Made Spring Festival 2017
Contacting us
You can contact John : email up to the Sunday before the event starts or by phone :
+33(0)470557121 (John will call you back as calls are free to the UK)
Between then and the start of the event you can contact , 07584 905658 for last minute changes or information.
After 5pm on Thursday 25th May please use one of these numbers:
+44(0)7887875004 or +44(0)7585 256 863
Only the Vodaphone network is available and there is NO reliable wifi, so we will NOT get your emails!
Getting there
The castle is on the A4112, south west of Leominster, grid reference SO 345 497, postcode HR3 6QF. If you arrive by car, there will be someone to meet you and show you where to park. If you are not staying in the castle, think about parking in the lay-by next to the church, especially if it is wet.
If you are coming by train or bus to Hereford, you could try to share a taxi (around £25) or take the Sergeants 461/462 bus, getting off at Sarnesfield Oak, 2 miles from the castle. A bus timetable is available on the web. Please let Carol ow if you need help with transport, such as picking up at Sarnsfield Oak. We'll do our best.
Come into the castle by the front entrance and register with Sue.Please pay Sue any remaining balance due on arrival.
What you will need
If you are sleeping inside the castle, at Gabriel and Jayne’s cottage, Orla’s van or Nancy’s you will need bed linen (sheets and duvet covers/pillow cases or sleeping bags), and towels. You may also find a hot water bottleuseful, as well as ear plugs and a torch!
Please bring a change of shoes for indoors as well as dance shoes. The dance floor is very good, smooth and quite slippery.
Vans and camping
There will be some space for vans at the front of the castle - please let us know if you are bringing a van so we can allocate you a space. Pitch your tent behind the castle. We try to keep the top lawn free for games etc but there is plenty of space below - though not under the cedar tree, as it can drop large branches unpredictably.
Food and drink
Meals are vegetarian and we can cater for special diets such as lactose free, gluten free,vegan. If you have complex requirements, you may find you need to bring some extra snacks of your own. We provide toast and jam at midnight and plenty of cake and fruit, teas and coffee, with milk or soya milk to keep you refreshed.
Bring your own alcohol by all means, thoughsome wine is always served as part of the evening meal. Please take all bottles etc back with you, though, as we don't have the facilities to recycle them.
Alert!! There is no shop, pub or café nearby. The nearest pub is a mile away and nearest village is 2 to 3 miles away. You’ll probably have to go out of the castle and garden to use your phone. There may be some limited use of wifi for a short time each day, but it is best if you assume there will be none. Don’t panic. You will be able to persuade someone to give you a lift into a local town/internet café.
Health, safety, fire precautions
Please read the information in your castle bedroom. You will be given an information leaflet when you arrive, but please listen for the announcements about the fire bell, and ask if you are not sure. Please do NOT leave your belongings in the entrance hall, or where they can obstruct fire doors, and do make liberal use of the hand sanitiser – we want you to share dances not germs!
Other things
Helping!Part of the magic of Kinnersley is that it gives the sense of belonging to a large family; residential and in a very special and lovely place, though it is also old and most of it is not at all modern so we need to treat it gently. Andeveryone needs to contribute and be part of the community. We have stewards, but please offer to help with washing up at mealtimes, sharing lifts and doing a bit of shopping if you are going out and generally keeping the place tidy, especially late at night. It’s a great way to make friends.
May Extension! This year we are running the festival for an extra four days. It will be low key and there will be opportunities for those that wish to help with small jobs around the castle and grounds. If you are interested in helping and have particular skills that you would like to offer then email John with the details.