Bringing in the New Year 2020 at Swanwick

Fourteen club members, Penny, Bob W., Janet F., Bob F., Janet H., David H., Sue W., Sandy, Jacqui, Roy, Rhoda, Brian, Sandra and Sue B., along with Sue's husband, Henry, went to the Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick, Derbyshire, to join Bishops Eight Square Dance Club in seeing out 2019 and bringing in the New Year, 2020. Some of us travelled up to Derbyshire on Monday 30th December and stayed overnight in Alfreton We went out for a meal together and then met in Janet and David's room for pre-New Year's Eve drinks. On New Year's Eve we drove the short distance to Swanwick and helped decorate the hall and blow up the obligatory balloons. Eventually we were issued with our new-style key fobs together with our "team" colours (red, blue, green and yellow) After being joined by the Waggoners members who had travelled up that day we all enjoyed a late afternoon's dancing to Simon and Trudy, our callers for the event. After dinner we made our way back to the hall for more dancing and Simon and Trudy were joined on stage by Judi Read who cued the Rounds in between the Mainstream and Plus Tips. Soon after midnight, having sung "Auld Lang Syne" and wishing each other a "Happy New Year" we enjoyed a glass of "fizz" and assorted cheeses and biscuits. When the debris from the balloons and streamers had been cleared we danced our first tip of 2020 and carried on dancing with Simon calling a "hot hash" tip for those still going strong.

New Year's Day morning some took part in the (rather muddy) walk around the area while others either did their own thing or joined their teams for the quiz. Sadly, Penny was very unwell and she and Bob decided to cut short their stay and return home to Hertfordshire. The afternoon saw many taking part in fun and games earning more points for their teams while others took the opportunity of having a welcome nap! Later that evening there was fancy dress the theme being "Musicals" in which several of our members took part. Sue B and Henry were "Annie" and "Daddy Warbucks" (Annie), Sandra was "Eliza Doolittle" (My Fair Lady) and both Sue W and Jacqui came as "Joseph" (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat). During the evening there was also a short cabaret when retired vicar, Howard, performed his hilarious version of the Two Ronnies sketch "Swedish made simple" having a Swedish conversation using just letters

On the 2nd January there was an opportunity for "guest callers" to take part and included our own David and Jacqui. During the morning it was also announced that the Blue team (of which Roy, Sue B, Henry and Bob F were members) were the Team winners and each received a small prize.

As is traditional the event's dancing ended with us all joining together singing "Always be Best of Friends".

Balloons ready to be released at midnight to see in the New Year

Waggoners dancing and Simon calling on New Year's Eve

The cheese and biscuits buffet Waggoners members bringing in the New Year with a glass of "fizz" With Kath Williams, the event organiser

Sue W (Joseph), Sue B (Annie), Henry (Daddy Warbucks), Sandra (Eliza Doolittle), Jazqui (Joseph) The Fancy Dress entrants

David calling Jacqui calling Trudy Round dancing with BAASDC President, Susan Ellis

Waggoners at Swanwick 2020 David , Henry, Janet H, Rhoda, Sandra, Trudy, Brian, Bob F, Janet F, Sandy, Simon, Sue W, Rpy, Sue B, Penny, Bob W, Jacqui

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