FASH Chat
We have just completed an exhausting but very enjoyable week of dancing. First of all a few days of Playford at HF Holiday's Newton House near Tissington in Derbyshire followed by a weekend in Somerset. On Sunday night we arrived home weary but happy after a weekend of Contra Dance at Halsway Manor, nr Crowcombe.
The manor was a sight to behold. The gardens are beautiful at this time of year with a riot of spring flowers. The multiple shades of purple Aubrietia cascaded down the garden walls with daffodils peeping over the top setting off the reddy-gray sandstone of the manor buildings beyond. The lawns were a luscious green with the stripy hues of a recent cutting. The grassy mound outside the Long Room was a sea of colour beneath the shrubs; a yellow blanket of Primroses with a random pattern of pale pink Cyclamen. The larger trees have a shimmer of pale green as the buds begin to burst. Resident rooks maintained an almost incessant greeting yet did not disturb the tranquil scene.
Roaring fires in the entrance hall and lounge gave a cosy greeting, yet a reminder that winter was only recently past.
The weather was magnificent. Friday alternated between a light mist and hazy sunshine but a few drops of rain on Friday night cleared the air and we had glorious sunshine with a few puffy clouds for the rest of the weekend (during the daytime of course).
Our contra dance group was a bit smaller than we had hoped but the level of energy expended was significantly beyond our expectations, the little bit of extra space available for dancing added a real bonus.
We had dancers from Hampshire and surrounding counties, some from the Greater London area, more from the Midlands and even some from beyond the snow line up in Yorkshire, as well as several from Somerset.
Morning workshops, free afternoons and dances in the evening completed the scene.
The exciting driving music was provided by Linda Game & Gareth Kiddier of the English Contra Dance Band with yours truly calling. After our evening dance sessions we retired to the bar to chat and share songs, music and recitations. The food was good, the staff friendly and supportive.
Halsway is a truly delightful place and worthy of significantly more patronage than it receives. There are a variety of events throughout the year encompassing a wide range of folk-related activities. Their website www.halswaymanor.org.uk has contact details and a full list. If you don't have access to the internet then please phone the manor on 01984 618274 and ask Viv to send you a brochure. Please give Halsway a try, you won't be disappointed.
Eken Morris
In sorting out the Display Sides diary, I noticed that Eken Morris who hail from Stockholm are coming over to visit Sarum Morris in August. It sounds a great arrangement as Sarum went over to Sweden a little while ago and gives us an opportunity to see a side from abroad.
I looked them up on their website - http://biphome.spray.se/ekenmorris/Engelsk/index.htm and am delighted to be able to quote a couple of lines: "Dancing means friendship - not only within the morris side - but with people from other sides"
You can see them on Friday 7th August at 8pm - Horse and Groom, Woodgreen. On Saturday 8th August they have a Day of Dance in and around Salisbury. Then to Stonehenge and Avebury on the Sunday and at 8pm on Monday 10th August they will be at the Horseshoe Inn, Ebbesbourne Wake.
It 'Beggars' Belief!
Bigger and better than ever before with something for all the family, the heart and soul of Romsey comes to life on 10th/11th July 2009 as the Beggars Fair comes to town.
While the music's playing crowds will be spellbound by displays of dance and performances by street entertainers, children will be caught up in the magic as they join in the dance vibe.
This year the Beggars Fair has been extended to include different venues and fresh acts. Down at Romsey Memorial Park the Romsey Youth Council will be directing the entertainment as the bandstand of old is given new life.
Church Place alongside Romsey's historic Abbey will host the Meltingpot stage as well as exuberant dance displays, whilst in the Cornmarket as usual will be the main stage with bands belting out music through the day.
The numerous public houses across the town will also host their local favourites. From home grown talent to bands from further afield, ranging from foot tapping to jaw dropping, there will be something for everyone.
This is your chance to enjoy a free fun day out with all the family and discover Romsey's many talents.
Events kick off at 8pm on Friday 10th July around the pubs and clubs and continue again on Saturday 11th July after the official opening by The Mayor of Romsey at 10:45am in The Cornmarket.
Programmes can be purchased from Saturday 28 June at the Tourist Information and Heritage Centre, 13 Church Street, Romsey and from many pubs and businesses around the town.
For further information see the Beggars Fair web site at www.beggars-fair.org.uk
FASH events for next year
The plans for a series of workshops are now almost completed and we will soon be producing a flyer for your use.
The season starts with a workshop on Sunday 18th October and we look forward to the colourful Chris Turner who will be looking back at some different interpretations of Playford. Pete and Sue Hall will be playing their delightful tunes.
More upbeat on Sunday 1st November will be a contra workshop run by Henry Morgenstein. Henry dances and calls both here in the UK and in the United States and will be supported by Andrew Purkiss on his accordion.
Then we have the FASH dance. This year we are going to Twyford Village Hall. The objective being to be at a location which is easy to drive to - on motorways and main roads. So we hope as many people as possible will be able to make it from across our area. We have worked hard on the date too and we think that there are few other dances on Saturday 28th November. John Turner will be calling a mixed evening from Playford old and new to New England contras. We welcome back Pete and Sue Hall for the music.
Into next year, on Sunday January 10th John Turner will be back for a workshop looking at some newer Playford style dances, no doubt mixed in with some older ones as well. David Roberts will be our musician.
On Sunday 7th February we turn to Pat Shaw dances with a workshop which will be presented by Madeleine Smith and again David Roberts will be providing the music.
A provisional date of Sunday 21st February has been planned for a different kind of workshop. We still need to pin down what is possible, but we think we might have some Sea Shanties, perhaps a bones session and some handbell ringing. Almost a mini festival in a day perhaps.
Sunday 7th March will bring a workshop called "Dances with a twist" led by Joy Simmons with music provided by Pete and Sue Hall.
Lastly we welcome Nigel Close to run a session on dances from the Celtic fringes on Sunday 28th March.
Please come to as many of these workshops as you can and encourage others. Back to Contents
Submitted by (to whom technical queries and requests for additional links only) and Edited by Dennis Wheeler, Penshurst, Vicarage Lane, Swanmore, Hants SO32 2PW 01489 892911 editor@fash.org.uk).
Back to Home Page