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Join the Great Alne Long-Weekend.
(This is our Home page)
Try different kinds of dance. Play music too. Song, handbells and many more activities. Welcome to this beautiful village. Enjoy as a beginner (or experienced) dancer, musician or singer.
Morris dancing isn't the only form of traditional dancing, (even here in the UK).
This extended weekend explores varied traditional folk activities from around the world.
For 2008, we were pleased again to see Karin Bellaart from The Netherlands. A lively dance teacher, she showed 1 or 2 Dutch Dances, but mostly dances from other countries. Karin was the first teacher of International Dance to be invited to Gt Alne. Appropriately, Karin was here for its Silver Celebration.
Many other teachers of dance and callers take part as well:
eg for Israeli Dances, German Dances & for dancing sessions in couples too.
In Music Workshops, instrumentalists play a wide variety of dance tunes lead by a skilled musician.
Social dancing. 3 evenings Fri/Sat/Sun. drinks & entertainment breaks: plus 3 bonus late dances. Workshops are throughout the day on Sat Sun and Mon (Note this is the w/e BEFORE bank hol.)
You may attend for all or for ANY PART of the Long-Weekend. Welcome singly, or arrive with a partner.
Are you on our email list to be sent a programme for the 2009 event?
To receive information for next year's event, CLICK and then fill in your name and email address.
For a short history, CLICK about Gt Alne in Warwickshire. We dance in its Village WW1 Memorial Hall.
OUR EXCELLENT CATERERS are based at the traditional Tudor Rose Café in Alcester.
A lovely bakery section has temptingly delicious cakes on display.
They will again be catering for us in 2009. Advance on-line menu will be available.
A variety of food will be provided at the hatch during most of the weekend:-
On SAT. LUNCHTIME & SUN. EVE, filled hot jacket potatoes will be available; also baguettes or rolls.
HOT MEALS FOR FRI EVE, SAT EVE & SUN LUNCH are home cooked,with VEGETARIAN or MEAT CHOICES.
Enjoy Amanda's homemade soup with a crusty roll. Salads available too: especially for warm, sunny days.
On MONDAY, a first class and quieter day, we order a WAITRESS SERVED HOT LUNCH in the hall.
If your food need/preference is missing, don't winge. Explain to Amanda at the hatch for the next day.
(Sarnies / eating before you leave: DON'T. Delicious catering alone is worth coming to Great Alne Village Hall to sample!)
24th to 27th April 2009 will be the 26th annual Great Alne Long-Weekend.
CLICK for 2009 prices. Also CLICK for accommodation options.
Weekend, and long weekend visitors may email, should they require further accommodation advice.
There's no need to book. Though you may CLICK here if you wish to SEND an email.
You may like to tell us you intend coming in 2009: or perhaps you may have a specific question.
Photo- dancing in the Village Hall with Nel, one of our International Dance teachers from the Netherlands.
Copyright; James Hobro 2004. To enlarge the photo below, Pic CLICK
The Village Hall position is "pinned" opp the Old Station on the map. On + or - ,CLICK above.
Local Accommodation -
Visit the CLICKWarwickshire Tourist Information web page.
Camper vans or caravans may park hardstanding, nearby the Hall.
Ring please, if you intend to bring a tent to pitch on the nearby meadow.
Tel. 01789 488 568.
CLICK to see a typical programme for the long weekend.
(Karin's earlier visit in 2005).
Photo Copyright James Hobro 2004.
Why Great Alne Long-Weekend happens:
1) To foster International contacts. Generally to promote friendship and understanding.
2) To give opportunities, especially for dancers and musicians to try-out skills with which they may not be familiar.
So when you attend a particular dance or workshop, try coming earlier, or perhaps stay over, or try out a tune.
Use this opportunity for discovery and exchange.
3)Great Alne Long Weekend hopes to foster young participants' fulfillment through folk activities.
And to encourage all to sample something different.
Pricing is structured to try to reflect these principles. CLICK for PRICES
Leaders are not paid. Those contributing regularly find fulfillment in attending the workshops of others.
Each year, travel is subsidised for a teacher well trained in International Dance, usually from the Netherlands, to bring material "new" to the dancers and musicians. That normally means dances of recent local choreography with traditional style and music from a range of countries.
(André finds much joy in partaking. Having organised 25, he may manage a few more yet. Thanks are due to many helpers who've given time to share the organizing, running responsibilities & workshops.)
Particular thanks are due to Linda and David for the lovely decorations in the Memorial Hall - put up especially for the 2008 Silver Celebratory Year.
CLICK (on the pic.) below, James Eisner accompanies a song.
Photo Copyright James Hobro 2004.
Accommodation Options
Bed & Breakfast. CONTACT Warwickshire Tourist Information, CLICK
or ring them on 01789 293 127.
Youth Hostel. The nearest is 9 miles away CLICK or 01789 297093
Camping or mobile home. £2 per person/night (under 16s free).
or Caravan. - First telephone please. 01789 488 568.
[You may also contact 0121 777 3722 for other accommodation ideas].
.
Walking near the village Churchyard.
all pictures: Copyright James Hobro 2004.
Next Year
Next year's Great Alne Long Weekend will run from 24th to 27th April 2009.
We look forward particularly to American Contra technique with Rhodri Davis.
The Bulgarian Orphanage
Draglishte orphanage is near Rila in the Macedonian Region.
This accommodates children left there with mainly ESN limitations.
(Most would have been placed there after initially being abandoned at an early mother and baby clinic.)
The horrendous Eastern European State Orphanages are gradually closing, or receiving a few very basic improvements.
Considerable transformations at Draglishte are due mainly to voluntary help from 2 couples in the UK.
£157 was raised at 2008 Gt Alne Long Weekend from the sale of Pam's tasty home-made marmalades and chutneys.
To CONTACT us about Great Alne Long Weekend:
CLICK to go back to the top here on the Home Page. website last updated 1.5.08