BRUMMIE CONTRAS
  • HOME ; Spring '22
  • Dates
  • QUAKER Hall : ABOUT THE VENUE
  • What's a Contra
    • But I've never really done this stuff before !
  • Tributes
    • Barry Selwood


Kindly - remain at home after finding the lateral flow test you tried shows positive -
- or if you feel that you have any flu-like symptoms !


Join the dancers! A hot drink & chat from 7.10pm in Bournville's Quaker Hall on Sun 27th March - Together for the 7.30 Brummie Contra. (Hot drinks & refreshments will be thanks to Jackie & Jim.)


Only let a positive lateral flow test, or flu-like symptoms keep you away. Then, please stay home!

It's great to see that most group members are now confidently back and are dancing together again.
Do come along to join in the contra dancng. We need more joyful exercise to this wonderful music!
- ONLY - if YOU know or even just suspect that you may have Covid - Please stay at home !
- If you know or even just suspect you may have Covid - Please stay at home. -
- If you intend to mingle again soon after a dance, or any group function: do reassure 2-3 days afterwards :  -
- by taking another lateral flow test .-
*

- Try wisely to CHECK yourself PRIOR to any dance by a free rapid lateral flow test. -
- You THEN dance knowing confidently that you offer greater safety to others -
- with lower risks now for the majority from all Omicron variants -
- Our Contra dances have now come - THE SOONER THE BETTER  !
CAR ARRIVALS : Signs for "Cadbury World" from outside B'ham. A4040 B'ham Ring Rd here is Linden Rd. Best PARK in SYCAMORE Rd - below Bournville Green. CARRY WATERPROOFS WTH YOU if a WET return is expected ! WALK the UPHILL PATH, to cross Bournville Green : past the REST HOUSE. At the top, access the 1st BUILDING via the main road's pavement {behind the massive fir tree, which is beautifully lit-up over Christmas}. Here is the Quaker Hall which has its own car park. (Do CHECK first, but) spaces for just 10-12 cars. Walk around pavement, to - ENTER the Quaker Hall to its LEFT !  NOT by the massively impressive main door.
Buzzes - 11A  / 11C stop outside Quaker Hall / over the main rd. The 27 bus comes 3 stops from Bournville Rail to stop in rd opposite.



Join the dancers ! Hot drink /chat at 7.10 in Bournville's Quaker Hall on Sun 27 March:

( Before the 7.30 Brummie Contra ). Hot drinks /refreshments thanks to Jackie & Jim ! )

*
- 27 March's Midland forecast - nearer to the date - will be HERE for our travellers -

BRUMMIE CONTRA Dances: Spring Season 2022

NB Before you leave to dance - please check - since you first noted - that no details here have been amended!




Date of Contra Dance The Caller Musicians




Sunday 27th March 7.30pm
Evening dance at the Cadbury -
built Quaker Hall - Bournville.
Mic Spenceley - who's calling is
well known in S Wales & England.
Our Ace Duo
Brian Mc Minn
& Mike Green

Good Friday 15th April - 2.30pm
Afternoon - Elmdon Heath Venue.
Jeff Miller - tbc tbc

FRIDAY Folk - Moseley- 22nd April.
Hall - Behind St Anne’s Church.
8pm Evening - Park Hill - B13 8DU.
Here, at Friday Folk's regular hall - is a range
of good Callers in varied Folk Dancing styles.
Tonght's dance will have many lively Contras.
Nicola Scott Versatile trio -
Cat’s Whiskers
*
With appreciation of organiser & dancers, Hall is used with kind permission of Bournville Quaker Meeting.



 Afternoon dances, for some with a long journey to the Brummie Contras, mean easier travel when evenings are dark.
(During this time of year, we more often begin at 2.30 on Sunday afternoons.)

*
- Today's midland forecast - A relatively warm SW wind : some bad gusts : bright and dry all morning. Afternoon (as we dance) - still a warm wind for this time of year.
Wind veers to a Westerly; bringing moderate to heavy rainfall. It's likely to be raining as you LEAVE the venue. After dusk, rain is likely to diminish
(on your way home)
and may have ceased by later in the evening.
-
Just Email to - there@brummiecontras.co.uk
As subject - date of dance. (20/2/22)  In text, your name or names of all who'd like to come.
[ Also kindly note if you are a student ]

- Please email beforehand : perhaps now, or sometime in the last week of Jan or 1st of Feb that you hope to come  -

Sorry: 29th leaves a few loyal attenders working & not able to come: you'll be missed.

Just Email to - there@brummiecontras.co.uk
As subject - date of dance. In text, your name. [Please say if a student]
If 2 or 3 of you, please give all of the names in your email, to save £1.50 each.
For a group of 4 or more, helpfully complete, then attach the form indicated
 HERE.


You're at the page - But I've never really done this stuff before !
EVERYONE taking part in this dancing - for some, a very short while back -
- also said and felt EXACTLY THIS
!
Many now come to Brummie Contras with increasing enthusiasm. Please join us !
 View this lively Contra Dance Club [Meet EVERY Sunday: Webster Groves, St Louis] USA !  - An effective, fun, contra dance style - as these dancers have - is NOT hard to pick-up.  -   
This Title PICTURE shows a Sunday Brummie Contra Dance 6/11/16, at our venue 2.

You don't pay full price to try out the dances. You get £2.50 off the door price for your 1st & 2nd dances. Please ASK !


                               Brummie Contra Dances -
-   Share-around  -  the joy & fun of being at these exciting dances with great callers.  -     
- 
  It's more fun if more come !    -    Let's try this to encourage MORE to be dancing -
- ​ New to Contras here at B30 1JT ( and at Elmdon Heath ) ? -
-  ASK 
!  £2.50 off at the door for your first AND your next visit to try Brummie Contras.
- Bring a friend who has NOT danced Brummie C's at these venues
-  You may EACH claim a discount of £2,50 at the door.
-  First time AND let us know beforehand also -  claim £4 discount !

 
At the door :  Adult £11.50   -   Student £6,50 :-  Say beforehand  -
- 
that you intend to come  - Get £1.50 off  -  ie at the door :  Adult £10   -   Student £5 :


A DRY forecst for travel to and from this dance. Warmer than average for a bus wait !
 Afternoon dances, for some with a long journey to the Brummie Contras, mean easier travel when evenings are dark.
Our dances from November through to January are mainly on Sunday afternoons.

This Title PICTURE - A Brummie Contra Dance.

Barry was here too - "on the door". In all respects a brilliant fellow worker. From Autumn 2015, all 2016 & into 17's Brummie Contras.
-  Our caller -
 - Mic Spenceley -
PictureMike


















Picture
Brian
- Music -
 Brian Mc Minn  &   Mike Green
Picture
Bill
-  A few words of thoughtful appreciation -
For the first two years of our annual final fling, Bill Kinsman
was 91: then 92 years of age. Bill called superbly : mainly from memory, in his characteristic, enjoyable and relaxed manner -
- for us, near the end of his many years of much loved calling.

In 2018, Bill was drastically debilitated by stroke.
Sadly he died earlier this month.
Bill's church service and wake were on Friday of last week.
- May we long retain the happy memories we have of Bill. -
For Brummie Contras, he was our oldest caller.
Yet Bill was young at heart and always his calling was excellent,
and brimming with Bill's infectiously joyous personality.

-It's the last SUNDAY Afternoon of 2019-2.30 at the Quaker Hall-
-  FOR - 2019's FINAL CONTRA FLING  - 
PictureMike


















Picture
Brian
- Music -
 Brian Mc Minn  &   Mike Green
At the door :  Adult £11.50   -   Student £6,50 :-  Say beforehand  -
- 
that you intend to come  - Get £1.50 off  -  ie at the door :  Adult £10   -   Student £5 :


BRUMMIE CONTRA Dances: Spring Season 2022

NB Before you leave to dance - please check - since you first noted - that no details here have been amended!




Date of Contra Dance The Caller Musicians




Sunday 27th March 7.30pm
Evening dance at the Cadbury -
built Quaker Hall - Bournville.
Mic Spenceley - who's calling is
well known in S Wales & England.
Brian Mc Minn
& Mike Green

Good Friday 15th April - 2.30pm
Afternoon - Elmdon Heath Venue.
Jeff Miller - tbc tbc

FRIDAY Folk - Moseley- 22nd April.
Hall - Behind St Anne’s Church.
8pm Evening - Park Hill - B13 8DU .
Nicola Scott Cat’s Whiskers
What's the online OFFER ? You SAVE £1.50 ! At the door, pay £9 [ £10 for a * Bonus Dance] (Student £5)
Bonus signifies a special dance with eg 3 or 4 in the band, or needing a long journey for the band or caller.


Plan to be at next dance? Sign at a previous dance or - email to say "I intend to be there" before Deadline -
INFORM AFRESH before EACH DANCE please.

Saving Deadline in this cyan colour - is opposite a dance date in yellow -
For example, the Deadline is by the Fri midnight before a Sun afternoon dance - by Thurs midnight for a Saturday dance.

At ALL afternoon Contras, dancing will now begin at 2.30pm - finishing at 5.45 !
NB A small number of "Agreed Dates only" are presently shown. More will follow!

Brummie Contra Dances: Autumn Season 2020
NB A small number of "Agreed Dates only" are presently shown. More will follow!
NB
Date of Contra Dance The Caller Musicians Saving £1.50
ENDS at
Midnight on




It's Brummie Contra: - 2019's
Final Fling -NB-Now on



Sunday 29th Dec 2.30
- 5.45 pm, at the Cadbury-built
Bournville Quaker Hall.
[DATE was changed]

NB. NOT the Elmdon Heath Venue.
Mic Spenceley Brian Mc Minn
& Mike Green
Online saving ends
27th Dec 2019.




 Afternoon dances, for some with a long journey to the Brummie Contras, mean easier travel when evenings are dark.
Our dances from November through to January are mainly on Sunday afternoons.

A DRY forecst for travel to and from this dance. Warmer than average for a bus wait !
And David
Pattenden
 !

Picture
David
PictureKaren
Karen Hanna     

"Lively" Music from :
Picture
Xmas fun from Kimberley Smith.
 A special, pre-Xmas Dance  !
With Contras: 2.30pm, this Sunday .
SUNDAY 15th December  Kim Smith brings us  -
- Kim's Christmas Dance -

A fun Brummie C's "Sunday Variety Party"  !
At the party afternoon there's a wider than usual mix of dances, with seasonal eats & various bubbly drinks also included. :
- so please bring along friends or relatives for fun squares & mixers as well as introducing all to

some of our Lively American Contras !
- A very small number of supervised younger dancers may be permitted. But please, only by specific request beforehand !

-  PARTY  PRICES  -     
*

-  - Kim Smith's PARTY -  - 
* 
​THIS  Sunday afternoon FUN Dancing with Contras: 2.30 start at - 
 Elmdon Heath Venue  - Community Centre Hall  -    B91 2SF -
- Visit : sub-page1) - LOCATION - Get to THIS VENUE  Elmdon Heath Community Centre !
Or - Go to page - ABOUT - Brummie Contras at Elmdon Heath Comm'y C, Solihull. -
- at ELMDON HEATH Sun afternoon. Dancing 2.30 -

- A "fun" gig in Party mode. All are welcome to come & enjoy -
Music : from Karen Hanna & David Pattenden.
Picture
, , , Lynne's considerate calling . . . (pic at Lichfield Folk Fest).
A Bonus Dance, so at the door :  Adult £11.50   -   Student £6,50  :
- Say beforehand that you intend to come  - Get £1.50 off  -  ie at the door :  Adult £10   -   Student £5  :

-  Mike Green -
   - Brian Mc Minn  -
- Music -
- Brilliant, lively duo return : another great gig - 
  Brian Mc Minn   &   Mike Green

- It's Nicola Scott's excellent calling and - 

TODAY, Sunday 3rd November :
Picture
Nicola
- Brummie Contras -
:
Sat eve Sept 14 start, at the Quaker Hall :
 - Early evenings are still quite light in September  - Enjoy the journey to this coming Evening Dance on a Saturday. -

Relax ! Enjoy an inclusive hot drink from Jackie & Jim. 6.40pm -
THEN  FUN & LIVELY  DANCING from 7pm - and -
​A half hour to try out your Contra waltzing, with some tips from the experts. 

At the door :  Adult £10.50   -   Student £6,50  :
 - Say beforehand that you intend to come  - Get £1.50 off  -  ie at the door :  Adult £9   -   Student £5  :
 - Early evenings are still quite light in September  - Enjoy the journey to this coming Evening Dance - 
​ENJOY NEXT - A September Saturday Evening 7.30 start Contra at - 
the Quaker Hall Venue  -    B30 1JT -  Venue Details -  HERE -

Picture
Mike
Picture
Brian
- Your excellent and experienced musicians for this gig will be - 
    Brian Mc Minn   and later also   Mike Green
Brummie Contras: Spring Season 2020
NB A small number of "Agreed Dates only" are presently shown. More will follow!
Date of Contra Dance - The Caller - Musicians Offer
ENDING
date
Sunday 26th January
At the Elmdon Heath Venue.
Mark Elvins Wild Ride:
Holly, Bob, Robbie tbc
24Jan/




Saturday 29th February
LEAP SATURDAY
at Bournville Quaker Hall.
tbc tbc 27Feb/
Picture
David
Adult £8   -   Student £5  :
- For an ace contra at -
Great Alne
​Memorial Hall

B49 6HL 
-  7.45pm  -
Friday Evening 26th April
-  music  -  Karen Hanna - 
- and David Pattenden -
Return to  TOP OF THE HOME  Page

CONTACT US page

​I / we wish to be AT THE NEXT DANCE
Page DID HAVE details to get £1.50 each off door price next time.
Also deadlines (to check before you email).
For a group, download a form to complete & email.

MOST OF THE PAGES WITHN THE FOOTER HERE REFER TO EVENTS & CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH WERE DAMAGED, CHANGED OR HELD BACK BY THE COVID PANDEMIC.
THEY WILL BE AMENDED WHEN SITUATIONS CAN STABILISE WITH A MORE DEPENDABLE OUTLOOK.

Go to Great Alne Long Weekend website -
24th -27th April in 2020 for its DETAILS.

Event doubly extends the last w/e of April in 2020 
Quality workshops for ALL ages / abilities.
Enjoy a contra here on the Friday eve.
Karin Bellaart from the NETHERLANDS will also bring all kinds of lovely INTERNATIONAL DANCES as Nel did in 2017 & 2018.

EXCELLENT PART-SONG & A WIDE RANGE of OTHER DANCING.

Bring (grand)children. Share Maypole/Morris dances & ring handbell tunes from before noon on Sat & Sun.
NEW IN 2018 - EXTRA Sat/Sun PRICE DROPPED for ADULT DANCERS and THEIR ACCOMPANIED u18's

( The Great Alne Long Weekend is a "sister" website to this one) -
 click-on to go to one of these pages - 

ELMDON HEATH CC/RAIL/BUS  - Page especially to help with Rail Station connections, and Sunday bus services to Elmdon Heath Community Centre Hall. Our venue for "fans".


See ROUTEMAPS:DOWNLOAD&PRINT -
 - Page has maps for car, bus stops, bike path & walking routes -
- to the   -  Elmdon Heath Community Centre venue. Download this to a smartphone to carry to walk from bus etc,
(or print on paper) to carry: even in the car. Ideal for initial visits. 




 CONTRA - What's that !   -  Information Page,


 But I've never really done this stuff before !  - Information Page.

DANCE DATES page
​  
FLIERS for NEXT BRUMMIE CONTRA pages. These may Pop-up : often below Dance DATES.
They are in pdf. You may view or DOWNLOAD.
If you would like to share out the fun of the "Brummie Contra" dances - then (regularly please) download, print - and distribute a few of these fliers in your area & dance club.
For some Contras to come, a flier page pop-up may show below other main pages or elsewhere !