Our biggest job yet. 9 Giant Tipis

It's not your usual job, but this client wanted 9 giant hat tipis joined. The whole build took two days and looked stunning at night. If you are wondering where all of the party-goers are; they are away in another part of the garden, watching a show before coming back to the tipis for dancing and food.

There were nine tipis in a row (we could only squeeze seven into this photo).

Essex Spring

We have been at Clavering this weekend (home village of one Jamie Oliver, no less). The event was the first wedding show organised by Joanna Harris - www.joannaharrisevents.co.uk. and our tipis had a great setting on the side of Kingswater Lake.

Warmer weather means outside seating and a view

The sun was shining, people were smiling and we enjoyed a short and sweet day out in the Essex countryside.

Younger tipi fans

Not quite a host of golden daffodils

Toasty, warm and cosy.

We have recently hosted our March Open Days, and welcomed over 200 guests to Hitchin Lavender Farm, who provided their land. (Thanks to Tim, Nick and all at Hitchin Lavender).

These photos show the tipis at dusk, with the fires lit and the heaters on. The atmosphere inside is warm, toasty and cosy, or as the Dutch might say Gezelligheid which means so much more, bringing in conviviality, friendliness and human warmth.

We trust that all of our Open Day visitors went away with such feelings, and with plans for their own events for this year and into the future, whatever the weather. 

Open Day Tipis

Come on in!

Tipi Open Days 19 & 20 March 2011

Its nearly here....

This weekend we are hosting our T4H open days, and the weather is looking good.

We are showing off 4 joined tipis with all the trimmings. We've got heaters and open fires, so guests will be welcomed into the warm to get a feel of the magic inside the Giant Hat Katas.

As an added bonus, we have even put up the first ever American Sioux-style tipi that we owned. It is a testament to Jonny Morris at Wolf-Glen tipis, that this tent is still as beautiful and elegant (and waterproof!) as the day we collected it from Scotland back in 2004. Nowadays it looks so 'wee' next to the Giant Hats, but equally stunning.

For information about our future open days and tents, please do email or call us.

Giant Hats and Lavender

One of our Sioux-style sleeping tipis

Tipis4hire. Ready for Spring!

It's been a long winter and a longer time since we last blogged on here. Our new years resolution is to blog more (which sounds a bit like a village in Scotland).

We are looking forward to the 2011 season with renewed vigour after a delightful and summery 2010. We already know that this summer will be very busy. Let's hope for fair weather.  Even if it is foul not fair, our tipis will keep you dry and warm.

Winter has been spent maintaining and improving our stock and planning for the future. We have recruited new crew leaders and have finally tidied up the storage system in our barn.

We would like to share a very special photo with you of our tipis in the midst of this winter in the Hertfordshire countryside. As you can see, it was cold outside, but there was a real warmth at the event, radiating both from the customer and their friends and, of course, the heaters.

Our new Starshade Tent

We have had many requests for an awning to be used at wedding and events. Something that big groups of guests could seek shade from the sun or respite from rain whilst enjoying a drink or two.

After searching, we found the remarkable Starshade tents that are not quite a tipi, but do fit in well as they are another pointy tent (note our use of technical jargon).

We have used them on a few of our 2009 events and re pleased to report that they have been a great success with customers.

Each Starshade has enough room for 100 people to sup ale, quaff champagne or glug on a pomegranate juice whilst admiring the view around them. And here is the view from our barn in Hertfordshire, just 22 miles from London.

A good year

There's no denying that this is one of the best jobs around. In spite of the occasional 4am start time. Lots of happy people and plenty of time in the outdoors putting up tipis is a great combination.

2009 has seen us putting up tipis at places as diverse as a Pagan Hand Fasting in Notts to a full on wedding at Jimmys Farm. And top top festivals like Latitude and The Big Chill (we managed to stay over at this one). We even did a wedding which was part wedding part festival.

One of the bigger weddings set in St Pauls Walden has been featured recently in You and Your Wedding magazine. (Nov/Dec issue).

Thanks to all of our customers in 2009. We look forward to next year.