I've travelled down to Chichester to teach a weekend class on making miniature wire flowers at the lovely Earnley Concourse.

Coming here to teach is always such a highlight and I really can't express how great not only the surroundings, classrooms etc are but the sheer friendly welcoming atmosphere which makes a visit here always a delight. Add in good food and a swimming pool and I frequently wish I just got to live here!

I never know who will turn up to my classes here and there is always a wide range of ages, previous experience, interests, physical abilities, backgrounds, life-styles etc which makes for interesting comversations as we get to know one another over the days. This is especially apparent when I teach my long geometric course and we all get to spend 6 or so days in each others company sharing each others stories and highs and lows.

One lady this weekend described Earnley as her 'safe place' and I knew what she meant. It isn't just somewhere to come to learn, it's more than that. For so many people it is an escape from reality where you can leave the outside world behind and become fully absorbed in what you are doing. Somewhere you know you will be spending time with people with a common interest, none of whom will judge you for that interest or wanting to spend time on it. A lot of the women who come to the classes here are caring for children, parents, husbands or other relatives and loved ones and for many this is the only reprive they have from that and often the only time they can guarantee to themselves. Here all can be temporarily forgotten and you can practically see the weight lift from people's shoulders as they sit, learn and laugh.

There does seem to be a magical atmosphere of understanding and acceptance here. If you want company and chatter, it is there for you. If you want to sit quietly and comtemplate the beauty of the countryside, you can do that too. Some people seem to crave company and conversation and some are content to sit and listen to the incredible stories others have to tell. If someone talks alot it seems understood they may live by themselves and have months of not conversing to catch-up on. If someone is quiet they are given space so they can sit, simply relieved to have some time and space to themselves.

I have seen women recently widowed laugh for the first time since their husband's death. I have seen lonely women cherish being able to talk and relive humorous events from their past, and have others recognise that they weren't always old women. Everyone here has lived a life with tales and experiences and here they can share that. I consider it such a privilege that I get to sit and participate in this with them. The women I get to meet have me in stitches with their tales and topics of conversation.

Is there a point at which some women cast off all those worries, rules and social norms they have lived with? I love seeing and talking to women who have reached that point. They seem to recognise that all the worries they had about themselves, their bodies, what others would say etc were pointless and that you only have one life and you best begin enjoying it when you can. There is an lightness about them in how quick they are to laugh, the freedom in their conversation, their openness to listen to and learn from others. I love to compare and contrast this with the other women who you see haven't yet reached that point, myself included. I think we all go home having learnt a lesson in being more relaxed and less judgemental towards ourselves and others.

That is a lesson we all need to learn and I delight in having it repeated to me throughout the year by amazing women.

The course itself starts in the evening and my first task is to detail what we'll be doing and get everyone started on a basic leaf.

Soon they've racing along and playing with the beads (none of them have ever done any beadwork before at all) and I get to sit and look at all the samples etc I made last time I was here teaching this class.

I've decided to use my tiny flower samples to decorate a ring and also take apart two clasp covers and turn them into one brooch. That all done it's time for everyone to retire for the night in full anticipation of what the next two days will bring.