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Held twice a year at Bollington, 15 miles from Manchester, May (Bank Holiday weekend) and October.
The weekend starts with an evening meal followed by an organised singaround where the next singer/entertainer is chosen in order, there is no pressure to sing, you can just pass or read some poetry or a monologue or just listen. The organised singaround finishes just after midnight when small groups get together to play, sing and talk until the early hours.
Saturday
Country Dancing and Music Workshops in the Morning, a walk down to the local pub after lunch and some unaccompanied singing and a barber shop quartet practice later in the afternoon, although some stay in the pub for a sing around. Saturday night is the same as Friday night but with the added Barber shop quartet and any performances from the workshops.
Sunday
More Country Dancing, walks, followed in the afternoon by the last singaround session.
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My comments
These music weekends have been run for over 35 years, they started in the Midlands and are now held at Bollington, Cheshire, twice a year. I attended in September 2002 (Bollington 21) and enjoyed it so much that I hope not to miss another one. The group consisted of a good range of ages from about 14 year olds to those of pensionable age, very friendly and welcoming, there were a few who sang unaccompanied but the majority played instruments as they sang. The venue is a residential youth centre with single room accommodation which was perfect for the event, take your own beer, the food is excellent. If you prefer to go walking during the day there is plenty of countryside to ramble. If you like music you'll love this weekend.
Average Attendance 45+
Price of Weekend (Full Board) £99 -Unwaged £86- First Timers Introduction price of £80
Next Weekends Bollington 32 (2nd-4th May 2008)
Bollington 33 (17th-19th Oct 2008), Bollington 34 (1st-3rd May 2009), Bollington 35 (23rd-25th October 2009(tbc))
