Travel Blog & News 2018
Dawlish Warren Old Time Dancing Holiday 2018
Our dancing holiday at the Langstone Cliff Hotel got off to a Bang on Bonfire night this year, no fireworks just lots of dancing, fun and the fabulous music of David Last. We were fully booked again, with 99 dancers all looking forward to an Old Time Dancing holiday amongst friends. After pre dinner drinks we arrived in the restaurant to find apple crumble on the menu to the delight of Nigel (phew, what a relief after last year when the hotel used it all up the night before we got there). As it was bonfire night dancers chose brightly coloured outfits and Nigel pulled out all the stops with his firework trousers and matching shoes. The programme had something for everyone from L’Inspiration Gavotte and Saunter Reve to the Chapeloise. We had some fun with the “Box Game” and lots of spot prizes. On the Tuesday morning we had our usual 50/50 request morning including lots of Old Time Dancing. Margaret put us through our paces practising marching for the Grand March and we also went over the Heel Toe Polka. Holbrook’s dance shoes did a roaring trade and we finished the morning with coffee, tea and biscuits. On Tuesday evening we had the raffle, an elimination dance, an Old Time Dance Society regalia give away and more spot prizes. Our “Formation Team” danced the Tango Las Vegas plus we had another varied programme including Regency Saunter, Northern Star Waltz, Victorian Gavotte and Californian. Margaret and Clive’s fun dance was the Blaydon Races, a dance we have done before but Margaret explained that for the progression the ladies were meant to run and the gentlemen had to catch them. Well they took to their heels and ran and the sight of Yvonne sprinting around the circle in full evening dress and in high heels was very impressive. We are thinking of entering her for the Olympics! The final evening was also our themed night “A Black and White Ball” everyone dressed for the evening in black and white and it made the Grand March extra special this year. You can see the videos of both the Grand March and the Friendly Waltz on the home page of our web site, courtesy of Nigel Carter. David played well for all of the holiday but his music was inspirational on this night and the dancers joined in singing as they danced which created a wonderful atmosphere. Other dances on that evening included the Chrysanthemum and Elizabethan Waltzes, Ragtime Swing, Saunters Britannia and D’ Amour, the Swedish Masquerade and Wandering Three Step. We had some more fun with “The Bottle Game” when with the throw of a dice you could win a bottle of wine sherry or beer or by throwing two dice and getting 7+ you could win a bottle of spirits. Well done to all the winners who took part and won prizes during the holiday. Each night there were 20 dances on the programme including a set dance, with six sets every night plus some games. Over the holiday a charity lucky dip had been running for a beautiful framed cross stitch, created and donated by Marjorie Bowler for Alzheimer’s Support. On the last evening the names of those who had picked a lucky green tick were put into a hat and the winner was picked out by Marjorie. Betty was presented with the cross stitch picture and the runners up all received consolation prizes. We finished with Auld Lang Syne, Land of Hope and Glory and The Queen. We had some dancers who were new to Old Time with us this year and they said they could not believe how friendly everyone was… that’s Old Time Dancing for you; we are already planning and looking forward to next year’s holiday, which is sold out with a waiting list.
We are grateful to Trowbridge: Marks and Spencer, Darlington’s Carpets
Warminster: Waitrose, S Corden & Sons
Bradford - On - Avon: Co-op, Pia, and Made in Bradford
Also Gibson Puzzles for all their help with Donations for the Bath Summer Ball and the Holiday to support Alzheimer’s Support.
Click here for pictures
Our dancing holiday at the Langstone Cliff Hotel got off to a Bang on Bonfire night this year, no fireworks just lots of dancing, fun and the fabulous music of David Last. We were fully booked again, with 99 dancers all looking forward to an Old Time Dancing holiday amongst friends. After pre dinner drinks we arrived in the restaurant to find apple crumble on the menu to the delight of Nigel (phew, what a relief after last year when the hotel used it all up the night before we got there). As it was bonfire night dancers chose brightly coloured outfits and Nigel pulled out all the stops with his firework trousers and matching shoes. The programme had something for everyone from L’Inspiration Gavotte and Saunter Reve to the Chapeloise. We had some fun with the “Box Game” and lots of spot prizes. On the Tuesday morning we had our usual 50/50 request morning including lots of Old Time Dancing. Margaret put us through our paces practising marching for the Grand March and we also went over the Heel Toe Polka. Holbrook’s dance shoes did a roaring trade and we finished the morning with coffee, tea and biscuits. On Tuesday evening we had the raffle, an elimination dance, an Old Time Dance Society regalia give away and more spot prizes. Our “Formation Team” danced the Tango Las Vegas plus we had another varied programme including Regency Saunter, Northern Star Waltz, Victorian Gavotte and Californian. Margaret and Clive’s fun dance was the Blaydon Races, a dance we have done before but Margaret explained that for the progression the ladies were meant to run and the gentlemen had to catch them. Well they took to their heels and ran and the sight of Yvonne sprinting around the circle in full evening dress and in high heels was very impressive. We are thinking of entering her for the Olympics! The final evening was also our themed night “A Black and White Ball” everyone dressed for the evening in black and white and it made the Grand March extra special this year. You can see the videos of both the Grand March and the Friendly Waltz on the home page of our web site, courtesy of Nigel Carter. David played well for all of the holiday but his music was inspirational on this night and the dancers joined in singing as they danced which created a wonderful atmosphere. Other dances on that evening included the Chrysanthemum and Elizabethan Waltzes, Ragtime Swing, Saunters Britannia and D’ Amour, the Swedish Masquerade and Wandering Three Step. We had some more fun with “The Bottle Game” when with the throw of a dice you could win a bottle of wine sherry or beer or by throwing two dice and getting 7+ you could win a bottle of spirits. Well done to all the winners who took part and won prizes during the holiday. Each night there were 20 dances on the programme including a set dance, with six sets every night plus some games. Over the holiday a charity lucky dip had been running for a beautiful framed cross stitch, created and donated by Marjorie Bowler for Alzheimer’s Support. On the last evening the names of those who had picked a lucky green tick were put into a hat and the winner was picked out by Marjorie. Betty was presented with the cross stitch picture and the runners up all received consolation prizes. We finished with Auld Lang Syne, Land of Hope and Glory and The Queen. We had some dancers who were new to Old Time with us this year and they said they could not believe how friendly everyone was… that’s Old Time Dancing for you; we are already planning and looking forward to next year’s holiday, which is sold out with a waiting list.
We are grateful to Trowbridge: Marks and Spencer, Darlington’s Carpets
Warminster: Waitrose, S Corden & Sons
Bradford - On - Avon: Co-op, Pia, and Made in Bradford
Also Gibson Puzzles for all their help with Donations for the Bath Summer Ball and the Holiday to support Alzheimer’s Support.
Click here for pictures
Do you know the birdie song?
October and the Autumn Weekend at York
We left on Wednesday for the Autumn weekend, as we had been invited to spend a couple of days with Alan and Ann Grohs in Hull. We had a lovely time with them and during the visit Alan and Ann took us to the Maritime and Transport Museums both free and both excellent Museums well worth a visit. Then we travelled to York on the Friday morning a one & half hour journey. It was a great weekend with the now usual friendly atmosphere, the hotel was outside York but set in beautiful grounds a very comfortable warm hotel, excellent food with good portions and the staff were very helpful and friendly. We spent a very enjoyable and interesting morning in the wild bird sanctuary that was in the grounds of the hotel. We had a short coach ride into York each evening, which as always was very well organised, to the DeGray Room a beautiful Georgian ballroom. The three leaders gave us an excellent and varied programme over the three nights. Kath and Keith Jackson got the Friday night off with a swing with their beautiful style of dancing that looks effortless yet perfect with their little bit of added fun. We had been looking forward to the Saturday night and seeing Helen Blackburn and Steven Shaw again as leaders for The Old Time Dance Society. It was a joy to watch their beautiful dancing and we and other members appreciated how much they included everyone and joined in with some fun which created a friendly atmosphere. There was a special added bonus when they took to the floor with Christine and Robert Hayward to lead a dance a very special moment, we are lucky to have such wonderful leaders and dancers as members of the Society. Hilary and Chairman Nigel brought the weekend to a close with another great evening of Old Time Dancing, a good programme, great leading in a happy party atmosphere fitting the occasion. Of course none of us could have danced without the music and Elizabeth Harrison pulled out all the stops to give us three nights of lovely music.
Prior to the Autumn weekend we danced at Uplowan in Devon, always a good evening and another friendly group of dancers. It was our first time dancing to the music of Johnathan Allan which we enjoyed. We also attended the Memorial dance for David Ellis at the Britannia Studio in Stroud a nice afternoon of Old Time and Classical dancing.
Now we are back from York we have a week to finish preparing to host 100 guests at Dawlish for our Old Time Dancing Holiday.
We left on Wednesday for the Autumn weekend, as we had been invited to spend a couple of days with Alan and Ann Grohs in Hull. We had a lovely time with them and during the visit Alan and Ann took us to the Maritime and Transport Museums both free and both excellent Museums well worth a visit. Then we travelled to York on the Friday morning a one & half hour journey. It was a great weekend with the now usual friendly atmosphere, the hotel was outside York but set in beautiful grounds a very comfortable warm hotel, excellent food with good portions and the staff were very helpful and friendly. We spent a very enjoyable and interesting morning in the wild bird sanctuary that was in the grounds of the hotel. We had a short coach ride into York each evening, which as always was very well organised, to the DeGray Room a beautiful Georgian ballroom. The three leaders gave us an excellent and varied programme over the three nights. Kath and Keith Jackson got the Friday night off with a swing with their beautiful style of dancing that looks effortless yet perfect with their little bit of added fun. We had been looking forward to the Saturday night and seeing Helen Blackburn and Steven Shaw again as leaders for The Old Time Dance Society. It was a joy to watch their beautiful dancing and we and other members appreciated how much they included everyone and joined in with some fun which created a friendly atmosphere. There was a special added bonus when they took to the floor with Christine and Robert Hayward to lead a dance a very special moment, we are lucky to have such wonderful leaders and dancers as members of the Society. Hilary and Chairman Nigel brought the weekend to a close with another great evening of Old Time Dancing, a good programme, great leading in a happy party atmosphere fitting the occasion. Of course none of us could have danced without the music and Elizabeth Harrison pulled out all the stops to give us three nights of lovely music.
Prior to the Autumn weekend we danced at Uplowan in Devon, always a good evening and another friendly group of dancers. It was our first time dancing to the music of Johnathan Allan which we enjoyed. We also attended the Memorial dance for David Ellis at the Britannia Studio in Stroud a nice afternoon of Old Time and Classical dancing.
Now we are back from York we have a week to finish preparing to host 100 guests at Dawlish for our Old Time Dancing Holiday.
Margaret & Clive Victorian Ball Leaders
Victorian Ball, Llandrindod
As well as travelling and attending Old Time Dances around the country on Saturday 25th August 2018 we were transported to the Court of Queen Victoria ………….
We were not sure what to expect when Margaret and Clive Auty asked us if we would help with the Music for an Old Time Ball at the Victorian Festival in Llandrindod Wells. We knew that the festival had been running for some years and the attendees dressed in Victorian costume but as period costume is not “our thing” we were only vaguely aware of the activities. We drove up to Llandrindod on the Saturday and arrived in the afternoon as the day time festivities were beginning to wind down and went to The Pavilion to set the music up. The Festival is run by a Committee and some of them came in to dress the tables. Ninety people attended the Ball, apart from Margaret and Clive we only knew one other couple, Ann and Richard, who are Society members and Margaret explained that most of the people attending are not dancers. We were also surprised to see a large amount of people filling the gallery; they had purchased tickets just to watch. The costumes took us completely by surprise the amount of detail in them was amazing, there were bustles and crinolines, hairstyles from the era, dashing young men in uniform and an air of anticipation as the signal was given that the Queen was coming!, we were suddenly transported to the court of Queen Victoria as a beautifully portrayed Queen Victoria made her way to the front of the ballroom. The Ball started with the Grand March followed by the Friendly waltz. As most of the people attending only dance once a year the programme remains very much the same and included The Velta, Victorian Gavotte, Cuckoo & Doris Waltz, Sir Roger De Coverley & Dashing White Sergeant to name a few. However, despite their lack of dancing knowledge at least half the floor would get up straight away for each dance and the delight on their faces was brilliant to see. Margaret and Clive do a wonderful job encouraging and enthusing them all. As a group their main interest is the Victorian Festival, the costumes and dancing at a Victorian Ball and Margaret and Clive certainly help them to achieve that. We thoroughly enjoyed the evening helping where we could be but mainly watching a group of people have a wonderful time.
As well as travelling and attending Old Time Dances around the country on Saturday 25th August 2018 we were transported to the Court of Queen Victoria ………….
We were not sure what to expect when Margaret and Clive Auty asked us if we would help with the Music for an Old Time Ball at the Victorian Festival in Llandrindod Wells. We knew that the festival had been running for some years and the attendees dressed in Victorian costume but as period costume is not “our thing” we were only vaguely aware of the activities. We drove up to Llandrindod on the Saturday and arrived in the afternoon as the day time festivities were beginning to wind down and went to The Pavilion to set the music up. The Festival is run by a Committee and some of them came in to dress the tables. Ninety people attended the Ball, apart from Margaret and Clive we only knew one other couple, Ann and Richard, who are Society members and Margaret explained that most of the people attending are not dancers. We were also surprised to see a large amount of people filling the gallery; they had purchased tickets just to watch. The costumes took us completely by surprise the amount of detail in them was amazing, there were bustles and crinolines, hairstyles from the era, dashing young men in uniform and an air of anticipation as the signal was given that the Queen was coming!, we were suddenly transported to the court of Queen Victoria as a beautifully portrayed Queen Victoria made her way to the front of the ballroom. The Ball started with the Grand March followed by the Friendly waltz. As most of the people attending only dance once a year the programme remains very much the same and included The Velta, Victorian Gavotte, Cuckoo & Doris Waltz, Sir Roger De Coverley & Dashing White Sergeant to name a few. However, despite their lack of dancing knowledge at least half the floor would get up straight away for each dance and the delight on their faces was brilliant to see. Margaret and Clive do a wonderful job encouraging and enthusing them all. As a group their main interest is the Victorian Festival, the costumes and dancing at a Victorian Ball and Margaret and Clive certainly help them to achieve that. We thoroughly enjoyed the evening helping where we could be but mainly watching a group of people have a wonderful time.
The Southern Ball of the Year is now a regular event on the Old Time Dance Calendar and continues to draw dancers from all over the country to enjoy Old Time Dancing at its best. The room was set, flowers filled the stage and as the hour of seven approached dancers arrived in their finery despite the heat and soon we were all dancing to the wonderful music of David Last. Paul opened the evening thanking everyone for their support and introduced the MCs for the evening Joyce Hutchins and Richard Purcell. Richard in his inimitable style introduced David Last and the organisers of the Southern Ball who all led the Variety Swing in formation across the ballroom. The rest of the programme included, Waltzes Louise, Northern Star and Heather: Balmoral and Manhattan Blues: Tangos Firefly and Trelawney. We danced Saunters D’Amour and Serene, the Empress Mazurka, Melody and Idaho Foxtrot: Quicksteps Winfield and Helena and the progressive dances were Dashing White Sergeant and Anniversary Two Step: Two Gavottes Crinoline and Classic also Over the Top and Marine Four Step, the set dance was The Caledonians for which there were five sets. To help fund the Ball we provide a raffle and Dianne and Terry did a wonderful job again this year collecting and acquiring the majority of prizes, including wonderful fruit baskets which included bottles of wine and sweets. A huge platter of chocolate bars a crate of beer and lots of bottles of wine and fizz !! plus lots more prizes too many to mention, we are also grateful to those who brought extra raffle prizes. We tried a new seating plan in the ballroom this year and this worked well. Dancing Old Time in a beautiful setting with friends new and old, great MCs the amazing music of David Last a little fun and laughter, a programme that had everyone up and dancing all helped to provide a great atmosphere and a fabulous Ball. Already planning and looking forward to next year’s Southern Ball of the Year on 20th July 2019.
Click here for pictures
Bath Ball 2018 and travel Blog update
Although we have moved to our new location, for our monthly dances, The Bath Ball was held in the Bath Community Academy and 85 dancers joined us to dance one last time in the main hall. It was a warm evening as dancers arrived from the local area and as far afield as London, Leicester, Surrey, Hampshire, Devon, Oxfordshire, Gloucester and Barnsley. The wonderful music of David Last had the dancers singing from the first to the last dance. As well as the raffle we had a special one off lucky dip draw, in aid of our chosen charity for this year, Alzheimer’s Support. Participants bought a lucky dip envelope and if they had a ticket with an X, it was bad luck but if they found a tick they were in the running for the main prize. The names of the ten people with ticks were put in a bag and the lucky winner was Dianne, the runners up all received prizes of chocolates. We sold all the tickets and raised £50 for the charity this will be carried over to our holiday at Dawlish in November. There were spot prizes for the Mayfair Quickstep and the Wandering Three Step. It was a pleasure to have so many with us to enjoy the Ball and we are grateful for all the support we receive. We do not take it for granted and appreciate all the help we had to prepare buffet supper, setting up the hall, those who come every month and those who travelled from all over the country to attend the evening of Old Time Dancing Thank you for making it such a special evening.
Travel Blog update - We have enjoyed four dancing holidays so far this year including The Old Time Dance Society Spring weekend at Skipton and the Ball of the Year at Norwich. At Skipton we had three excellent evenings of Old Time dancing with wonderful leaders, we especially enjoyed the Saturday Ball with Ann and John Rainy and their beautiful dancing. We had wonderful weather for the Ball of the Year weekend at Norwich again with three excellent evenings of Old Time Dancing. The first evening with Jane and Robin Meekins brought back memories of dancing in Oxford and Leicester with some lovely dances we had not danced for a while like the Devonia. The graceful County Cotillion was a pleasure to watch and enjoyed by the three sets who danced it. The Ball of the year on Saturday was very special with Ursula Barker and Andrew Pigg’s superb dancing and it was an honour to call the set dance for them. Michelle led on the last night with various leaders and it made for an interesting evening. We are looking forward to the Strawberry dance at Uppingham with Michelle in July and preparing for The Southern Ball 2018.
Although we have moved to our new location, for our monthly dances, The Bath Ball was held in the Bath Community Academy and 85 dancers joined us to dance one last time in the main hall. It was a warm evening as dancers arrived from the local area and as far afield as London, Leicester, Surrey, Hampshire, Devon, Oxfordshire, Gloucester and Barnsley. The wonderful music of David Last had the dancers singing from the first to the last dance. As well as the raffle we had a special one off lucky dip draw, in aid of our chosen charity for this year, Alzheimer’s Support. Participants bought a lucky dip envelope and if they had a ticket with an X, it was bad luck but if they found a tick they were in the running for the main prize. The names of the ten people with ticks were put in a bag and the lucky winner was Dianne, the runners up all received prizes of chocolates. We sold all the tickets and raised £50 for the charity this will be carried over to our holiday at Dawlish in November. There were spot prizes for the Mayfair Quickstep and the Wandering Three Step. It was a pleasure to have so many with us to enjoy the Ball and we are grateful for all the support we receive. We do not take it for granted and appreciate all the help we had to prepare buffet supper, setting up the hall, those who come every month and those who travelled from all over the country to attend the evening of Old Time Dancing Thank you for making it such a special evening.
Travel Blog update - We have enjoyed four dancing holidays so far this year including The Old Time Dance Society Spring weekend at Skipton and the Ball of the Year at Norwich. At Skipton we had three excellent evenings of Old Time dancing with wonderful leaders, we especially enjoyed the Saturday Ball with Ann and John Rainy and their beautiful dancing. We had wonderful weather for the Ball of the Year weekend at Norwich again with three excellent evenings of Old Time Dancing. The first evening with Jane and Robin Meekins brought back memories of dancing in Oxford and Leicester with some lovely dances we had not danced for a while like the Devonia. The graceful County Cotillion was a pleasure to watch and enjoyed by the three sets who danced it. The Ball of the year on Saturday was very special with Ursula Barker and Andrew Pigg’s superb dancing and it was an honour to call the set dance for them. Michelle led on the last night with various leaders and it made for an interesting evening. We are looking forward to the Strawberry dance at Uppingham with Michelle in July and preparing for The Southern Ball 2018.
Skipton, Spring Weekend 2018
We enjoyed the return visit to Skipton and the Rendezvous Hotel, for The Old Time Dance Society Spring weekend. We could not have been luckier with the weather and Skipton is an interesting town to enjoy with, many local attractions. The hotel is in a good location with comfortable rooms, good food and a beautiful ballroom. The ballroom floor had been recently renewed and danced very well. It was a great weekend of Old Time Dancing with excellent programmes provided by the three sets of leaders. On the first evening we had leaders from the Yorkshire Dales Joyce & Deryck Feather and it was delightful to see their two grandsons accompanied with their dance partners joining in with dancing. Saturday night was led by Ann & John Rainey suburb dancers, who gave us a brilliant night of Old Time Dancing and joined in with some fun when they joined members relaxing with a drink after the dance. Last but not least were the very popular and excellent dancers Christine and Robert Haywood, who never fail to impress. David Ingley provided some lovely music for the weekend and there was a good friendly atmosphere all weekend with plenty of fun and laughter from greeting old friends on arrival to chatting in the bars and lounges to the dancing in the ballroom.
We enjoyed the return visit to Skipton and the Rendezvous Hotel, for The Old Time Dance Society Spring weekend. We could not have been luckier with the weather and Skipton is an interesting town to enjoy with, many local attractions. The hotel is in a good location with comfortable rooms, good food and a beautiful ballroom. The ballroom floor had been recently renewed and danced very well. It was a great weekend of Old Time Dancing with excellent programmes provided by the three sets of leaders. On the first evening we had leaders from the Yorkshire Dales Joyce & Deryck Feather and it was delightful to see their two grandsons accompanied with their dance partners joining in with dancing. Saturday night was led by Ann & John Rainey suburb dancers, who gave us a brilliant night of Old Time Dancing and joined in with some fun when they joined members relaxing with a drink after the dance. Last but not least were the very popular and excellent dancers Christine and Robert Haywood, who never fail to impress. David Ingley provided some lovely music for the weekend and there was a good friendly atmosphere all weekend with plenty of fun and laughter from greeting old friends on arrival to chatting in the bars and lounges to the dancing in the ballroom.
Eypes Mouth Hotel House Party 2018
We enjoyed our annual visit to the Eypes Mouth Hotel for a short break again this year in February. We always take a short walk to the beach on the first day, this year we were amazed to find that all the pebbles had been washed out to sea due to a recent storm. This revealed a beach of red sand, the locals told us that the pebbles would return gradually and by the end of the few days some of the pebbles had started to return. We all like this small hotel in its semi isolated situation for a chance to relax after the busy Christmas and New Year period. We enjoy the Dorset coast wonderful food and relaxing in the hotel with games, quizzes, puzzles fun and some dancing in the evening. We always have a theme for the last night and this year we had “Flower Power”. In the morning we had a session of carnation creation under the watchful eye of Margaret and her sister in law Joy. In the evening the music and some of the dances followed the flower theme and everyone joined in either wearing flowers or becoming flower power hippie’s Grahame thought outside the box and came as a flour grader. We just want to have fun!
We enjoyed our annual visit to the Eypes Mouth Hotel for a short break again this year in February. We always take a short walk to the beach on the first day, this year we were amazed to find that all the pebbles had been washed out to sea due to a recent storm. This revealed a beach of red sand, the locals told us that the pebbles would return gradually and by the end of the few days some of the pebbles had started to return. We all like this small hotel in its semi isolated situation for a chance to relax after the busy Christmas and New Year period. We enjoy the Dorset coast wonderful food and relaxing in the hotel with games, quizzes, puzzles fun and some dancing in the evening. We always have a theme for the last night and this year we had “Flower Power”. In the morning we had a session of carnation creation under the watchful eye of Margaret and her sister in law Joy. In the evening the music and some of the dances followed the flower theme and everyone joined in either wearing flowers or becoming flower power hippie’s Grahame thought outside the box and came as a flour grader. We just want to have fun!
Dance Guides
