Halsway’s ‘Last Minute Do Come’
Robin Birchall writes:
"Starved of folk dance activity as Fiona and I were last year we were sitting ducks when the invitation to Last Minute Do Come dropped into our in-box. A couple of days at Halsway Manor at a bargain price. Here was a chance just to relax and enjoy.
The caller and band would at very least be reliable but what of the company? The nature of the offer meant that it would be a gamble. Who knew who might be attracted by something billed as “an introduction to Halsway”?
We need not have worried. The very nature of folk dancing means that those attracted to it are of a sociable disposition and the abilities and enthusiasm of the assembled company were all that we could have wished.
Lottery though it may have been, such occasions do not gel without the catalyst of an enthusiastic leader. Not only was Ray Goodswen’s calling and the variety of dances of the high standard we have come to expect but his enthusiasm for the Manor shone through as an inspiration. His guided tour revealed secrets we had not suspected despite having seen much of its fabric over the years and the improvements already achieved and plans for the future were most impressive.
Our thanks go to Ray and Alan Corkett who not only did the admin but whose band provided the music.
Looking back over this short note, the word “enthusiasm” seems to crop up several times. I think it sums up well the atmosphere achieved. Let us hope that this proves to be much more than just a “one off"
all pictures Robin Birchell
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