01300 341345 hilfieldssf@franciscans.org.uk
The Friary, Hilfield, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7BE
Donate Registered Charity Number 236464
The 800th Anniversary of Franciscan Friars coming to England in 1224
We are proud to present our 2024 Programme.
This image of early Franciscan Friars is courtesy of Pinterest. An interesting history of the Grey Friars can be found at https://www.thegreyfriars.org/history
It tells of their landing in England in 1224 and the years that followed.
As always please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for any of the events.
Stone Carving Experience 1
Friday 16 to Sunday 18 February
Join Lindy, a Hilfield Community member, on a practical stone carving experience. Learn to carve or increase your skills while exploring with others how ancient stone and spirituality might work alongside each other in a relaxed environment where all are welcome. Tools provided but if you would like to bring your own then please do. Come and enjoy the rhythm of life at the Friary and meet others as we journey together over three days.
The suggested donation of £180 includes a stone for sculpting. This weekend is limited to a maximum of 6 people.
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Lenten Quiet Day
Saturday 2nd March
Join a group of fellow pilgrims in a day of reflecting on the Christ’s call to take up our cross and follow him. This is the foundational call to discipleship, and the way we embrace it can make a big difference in our work to make the love of God shown in Jesus Christ known in the world around us.
The suggested donation for the day is £25 to include a simple lunch of soup and a roll.
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Folk Weekend 1
A Celtic Cruise
Friday 15th to Sunday 17th March
Due to last minute cancellations there are now 3 places available on this weekend
Gill and Alan welcome you to their ever-popular folk weekend (1 of 2 per year) that have now been running for 15 years. They also run two monthly folk/acoustic sessions in the Weymouth area.
This is a musical journey through the Celtic regions of the UK. These are popular so please book early.
If you like singing or playing folk music (or just listening) this is for you. Musical contributions are welcome but not compulsory.
The suggested donation for the weekend is £150 to include all food and accommodation.
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Holy Week and Easter at the Friary
Tuesday 26th to Sunday 31st March
Journey through Holy Week and Easter with members of the Hilfield Community: experiencing its depth of loss, mourning and joy together.
The suggested donation for the week is £280 to include all food and accommodation.
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
2 Free Soul Rewilding Events
Saturday May 4th May
Mike Mullins is leading these 2 events. He is a leadership development facilitator, coach and retreat leader who has a passionate interest in how we can see and hold all nature as sacred in these times of ecological crisis. To book or re-confirm your booking please phone Suzi on 01300 341741 or email her at hilfieldssf@franciscans.org.uk
The first Event is ‘Walking with Trees’ from 10am until 12pm. Please arrive in the Courtyard at 9.45am for a prompt start at 10am.
Feeling a bit nature and soul starved? Get to know and connect more deeply to the magnificent trees around you.
Walking with trees is a soulful opportunity to begin to re-discover the sacredness of nature by learning about the biology, mythology, history and spirituality of native British trees: oak, ash, hawthorn and other species at Hilfield Friary.
We will finish by 12pm. Wear sturdy shoes, comfortable clothing and depending on the weather, a rain proof coat. Bring a sitting pad or portable seat to sit on if you need it.
The second event is a deep time meditative walk on the life of mother earth exploring the key events and spirituality of the birth, formation and 4.6-billion-year life of our mother earth. Please arrive at 1.45pm at the courtyard in front of the chapel for a prompt start at 2pm.
We will reflect on what the earth’s life story is telling us about our relationship to nature, the fecundity and diversity of life, humanity, the nature of possibility and hope. Widening our understanding of the span of time, waking us up to deep time, broadening our sense of what’s truly possible now and emerge with a renewed sense of calm, awe and hope in these challenging times.
Again wear sturdy shoes, comfortable clothing and depending on the weather, a rain proof coat. Bring a sitting pad, or portable seat to sit on, if you need it. We will finish by 3.30pm.
“Adopt the pace of nature her secret is patience.” Ralph Waldo”
Contemplative Franciscan Prayer
Friday 17th to Sunday 19th May
In a world hungry for spiritual experience, we will look at what St. Francis and St. Clare can teach us about contemplative prayer and its relevance today.
Br James Douglas was born in Yorkshire and took his first vows as a Franciscan Brother in 2017. He has been based at Hilfield Friary for several years.
The suggested donation for the weekend is £150 to include all food and accommodation.
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Reconnecting to the
Divine in Nature
Friday 24th to Sunday 26th May
A weekend led by Mike Mullins and Jonathan Herbert. Are you feeling nature deprived? Struggling to be hopeful in the midst of the ecological crisis? “Reconnecting to the divine in nature” is a retreat running at Hilfield Friary from 12 noon on Friday 24th to 3pm on Sunday 26th May 2024. It is geared at Christians enquiring into the place of nature, creation and eco-spirituality in their faith.
The retreat has four aims:
The cost per person for three days, two nights and all meals is £240 (including VAT).
To secure your booking a £100 deposit (including VAT) (non-refundable and non-transferable) is required at the time of booking.
To book a place on the retreat please contact Mike Mullins at
Email: mikemullins@soulrewilding.co.uk
Mobile: 07973 642 875
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
1st Craft Week of the year
Wednesday 12th to Sunday 16th June
Come along and enjoy the week with like-minded crafters.
Bring old projects to finish and try new ones with friends!
The suggested donation for the week is £250 to include all food and accommodation.
If you would like to arrive on Tuesday 11th June to relax before you start crafting, please contact Suzi. There would be a suggested extra donation of £50.
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Poetry Weekend with
Elizabeth Cook –
The Poetry of John Donne
Friday 5th to Sunday 7th July
John Donne (1572–1631) was born into a Catholic family but by the end of his life was Dean of St Paul’s in London. His life was full of drama and difficulty and he endured periods of sickness and poverty. His poetry – as arresting now as when it was first written – is remarkable for the way it welcomes and combines all kinds of experience: physical, intellectual, and spiritual. During this weekend we shall look closely at these poems (with an emphasis on speaking and hearing them) and we shall also sample some of Donne’s extraordinary prose writing. His sermons at St Paul’s drew crowds!
The suggested donation for the weekend is £150 to include all food and accommodation.
This weekend is fully booked at the moment but please contact Suzi to check to see if you can be added to the waiting list to avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
A gentle journey into
Christian Healing
Friday 19th to Sunday 21st July
Explore Francis’s compassion and Christ’s healing with Don and Rae Martin. This retreat may give you confidence to take it back to your parish and being your own ministry of healing and wholeness.
Don and Rae are Third Order Franciscans who have had a strong link with the Friary for many years.
The suggested donation for the weekend is £150 to include all food and accommodation.
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Reconnecting to the
Divine in Nature
A repeat of the May 2024
weekend
Friday 26th to Sunday 28th July
A weekend led by Mike Mullins and Jonathan Herbert. Are you feeling nature deprived? Struggling to be hopeful in the midst of the ecological crisis? “Reconnecting to the divine in nature” is a retreat running at Hilfield Friary from 12 noon on Friday 24th to 3pm on Sunday 26th May 2024. It is geared at Christians enquiring into the place of nature, creation and eco-spirituality in their faith.
The retreat has four aims:
The cost per person for three days, two nights and all meals is £240 (including VAT).
To secure your booking a £100 deposit (including VAT) (non-refundable and non-transferable) is required at the time of booking.
To book a place on the retreat please contact Mike Mullins at
Email: mikemullins@soulrewilding.co.uk
Mobile: 07973 642 875
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Hilfield Families Camp
Saturday 27th to Sunday 4th August 2024
Every summer, Hilfield Friary hosts The Hilfield Families Camp (usually late July / early August).
The Family Camp involves a week of sharing the life of the friary with adults and children (new young families are always most welcome) with Worship Work and Fun!
For more details please contact stuarthutton@me.com
for more details.
Please visit their website for more information and to book:
Hilfield Youth Camp
Saturday 10th to Sunday 18th August 2024
Every August Hilfield Friary hosts the Hilfield Youth Camp. Organised by experienced volunteers, HYC offers up to 50 young people aged 13 to 17 years the chance of a of low cost, fun holiday in stunning surroundings over a week, while exploring a Christian theme. The Youth camp is built on friendship, community and faith.
Please visit their website for more information and to book:
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Stone Carving Experience 2
Friday 6th to Sunday 8th September 2024
Join Lindy, a Hilfield Community member, on the second practical stone carving experience. Learn to carve or increase your skills while exploring with others how ancient stone and spirituality might work alongside each other in a relaxed environment where all are welcome. Tools provided but if you would like to bring your own then please do. Come and enjoy the rhythm of life at the Friary and meet others as we journey together over three days.
The suggested donation of £180 includes a stone for sculpting. This weekend is limited to a maximum of 6 people.
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Experience Life with the
Community – a weekend for
18 to 30 year olds
Friday 6th to Sunday 8th September 2024
THIS WEEKEND IS NOW FULLY BOOKED THIS WEEKENDIS NOW FULLY BOOKED
This great new weekend has been added to the Programme. A chance to find out what
life in community is like at a Franciscan friary.
The suggested donation for the weekend is £50 to include all food and accommodation.
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Franciscan Weekend with the Community
Friday 4th to Sunday 6th October
Join us to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the arrival of the first Franciscan Brothers to England.
Over the weekend at Hilfield, we will be focussing on Francis’ life and use his example to help us enter more deeply into a pattern of loving attentiveness to God in the world today.
The suggested donation for the weekend is £150 to include all food and accommodation.
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Folk Weekend 2
Americana
Friday 11th to Sunday 13th October
Gill and Alan welcome you to their ever-popular folk weekend (2nd of the year) that have now been running for 15 years. They also run two monthly folk/acoustic sessions in the Weymouth area.
Featuring traditional and contemporary songs and tunes from ‘across the pond.’
These are popular so please book early.
If you like singing or playing folk music (or just listening) this is for you. Musical contributions are welcome but not compulsory.
The suggested donation for the weekend is £150 to include all food and accommodation.
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Pre-Advent Quiet Day
Saturday 23rd November
Join us for our annual Advent Quiet Day. A chance to retreat from secular society as we prepare for the birth of the Christ Child, the Light of the World.
The suggested donation for the day is £25 to include a simple lunch of soup and a roll. Please donate on the day.
For more information and booking please contact Suzi at Hilfield on 01300 341741 or email hilfieldssf@franciscans.org.uk
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Pre-Advent Quiet Day
2nd Craft Week of the year
Wednesday 27th November to
Sunday 1st December
Come along and enjoy the week with like-minded crafters.
Bring old projects to finish and try new ones with friends!
The suggested donation for the week is £250 to include all food and accommodation.
If you would like to arrive on Tuesday 26th November to relax before you start crafting, please contact Suzi. There would be a suggested extra donation of £50.
For more information and booking please contact Suzi at Hilfield on 01300 341741 or email hilfieldssf@franciscans.org.uk
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Celebrate Christmas 2024 at the Friary
Monday 23rd to Saturday 28th December
Join our Friary Family where we await the birth of the Christ Child.
Suggested donation £280 to include food and accommodation. Please let Suzi know if you have any dietary requirements.
For more information and booking please contact Suzi at Hilfield on 01300 341741 or email hilfieldssf@franciscans.org.uk
Please contact Suzi to check availability and avoid disappointment before registering for the weekend.
Hilfield Friary is part of the Society of St Francis, a worldwide Anglican
Religious Order. Visit their website: https://www.franciscans.org.uk/
Hilfield Friary Group Booking Cancellation Policy
We have a Community day off every Monday. In an emergency please
phone 01300 341345 and leave a message.
SOCIETY OF ST FRANCIS SAFEGUARDING POLICIES