FASH WORKSHOPS
We are just beginning a new season of workshops and if you've been to them before, you will know they make a nice relaxing Sunday. Soberton Village Hall is a good sized venue, but once or twice the numbers at a workshop have been a bit low. This is a shame because not only do we lose money on the day but, more importantly, is sad for our guest caller, who may have come a long distance just for us.
If you haven't tried these workshops yet, come and give them a go. Most regular comers are quite experienced. So a few dances can sometimes be challenging but it is a workshop, and if help is needed it is available. So, if you are new to dancing, please don't be shy, just join in and others will assist if you wish. See back page for more details.
Saturday 6th October - Morris led by Winchester Morris Men with the focus on the set dances and jigs of the Bledington tradition. Please note that this event is on a Saturday. As a special bonus, lunch will be cooked and provided by Winchester and included in the entrance fee.
Sunday 7th October - "Jack's Variations" led by Jack Brown with music by Peter and Susan Swann. Jack is likely to give us some formal 'playford' style dances with titles like Stonehenge and Avebury or other archaeological names he gives his own compositions.
Sunday 18th November - Eastern European dancing with a dash of American led by Mad Chapman. Mad is involved with the Methodonsko club which does Balkan dances at Chandlers Ford and she will use CD's to give us a day trying out this style.
Sunday 13th January - American Contras with Henry Morgenstein and Andrew Purkiss. Henry has the right accent for American dancing and lots of experience dancing and calling over the water, an excellent caller who thinks it through and comments regularly in magazines like this one and Set and Turn Single.
Sunday 3rd February - Jan Dale's mix of Golden Oldies with Pete and Sue Hall. Jan comes all the way from North Wales to call dances, which mostly have botanical names, in her pleasant easy going style.
Sunday 24th February - Sarah Morgan Song workshop. Continuing our efforts to get variety, we are delighted that such an accomplished folk singer as Sarah will lead some harmonies at this workshop.
Sunday 9th March - Running Set with John Turner and Andrew Purkiss. John is such an accomplished caller, especially in this fast Appalachian style. Cecil Sharp described the dances from seeing them in Kentucky and said that the "music used was inferior", but that won't be the case with Andrew!
Sunday 6th April - Chris Turner's "Tolerance, Timing and Terpsichorean Techniques" to music by David Roberts. With a title like this, and a caller like Chris, you can expect lots of help in refining your dancing and no doubt some interesting dances to work on.; Dennis Wheeler
Winchester MayFest Primary Schools Ceilidh
In the year leading up to the 2007 Winchester MayFest we ran a project with a number of local Infant and Junior schools to help introduce them to English Country Dance. This was led by Carolyn Robson and I was involved with the organising and the liaison with the schools. We had two sponsors for this event one being FASH and the other the Folk Camps Society.
The aim of the project was to give Key Stage 1 and 2 children exposure to English Country Dance and to get them together to perform these dances at a ceilidh. Carolyn produced notation for ten dances together with a CD of the necessary music, half were aimed at the Key Stage 1 children the other five at Key Stage 2 although in the end most children learnt most of the dances. The range was from simple dances like Circassian Circle and Galopede to the more complex Boston Tea Party and Horse's Bransle.
The dances were taught to the teachers in two twilight sessions, one before and a refresher after Christmas, the teachers then were able to teach the children.
Initially we had a dozen or more schools interested and turn up at one or more of the twilight sessions, however due to pressure of other events and SATS which were taking place at the same time this dropped to eight by the time of the Festival.
On the Friday for the Festival we had 250 children plus teachers, helpers and parents turn up at the Guildhall in Winchester for the Ceilidh. Carolyn did the calling and the music was provided by Paul Tabbush and Bob Shatwell.
It was a great afternoon the children and teachers were really enthusiastic with the atmosphere electric (and very noisy). I was very pleasantly surprised at the standard of the dancing, even amongst the very young children, I think this is a tribute to the hard work of the teachers. The hall was very full and if more schools had taken part we may have had a space problem, something we have to think about if we repeat the event next year.
We are hoping to build on the event during the next year although we have not finalised any details at the moment so if anyone has any ideas or even better would be willing to help drop me a note at graham1.taylor@virgin.net.
Graham Taylor
Editors note: As it happens I work at Scantabout primary school, which was one of the schools involved. Two of the teachers came back from the Ceilidh with very enthusiastic comments, so let's hope we can build on this.
FASH Dance
For real entertainment come to the dance on Saturday 3rd November when Bill and Barbara Kinsman will be calling their two part dances "Upstairs, Downstairs". They put on a great show together and we will learn a bit about the different lives in the old houses.
It would be wonderful if people could dress the part too, so if you can, come as a smart aristocrat or a (fairly!) scruffy gardener or whatever other costume takes your fancy.
Overall it promises to be a light hearted and entertaining evening. We had to cancel the dance last year through lack of support and we hope this year that lots of people will come. Get you tickets at the October 7th workshop or from any committee member.
Ron Charles
During the Guildford Week at Halsway Manor, Ron Charles died very suddenly whilst leading a walk in the Quantocks on 22 August. His main interests were walking and dancing.
He was a great supporter of Halsway Manor, EFDSS and all folk dancing, including rapper and long sword. He will be much missed at many FASH workshops and at dances in Surrey, Hampshire, Sussex and abroad.
Heartfelt condolences from his many folk friends go to Coral, sister Joan and all the family.
Prompted by the advert for Forest Folk and since I often go to their events, I would like to add a word of praise for this friendly club. I expect other clubs are also well supported and have nice atmospheres and I would welcome other people telling me about them. But the one I know best is Forest Folk and I reckon that Charles Gale and Janet Wiles have it set up really nicely, they are welcoming and enthusiastic and seek out good acts. There is a minimum of bureaucracy, yet the administration is always on the ball and they serve some nice nibbles at each event. Give it a try if you can make time.
Have you lost a BLACK TOP HAT?
You're probably a Morris person and you visited the Isle of Wight in around July or August this year. According to one of the badges you are probably a Dad and drive a special small car.
The hat has been handed to Wickham Morris by IoW Fast Cat Service staff and they would like it to find its way to its owner - phone Rob Mills - work mobile 07710 909149.
Ashley Hutchings Rainbow Chasers
Friday 5 October, 8pm, The Father of British Folk-Rock, the Guv'nor, as Ashley Hutchings is affectionately known, is at the Havant Arts Centre.
Ashley was the founder member of Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span. He has gathered around him three highly talented young musicians, Mark Hutchinson, guitar, and vocals; Jo Hamilton, viola, guitar and vocals; and Ruth Angell, fiddle, guitar and vocals.
A Feast of Folk
At the Cellars at Eastney:
October 10th, John Tams and Barry Coope
October 24th, Rod Clements and The Ghosts of Electricity (ex Lindisfarne members)
November 18th, Spiers and Boden
Plus at the New Theatre Royal, there is Cara Dillon on 24th November.
See www.stiffpromotions.co.uk for more information.
Royal Oak, Lewes
October 4th Jim Bainbridge, the genial Geordie will sing his fine songs and play melodeon tunes.
October 11th "Down The Lawson Trail". The premiere of a new show based on the work of the Australian bush poet, Henry Lawson.
October 18th Ben Paley and Tab Hunter, The return of the most popular duo in our area.
October 25th Jali Sherrifo Konteh. The outstanding singer and kora player from The Gambia.
Back to Contents
Back to Home Page
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).