Evening Dance or Day visits welcomed: Great Alne Long Weekend:  Here's our site's Contact us etc. page.
              Be sure you refresh any page tab of your own, if checking for latest information on this website: and to print off current payment forms.

How to find us: a Map here.......... then lower down this page for -
Contact us form /Ideas for Accommodation /A Village history/and finally -
Links..... especially for folk dance & various folk activities around the UK.

Map

View Untitled in a larger map

The Hall is at the "black eye" not at the "point" of the pin shown here.
Opposite it in Henley Rd is the Old Station House.
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Great Alne Memorial Hall - at a bend in the B4089 -
- is behind the pleasant green on which we set up the maypole.
For route Directions to arrive, and local bus, choose the map/walks page.

Feel free to get in touch for directions or advice on public transport/lifts

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Accommodation

You may bring your camper van, caravan (or tent) to Great Alne!
Anyone remaining overnight please, £2 per person per night. (Under 16s free).

1. A camper van or caravan
Please let us know in advance. Preferably ring 0121 777 3722.
You are welcome to park on the hardstanding by the hall, space permitting.
There may be less parking space in future years. A caravan, to manouver most safely to an appropriate location, is advised to arrive so as to park early as is conveniently possible (best at the end of Friday afternoon).

(There is a site a couple of miles away, where a static caravan may be hired.)

(Resourceful visitors one year brought their narrowboat onto the Stratford Canal, and moored it a moderate cycle-ride away.)

2.Tents
Please let us know of your small tent - at very minimum 2wks in advance.
We MAY be able to suggest somewhere to pitch a small "hiking tent" fairly close by.
To disappointment of regulars, we sadly may no longer use that delightful meadow of earlier years.

3.Indoor Camping
Limited "indoor camping" in Great Alne village may be possible for those bringing a sleeping bag.
It's essential to contact in advance. Preferably ring 0121 777 3722 - at minimum 2wks in advance, please leaving your own 'phone contact if on answerphone.

4.Bed and Breakfast
For Warwickshire Tourist Information cLICK.  Or tel 0870 160 7930 for accommodation information.
In the surrounding area are beautiful villages with excellent B&B.
The Throckmorton Arms at Coughton has also very good B&B.

5.Youth Hostel
The nearest is Stratford-upon-Avon - 9 miles away.
For further details, visit the YHA website - cLICK .

6.Family Camping
Unfortunately it's no longer possible for a nearby meadow (with facilities for larger tents) to be made available. 
If wishing to camp, contact us as soon as you know you intend to come. Helpful alternatives are available.
Public camping sites are also accessable just a couple of miles away.

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Village history

The Hall which we use was built as a lasting Memorial to those from the villages of Great Alne and Kinwarton who lost their lives in 1914-18.

The River Alne is the origin of the village name - another village (upstream) is named Little Alne, and a couple of miles downstream is Alcester [Alne-cester].

A potted history of Great Alne is offered here CLICK. For several other accounts see our "Links"

Various length walks from Great Alne
For suggestions to explore the area during your visit over the "Long Weekend" -
Select Map/Walks page below picture at top.

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Useful  links  -   cLICK on the WEBSITE LINKS shown BELOW

To find out more about - International Dancing - throughout the UK -
 cLICK on  Society for International Folk Dancing

Information on - almost ALL TYPES of Dancing - throughout the UK -
(You can ask to be informed by email fortnightly, of any dance events of your choosing within your own Region) 
 cLICK on   Are you Dancing

Information DIARY pages - Dancing Events throughout the UK -
You may also use the site to seek regular clubs, callers for dances, bands, festivals etc.
Caters mainly for - English (Playford) & English Country Dance. Many Contra & Ceilidh dances too.
 cLICK on  Set and Turn Single


In Moseley, Birmingham UK. Friday Folk. A lively welcoming group. Meet most Friday evenings.
Varied kinds of Dancing - mainly english Ceilidh. Just arrive & take part.  Plenty of changing of dance partners.
Couples and singles are equally welcomed. The MAJORITY of members come without a partner.
In a complex website the "Activity Exchange". To check date/location/caller or type of dancing for an evening -
 cLICK on  Friday Folk

In Birmingham UK.   Join in lively Scottish Dancing.
B'ham branch term-time Beginners’ class, Tuesdays. Selly Oak Methodist Church, Langleys Rd, B29 6HT 
Term-time dates: 
Class 7.45-9.45pm:            Spring term 2012    – 10 January – 27 March (half term 14 February)
                                          Summer term 2012 – 17 April – 22 May.  AGM – 29 May.  Social dancing, June 12th, 19th, 26th 2012.
Those at the Long Weekend may particularly recognise further welcoming faces -
Most Tuesdays at the main Langleys Road class also 7.45-9.45pm.
Almost all Thursdays: Baille Tartan Club, Dame Elizabeth Hall, Oak Tree La, Bournville B30 1UA 8.30-10.30pm.
There are also many more Scottish classes around B'ham (throughout UK too).
NB. At Scottish "social dances", they helpfully go over each dance with a quick walkthrough first.
 cLICK on  Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Birmingham

In London UK - Friday Feet.
For those wishing to try out, or to begin International Dancing.
A small lively group particularly welcoming newcomers at Cecil Sharp House (tube: Camden Town).
Anne Leach our vivaceous main 2011 International Dance teacher frequently shows dances here.
So does very active Pam. (Diminutive in stature only - Pam's life-vocation without one knowing, would not be guessed.)
Just ARRIVE and take part. Most Friday Evenings except August, 7.30-9pm. No need to bring along a partner -
For more details, phone or - email Caspar on 020 8340 4683.
 cLICK on   Friday Feet

In London UK - Dance Around the World.
Much to watch/ try out in this excellent - International Dance (& much more) sampling WEEKEND.
A vibrant, lively dancing, viewing and music playing w/e. 20-21st Oct 2012.  Considerable choices of dance styles -
All at Cecil Sharp House (nearest tube Camden Town). Very moderate prices, primarily because, as at Great Alne, the dance teachers are prepared to give freely of their time in order to dissipate the joys of different kinds of Dance.
An excellent culminating Sunday evening dance - An introduction to International and English Country Dancing.
Anne Leach our vivaceous main 2011 International Dance teacher and Caspar Cronk are joint organisers.
For more details, phone (on 020 8340 4683) or - email Caspar. 
 cLICK on   Dance around the World

In London UK - Balkanplus. Take up the generally quite vigorous patterns of Balkan Dancing.
Usually 2nd Sats 7.00 to 10pm - in the lower (Trefusis) Hall of Cecil Sharp House (nearest tube Camden Town).
Times may vary though, and occasional Special Dance Workshops take place too.
 cLICK on  Balkanplus


In Alcester Warwickshire, UK. Alcester Contras. "American style" Contra Dances.
As in USA, there's lots of dance partners there. It's quite usual to change partner after each dance.
It's nice if you take-in there just a little food (that's easy to pick-up by hand) for others to share.
There's a dance on an occasional Friday most months (not August). Dates and details at website -
 cLICK on   Alcester Contras


At University of Warwick Folk, Coventry. One of the best - a slick rapper team - at festivals, & around the Midlands.
And a good Ceilidh Band. Make contact if interested via website.
Regular Ceilidhs of great appeal to the youthful and exuberant at Cryfield Sports Pavilion, off Gibbet Hill, Coventry. 
 cLICK on  Warwick University  Folk Society (Events)      
 

Folk Camps.   Week long, and weekend - Active Holidays based in a Village Hall, or a Marquee.
Do you enjoy mainly Ceilidh dancing? Camping in a pleasant part of the UK? Making folk music along with others?
Generally would you enjoy friendship through making your own entertainment ?
They are like a small, very friendly, do-it-yourself Folk Festival. Here's the page - "What Folk Camps are like".
 cLICK on   Folk Camps


Details of an Annual Woodland - Folk Music Camp for the Physically Disabled - each September.
A 5 day camp of special interest those physically disabled, thus able to enjoy playing musical instruments together.
Many who enjoy being involved in folk music and folk songs, volunteer assistance to make the week possible.
(Main participants are wheelchair restricted.) Enjoy making music in a group, and informally singing with others.
Early Sept each year.  Located at the excellent facilities of Woodlarks near Farnham Surrey UK.
 cLICK on    Woodland Music Camp


For - Family Tree - details.
 cLICK  to Have Your own Family Tree DRAWN and printed out, onto a large roll, for DISPLAY.


Great Alne - Village Histories.
A potted historical account - cLICK for  Potted History of Great Alne in Warwickshire
cLICK for  History (via Parish Council) of the main buildings in Great Alne in Warwickshire

Excellent historical detail especially of the church.
cLICK for  History (via Wiki) of Great Alne in Warwickshire

Superb old photographic record of Great Alne Station and the Alcester Branch line's history.
cLICK for  History of Great Alne Ststion and the Bearley to Alcester line.



The  Memorial Hall  - used by our Long Weekend for almost 30 years  - we've needed to adapt to many "improvements".
(Various changes have affected our use during the Great Alne Long Weekend: many in rather disappointing ways.)
Under "News" there, see how and why the lovely raftered interior of the roof has been required to be "modernised".
See other regulars whose venue is the Memorial Hall, and the various uses for its present facilities.
Should YOU wish to hire for its many modern features, details of how to download a booking form etc.
 cLICK on  Villages of Great Alne and Kinwarton Memorial Hall



Mick Smith Radio. 
What began as a Leicestershire BBC local Radio Country Music Station survived closure by going on line.  Weekly 2hr show of Well presented Country Music. Deservedly it can now be enjoyed worldwide. No ads (ex Midland Folk Club Dates).
The show is divided into two hour length parts in order that enthusiasts may burn each part onto a 60min blank CD.
Details are given of each track played.  Click on "Previous Shows" to explore the very extensive archive.
cLICK on  Mick Smith Radio

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