2024 : Great Alne Long Weekend : Maybe Fri 19 - Mon 22nd April, 2024
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  • NOTES ABOUT : 2020's Long Weekend
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  • BRUMMIE CONTRAS : Frid, Sat, Sun evenngs: Quaker Hall Bournville.
    • American Contras, Danced in B'ham on Sundays. 2pm-5.45. Main Venue: Elmdon Heath CC Hall B91 2SF Near M42 J5 Click HERE for Website.
  • Dorridge Day of Dance
Some Ideas to Explore -   cLICK onto WEBSITE LINKS as shown BELOW
Should any of these suggested sites for any reason NOT fulfil for YOU what is written "on the can", please contact us back ! 

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
Some Ideas to Explore -   cLICK onto WEBSITE LINKS as shown BELOW
Should any of these suggested sites for any reason NOT fulfil for YOU what is written "on the can", please contact us back ! 
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 Country Dancing.
B'ham branch term-time Beginners’ class, Tuesdays. Selly Oak Methodist Church, Langleys Rd, B29 6HT 
In Term-time the dancers divide -7.45 to 9pm into -
                               A Beginners Class: and -                                    
                           An Advanced Class               all joining from          9 - 9.45pm in Scottish Social Dancing -


And look out for the occasional special Scottish Ceilidhs !

Those who have been at the Long Weekend may particularly recognise further welcoming faces -
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 (and throughout UK too).
NB. At Scottish "social dances", the method is to helpfully go over each dance with a quick walkthrough first.
 cLICK on  Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Birmingham
Some Ideas to Explore -   cLICK onto WEBSITE LINKS as shown BELOW
Should any of these suggested sites for any reason NOT fulfil for YOU what is written "on the can", please contact us back ! 
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+12 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, dancing, viewing & music playing w/e. 20-21st Oct 2012. Choose from a vast range of dance styles -
At Cecil Sharp House (nearest tube Camden Town). Very moderate prices, primarily because, as at Great Alne,
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 International Dance teacher in 2011 & 2012 with 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. Generally quite vigorous, challenging patterns of mainly Balkan Dancing.
Usually 2nd Sats 7.00 -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
Visiting Balkanplus; you are sure to meet with Brian Dowsett who brought our lovely Balkan dances of 2012.

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 -
And around the Midlands. Here are some of tomorrow's most lively folk enthusiasts in action today. 
They also market a good Ceilidh Band. Make contact if interested via website.
Regular Ceilidhs. Great for the youthful and exuberant. 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


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 of Great Alne in Warwickshire

Excellent historical detail especially of the church - centrally in the older part of the village.
cLICK for  History (via Wiki) of Great Alne in Warwickshire

Superb old photographic record of Great Alne Station (Station House opposite the Memorial Hall)
- 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".
(Many changes have affected our use during the Great Alne Long Weekend: some in rather disappointing ways.)
Under "News" there, see how and why the high raftered interior of the roof was "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. 
Began as a Leicestershire BBC local Radio Country Music Station - surviving closure by going on line.  Weekly 2hr show of Well presented Country Music. Deservedly now enjoyed worldwide. No ads ! (Some Midland Folk Club Dates).
Show usually 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 an extensive Country Show-music archive.
cLICK on  Mick Smith Radio
A monthly 2hr Folk Show is also now available, with its own Folk Show-music archive.
Paragraph one
Some Ideas to Explore -   cLICK onto WEBSITE LINKS as shown BELOW
Should any of these suggested sites for any reason NOT fulfil for YOU what is written "on the can", please contact us back ! 

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