We have been working hard behind the scenes putting together a programme of retreats and quiet days for 2020.
At my previous house, and indeed many retreat houses across the country, these are wonderfully uplifting events. We have attempted to get a good variety of topics for this first year. we pray that there is something there for everyone.
If you follow this link, 2020 Retreats and Quiet Days, you will find a list of all our events for this year.
As we finalise titles and finer detail we are releasing this information now so that people are able to consider what they might like to ‘sign up’ for. Please click here to open our 2020 Programme Booklet.
Booking forms and further information can be obtained by contacting the office.
This programme does not prevent parishes, staff teams, individuals etc from booking retreats and quiet days as previously.
Through December 2019, we served 111 of our delightful Christmas Dinners. Mary & Julie put together a lovely menu, making use of a lot of produce that was grown in our very own Lady Ryder Memorial Garden.
We are so please to have received so much complimentary feedback and are already looking forward to being able to host groups in December 2020.
Please do bear us in mind next year. Lucy will be able to provide further details later in 2020.
As a ‘taster’ for anyone wondering what the menu choices might be for next year, the 2019 menu can be found by clicking on this link – 2019 Christmas Menu
We try and hold 3 or 4 talks a year. We had 3 very successful and interesting evenings in 2019. We are currently looking at dates and speakers for 2020 and will publicise these in due course.
The usual format for these evenings are as follows.
Previous events in 2019;
14th November 2019 – Carole Petipher gave a talk around “Monet’s Paradise on Earth”. In it she looked at the Artist together with his creation at Giverny which is truly a Garden for all seasons. He was to find both inspiration and sanctuary there and today it is one of the most visited gardens in the world.
Carole lives locally and has worked for the last twenty years as a guide in France often using as her base, converted barges or petrol tankers!
18th July 2019 – Jill Eyres gave a talk entitled ‘Life and Death in a Roman Villa – the Hambleden Story‘. There have been some amazing discoveries in the Hambleden Valley and Jill spoke about what was happening there in Roman Britain.
Jill is well known locally and has worked on archaeological sites in the UK as well as abroad.
4th April 2019 – Timothy Walker spoke on ‘The Healing Power of Plants‘. It was a wonderful evening all round. 80 people enjoyed some good food and a wonderful and informative talk from Timothy.
Timothy is an eloquent, knowledgeable and entertaining speaker, who came highly recommended.
The Lady Ryder Memorial Garden, the one acre walled garden attached to St Katharine’s, opened their doors on Saturday 27th July 2019 to visitors.
It was a wonderful day, although the weather was a little mixed. In excess of £660 was raised through the selling of plants and produce – all grown within the garden.
The garden team (all volunteers themselves) are always looking for others to assist with the work they are undertaking. If you have even just a handful of hours you can spare a week or month – please make contact through St Katharine’s office – Tel: 01494 881037 or email.
See more about the garden by visiting their website at lrmg.co.uk
St Katharine’s apple juice is now available to buy £3.30 a bottle, 3 bottles for £9 or a case of 12 for £33.
“ Thank you so much for everything that you and your team did for our family yesterday. Everything went so smoothly and everyone said what a wonderful venue St Katharine's was both in terms of food and venue. Your team were absolutely outstanding and made the day very easy for us. ”
CM - Feb 2020
“ Thank you for a wonderful stay. It was perfect. The memorial garden is wonderful and so good to have time to sit and appreciate the atmosphere. ”
Rosemary
“ Just wanted to thank you for the lovely day we spent on Saturday. I felt very welcome, the food was delicious and the grounds were so peaceful. It was really good to get away from the hustle and bustle for a few hours. Please convey my thanks to all who were involved. May God bless you all ”
J.K. London 2022
“ Stunning house and gardens both are beautifully cared for. Staff were wonderful and vegan food was delicious. Thank you for a wonderful day. ”
Melissa - Sept 2022
“ Just a short note of thanks for my wonderful day at St. Katherine's yesterday. It was such a fruitful and blessed time with God. Please pass on my thanks for the warmth of the welcome. I look forward to booking another day with you in the future and will be in touch then. ”
Sheila - April 2022
“ I just wanted to say thank you to you and your staff for a wonderful retreat weekend. Everything was just lovely - the location, the accommodation and the food. It was a truly refreshing time and having everything arranged so perfectly meant that there were no distractions to relaxing and hearing from God ”
Rachel - April 2022
“ Just wanted to thank you for the lovely day we spent on Saturday. I felt very welcome, the food was delicious and the grounds were so peaceful. It was really good to get away from the hustle and bustle for a few hours. ”
Jenny - March 2022
“ Many thanks to all those who made our retreat such a success. Peaceful surroundings with ideal facilities and great hospitality made for a memorable time. ”
VW - Nov 22
“ We had a marvellous time last week. The house is so clean and tidy and beautifully supportive of quiet yet productive prayer. It is a credit to you all. ”
LD - Nov 22
“ I was with you today for the Deanery Retreat Day and it was so lovely to be there, and we were so well looked after – thank you so much! ”
JD - Nov 22
“ It was a WONDERFUL venue and we very much enjoyed meeting you, and were blessed by the amazing hospitality by you and your team. Thank you so much. ”
DH - Dec 2022
“ Please pass on my thanks and appreciation for my two day stay last week. The meals were all great and my stay was a real help to me and I hope to be coming back again in the next few months. ”
TP - Feb 2023
“ Thanks for letting us use St Katherine's this last couple of days. We had a lovely time and were very well looked after. The ladies really loved being there and felt very much that they had got away from the stresses of everyday life. ”
RM - March 2023
“ Thank you for a super day on Saturday. There has only been positive feedback from everyone. We were well looked after by your catering team. The Prayer Room worked well - and the sun came out in the afternoon, so the team up top also doing marvellous work. ”
LW - March 2023
“ A huge thanks for a WONDERFUL time at our men's weekend away. ”
SB - March 2023
“ We had a wonderful day in so many ways. Loved the food and the setting, the sense of space and peace there is so tangible. ”
SW - May 2023