Here are some of the offerings for 2011: more still to be added! If there is enough interest there is a proposal to run costume masterclasses during the week before the festival, and to have simple workshops and demonstrations during the festival. If you are particularly interested in historical regency sewing, email us with your details.

Austen in Performance
Deborah Mulhall
Presentation and discussion of the various ways in which Austen's work has been transformed for modern audiences - with particular attention to Northanger Abbey.

Gothic Novels of the 18th Century
Melanie Green
In 'Northanger Abbey', Catherine and Isabella love to talk about Mrs Radcliffe and the Gothic novels they read. 'Northanger Abbey' itself is, in large part, a satire of these types of novels, popular during Jane Austen's youth. We will be listening to some readings, discussing the plots of a few of these novels and talking about the conventions that Austen refers to in 'Northanger Abbey'.

Regency Spicing
Jacqueline Newling
Discover what a Regency spice box would have contained and, referring to original recipes, how these exotic ingredients were used to flavour sweet and savoury dishes by people in Jane Austen's time.

Chemisette workshop
Donna Lane
Draft and create a regency chemisette from Janet Arnold's book.

Picnic Games
Donna Lane
Learn and play some of the games Regency Ladies and Gents would have played at a picnic, including Graces, Anagram.

Regency Makeup
Melissa Stevens
A look into the history of makeup and cosmetics in the regency period. Including a demonstration on how to apply modern makeup to get the regency 'look'.

Hair Styling the Regency Way
Melissa Stevens
Learn how to prepare and style your hair to complete your regency ensemble. From curly to straight, short to long, there is always something you can do.

Create Your Own Jane Austen Interior
Carolyn Wilson
From Catherine Morland's rural family home to the ancient grandeur of Northanger Abbey. Spend some time learning about Regency colours, paint finishes, wallpaper, plaster designs, curtains and drapes, furniture, fabrics and accessories. Then use your newly acquired knowledge to plan your own Jane Austen Interior. After advice from your own Interior Decorator, you will leave with a workable scheme, including sample board resources, which suit your situation. Participants will receive preparation guides once registration is confirmed.

Food for Thought
Joanne Van Raaphorst
We will look at and sample some of the sweeter delights that would have been taken along to one of Jane Austen's picnics.

Jane Austen's Music
Dr Gillian Dooley
A concert of music from Jane Austen's manuscript music collection in the historic Church itself.

Taste in Northanger Abbey
Dr Gillian Dooley
A discussion of aesthetic taste and its relationship with moral worth in Northanger Abbey.

Lace Making Demonstration
Sharon Doig
Jane Austen's niece Anna married Benjamin Lefroy on November 8, 1814. Her sister Caroline describes her finery as "a dress of fine white muslin, and over it a soft silk shawl, white shot with primrose [yellow], with embossed white-satin flowers, and very handsome fringe, and on her head a small cap to match, trimmed with lace". Even though the wearing of lace waned during the Regency period, ladies still trimmed their dresses and accessories with it. Learn about the basic stitches of Torchon lace.

A Drawing Room Concert
Rosemary Lohmann
A concert based on music of the period - from a mix of composers active in the Regency period.

Transitional stays 1790-1820
Wendy Wildermoth
An overview including slideshow of some extant stays from 1790 to 1820s held in museums and private collections. With half a dozen reproduced - with minimal hand sewing - for a hands on examination. A bibliography hand out will be provided.

How To Get More Family Tree Time
Megan Gibson
'Who Do You Think You Are?' Researcher, Megan Gibson, will let you in on some of the behind-the-scenes stories about researching for the hit tv show. As a freelance Researcher, Writer and family tree Coach for Family Tree Time, Megan will also share her tips for the time poor, from her book 'How To Get More Family Tree Time'. Her motto is ...before it's too late!

Family Tree Research for Jane Austen's era or Could You Be Related to Jane Austen?!
Megan Gibson
Researcher Megan Gibson will investigate Jane Austen's family tree, and share some tips for researching in the Austen era for your own family tree.

Roses from the Heart® bonnet workshop
Christina Henri
Roses from the Heart(r) is a Memorial by Tasmanian artist Christina Henri that remembers the value to the Australian Nation of the 25,566 convict women transported to Australia. Christina invites participants from around the world to be part of this Memorial by making a bonnet tribute. The Plan is to instal the 25,566 bonnet Memorial as a permanent public reminder that these women contributed greatly to the social and economic growth of the Nation.
To date Christina has received 18,500 bonnets. Whilst the bonnets are being made Christina holds events such as 'Blessing of the Bonnets' and Exhibitions, Displays, Performances and Concerts to keep the public connected to the work. Christina will instal an Exhibition of bonnets, be a guest speaker and also hold a performance at the Jane Austen Festival.

Jane Austen's Connections to Wales and Cornwall
Barbara Burns & Julia Ermert
Presentation from members of the Welsh & Cornish Dance and Display Group.

Poltergeists, Petticoats and Pineapples -- Behind the scenes of Northanger Abbey
Julia Ermert
We know that Northanger Abbey is a spoof on the Gothic novel but what were these all about, and how does her reading affect Catherine's visit to a real-life abbey?

Customising your gowns
Melissa Stevens
Working from Sense and Sensibility Regency patterns, we will look at customising the pattern to fit you and adapting the pattern into a new style for a unique gown of your choice.