The Nonsuch Dulcimer Club is pleased to invite you to join us in person at our Annual Weekend & AGM 2025, which will be held this year at the Malvern St. James School in Great Malvern. We are offering a full 3-day weekend again this year, with an option for just 2 days.
The school is a historic Victorian hotel, with great spaces for workshops and socialising, and also right opposite the train station. Great Malvern is a lovely historic spa town, and is surrounded by the stunningly beautiful Malvern Hills. B&B options and camping are available in and around Malvern.
For those travelling a long distance there’s an option to stay a fourth night to allow leaving on the morning of 28th October.
There will be workshops for hammered and mountain dulcimer at every level of ability from complete beginner to advanced players. If you have anything that you would particularly like to learn in the workshops, please let us know. There will also be ample opportunities for sessions and catching up with friends, new and old.
We are delighted to be welcoming our guest tutors:
Tutors
- Steve Eulberg (USA) Hammered Dulcimer
- Joe Collins (USA) Mountain Dulcimer
- Elsa Bradley (UK) Hammered Dulcimer
- Dan Evans (UK) Mountain Dulcimer
- Amanda Lowe (UK) Hammered Dulcimer
- Various UK tutors – Hammered Dulcimer & Mountain Dulcimer
Programme
We are offering a full 3-day weekend (Friday evening – Monday afternoon) and a 2-day weekend (Fri-Sun) option. We also offer a non-residential option, and an option to extend the weekend by staying Monday night and travelling home on Tuesday.
We extend a warm welcome to hammered and mountain dulcimer players of all ability levels. Our weekend programme offers three separate levels of workshops (beginner, advanced beginner/intermediate and intermediate/advanced).
On Friday night, there will be a concert featuring our guest tutors.
On Saturday night, there will be an Open-Stage Concert, which is open to all weekend participants. We encourage you to take part, and not necessarily on dulcimer – other instruments, readings, performances are always fun. There’s also plenty of time for regular and slow sessions, some with leaders, and for some informal dancing!
Changes since our last visit
Since our last visit to the school in 2018, there have been some changes:-
- Bar – You will be able to bring your own drinks (glasses will be provided by the school) – as there is no longer a licensed bar available.
- As well as the usual set times for tea/coffee breaks you can make your own hot drinks at any time with tea/coffee provided. This is in the room that used to be the bar (now called the Still Room).
- Onsite parking is for loading/unloading only or for Blue Badge holders (pre-agreed). Once unloaded you can park in the Sports Centre Car Park opposite (at the rear of the school) or on local on-street parking.
Booking
We have several booking options available:
| Nonsuch Annual Weekend 2025 – Fees | Early Bird | After 30th June |
|---|---|---|
| Resident 3 days (5pm Fri to 4pm Mon) | £370 | £385 |
| Resident 2 days (5pm Fri to 4pm Sun) | £250 | £265 |
| Non-resident 3 days (5pm Fri to 4pm Mon) | £285 | £300 |
| Non-resident 2 days (5pm Fri to 4pm Sun) | £190 | £205 |
| Student resident 3 days (5pm Fri to 4pm Mon) | £285 | £285 |
| Student resident 2 days (5pm Fri to 4pm Sun) | £190 | £190 |
| Student non-resident 3 days (5pm Fri to 4pm Mon) | £185 | £185 |
| Student non-resident 2 days (5pm Fri to 4pm Sun) | £125 | £125 |
| B&B Monday night (including Monday evening meal) | £65 | £65 |
What you need to know about Booking:
- We need to check your requirements so please wait to hear that you have definitely been allocated a place before paying your fee. If your booking is straightforward you may receive notification straight away.
- Regular rates apply from July 1st.
- Booking deadline is October 3rd, 2025. No bookings will be accepted after that time.
- Cancellation & Refunds: please read our cancellation policy here. Our early bird deadline is 30th June 2025 and our cancellation deadline is 9th September 2025.
- Payment is by bank transfer or by cheque please. Paypal is available only by exception (non-UK bookings) – please contact us.
- Please contact us in confidence if you wish to arrange to pay by instalments.
- Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult guardian – please give guardian’s details when booking, and/or contact us for more information.
- Pets are not permitted on Malvern St. James site at any time.
- No occupied motor homes or camping are permitted on the site overnight.
- Please note that Malvern St James cannot provide special diets unless notified at time of booking.
- We ask for your playing level to help us plan workshop logistics. If you are unsure about your playing level, please refer to the Nonsuch Playing Guidelines.
Note: Registration closes after 3rd October, 2025.
Questions?
Please contact our Bookings Team if you have questions, or would like more information. Do come and join us. You will be most welcome!