a week that lasts for years

SIX DAYS OF UNMISSABLE MAGIC

The school is about fun and friendship … talks and walks ... drinks and dancing … or quiet reflection in the Chapel.

Whether you come for the full six days or pop in as a day visitor, the magic of Swanwick is unmissable.

Expert tutors and speakers

Now a registered charity, the School exists to give writers at all levels of experience the opportunity to learn from expert tutors and speakers.

You can construct your own programme from a huge variety of courses, lectures, workshops, talks and discussions groups. The school attracts an array of celebrity speakers every year (Norman Wisdom, Ray Allen, Simon Brett and Sarah Harrison are just some of the ‘names’ in recent years).

Halcyon days (and nights) at the Hayes

The Hayes Conference Centre is as integral to the school as paper is to ink.

Our host every year since the school began, the Hayes started life as a 19th century gentleman’s country residence. Its setting in the quiet Derbyshire village of Swanwick inspired the school’s affectionate soubriquet.

Today, the Hayes remains true to its origins with acres of parkland grounds, lakes, swans, landscaped gardens and afternoon tea and cakes on the lawn.

Yet this is also a thoroughly modern conference centre with large comfortable meeting rooms and two conference halls (each seating around 400 people). A new sports hall has recently been created for badminton, basketball and other games.

The majority of bedrooms are of modern standard, with en-suite shower or bathroom and tea/coffee making facilities. Ground floor rooms with widened doors for wheelchair access are also available .

All meals are included in the cost of your stay.

BEST KNOWN, BEST LOVED – AND AT PRICES STARTING FROM £320 (2008) ALL-IN – STILL THE BEST VALUE FOR MONEY!

IMPORTANT NOTES ON BOOKING (please read carefully)
booking form here

1. Please enter your details clearly, preferably in black ink.

2. Select your accommodation (see below). Rooms are allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. PLEASE BOOK EARLY (especially if you want a ground floor room).

3. Pertinent medical information will assist the secretary to allocate your room.

4. Please note that special diets once selected cannot be changed during the week.

5. The emergency contact number is for someone you want us to call if you are taken ill at the school.

6. The fees include all meals, break-time refreshments, lectures, courses, workshops, groups. There are no hidden extras. If you would like to join one of the optional excursions, you can book and pay for this at the school. Details will be announced.

7. If you are travelling by train, a coach to (and from) the Hayes is available from Derby Midland mainline station.
The return fare is £10 (non refundable) and your ticket will be sent with the programme. Departure times for the 30 minute journey are 15.45 and 17.15 from Derby Midland to the Hayes on Swanwick Saturday, returning at 08.30 (sharp!) on the following Friday.

8. Payment may be made in full or by instalments.

IMPORTANT: bookings cancelled before 30TH JUNE will be refunded, less an administration charge of £50. Regretfully, no refunds can be made after this date. Should the school be cancelled in circumstances beyond our control, the full fees may not be refunded. We strongly advise you to arrange personal insurance as a safeguard.

9. Please send your completed booking form, PLUS your cheque/s AND a stamped self-addressed envelope TO:

Peter Lyons, Treasurer, ‘Druideag’, 44 Gress, Isle of Lewis, HS2 ONB.

Please note that smoking is not allowed in any of the bedrooms

CHOOSING YOUR ACCOMMODATION

To help you decide your preferred area, the room choices are –

QUAD – Standard Rooms

Standard rooms at the Hayes have a washbasin and either single or twin beds. They have access to bathrooms in the same corridor. Not all have power points.

QUAD – Upgraded Standard Rooms

Some Quad rooms have been refurbished to include the same en-suite facilities as Lakeside. They are very few and are usually taken up within two weeks of booking forms being sent out. Please note there is no lift and there are several small flights of stairs to negotiate.

LAKESIDE

Situated on three floors served by a lift, all Lakeside rooms have en-suite shower facilities, a refreshment tray, hairdryer and telephone. There are several rooms suitable for wheelchair users. All rooms have a double bed (let as single) and some have an additional single bed, creating a twin-bedded facility.

ALAN BOOTH CENTRE

The most luxurious accommodation area at the Hayes, all ABC rooms have full en-suite bathrooms (with shower), large twin beds, hairdryer, telephone and refreshment tray. The cost per person for two people sharing is the same as Lakeside; single occupants will pay a slightly higher rate. The rooms are on the ground and first floor (with lift).

UPGRADED MAIN HOUSE

There are both twin-bedded and spacious family-sized rooms in the Main House, situated on the first and second floors (no lift). The facilities are similar to Alan Booth Centre and some rooms have extensive views over the garden.

[NB: All accommodation in the Main House includes the use of at least six stairs and is not suitable for those with health or mobility considerations.]

BOOK YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT ONCE BOOKING OPENS! See here

Swanwick 2008 August 09 to August 15
Diamond Anniversary Year