North West & Lakes weekend 2025
This years event was a success in the end but it was a nervous time for the organisers because of low numbers. A month prior to the event we only had 5 couples for the 'A' and 8 couples for the MS & Plus which would have meant a huge loss for us.
On the weekend we had 2 to 3 squares of 'A' which was composed entirely of Chain Reaction members. We only had one couple from South of Nottingham for the weekend, unlike last year when we had quite a lot of dancers from the South.
We did have a good increase in Plus dancers due to the graduation of all the Lune Valley dancers in the last 8 months. We had several dancers from Yorkshire, Derbyshire and a group of 4 ladies all the way from Aberdeen. This gave us a total of 6 to 7 squares for the Friday and Saturday night dances.
Due to no-one from the South coming this year, Paul Bristow (the caller) who does not drive because of an unsuccessful cataract operation, could not get a lift to get to us, so he had to come up here on the train. This was also a worry as we didn't know how he was getting here until a couple of weeks before.
The event proved to be a success in the end and we made a small profit for the clubs thanks to the raffle making a very healthy amount of £185. Thanks to all of you that bought raffle tickets or made a donation in lieu of taking tickets.
Thanks also to those that made cakes and other confectionery for all the sessions over the weekend. Also thank you to all those that helped with the setting up and dismantling of decorations and equipment.
Thanks to Di for providing all the audio equipment for both callers to use and her help in the Sunday morning “caller from the floor” session.
The event this year was much more of a local flavour (apart from the Aberdeen contingent). We hope we can attract more people from the South, which is where the vast majority of clubs now are, when we have it in 2026 (Friday 9th October to Sunday 11th October, similar format to this year).
Brian H
This years event was a success in the end but it was a nervous time for the organisers because of low numbers. A month prior to the event we only had 5 couples for the 'A' and 8 couples for the MS & Plus which would have meant a huge loss for us.
On the weekend we had 2 to 3 squares of 'A' which was composed entirely of Chain Reaction members. We only had one couple from South of Nottingham for the weekend, unlike last year when we had quite a lot of dancers from the South.
We did have a good increase in Plus dancers due to the graduation of all the Lune Valley dancers in the last 8 months. We had several dancers from Yorkshire, Derbyshire and a group of 4 ladies all the way from Aberdeen. This gave us a total of 6 to 7 squares for the Friday and Saturday night dances.
Due to no-one from the South coming this year, Paul Bristow (the caller) who does not drive because of an unsuccessful cataract operation, could not get a lift to get to us, so he had to come up here on the train. This was also a worry as we didn't know how he was getting here until a couple of weeks before.
The event proved to be a success in the end and we made a small profit for the clubs thanks to the raffle making a very healthy amount of £185. Thanks to all of you that bought raffle tickets or made a donation in lieu of taking tickets.
Thanks also to those that made cakes and other confectionery for all the sessions over the weekend. Also thank you to all those that helped with the setting up and dismantling of decorations and equipment.
Thanks to Di for providing all the audio equipment for both callers to use and her help in the Sunday morning “caller from the floor” session.
The event this year was much more of a local flavour (apart from the Aberdeen contingent). We hope we can attract more people from the South, which is where the vast majority of clubs now are, when we have it in 2026 (Friday 9th October to Sunday 11th October, similar format to this year).
Brian H
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White Rose Mainstream and Plus dance July 19th
A few of us braved the wet journey to Clifford, near Wetherby, for White Rose's Hawaiian themed dance (plastic flower garlands or Lei's supplied) at Clifford Village Hall. The caller was Leah Tinsdale and about six squares were present. The mainstream and plus programme Leah put on was very interesting and a good time was had by all. The half time break was embellished with many home made cakes and confectioneries so we had to do a lot of dancing to work off the calories. Lune Valley had a good turnout for the event with Trevor & Chris, Brian & Carol, Di & Terry and Muriel. The 3 other dancers are David , Marilyn and Sheila from Chain reaction. The journey back was also wet as well. Brian H May Visit
I would like to share with you how I spent a wonderful evening with Lune Valley Ocean Wavers in May. Whilst holidaying in The Lake District, I had a night to spare between leaving Ullswater and going to Manchester, so I googled around to find a dance somewhere en route. I managed to contact Carol Holman and spoke to her on the phone, she said I would be very welcome. I was treated like an honoured guest and whereas Friday is usually their Plus night (and several members received their Plus Badges), Carol amended the programme to alternating Mainstream and Plus. Di Green was calling -- a great bonus. Everybody was very welcoming and I was presented with a dangle to remember my visit. It was a great example of how the Square Dancing community really is one big family. Deirdre Gaffney Cheltenham Square Dance Club |
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