2020 : Great Alne Long Weekend : Fri 24th - Mon 27th April, 2020
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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.
At Great Alne Long Weekend: OK, there's Maypole: Morris: brilliant Dance & Music,  but:
What Else Goes on? - well there's
Handbells - Part Song - Walking - Cycling - Playing Panpipes - Irish Set Dancing - American Contra Dance, Fri eve + late Cajun.
AND: the SUNDAY AFTERNOON FRENCH BAL with live music - or Chez Meg 4tea & scones  or / & Cycling.
REGULARS COME FOR THE BEST 4 DAY OPPORTUNITY OF INTERNATIONAL DANCE IN THE MIDLANDS.
EVENINGS: Fri eve - American Contra Dance + late Cajun ....  On Sat & Sunday evenings - Varied social dancing.
Pre-Mayday Maypole. On Sat & Sun, we briefly plait ribbons to music in the traditional way.
A pleasant short session for young ones, and some of the adults
 to enjoy.
Put at times when it may be pleasant outside, and we hope parents & grandparents will bring young ones to enjoy. 
Picture
Paul enables this.
He brings his own Maypole.

Installed on the green.

It's fun dancing around it amongst the daisies.

 (Or it's inside - maybe more briefly, if wet.)
C Paul Lindley 2012

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Also Morris Dancing: Frequently Border Morris. Another tradition - Great to see - Fun to try. Around the middle of the day on Sat or Sun. A fun interlude for all - Liked by visitors & young ones.
Bring kids. Give them chance to try it. A token £1 helps hall cost a little; but we most wish to share the enjoyment.  
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Short evening presentation spot by a few who were at the daytime workshop.

Picture
  Handbells
Paul brings his lovely set of restored handbells.
Available each afternoon - outside under the Gazebo if weather is fine.
Usually you start ringing 1 or 2 bells (though with experience - 4, 6 or 8.)
Liked very much by all who have tried this guided teamwork.

Ringing using Paul's tunes is popular with children, seniors & all "between".

After just a little practise, their sound is particularly lovely !
Pic. C Lorraine 2008.


Picture
Part Song    An opportunity to learn how to harmonise, usually in four parts;
to improve, or just to share this pleasure.
A friendly small group with a quality tutor - learn new songs and experiment with harmonies and parts.
Please email early, should you like to share any particular favourite material.

Initiated by one James - excellence is continued by another.

Picture
Walking     A group leaves to walk on each afternoon.
Particularly delightful walking country surrounds Great Alne.
In April, our event sees wild flowers beside the lanes -

and carpeting the Woodlands. (Usually Bluebells and white stitchwort. In cooler late Springtimes; instead the white carpet of the earlier Wood Anemones.)
Copyright; Tony Heaton 2004.
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Pic. The group walking nearby encounter a challenging feature en route.   

The Map - train/bus - Walks page suggests a selection of varied routes that you may like to follow independently.
Use of an Explorer Series OS map is recommended for all but the shortest routes
.

Cycling
Most competently led along delightful country lanes around Great Alne by Janet S.
PLEASE bring along your bike for Sunday afternoon.
Note that you are responsible for your safety.
And parents are responsible for safe conduct of their children at all times.
Hospitality Chez Meg for tea & scones has over many years been very much appreciated, but is not now available.
Was Alcester's most favoured Sunday Afternoon destination.
The cyclists; those out walking, and even a few by car know where to find the very best hostess, delicious scones & afternoon tea with others from the Long Weekend.

Picture
After walking, or a cycle ride - or drive: to enjoy sociable cream tea & scones in Meg's nice garden, or in the house.
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