.