Autumn Recorder Course at Llanerchindda Farm

Cynghordy, Llandovery, Carmarthenshire SA20 0NB

Friday 19th - Monday 22nd September 2025

This year’s course is now fully booked. If you would like to join the waiting list please complete the booking form at the bottom of the page.

It’s that time of year when we’re thinking about recorder events for the coming year, which means it’s time to invite you to join me at Llanerchindda Farm once more!

The crucial details you need to know…

For those of you who have attended the course before, the event will continue much as before. Our tutors are yours truly along with Ann and Steve Marshall. The event will still feature the usual mix of musical styles, a friendly atmosphere and the incomparable welcome of the team at Llanerchindda. As in 2024, Steve and Ann are taking on lighter conducting duties but I’m pleased to report that they will both still be tutoring one session each day, while I take care of the remaining sessions. Musical plans are still very much in their formative stage, but you can remind yourself of the 2024 timetable here. The timings will remain unchanged for 2025.

The standard of music we play will, as ever, be on the more challenging side, but we promise it will always be fun and the tutoring will be unfailingly good-humoured, even if there are occasional wrong notes! One of the joys of this course is being able to try music which simply isn’t possible on run of the mill recorder courses. We know that with top-notch players like yourselves the possibilities for musical satisfaction are almost endless.

As ever, you’re welcome to bring non-playing family members with you to enjoy the weekend. The area around Llanerchindda offers endless opportunities for sightseeing, exploring the Welsh countryside or even some simple relaxation!

For those who haven’t joined us before (or even if you have!), you might find it interesting to see the timetable for last year’s course. This shows the timings for each day, along with the music we were intending to work on, although the actual musical content does sometimes vary a little from what we plan as we respond to the needs of the players during the weekend. You can see the timetable by clicking on the button here:

Our venue

The welcome at Llanerchindda farm is as warm as ever, with amazing views, comfortable accommodation and delicious food. What more needs to be said? The day starts with as much breakfast as you want - be that the virtuous continental variety or a full cooked feast. Lunch is a buffet of sandwiches, other savouries, fruit and some decadent goodies for those with a sweet tooth. To send us on our way to our final playing session each day there is a delicious three course meal and the wonderful team at Llanerchindda are always happy to accommodate any special dietary needs.

If you’re new to Llanerchindda farm and would like to know more about our venue, all you need to do it click on this button and it’ll take you to their website. Please come back and place your booking with me though - the team at Llanerchindda know everything about hospitality, but they leave the recorder playing arrangements to me!

How much will the course cost?

The cost of the course for participants depends on your preference regarding accommodation. both en-suite and standard rooms are available, including a mix of singles, twins and doubles. Prices for the 2025 course will be available as soon as our venue costs have been confirmed, but they will undoubtedly increase a little from the 2024 prices shown below:

• One person in an en-suite room £610

• Two people sharing a double/twin en-suite room £545 each

• One person in a standard (non-en-suite) room £535

• Non-playing partners £450

• Costs for attendance in a campervan available on request

These prices are an increase on 2024 due to increases in running costs for Llanerchindda. I’ve kept the increases related to the musical tuition as low as possible to try and minimise the overall price rise to you.

Are you raring to join us?

Bookings will open at 8pm on Monday 17th March. The new booking system I tried last year had one or two gremlins, so this year we’re reverting back to the old method - just complete the form which will appear below when bookings open and press submit - it’s as simple as that!

Please remember, places at the ARC are in limited supply and are always snapped up quickly, so don’t dilly dally if you want to come and join us. Last year the en-suite accommodation sold out in just seventeen minutes and the last of the standard rooms had gone within a couple of days!

Completing the booking form doesn’t automatically mean you have successfully reserved a place on the course. I’ll respond to applications strictly in the order they arrive and when I’ve receive your application form I’ll get in touch to confirm your place, the type of accommodation available and the cost. The exact number of rooms available depends on how many people wish to have an en-suite bathroom and whether you wish to share a room with a friend or partner.

Payment can be in the form of bank transfer or a cheque - I’ll let you know how to do this when I respond to your application. If the course has to be cancelled because of any Covid-19 restrictions (however unlikely this may seem at this stage) you will receive a full refund.