News and Photos from 2017
23rd December 2017: Christmas Party
We had to have our Christmas party very close to Christmas this year as the hall had made a double booking error for our original date. In spite of that, we had a good turn out and, from the feedback we've received, lots of fun. At the risk of sounding repetitive, thanks again to everyone: Paul for manning the desk and doing the raffle, all the helpers in the kitchen clearing up etc., to those who donated raffle prizes etc. Our guest from South Africa was very complimentary about the real community feel and friendliness of our clubs.
A name was pulled out of a hat for someone to choose the 2018 charity we are going to support, and Norman has chosen DIABETES. With raffle takings of just over £80 plus some extra funds, we have kick-started the charity with just over £120. See photo gallery below for more photos.
23rd December 2017
Christmas Party
31st October 2017:
We recently sent a letter to the Up Country magazine which is published monthly (see below) in response to an editorial about a decline in class numbers and a difficulty in helping beginners to get started. We have already had a very nice letter in response to this (also see below).
21st October 2017
Charity Dance at Laverstock
Again thanks to everyone who came to the Charity dance at Laverstock. We raised £251.50 for the Stars Appeal, Amesbury fund which has now taken our annual total to just over £1000. We all had a very good laugh over the party quiz, had lovely American supper and some good dancing. We really appreciate all the help to make the evening a success: Paul & Nick on the door, Jan, Silv and everyone in the kitchen, Janice and Peter sweeping up to name just a few. See photos of the party below.
September 2017
"Millie" is our Mulepacker Mule, adopted by Sandy & Ray from Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary. Sandy and Ray have just visited Millie again on return from their holiday in Cornwall (Sept. 2017).
Watch Millie by clicking on the link below:
16th September 2017
Whitchurch dance - dancing to Fool's Gold
A group of us went up to see Fool's Gold at Whitchurch. They played a lot of the dances we have been doing recently: Old and Grey, Lonely Drum, Water Off a Duck's Back, Missing ... to name but a few.
It was Lauren's birthday weekend so we all enjoyed a birthday cake Mike made for her and the band played "Happy Birthday" for her. See photos below ...
25th July 2017
Tuesday at Grimstead
Mike and Mel had to attend a meeting at Porton, so Jan and Paul played music for the evening. Thanks to both of you.
22nd July 2017
Summer Dance
Where to start ....! A massive thank you to everyone who supported it. We had 97 people, Ben Thompson was fantastic, lots of country music and fun.
Mike added some drama to the event having been admitted to hospital on the Thursday before following a hand injury. Having had surgery and having been on intravenous antibiotics up to the day of the dance, it looked decidedly unlikely that he would make it. At 5 pm Mel got a call from Mike, "Can you come and get me, I have discharged myself!". He made sure he was there, danced the night away, but what most of you don't know, is that he had to go back through A&E at 2 am after the dance for various complications. At the time of writing, Mike is back at home and (dare we write it) okay!
After a dodgey start with a cable issue to the mixer/amp, all went well. Ben amused us with lots of country music and taught us all "The Drinking Bone".
The raffle raised £155 which we have donated to our 2017 charity, Stars Appeal - Amesbury Ward fund. Thanks to everyone for supporting the charity in this way.
Thanks too to everyone who helped make it a great night, lots of people in great western clothes, partners and line dancing together ... and so many offers of help. Thanks Paul and Nicholas for sitting on the desk, Paul for doing the raffle, Keith for bringing his Western shop and especially Ben for being an all round good guy! See photos and film clip below ...
May and June 2017
We have had several dates where we haven't been able to use our village halls because of decorating, refurbishment of the floor and because of voting. We were able to use the new "garden room" as our back-up. It accommodated 19 of us without any problems. Thanks for all who came today, 8.6.17, while our usual hall was being used as a polling station
8th April 2017
Spring Charity Dance
We are pleased to announce that our Spring Charity Dance at Laverstock raised £233 for The Stars Appeal, Amesbury Ward Fund. It all went smoothly - plenty of dancing, lovely American supper and great company. Thanks to everyone involved in helping; especially Paul and Nick for arriving early to help with setting up, Dave and Margaret for doing the raffle, Ray for making the lovely honey bee cake, Alec and helpers in the kitchen and everyone for supporting it. We managed to get about 30 - 35 people dancing on the floor without too many problems, but certainly the large hall at Leehurst for the Summer Dance will be much more suitable and roomy for our numbers. See the photos below ...
18th February 2017
Whitchurch Dance with visiting Canadian author, Randall Sawka, and his wife, Nancy (front left).
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