The Light-hearted Dance Weekends
Venue: Hotel Piccadilly, Bournemouth, Dorset - Dates: January 31st - February 2nd, 2014

THE EVENT

A weekend of English Country Dance to suit all tastes (#33 in the series), with dances from the period c1650 to the present day including New England Contras and Squares.
It is aimed at enthusiasts who enjoy their dancing and aspire to improve their skills, knowledge and understanding of English Country Dance, but not at the expense of courtesy and cordiality.

The weekend commences with dinner on the evening of Friday 31st January 2014 and concludes with a farewell dance on the afternoon of Sunday 2nd February. There will be a mixture of dances & workshops, and some free time to explore the local environs.

THE LEADERS

The series is organised and led by John & Hilary Turner. Hilary is Booking Secretary, Hostess & General Factotum.
The calling is shared between John and our 'Guest Caller'. The music is provided by our 'Guest Musicians' .

John enjoys calling a variety of dance styles from Playford & modern compositions in the Playford style to New England Contras, & Squares, including English modern & traditional dances, & some Running Set too.

John's favourites are Playford style (old & new), & Contras. He believes that: Social Dance is an artistic expression, but it has got to be fun too.
John & Hilary Turner

GUEST CALLER - Hilary Herbert

HILARY HERBERT has been dancing and calling for many years and greatly enjoys both activities. She is well known as a caller / teacher of a wide breadth of new and old dances in the Playford, traditional English and American styles including ones of her own composition (which you might be lucky/unlucky enough to have inflicted on you!). Her patience and humour perfectly complement John & Hilary Turner’s style of Light-hearted week-ends.


GUEST MUSICIANS - John Hymas & Paul Hutchinson
John divides his time between writing, performing and teaching music. His string playing and writing can be heard on recordings by bands as diverse as The Psychedelic Furs, The London Community Gospel Choir and his own folk crossover band, Hoover the Dog. He is also a member of roots band, Little Rumba and of the recently formed Mid Wales Chamber Orchestra. Since moving to the Welsh borders he has written scores for Diversions Dance Co., Theatr Powys, Presteigne Festival and numerous community projects. John started playing for dancing about ten years ago working primarily with Paul Hutchinson and Andrew Shaw. Last summer he accompanied Paul to the USA where they played for a number of dances and dance camps and also some concerts of their own material. John's Blog.
Paul is best known for being 2/3rds of the notorious duo Belshazzar’s Feast with Paul Sartin (Bellowhead, Faustus). He is also a member of Beauty Or The Beast with Karen Tweed (Swap, Poozies) and with John Hymas in a quartet with Karen Wimhurst (Cauld Blast Orchestra) and Beth Porter (Eliza Carthy). Paul is also committed to the challenge of revitalising social dance - particularly Playford music - and has formed a high-energy band called the Playford Liberation Front to perform it. Currently, they are challenging students from Ballet Rambert to re-choreograph some dances from The Dancing Master. Possessing a unique style of playing accordion means that Paul is in constant demand as a tutor, he is resident tutor at Cecil Sharp House, teaches at Folkworks Summer School, Hands On weekends, Wren Foundation and at countless festivals.
More about Paul

THE VENUE

HOTEL PICCADILLY, an AA 3 star establishment in Bournemouth, Dorset, is 'the UK's number one hotel for dancing holidays'. The accommodation is comfortable and stylish, and the spacious ballroom has a magnificent maple floor, sparkling chandeliers, delightful period paintings and dramatic drapes. The restaurant is well known for its fine cuisine.
All accommodation is en-suite and is available in Double, Twin (shared) and Single rooms. A small number of guests are accommodated in an adjacent hotel.
Unfortunately there are only 3 Single rooms available, so your willingness to share with a friend may improve your chances of attending the event.
Hotel Piccadilly is situated in Bath Road close to the centre of Bournemouth, approx 10 mins walk from the pier, and only a short distance from the coach & rail stations with regular services from London and other regional centres. Try their Website: Hotel Piccadilly


CHARGES

The charges include Full Board from Dinner on Friday Evening to Lunch on Sunday including Morning Coffee / Tea both days, and a cup of Tea before departure on the Sunday Afternoon.
The cost of the weekend is £201.00 per person. A deposit of £95.00 per person is required when booking. A discount of £5.00 per person will be deducted from the balance for bookings made before 1st August 2013.


BOOKING PROCEDURE & POLICY

It is not possible to book for our events prior to Launch Date.
Please join our mailing list & we will send you a brochure by post on launch day, approx 8 months before the event. Non-UK residents only please send us your email address & we will notify you by email at launch time.

To book for this event complete a copy of our Booking Form, as appropriate and forward together with your cheque for the correct amount (£95.00 per person) to the address on the form. Please make your cheques payable to 'HM Turner'.
Rooms will be allocated on a 'first come-first served' basis, whilst maintaining a reasonable gender balance. A cheque for the full deposit is necessary to reserve your booking. No reservations can be accepted by phone or email, or without an appropriate deposit.

The balance of payment is due on Monday 1st December 2013.
N.B. Special arrangements apply to non-UK residents, please apply by email without deposit in the first instance.

Please book early to avoid disappointment.
May we suggest that you do not phone to check availability but send in your booking immediately. By the time you receive a reply to your enquiry & then send in your booking you may well have 'missed the boat'.

If you have any special dietary requirements or prefer decaffeinated coffee please include the information on the booking form so that the hotel can be notified.

For more information on our Booking Policy

If you have any other queries regarding the weekend please email us at: "john'at'jhmturner.me.uk"


WAITING LIST

If you wish to join the waiting list for this event, either email us with the information requested on the booking form, including your phone no.
or complete our Booking Form and post to the address on the form.

We will phone you in the first instance if there is an appropriate vacancy.


MAILING LIST

To receive brochures for future events please complete the Mailing List request. Regular attendees remain on the list.
Non-UK residents please include your email address.
For the dates of future events click here.

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