Christmas Newsletter
It’s the end of the Coda (music) term on Friday 13th December, so there will be no tuition, groups or ensembles from the week commencing 16th December.
Although we are not holding our regular Christmas Concert this year, our groups will be having their own festive gatherings in the final week of term to celebrate.
If you would like to make your own Christmas creations, we have a Hand Sewn decoration workshop running on 18th December.
If you are looking for ideas for Christmas presents, or would like to try something new in 2025, we have brand new Learn Linocut from Scratch, Sewing Bee and Slow Sewing courses starting in January (details below), as well as our regular core courses: Embracing the Seasons, Village Hall Draw and Sculpture Club all continuing in the New Year.
ANNIE JEFFERY
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our friend Annie Jeffery.
Annie was a Coda Trustee and founder of Hampshire Art for Recreation and Therapy (hArt). She was at the heart of the merger between our two charities and the transformation of Coda's stables and grain store into inspirational facilities for our community.
Annie was an artist with a love and commitment for the New Forest and the people and communities within it. She spent many years working professionally and voluntarily with local organisations and was a generous donor and supporter privately. Her interest in creative therapy and concern for the crisis in mental health services drove her to create hArt and its innovative projects. Her knowledge, charm and empathy were central to the success of the charity.
Despite ill health in recent years, and the tragic diagnosis of cancer in December 2023, Annie remained positive and stoic with a concern for others always foremost in her mind.
She loved life and we all loved her infectious enthusiasm and joy. We will miss her greatly.
CREATIVE WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS
Sew Christmas: Hand Sewn Christmas
with Nancy Beardall of Sew Mrs Bee
Wednesday 18th December
2 - 4.30pm
£18
For adults (18+)
Spend an afternoon mindfully making bespoke Christmas Decorations completely by hand. You will have the opportunity to make three or more hanging decorations for your home, or to give as gifts. All templates, fabrics and notions will be supplied and are included in the price. All you need to bring is a passion to create. All hand sewn techniques will be demonstrated.
Tea and coffee will be provided along with seasonal nibbles.
To book this workshop, click here
Embracing the Seasons
Gentle creative movement with Rakhee Jasani
Tuesdays 10 – 11.15am
£54 for a 6 week block: 7th January - 11th February
Discover the transformative power of Qigong (gentle movement related to Tai Chi) in our journey through the seasons. Perfect for beginners, each session offers gentle movements, reflective writing, and guided meditations to harmonise mind, body, and spirit.
Join us to unlock your inner resilience, cultivate joy, and embrace the natural rhythms of life. No prior experience required – just an open heart, playful curiosity, and a willingness to explore.
To book click here
Village Hall Draw with Tracy Dovey
for adults of all ages and ability
Tuesdays 7 – 9pm
£90 for a 6 week block: 7th January - 11th February
We will be gathering in the barn for relaxed and intuitive creative drawing sessions for adults of all ages and abilities – most of whom haven’t drawn since childhood! Each week there will be the opportunity to explore a variety of materials, ideas and artists in a playful way.
All materials will be provided.
To book click here
Slow Sewing
with Nancy Beardall of Sew Mrs Bee
Wednesdays
9.30am-12pm
6 week course: 8th January - 12th February
£90 for 6 sessions
A hand sewing centred activity with textile decoration and crafts as a focus. Learn how to slow sew and be mindful within this practice.
Each 6 weeks we will aim to create an individual piece of artwork based on a chosen theme.
This class is designed to be relaxed and peaceful.
This course runs from 8th January to 12th February.
To book click here
Sewing Bee
with Nancy Beardall of Sew Mrs Bee
Wednesdays
1 - 3.30pm
6 week course: 8th January - 12th February
£90 for 6 sessions
For anyone who is proficient in sewing
Bring your Sewing Machine and your own project for help and guidance on, or we can provide a pattern to use.
This is a class about being with like- minded friendly sewists, who want to sew and be sewcial!
This course runs from 8th January to 12th February.
To book click here
Learn Linocut from Scratch with Kate Smith
Saturdays 10.30am - 12.30pm
Starting Saturday 11th January
For adults 16+ years
£120 for 6 weeks: 11th January - 15th February
Learn how to design, carve and print with lino from scratch. Take your time on this 6 week course to fully explore different elements of printing with lino.
Get to grips with how to design an image that can be carved and how to use the different tools, inks and paper. Try adding colour with chine colle and finally by creating a final multi-coloured jigsaw print.
To book click here
CREATIVE WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
AFTER-SCHOOL MIXED-MEDIA SCULPTURE CLUB with Emily Stracey – Creative Workshops
Thursdays 4.30 - 6.00pm
For 8-14 years
£60 for 6 weeks: 9th January - 13th February
This sculpture course will be an opportunity to explore making some fun artwork; drawing and creating from clay and a variety of materials.
Emily has been making and selling ceramic, textile and illustration work for over 25 years. She hand builds in clay and illustrates humorous, colourful animal themed work. She has also run art workshops over this time in a wide selection of materials.
To book click here
ARTISAN CHRISTMAS FAIR
On Saturday 30th November, Coda hosted a festive fair to celebrate local art and crafts, featuring a diverse range talented artists and their handiwork, including handmade ceramics, glass, art, textiles, prints and bags.
This event was a fantastic opportunity to buy unique handmade gifts for Christmas and was so popular that plans are already being made for future fairs!
IN THE COMMUNITY
LANTERN PARADES
Our studio artists Maddison Collymore and Tracy Dovey worked with Coda’s Creative Programme Director, Heidi Steller, to deliver some beautiful lantern workshops in a number of local schools throughout November.
On December 1st, these lanterns then featured in two festive events: Winter Wonderland in Ringwood and the annual Totton Lantern event.
Thanks to Culture in Common who supported Coda to train artists and deliver these workshops.
LYMINGTON LIGHT SWITCH-ON
Congratulations to our fabulous Coda Ukulele Band, who played at the Lymington Christmas Market and Light Switch On at the end of November, singing some festive favourites for everyone.
The Ukulele Band will also be performing at Bournemouth Hospital on 16th December, where they will be bringing some Christmas cheer to the staff, patients and families there.
Huge thanks to all of the Uke Band for your time and positive energy, bringing music where it is often much-needed and always appreciated.
PARTY NIGHTS FOR LEARNING DISABLED ADULT COMMUNITY
Our Daytime Disco project has been working with hundreds of adults with learning disabilities in our community, using DJs and dance to encourage physical activity and have fun!
In November, we enjoyed our first Party Night of the project at Hoburne Naish. Everyone hit the dance floor to a DJ set from the Mix It Up Kru and danced and sang along to live music from Stuart Jebbitt and the SGC band - huge thanks to them, Hoburne and Energise Me for helping to make it happen. You can see how much fun was had in this video clip from the night click here
If you missed out this time, don’t worry - we’re doing it all again in January! The next event is Friday 10th January from 7 - 10pm at Hoburne Naish Holiday Park, welcoming everyone from our learning disabled community.
The venue is accessible, with a bar, dancefloor and free parking. Come along, celebrate together and have fun! Tickets are just £2 and available from the Coda website shop click here
For more information, contact Coda on 07999 492808 or email martin@coda.org.uk
SPRING TERM INVOICES
Most invoices for music lessons and groups will be sent out by email w/c 16th December. If you are expecting an invoice and do not receive it by 19th December, please get in touch and let us know.
If you are not planning to return after the Christmas holidays, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can offer your space to those on our waiting lists.
Lucy decorating the tree in the Stables.
The Coda Spring Term starts on Monday 6th January. We wish everyone in our Coda community a very Happy Christmas and look forward to welcoming you all back in 2025.