ARTCLASSESINACONVERTEDBARN
ARTCLASSESINACONVERTEDBARN
The Bond family have
toyed with many
diversification ideas over
the years for their Essex
farm but it took a minor
operation and a spell in
hospital for Allison Bond to
picture a project she really
wanted to be involved in.
Tessa Gates reports
A LITTLE enforced relaxation in hospital can be a mind expanding experience, as Allison Bond found out. While she was recovering she had the time to read a magazine article about a woman running painting courses and it sounded just the diversification the family farm needed.
"We had been looking to diversify for seven years and during the time many different ideas had been considered. My mother-in-law Karen and myself are both interested in art, we had a redundant calf barn that would make a studio – suddenly it all fell into place," says Allison, who farms 300 acres with her husband Andrew and his parents Karen and Charles Bond at St Osyth, Essex.
A bit of market research was called for and Allison and Karen canvassed everyone they knew who liked to paint and found them very enthusiastic. However, anyone who looked at the building they planned to convert was more cautious. "It was full of farm rubbish and people thought we would never do it," recalls Allison. "You had to have a vision."
* Planning block
But if the Bonds had a vision, the planners did not see a clear picture. "It took from October to April to get a decision and we had planned to be open for Easter," says Karen. The family had also applied for a 25% redundant farm buildings grant. "We had been advised to go through professionals for grants but for a small grant you cant afford to. We couldnt start until we got the grant and couldnt get the grant without planning permission. It was a nightmare."
Eventually work got underway, with family providing the labour. "Andrew did most of the work and even our three children helped. However, Andrew had to hire some additional help when we got tired of being sworn at," says Allison, who works as the local parish clerk as well as being heavily involved in the studio.
The Watershed Studio finally opened in September 2001. "The first course started a year to the day I had the idea," says Allison. "We havent looked backed since."
Their success is based on their choice of tutors, the setting and the personal touch the Bonds provide. Among the 10 tutors taking courses at The Watershed are Richard Taylor, widely recognised as one of the leading art teachers of today; Ian King, who specialises in painting architectural and marine landscapes; Colin Bradley, a leading exponent of the pastel pencils medium; and Lavinia Hamer, who was teaching watercolour techniques when Farmlife visited the studio. In addition to painting, there are also courses in patchwork, quilting, appliqué and flower arranging.
* Own admin
"Richard Taylor hires the studio and does his own administration, unlike other tutors and we provide a full three- course lunch for his students," says Allison. Other students have a home-cooked two course lunch but all are served in the farmhouse conservatory or, when weather permits, outdoors on the patio.
The studio has its own toilet and refreshment facilities and is ideally placed for artists. It has views over farmland and is just a step or two from the Bonds garden. Students interested in plants can also visit Allisons parents garden across the road that is particularly well stocked and opens to public annually under the Yellow Book scheme.
St Osyth village itself is rich in listed buildings and has an old boatyard, and with the sea so close, there is something of interest to paint or draw whatever the artists preferred subject matter.
Courses at the studio run from between one to three days so the studio brochure recommends several places to stay including b&bs and the luxury cottages at nearby Park Hall (see following story). "The village is popular with holiday-makers so we advise people coming to the studio to book their accommodation early," says Allison.
* Full programme
The Bonds are pleased with the studio and have a full programme of art and craft workshops booked. "People of all ages come here from all over the country and they seem to find the courses very therapeutic," says Allison. Just what the doctor ordered, in fact Inquiries 01255-820466 www.watershedstudio.co.uk