The above 2023 dates provisonally are set aside. 2020's event was halted by Covid. Many prevous attendees have asked if we intend to restart this - - A Long weekend of enjoyably diverse Folk Activities. (Even for 2022 however, that's really NOT practicable.) The present committee would like to see something similar to this weekend continue - wishing most to hand over to a younger team - acting to assist if / where needed. Have we any takers out there? Instead of Great Alne Long Weekend in 2022 there WILL be - A Dorridge Day of Dance on Sat 23rd Apr 2022 Organised - mainly thanks to Paul. Details to follow - primarily on its own website. We hope you have all kept safe and well. Looking forward to meeting to dance, sing and have fun together again.
"Cherry pickers" - BEWARE - The times on the programme are to give what is generally an accurate timing of events. BUT - PARTICULARLY on cold / wet Saturdays & Sundays - especially around and after the EXTENDED lunchtime, there will be EXTENSIONS and ADDITIONS to the working programme.
Evening Dance visit / Daytime activity visits / prebooking - all will be welcomed Friday to Monday at: Contact us- here.Great Alne Long Weekend Memorial Hall (2 miles from Alcester) is at B49 6HL (The opposite houses clearly were once the Old Rail Station) - JUST DROP BY - on any day / evening : Be welcomed - whichever day - at ANY time ! - You're welcome to pay there at the hall, and stay for ALL or for ANY part of the Long Weekend ! - You may TAKE AWAY with you a copy ( ies ) of the working programme from the hall !
Evening Dance visit / Daytime activity visits / prebooking - all will be welcomed Friday to Monday at: Contact us- here.Great Alne Long Weekend Memorial Hall (2 miles from Alcester) is at B49 6HL (The opposite houses clearly were once the Old Rail Station)
(About the meal: between midday Wednesday and midday Friday, please ring Adrian on 0seven827 278 821)
You're at webpage to READ FULL SUMMARISING DETAILS about the last weekend in April's - Great Alne Long Weekend. View it below 1) On home screens, laptops, large devices, read on this page & enlarge YOUR VIEW. 2) On Smartphone -download HEREthen enlarge your download. 3) To print a HARDCOPY. Download at HERE above. Print in Landscape on A4. (If you ALIGN, then print AGAIN on the "back" in Landscape A4, this cuts to give 2 double sided A5 fliers.)
Presently, the LATEST versions of the provisional programme are - HERE - These 2019's DAILY TIMETABLES, will be updated with the final working programme LATER. The many varied day / eve activities, click onto EACH day LATER, when this becomes available! The FRIDAY's events - a quiet afternoon :SATURDAY's events :SUNDAY's events : Quieter MONDAY's events
REDIRECTION - for ALL of the Most recent PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME - VIEW/download it - HERE- Format : As if on 2 A4 sides and titled "PICK-UP a copy"
NB. PROVISIONAL means: initial contacts are made, but times / contributors may be CHANGED!
ThIs 2019 MONDAYTIMETABLE, will be updated with the FINAL working programme LATER.
Saturday 27th April 2019 Here you are at the Saturday webpage. Presently, the LATEST versions of the provisional programme are - HERE - ThIs 2019 SATURDAY TIMETABLE, will be updated with the final working programme LATER.
Monday 25th April 2016 PLAN IT - LOOK AHEAD NOW - Take a break with us.
Why this working Monday in April? 1) Specialist dancing for YOU.
2) Space to enjoy the Hall.
3) A pleasant meal. of YOUR choice. And chat time over lunch too.
4) Bluebells in 2010 '11 & 2013 - were hardly open for our event. (Nonetheless, Oversley Wood was unforgettably enchanting. A "carpet of white" with its spectacular wood anemonies.) The outstandingly beautiful bluebell spectacle and scent WAS there for 2012, 2014 &'15 - A lovely April wildflower show. Partake on Monday 25th April; to look forward to a fully open bluebell spectacle. A Spring experience not to miss. ===================================================================================
Mon has: Summarising workshops - seated lunch - Oversley Wood's bluebells pic below Do participate with us ! - A wonderful, special day with a relaxed chat over lunch.. Take advantage of Monday as the BEST quiet day to really get to know Karin and her dances. SAMPLE WHAT WE DO - lots of varied dancing, handbells, walking & more.
"Hollandse Liedsches" - Enjoy these short Dutch Songs We hope with Nel to learn one or 2 short, catchy ones. ***
See 2019's DAILY PROVISIONAL TIMETABLES, with the many varied day / eve activities, click on EACH DAY The FRIDAY's events - a quiet afternoon :SATURDAY's events :SUNDAY's events : Quieter MONDAY's events OR - BEST to see / download the FULL LONG WEEKEND PROGRAMME (2 SIDES OF A4)
Even if you can come only Friday to Sunday, do still check the Bargain - "Early Bird" Season Ticket go to EARLY BIRD - £45 for all 4 days for single adult. But this concession may be especially helpful for a family, or a student booking. On Good Friday - the price has gone up ! BOOK SOON !
Please click HERE to download the Early Bird Booking Form
And a lovely pace of contra music to lift our dancing thanks to - Magic Meg's Contra-Mates.
(The hall we have wished and tried to hire from noon, to assist in setting-up.
This has not been possible since it now has a regular Friday morning booking.)-
A mild weather prospect though, should allow erection of two of our gazebos at 1pm. (NB If it's not breezy!)
We can use the hall facilities from 1pm. We greet traditionally with a cup of tea from circa 1.15pm -
Evening : Another Brilliant Contra : with Nicola Scott's excellent calling : and the superb music of Benjamin & Joshua Roach -This is the lively Evening Social Dance - Scroll down to meet Nicola below - NOTE Click here for more information about the Friday evening meal
See DAILY PROVISIONAL TIMETABLES for THIS COMING April AS EACH DAY BECOMES AVAILABLE - click on EACH DAY - This April 2019's FRIDAY Provisional Programme of events. Especially this is a pleasantly quiet afternoon : You may choose to follow this with a roast meal (vegetarian option too): but be sure to let us know beforehand : The Friday evening's dance is a lively American Contra.
***
With much poor weather in 2018, many joined the almost continuous activities in the Hall. It's convivial, and we always provide a variety of different dancing. To see 2018's DAILY TIMETABLES, with the many varied day / evening activities - click on EACH DAY - The FRIDAY's events - a quiet afternoon :SATURDAY's events :SUNDAY's events : Quieter MONDAY's events OR - BEST to see / download the FULL LONG WEEKEND PROGRAMME (2 SIDES OF A4)
click HERE to see the "Cole Valley Ceilidh Band" playing on Friday eve in 2014, for that years' contra dance.
Book by the end of January 2019 for a bargain "Early Bird" Season Ticket - likely again just £39 for all 4 days. (Ensure that you have lined-up Accommodation).
From the end of January Later Bird Season Ticket will be available. Also less than paying on the door.
- Or just come during the event & pay there as a visitor (see Prices page). If visiting, then you're equally WELCOME to come to any part of this long weekend of folk dance, music & song.
***
Main VENUE is Bournville Quaker Hall - B30 1JT Elmdon Heath Community Centre Hall B91 2SF: venue for large attendance winter Sun afternoon Dances: Brummie Contras: CLICK -here's its WEBSITE - click onto that website for up-to-date Contra Dance Details, Details of public transport etc.
Save on door payment: say "I will be there" at the next dance.
If NEW to these DANCES - ask for £2.50 REDUCTION - - for your first THREE CONTRAS ! **
You receive more individual attention Fri afternoon & especially the quieter Monday. At Great Alne, you can sample a wide range of different kinds of dancing: Some general International Dancing takes place EVERY day -
The INDOOR pic [in changing title pics above] was of Nel's 2009 visit. Great Alne Long Weekend runs from - 1pm Fri 27th to late afternoon Mon 30th April 2018. 4 days: of very varied activities, with many kinds of folk dancing In April 2016, for longer than usual, we took part in excellent workshops in the Hall whilst it was cold outside. Three Evenings of Social Dancing - On Fri evening we'll mainly dance in American Contra style. More general social dancing is on Sat & Sun evening. BOOK / or just COME & ENJOY these events. VISITORS are welcomed at anytime - You receive more individual attention Fri afternoon & especially the quieter Monday. Should it be wet out, we dance Morris & around the Maypole INDOORS. It's convivial, and we always provide a variety of different dancing.
Book - still cheaply - or DROP BY - on any day /evening : Be welcomed - whichever day - at ANY time !
In January, book Early Bird. / OR In 2018, drop by- on any day /evening : Be welcomed - whichever day - at ANY time !
Instead of various bands playing for us, you have this April, a unique opportunity fully to experience the widely versatile musicianship of Jaige & Adam. Visiting from Canada - there and in the USA they play in bandsCrowfoot&Maivish. Enjoy the music & songs by clicking on their websites. They will bring CD's with them. Joining us also is Aubrey, born in November.
What happened at Great Alne last time is your best general guide to what will take place in April next year. You can enjoy many varied day / evening activities - click on EACH DAY - May 2017's FRIDAY events : 2017's SATURDAY events : 2017'sSUNDAY events : The quieter MONDAY in 2017. Join us. Delight in sampling varied different dancing, part song of quality, and a range of other activities.
versatile musicianship of Jaige &Adam. Visiting from Canada
2. AirBnB If you're unfamiliar with this either room, or bed & breakfast system offered by a host person or family, click HERE An early booking gives you the best variety of choices. Later, more of your "clicks" on the prices show their availability has become taken for your requested dates. Note: DISTANCES to travel from/to other Travelodge accommodation are given FROM ALCESTER. (A Sunday overnight room is likely to cost about £26 if booked more than 6 months ahead.) in Alcester The fast, yet relatively quiet A46 dual carriageway South from Alcester means that accommodation just North of the delightful historic town of Evesham may be less than 20 mins drive from Great Alne. Some is offered there through Airbnb at very reasonable cost. Friday 27th at £26, Sat 28th at £43 and Sun 29th at £29.
NEW - in 2018 - Season tickets for (Grand)Parents with u/18's. - Best discount presently includes a Friday afternoon & all Monday of an extended "out of school holiday" weekend. The strict attendance expected at schools enables us thus to offer very little for young families who wish - as do we - to enable folk dance, music and song to be especially extended towards young people. So late-teen lapsed dancers - encourage those older dancing folkies to come - to bring YOU and share the fun & exercise - And: A chance all to try playing Pan Pipes ! Be welcomed -We're ALL learners at some activity: Whilst many have experience in some aspect of folk dance, music or song - We have skills to share. Join and participate with us in this small festival of dancing, music & song.
For a bargain "Early Bird" Season Ticket - just £45 for all 4 days. (Return to this page in December. Ensure that you have lined-up Accommodation). - you wish to have a Season Ticket - best be an "Early Bird": and get a bargain ! From the end of January Later Bird Season Ticket will be available. Also less than paying on the door. - Or just come during the event & pay there as a visitor (see Prices page). If visiting, then you're equally WELCOME to come to any part of this long weekend of folk dance, music & song. ***
George Hook. 9.30am Irish Set: George has a brilliantly straightforward way of sharing the intricate, and traditional variety of the ancient Irish set dances. George's main occupation is even more fascinating. A century ago, every good quality shirt had a row of handmade Mother of Pearl buttons. Birmingham their main manufacturing centre. In its Jewellery Quarter, a variety of further fascinating handmade brooches etc were produced. George is the very last worker still producing this beautiful traditional shell hand craftwork, in the Midlands. He maintains his family's firm founded in 1824. See HERE George Hook's lovely website.
SATURDAY 6/5/17 PROGRAMME view on 2 pages below / smartphone download HERE. Here's the Saturday page.
Plan to be at Great Alne Hall at 12 noon for the midday walk to Haselor Church? - Adrian needs to know ! Wish to leave with him at 12.15 ? Ring by 8pm previous eve - (check weather forecast first) Adrian - 07827 278 821 [Should you leave a car, please park well clear of the hall buildings to the right: allowing space for caravans / motorhomes.]
From Prices Page - REPLACE
Season Ticket on LATER BIRD page - £50 for all 4 days for single adult. so BOOK SOON ! before the deadline ends ! Click HERE for a BOOKING FORM - ( first onto ANOTHER page )
NOW: Only DAYS to go to book your best bargain: a "Later Bird" season ticket for May: go for - Later Bird Discount Season Tkt page. - Or drop by on a day / evening : Be welcomed - whichever day - at ANY time !
. . . Nicola Scott will call for the Contra Dance . . .
Plan to be at Great Alne Hall at 12 noon for the midday walk to Haselor Church? - Adrian would like to know ! Intend to leave with him at 12.15 ? Ring by 8pm previous eve - (check weather forecast first) Adrian - 07827 278 821
- Nel's dances of 2015 in the Hall. - These are free for you to keep and view - contact Paul on 0121 689 1802. NOW AVAILABLE: book your best bargain of Early Bird for 2017. - Or drop by in May- Be welcomed - whichever day - at ANY time !
Children under 10 years are free throughout (if accompanied by a paying, participating supervisory adult). But from visiting supervising adults just watching a young child - (eg Maypole or Morris dancing) a token of £2 per child per workshop is appreciated. (£2 per child per completed workshop is an appropriate contribution as spectator of 10 to 16 year olds.) Accompanied/supervised youngsters are also welcomed at the 9am "open string" guitar playing workshops.
Items specific to this May's event show in each day's details. The remaining 2017 PROGRAMME details for every day are now published - Some teachers who volunteer their time must still confirm. You can enjoy many varied day / evening activities - click on EACH DAY - May 5th's FRIDAY events :SATURDAY of 2017 events :SUNDAY 2017 events : The quieter MONDAY 2017 to Join us again, and enjoy a range of different dancing and part song of quality.
You're welcome to drop in & pay for workshops, or for any evening. But why not : BOOK NOW: for a Season Ticket - Best use our easy method. It's "green" and PAPER FREE: - so preferably Choose how you arrange your BANK TRANSFER - BACS (or Faster Payment Service) to pay for your booking. (If you really prefer, then you may print: then write on & post our completed form with a cheque payable to Great Alne Folk Festival.) SO CHEQUE PAYMENT STILL IS - (AND WILL REMAIN) - A CHOICE AVAILABLE TO YOU! How our FPS or Bank Transfer payment can be made - YOU FINISH the process by emailing the filled-in form to Karen, after making YOUR own FPS transfer into the festival account. HOW - 1) You can most simply do the transfer by phoning your Bank / Building Society from home. 2) If YOU find it more convenient, just visit your bank branch, asking to use their FPS facility. 3) Make the transfer by Internet Banking, if this is your normal preference. With either of the first two choices - NONE OF YOUR PERSONAL DETAILS ARE ON-LINE ! So: 1) Download and "open" this form which you need. 2) Choose your method to FPS transfer into the sort code and account number of the Festival's account - Quote your surname as a reference code to go along with the payment. 3) Email the completed form to Karen at her given email address. 4) You will [normally 2-10 days afterwards ] get back an emailed individual receipt as acknowledgement from us.
This way, you post nothing to us, and have no need to write a cheque. You send to us no personal bank details whatsoever ! This payment choice is relatively quick, and can be totally free of paper. We are most appreciative of Karen W's kind administration of these emails: thus making FPS payments possible on this website. **
Sunday:Enjoy fun: also quality in daytime workshops & Evening Dances. - BRING A BIKE or bikes (If you would like to cycle the lanes )
VIEW SUNDAY's 2016's similar PROGRAMME -[ To Download (print etc) clickHERE]
.FULL SCREEN ^ Sunday:Enjoy fun: also quality in daytime workshops & Evening Dances. VIEW - SUNDAY's PROGRAMME - or to Download (print etc) click HERE
Friday 5th May. Sit-down at - 6pm. Menu: If you complete the initials of your meal preference in the table below, this is not “binding”, but makes a helpful shopping guide for us. In your glassSparkling Champagne-perry, (Similar taste to a Babycham) or Sparkling, sweet, non alcoholic grape juice. EntréeFillet of smoked mackerel (with parsley & lemon flavouring), served cold with cherry tomatoes & mixed mild salad leaf. Main Course items to include: Oven-roasted Chicken leg portion with Jacket baked potato: (CJpp) with petits pois or (Cjss) with a side salad. OR Filled Jacket Potato: with Cheese (JZpp):(JZss) or with baked beans (JBpp):(JBss) or with coleslaw (JKpp):(JKss). For each, choose petits pois or side salad. OR (Vegetarian): (VIJpp):(VIJss) Oven baked jacket potato & choice of moderately spiced Indian vegetarian filling: eg Dal Makhani. With petits pois or side salad. OR (Vegetarian): (VZJpp):(VZJss) Oven baked jacket potato &non-rennet cheese. With petits pois or side salad. OR a primary option of Salad with Ham (SH) or with Cheese (SZ), or with non-rennet (vegetarian) cheese (SVZ). OR as primary option - 2 smoked plain or parsley/lemon mackerel fillets (M) served hot or cold, &your choice of any hot/cold items above, or with salad&cheese. Sweet Course: Ice cream, (also yoghurt, crème fraiche, cream) tinned fruit:various fresh fruits. Also variety of cheeses and biscuits. Tea / or cafetière coffee after. v
EARLY BIRD will VERY shortly be ready for this May - HOPEFULLY TOMORROW -so - DO RETURN TO IT SOON !
- NOW: book your best bargain with Early Bird season ticket for 2017. - Or drop by in May- Be welcomed - whichever day - at ANY time !
***
2017 : Brian Stanton & Rufty Tufty: the main Evening Social Dance. The full evening from 5.55pm is £9. For shorter periods eg main dance only: a smaller contribution is adequate.
Fredy just said YES he CAN bring his Panpipes for ALL to try together at 2pm. Enjoy another late addition at 19:25pm, extra song spot from ABACUS (Pete & Hazel)
- Nel's dances of 2015 in the Hall. - These are available to view - contact Paul on 0121 689 1802. Shortly available: book your best bargain of Early Bird for 2017. - Or drop by in May- Be welcomed - whichever day - at ANY time !
Here's the Friday page.
Evening Dance / Day visits welcomed: Great Alne Long Weekend: Our site's Home page. Contact us -here.
Our site's Home page.
Much will go-on during these: 4 days & 3 evenings in May 2017. - in this lovely English Warwickshire Village's Memorial Hall. - Nel van der Laan is again our visiting teacher from the Netherlands.
HALL : LOCATION : Great Alne and Kinwarton Memorial Hall - CLICK : to view as a full page map. Leave as map / or next, click green satellite-view-box in panel. FULL page display - now click the 3 dots : select "collapse map legend".
HALL : LOCATION : Great Alne and Kinwarton Memorial Hall - CLICK : to view as a full page map. Leave as map / or click satellite view box in panel. For proper full page - now click the row of 3 dots : select "collapse map legend". For proper full page - click the row of 3 dots : select "collapse map legend".
The Memorial Hall - being used by our Long Weekend now, for well over 30 years - has meant that over these years, we've needed to adapt to many changes which have affected the programme that we can offer, and how we use the hall during Great Alne Long Weekend. Under "News" on this link, see how and why the lovely exposed high rafters and purlins on the interior of the originally thatched roof were eventually required to be strengthened for the heavier roof tiles, and hidden behind insulation. We too are now tending to sit at a meal for a period to enjoy the hall's heat retention, in between our main need to turn all heat off. We ventilate everywhere that is possible during long periods of the day and evenings, when actively and energetically dancing. We've better anticipated and prevented heat losses as people leave in the evening, and for the last couple of years, have been enabled a little heating (even with having no longer any log fire in the grate) for final "winding down" sessions. See at the link many other regulars whose venue is the Memorial Hall: and the varied uses for its present facilities. Also, should YOU wish to hire to use its many modern features, there are details of how to download a booking form etc. cLICK on Villages of Great Alne and Kinwarton Memorial Hall
Great Alne & Kinwarton Memorial Hall - forms a bend in the B4089 - It lies behind its own pleasant green on which we set up the Maypole. Full details for car or rail arrival:& local bus route here:(on MAP.etc page). *** Also feel free to contact us should you need further advice.
Accommodation Ideas 1. Bed and Breakfast For a good number of B&B's around nearby Alcester - (but check how far each is to Great Alne) CLICK For a smaller Alcester selection CLICK For Alcester InformationOn a site which covers ALL of the "Shakespeare Country",Use Hall postcode B49 6HL in the "location" box. It may be a good idea to first visit the area for a "tourist day", using that opportunity to view & seek local B&B's. In the surroundings are beautiful villages. Many properties advertise excellent B&B. Some regular weekend visitors find a good B&B and rebook each year. The Throckmorton at Coughton is convenient: also has good B&B. CLICK. TheThrockmorton details and pics via Booking.com Booking.com also offer this list of hotels - all close by Great Alne. "The Stag" however - perhaps listed as the nearest inn to the Hall at Great Alne - is beside the busy A46. ***
2. Alcester Travelodge Conveniently nearby, and a good bed & bathroom. CLICK An early booking via the main Travelodge website can yield the best prices. It (surprisingly) may be cheaper to book consecutive nights separately.
* Accommodation 4.Bed and Breakfast For Warwickshire Tourist Information cLICK. Or tel 0870 160 7930 for accommodation information. In the surrounding area are beautiful villages. Many properties advertise excellent B&B. The Throckmorton Arms at Coughton is convenient: also with good B&B. We always have previously enabled Camper vans & caravans to be brought to Great Alne! PLEASE CONTACT Paul as early as possible should YOU wish to do this since numbers are limited.
We ask a £3 surcharge for Anyone remaining in the immediate environs over any night-time please. (Under 16s are free). This evens-out in a more fair way, the relative daytime and evening use made of the hall.
1. A camper van or caravan To let us know in advance is essential. Please ring Paul on 0121 689 1802. Leave your own 'phone contact if on answerphone. The Hall car park is NOT a caravan park, but we are able to accommodate a small number. There is hardstanding near the hall, space permitting. To maneuver safely to an appropriate location, it is best advised to arrive on Friday a few moments only prior to 1pm, when the hall facilities become available to us.
(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 ASAP should you wish to bring a small tent - at absolute minimum 2wks in advance. (Tel Paul on 0121 789 1802) We MAY be able to suggest somewhere to pitch a small "hiking tent" a short walk away. We sadly may no longer use the delightful water-meadow of earlier years.
3.Indoor space Very limited indoor space may be possible for those bringing a sleeping bag. It's ESSENTIAL to contact in advance. Preferably ring 0121 689 1802 - ASAP & at minimum 2 weeks in advance, please leave 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. Many properties advertise excellent B&B. The Throckmorton Arms at Coughton is convenient: also with good B&B.
5.Youth Hostel The nearest, and recently refurbished is Stratford-upon-Avon - 9 miles away. For further details, visit the YHA website - cLICK.
6.Family Camping Unfortunately the nearby meadow (which Linda Bradley kindly used to set-up for us) is no longer available. If wishing to camp, contact us as soon as you know you intend to come. Helpful alternatives are available. Public camping sites are accessable just a couple of miles away.
We especially thank Nel van der Laan who will visit in May 2017, and has been one of our regular visiting dance teachers from The Netherlands - Nel was our main International Dance teacher in 2015, 2009, and on several earlier occasions - including that of the indoor pic in the slides above.
Evening Dance or Day visits welcomed: Great Alne Long Weekend: Our site's Home page. Contact us -here.
VISITS at any time over next year's Long Weekend welcomed - most especially on our less busy and more quiet Monday. To see the TIMETABLES OF LAST APRIL with many varied day / evening activities - click on EACH DAY - FRIDAY of 2016 events :SATURDAY of 2016 events :SUNDAY 2016 events : The quieter MONDAY 2016 events More time on this last occasion was spent taking part in excellent workshops in the Hall whilst it was cold outside. See us continue to offer different dancing variety of quality.
Personal items in the hall. Leave in view in front of the stage, else at the very back of the stage. Please NOT at the hall sides. A danger for dancers ! Do NOT let your bag or chair become an obstacle causing a dancer to FALL!
Last update here was 16/4/16 Second Anniversary Two years ago on Good Friday evening, Bob Morgan called to "Recursion". A superb, lively contra dance ensued in Bournville, Birmingham. The intention: to publicise the Friday Evening Dance at Great Alne Long Weekend. With many Fridays busy with other dancing, the result last year, evolved into 15 "Brummie Contras" danced on Sunday afternoons at a regular dedicated venue.
SUNDAY17thApr -RhodriDavies& Moonlighting (Presenting a yet "new" foursome)
An EXTRA Friday Evening 22nd April Contra in the Memorial Hall as part of - GREAT ALNE LONG WEEKENDNOT Included in Season Tickets FridayEvening -22nd April 7:30 -10:30-JenMorgan & Warwick Folk Soc Contra Band Part of -GREAT ALNE LONG WEEKENDin the delightful pic Great Alne Memorial Hall : B49 6HL
From here forward - all are Sunday Afternoon Dances at Elmdon Heath C.C. Hall: -
Sun8thMay : EXTRACis Hinkle& The Night Before. EXTRA Sun dance NOT Included in Season Tickets Sun 22nd May-Kathy Anderson (via New England USA) (see Kathy in Atlanta: uTube HERE) & DoubleDichotomy(Mollie&Vic)
Sun5thJune-Adam Hughes & TheEnglishContraDanceBand(Gareth&Linda) For a "tenner", take ''TAK" (new tunes on their brill new CD). Sample/buy: HERE
Sun26thJune-Geoff Cubitt& Warwick Folk Soc Contra Band
Sun10thJuly-FrancesRichardson & DoubleDichotomy(Mollie&Vic) AlsoSundays-4thSept-2ndOct-23rdOct-6thNov-4thDec+PARTYon18thDec As far as possible, we stay with these anticipated details - but do make a check - especially on the Brummie Contras website - before depending only on your prompt diary entries. ) Go to Brummie Contras HOME PAGE
Ham Radio StationDavid H. expects to be operating the Special Station on both Saturday and Sunday ! David brings his Amateur Radio equipment, during at least one daytime. This allows GB0 GAF (Great Britain 0[riginal] Great Alne Folk. A Registered Temporary Amateur Radio Station.) to make a variety of contacts each year. A pleasant number of these (on those frequencies which will carry that far) can involve the chance to speak directly to Amateur Radio enthusiasts abroad.
So please let us know your choices HERE and join our meal at tables in the Hall. You may also wish to - but do not have to - book an early season ticket. We hope we may again enjoy pleasant "live" music from Libby Thompson and David McInnes. However, not all wishing to eat prior to the ContraDancemaybeabletoreachGtAlneby6pm If you wish to have a meal/s kept hot for you, then please say on the form WHEN you DO hope to arrive ! You may then still enjoy a reserved cooked meal in the small "Café room", after the Hall tables are cleared ready for dancing. (Professional catering is impractical for our small numbers, and very costly.)
Be one of the "Early Birds" - More convenient & much cheaper to buy an Early Bird Season Ticket. So plan the break & do your booking NOW. Apologies for problems with the initial form: Early Bird extended to midnight on Wednesday following Easter. Bargain "Early Bird" SeasonTkt: download the Form HERE (revised) for ALL of Gt Alne Long Weekend - Don't miss the extended deadline! Complete the form: adding your food preferences to help our catering please. Pay in ONE step by your Bank transfer (Fast Payment Service): or print the form, and post it with a cheque. Or on any day: you are WELCOME to come & visit for any part of this long weekend of folk dance, music & song.
........................................................................................................................................................FULL SCREEN ^ Saturday:Fun with Morris etc: quality in song, & brilliant dance workshops. A great and varied evening of Social Dancing. - SATURDAY's PROGRAMME - Available as Download (to print etc) LATER
Coming - A lovely visit from Karin Bellaart of the Netherlands. Karin's Bellaart's bright, lively manner is hard to improve on. At Great Alne, you can sample a whole range of different kinds of dancing: Some general International Dancing from Karin takes place EVERY day - Temporary provisional programmes: click on THIS year. meantime for one more day: CLICK ONThe Friday Programme of last April CLICK ON The Saturday Programme of last April CLICK ONThe Sunday programme of last April CLICK ON The less busy Mon. Programme of last April
The INDOOR pic as they change above was of Nel's 2009 visit. Great Alne Long Weekend runs from - 1pm Fri 22nd to late afternoon Mon 25th April 2016. 4 days: very varied activities. 3 Social Dance eve's - On Fri evening we'll dance in American Contra style. More general social dancing is in Sat & Sun evening, and - Each evening features its own band and caller. Look at the details above: THEN BOOK/COME & ENJOY the events in April. VISITORS are welcomed at anytime - but best get to know Karin Friday afternoon, or especially on our more quiet Monday. Should it be wet out, we dance Morris & around the Maypole INDOORS. It's convivial, and we always provide a variety of different dancing.
..........................................................................................................................................................FULL SCREEN ^ Saturday:Fun with Morris etc: quality in song, & the dance workshops. A great and varied evening of Social Dancing. VIEW ABOVE - SATURDAY's PROGRAMME - or Download (to print etc) click HERE
VIEW BELOW - FRIDAY's PROGRAMME - or to Download (print etc) click HERE
Rest here is still what went on LAST Apr. THIS April's similar programme very SOON. Meanwhile, Book for 2016, or drop by; visit & pay on the day !
We intend to continue some innovations of Friday in our 30th Anniversary and the years just passed - We again BEGIN with an Oversley Wood Bluebell walk - led by Adrian - A slightly earlier start, and an opportunity for you individually to walk further. Karin's International Workshop in the afternoon - and a sit-down roast meal from 6pm. Then a few more varied dancing opportunities. with Nel to the "Cole Valley Ceilidh Band". click HERE to see the band playing last year, and the contra dance. A full evening of brilliant American Contra with caller Jake Wood follows. (Unfortunately, Julian cannot be available for LNE.) (The hall hire we had wished from noon, to assist in setting-up, has not been possible this year.)- A mild weather prospect though, should allow erection of two of our gazebos. (NB If it's not breezy!) We can meet and greet traditionally with a cup of tea from circa 1.15pm -
Should the prospect be poor weather, the hall will be used for additional workshops. (A small group may nonetheless still prefer to enjoy the walk option). **********************************************************************************************************************************