Slovene Students' Work Experience in Sedbergh

Darja Mihelj and Katja Senica, two Slovene students who came with the Zrece singers to the Folk Carols festival in December 2005, came back in the following August to have an experience of working in Sedbergh. Singers from Howgills Harmony, recently returned from their Slovenia tour, acted as hosts - helping with lifts to and from the airport, taking them on outings, helping them find jobs in the area - with accommodation kindly provided by Dr Clare Mingins in her home.

They were very touched by the hospitality they received while working at Farfield Mill - so much so that when they started working and people at the Mill were thanking them for coming in, and saying how pleased they were to see them, they asked the singers if they were also being paid (they were.) They also had part-time jobs at the Bull Hotel, did cleaning jobs in homes and holiday houses in Garsdale and Dentdale and took part in the Sedbergh Festival.

Darja and Katja on a visit to Wordsworth's garden at Dove Cottage in Grassmere - they are both great fans of the Lakeland poets.

Darja Mihelj wrote this piece for Sedbergh Lookaround about their experience of working in Sedbergh:

Travelling is said to be the search for one's self, establishing a certain distance, perhaps changing or simply getting to know another culture, learning a foreign language. For some reason or other, returning to a certain place is a sign of fond memories.

After having spent a few days in Sedbergh back in December, Katja and me decided to come back in the summer. And so we planned our trip, booked the tickets, wrote a few emails to find jobs and accommodation, and most of all - looked forward to the day of our departure - 8 August.

After a few days of getting used to a different environment, we started to feel homelike due to our wonderful hostess, our employers, David Burbidge - our guardian angel - and of course all other people who proved to be very kind.

Having spent 20 days in Sedbergh and having seen a few places in the Lake District, we decided to leave for Scotland to get the impression of the two bustling cities Edinburgh and Glasgow. We returned home convinced that a closer insight into a certain culture affects one's inner richness. Our fond memories of the wonderful countryside and all the people that we got a chance to meet and become attached to will be the reason for our next visit of the Book Town. See you soon.

Darja Mihelj

At the time of writing Slovene students and singers were due to return to Sedbergh's Folk Carols Festival at the end of the year.