Thanks Considerable thanks are due to each of many helpful contributors to 37 annual Great Alne Long Weekends. Individual generosity has allowed "open exchange" of music, dance & other activities to develop, & to continue. The giving variously of time, skills, energy & travel, has allowed all to share in the joys of previous long weekends. The wonderful Dansgroep Oostzaan: their superb costumes, and Ineke's excellent choreography provided dazzling highlights of 2014. Their day to day timetable in England, & acknowledgement of our thanks was earlier on THEIR website. A small number of photographs: mainly of their 2014 displays in the hall at Gt Alne may still remain at the bottom of this page at their website HERE.
We especially thank Nel van der Laan for May 2017. Nel has been a regular visiting dance teacher from The Netherlands - our main International Dance teacher in 2015, 2009, & several earlier times - including that of the indoor pic in the slides above.
We also especially thank Karin Bellaart from The Netherlands - Our main International Dance teacher in 2019 2016, 2013 and on several earlier occasions. Karin's 2013 Dance List (from which her dances were selected) you may still view HERE.
In 2013, Wendy & Betty most kindly offered to prepare & cook the lovely meal enjoyed on our 30th Anniversary. This was their special - and VERY much appreciated - "one off" contribution - (Their lovely cooking helped to inaugurate a walk; International Dancing & a start to incorporate activities in the afternoon before their Friday meal - All of which we hope to continue.)
*** We were delighted in 2012 to have enjoyed a brilliant choice of Balkan Dances from Brian Dowsett. This was the 1st visit of Brian to Gt Alne. Perhaps we may look forward to sharing his excellent teaching and delightfully gentle manner of delivery again. ***
During eachdaytime in 2011,Anne Leach contributed superb & varied International Workshops. A lively choice of material, and Anne was such a brilliant MC, on both of our evenings. Thank you Anne. We were again grateful to Anne for lovely daytime workshops, and as our Sat Evening MC in 2012. ***
Appreciation needs though, to be expressed more often, and to many individuals ! Freely, contributors have given their time and their skills to allow everyone at Great Alne Long weekend to have enjoyment - on this, and on many previous occasions. Their generosity has allowed the event to be an occasion where many can come to participate - and to sample a variety of types of, and approaches to dance, song, music, and other folk activities !
There are several individual appreciations which will be added here, as time permits.
Particular thanks though, are owed to Linda and David in Great Alne.
In 1983 Linda first suggested that André organise a weekend - (Do they each maybe recollect a small caravan on Anglesey? Perhaps with some appreciative and contented amusement.) Linda and David B. have kindly hosted our visiting dance teachers from The Netherlands over many years. Charlotte kindly made her home available for dance teachers since 2012. Previously, Margaret and Jo have also done so.
Appreciation needs though, to be expressed more often, and to many individuals ! André has been organising this event now for 33 years. It has allowed renewal of friendships with a lovely group of people. (Opportunities to be learning website skills too.)
Paul has organised the musicians; made and brought the Maypole & introduced his lovely restored handbells.
Without Paul and Nicola having fully shared all of the work - 2010's very worthwhile "Great Alne" event would have been unable to take place at all. Both stepped in to the rescue when we later found suddenly with Amanda being unwell - that we had a catering crisis. It's also Paul who has structured our committee.
2012 and future years open-up with 2 more of us enabling the event to go on! Karen facilitated "early bird" and superbly manages all of the bookings. Karen's efficiency has transformed the effectiveness of this website - she has also offered much sound advice & wrote the "Prices" table HTML. Jonathan has also made many helpful contributions. Adrian has for several years made dedicated contributions during the "Long Weekend". In early April 2015, Adrian joined the committee.
John Pitcock keeps the Long Weekend advertised elsewhere on "the net".
The thanks of all who've participated over very many years have been, and still are due - to a relatively smaller number of most dedicated contributors.
Freely, such contributors have given their time and their skills to allow everyone at Great Alne Long weekend to have enjoyment - on this, and on many previous occasions. Their generosity has allowed the event to be an occasion where many can come to participate - and to sample a variety of types of, and approaches to dance, song, music, and other folk activities !
There are several individual appreciations which will be added here, as time permits.
Particular thanks though, are owed to Linda and David in Great Alne.
In 1983 Linda first suggested that André organise a weekend - (Do they each maybe recollect a small caravan on Anglesey? Perhaps with some appreciative and contented amusement.) Linda and David B. kindly hosted visiting dance teachers from The Netherlands. Charlotte kindly made her home available for dance teachers since 2012. In previous years, Margaret and Jo have also done so.
Julian Stanley has also been much appreciated for his excellent teaching of lovely Fixed-pattern French Set Bourées. We may again appreciate Julian's workshops this April. **************************************************************************************************************************************************** In 2011 & 2012 we thank Denis for stepping-in to lead Sat singalongs with his newly prepared folk song sheets. ****************************************************************************************************************************************************
David B's superb musicianship remained one of the best things about the Great Alne Long Weekendsince its very earliest days. He has also taken an important role in many aspects of its success. We enjoyed David's superb musicianship during 2012's Sunday evening Scottish Social.
Carolyn's considerable number of years of loyal assistance with the event have been brilliantly helpful too. ***********************************************************************************************************************************
*********************************************************************************************************************************** There are very many others who have freely played their important role - each in different aspects of the success of the long weekend over its many years. The webwriter wishes to include more, & apologises to those who've thus far not been individually included here. ***********************************************************************************************************************************
- Thanks for the 2010 event go to -
Janet Woolbar for selecting a variety of lovely dances and for coming, despite great personal difficulties, to show these so well. To Dalila Heath for bringing her sunny personality, and more lovely dances, but from Israel and from her Armenian roots.
Especially though, those giving much, but receiving little reward by other participation.
Most particularly thus thanking - James Eisner who shared with us again, his wonderful skills in leading part song. Staying locally at his own expense, he also brought his wife Louise and little Benjamin.
Sue Rosen for her brilliant calling for the Sunday evening Contra and to Bruce, Meg and all who played in the band. Then to Pete Grassby for his wonderful music and ace couple dances for Sunday's Late Nite Extra.
Also to Jo & Guy for having so kindly made their home available for two of our teachers to stay. *********************************************************************************************************************************** ***********************************************************************************************************************************
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