Hello
As many of you know, I've been investigating whether we could go to DART
2020. DART is the American equivalent of DERT, although it's newer, smaller
and frankly friendlier than DERT! Various American teams have come over to
compete at DERT over the years, and I've been over to DERT a couple of
times before with Sallyport. It's a great experience both for us as the
visiting team, but also for the teams there to welcome and dance alongside
a British team.
At our previous AGM and EGM we agreed that we would express interest in
going in principle, subject to a firmer commitment at this year's AGM, once
more details about DART 2020 are known.
It's now confirmed that it will be in Minneapolis-St Paul Twin Cities, and
the dates for the competition will probably either be 16-18 October or 30
Oct-1 Nov. We need to agree our itinerary, but I'd imagine we'll go for
about a week either before or after DART itself, with some time in the Twin
Cities and some time exploring Minnesota - eg go up to Lake Superior.
*Costs and fundraising*
Accommodation for the host team will be provided for at least some of the
time we're over there. Flights are likely to cost around £600 each, and we
may well need to hire cars when we're over there. Other than that it's the
usual costs of food, drinks etc.
Hannorah has kindly agreed to coordinate our fundraising efforts to cover
all or some of these costs if we commit to going. She has already produced
a plan covering crowd funding, grants, sponsorship and events. We'll need a
couple of volunteers to do some of the legwork (applications and so on) -
so if we decide we're going to commit we'll be seeking some additional help
at the AGM.
*What do we need to decide?*
We need to decide as a team whether we're going to commit to trying to go.
It's not the absolute final decision until we're ready to book flights -
but by that stage it will be frustrating if we have to pull out without a
good reason.
So... consider:
- whether you *want* to go (irrespective of money or anything else)
- whether you have the time to go
- whether you're ready to commit
- if money is a significant concern, consider having a private conversation
with Becky, including what sort of cost would be manageable. We don't want
money to be a barrier for anyone who wants to go, and ideally we'll be able
to raise enough money to cover most if not all of our costs, but it is
quite a big undertaking.
Also if you have ideas or want to help with the organising, please raise
that too!
Finally, if you have any questions before Monday, please ask.
See you soon
Martin
Hi All,
Thrales weekend is this weekend, which will be followed by the AGM, so
there will be no practice on Monday. Little bit on sign-ups at the end, but
not too much this week (I'll do more on these next week).
1. Thrales Weekend
2. AGM
3. Sign-ups
* 1. Thrales Weekend *
*Friday* - drinks in the Monkey Puzzle near Paddington from 6pm. There is
food in the pub. No dancing, but great to socialise and would be great if
some of us can still be there when Silver Flame arrive at around 9pm.
*Saturday *- starting in The Clacken near Oxford Circus. Please be there at
11, dancing will start at half past. We'll dance in pubs around Soho,
before moving to Kings Cross around 1730, do some more pubs and then head
to the Blue Lion. Food should be ready at 7:45 - 8pm. Dancing and Session
might happen, so please bring instruments.
*Sunday* - Meet at the Knights Templar, near Chancery Lane at 12, dancing
until 5.
That should cover it all, but any burning Q's please let me know!
*2. AGM*
Reminder that our AGM is on Monday. We will start promptly at 1930, please
do bring snacks and drinks along, we'll have some cups and plates. Please
make sure you've read the AGM minutes from 2018 so that we can ratify them
at the start. If you spot any mistakes in them, let me know so that can be
corrected. I will bring copies of the Agenda and a copy of last years
minutes with me as well. If you are unable to make it and have things you
would like to contribute, please send these to Becky or me by 5pm on Monday
11th and we'll bring them up.
If you currently hold a position on the committee, you will have 2 minutes
to provide an update at the start of the meeting.
*3. Sign-ups*
- Firstly, *if you are new*, please feel free to add your name onto any
events that you would like to come to. It will be up to you and Becky to
discuss when you dance, but you are completely welcome to come to anything
on there even if you aren't dancing at that point. I'll try to remember to
add you all to the no-reply category for all new events in future as well.
- We have confirmed* Mabel Day*! I can smell the mulling spices...
*- Llangollen,* please do think about whether you would like to go to this,
we'll discuss more next Monday, but an early indication would be helpful.
We need to decide on applying by 20th November to have enough time to fill
the form in. If you have any conditions on attending such as I don't want
to sleep on the floor, please at that in then we can make sure we work
something out. It is only 3.5 hours away by public transport.
Sign-up sheet here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11XHQc6j0g7HQto7rhOs6k0bfkw-XmFb8jmCeRa4…
That's all for now folks, see you all soon! ☺
Hannah
Hello all,
Absences: Fliss, Ellie and Rachel. Anyone else I've forgotten?
Clog: 7-7.30 Continuing the confidence battle. Will also run over the old clog in case we use at the weekend.
7.30-9.30 Run-through C# set (will make sure this is when Hannorah is around for tommying purposes).
Work on triple jump if possible and add a chorus before and after.
Look at Ellie and her tumble. All advice on this appreciated as although the tumble is ace, an issue with shoulders/height lead to sword to the face last week. Be great to get Ellie tumbling regularly but with everyone feeling confident about where the swords go afterwards!
Run through numbers for Thrales day so everyone feels really confident.
Thanks to those who responded to my whatsapp message. Can Tori and Ellie confirm when they're available?
Just a heads up that we will be meeting at Monkey Puzzle near Paddington on Friday. The plan is basically just after work, I will probably be there from around 6ish and get tea there. It is informal but be nice to have people there when you can make it. Silver Flame are arriving around 9, having people still there then is important 🙂
Starting pub on Saturday is tbc.
Thanks,
Becky
Hi All,
We will be holding our AGM on 11th November in place of our usual practice
(same place though!). We normally bring food and drink (alcohol completely
permitted and encouraged) to help the meeting along.
The latest version of the agenda is attached, let me know if you have
anything to add/amend - we will have AOB if it is something small. If you
are unable to make the meeting, but have Thoughts/Opinions that you would
like to contribute, please send them to Becky or me by 5pm on 11th November
and we will ensure that they are voiced.
I have attached the minutes from last years AGM, and the EGM from earlier
this year. Please read these before the meeting so that we can ratify the
AGM minutes from last year. I will bring a list of action points from both
meetings so we can run through what has been done / not done / done a bit.
Consolidated action points as they stand (not updated in a while, but based
on update following our EGM back in April) at the bottom of the email, I'll
update these before the AGM
Finally, I've also attached a description of the committee roles, these can
change a bit should we think it appropriate.
Any questions, let me know!
Thanks,
Hannah
*Action Points:*
Try Thrales shorter swords
HN to ask Simon Vaughan/Laura Smyth about first women's rapper dance -
email sent
EH to organise a data discussion session
RAS to flesh out Pub Federation idea. To be tested on a crawl in future
SC to circulate constitution (HN to save to GDrive) - Done
HN to ask Phil Heaton for 1925 video referred to in trad marks
Incorporate Earsdon stepping into Piccadilly. Send a video and letter to
the Pearsons - Stepping in, not done video and letter
Discuss format for DERT crawls at AGM
DoD with Thrales - EH/EW/HTD/HL/RAS to organise for May/June
Summer Crawl on a Saturday rather than Thurs PM
EW to tell HN when free in May for day/evening clog practice. HN to create
doodle poll - Done
TH/EW to discuss additional Sunderland steps / them showcasing steps
MC/HL to discuss fundraising options for DART. - HL volunteered to organise
fundraising Done
MC to provide detail on DART via email. - Done
EH to obtain Emily's kit
HN to recall neckers & pins from DERT
HN to email mailing list members that have not attended in 6 months to
check whether they would like to remain on it. - Done
HN to put RAS in touch with Coral Reid regarding archiving - Done
KR to create new YouTube account - In progress? (tidied existing - Done
EH to review maximum expenditure on Tower Ravens account.
HN to check with Melanie regarding Whitby tickets, in case list has ended
up in Spam - Done - Melanie sent info
Hi All,
A few things this week
1. Llangollen
2. AGM
3. Other Invites
*1. Llangollen*
As mentioned on Monday and possibly last week as well, we are considering
going to* Llangollen, the International Eisteddfod*, which is a celebration
of music and dance from around the world. The festival runs *7-12th July*,
and from the looks of it the categories we would want to enter *compete on
Friday and Saturday *(3 or 4 categories look likely), so we would need to
be there Thursday night. Thrales have been before and won prizes and sounds
like it was a fun weekend - they also brought home a good chunk of prize
money.
To get there, you take the train to either Ruabon or Wrexham and then a bus
to Llangollen which will take around 3-3.5 hours from Euston
Latest application date 29th November, so please let me know if you are
interested by *20th November* and we would hear if our application is
successful by 13th December. (Emma H, note entry fee of £100 - payable once)
More info about Llangollen here: https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/
*2. AGM - Monday 11th November (not there will be no sword dancing)*
I'm going to resend the AGM Agenda later, got a couple of points that
people have asked to have added on, along with the minutes from last year -
please read these before the AGM. I will also send round a rough
description of the committee positions. Basically please read the email
when it comes.
*3. Other Invites*
We have had our official invite to *Mabel Day 1st December* - a day of
dancing around Oxford with Mabel Gubbins and various other teams, usually
11-5ish. There will be cake at the end, and most pubs will be selling
mulled beverages.
I'll provide updates next week about Thrales Day etc. - should have a pub
for the Friday night by then.
*In terms of other invites, we have quite a few for next year on the
sign-up sheet already, so please do fill yourself in*. We have some other
Morris DoD type ones which aren't there - I'll sort through these and we
can see if we actually want to do any of them - I know a couple of ears
pricked up on the Brighton one. Chippenham I am going to decline as it is a
busking invite.
Have a good week!
Thanks,
Hannah
Hello all,
Absences: Miriam, Emma S and Jo. Sue you said you might not be coming - if you could just message to confirm? Hannah N I don't know if you're up to dancing this eve? Again, a quick message would be great.
Anyone else let me know.
Thanks for the dancing in Bath, and everyone who was able to stay for the final dances of the night. I think it's safe to say we went down well 🙂
Clog: 7-7.30 Building confidence for the new dance.
Rapper 7.30-9.30
Seems early, but if possible I'd like to run through the numbers for C# stepping on. We're only doing one dance so I just want to make sure those people look good together.
After that, I'll be looking at numbers for Thrales day to make sure everyone is happy.
If possible, a bit on popcorn, although I don't want to spend ages. Generally this seems to have been helpful and people are now thinking about their movements much more. It might not be perfect still but hopefully has worked to get you feeling more confident!
Triple jump, that allusive beast. Please push me to fit this in. People have done some great work on it and we can do it so it would be brilliant to get this in a dance.
Anything anyone else would like to work on please let me know.
Thanks,
Becky
Hello all,
As mentioned yesterday, we're a bit vague as to when Saturday finishes but it seems relatively early. Thrales are proposing going out and doing some pubs once stuff with Northgate has come to an end. It makes the journey more worthwhile and the plan would only be to keep going a bit longer. Maybe an 8 oclock train rather than 5/6?
I know we won't have musicians but can people fill in this poll asap to see if we'd have a team to dance out for a bit longer and we could borrow MJ and Helena?
https://doodle.com/poll/6hhz3m8dhe8zmgx8
[https://doodle.com/graphics/static/facebookSharingThumbnail.png]<https://doodle.com/poll/6hhz3m8dhe8zmgx8>
Doodle: Staying later on Saturday<https://doodle.com/poll/6hhz3m8dhe8zmgx8>
Doodle is the simplest way to schedule meetings with clients, colleagues, or friends. Find the best time for one-to-ones and team meetings with our user-friendly calendar tool. Get started today!
doodle.com
Thanks,
Becky
Hello all,
Absences: I have Martin (although he might be there?) we have Will so fine if not, Hannah N, Emma S, Rachel, new Ellie and Jo
Let me know if there is anyone else so I can plan appropriately.
7-7.30 Clog - continuing working on this. Ideally want to grow confidence of everyone so they feel happy to dance it out!
7.30-9.30 Work through numbers we have for Bath time to make sure everyone is happy and confident for Saturday.
Remember to buy your train tickets to Bath! 9.30 from Paddington, day is meant to finish up at the pub around 6.30 and from there is is approx a 15 minute walk to station.
Ideally some popcorn and triple jump practice - can someone please push me on triple jump I keep forgetting!
Continue to build confidence of Jubilee of new members and go over new numbers for Westerhope. Work on Piccadilly for those learning it.
Anything else, please let me know.
Thanks,
Becky
Hi guys,
1. Thursday
2. Bath time trains
3. AGM agenda
4. Declined Holmfirth
1. Thursday sees us at the Water Rats near Kings Cross. I don't know when we'll be needed to dance but please be ready and in kit for 7.30. From what Will thought we'll do two spots, with two dances in each. It should be fairly relaxed so we'll confirm on the day.
2. Bath time: Book your trains. 9.30 out of paddington gets us in at 11, ready to walk 15 mins to the Bell pub. Should all be done by around 6.30 so suggest looking for trains after that point.
3. AGM agenda - please take the time to look at this and give any feedback. If you can't be there on the night but have comments you want to share you need to get these to me or Hannah in advance.
4. Holmfirth festival I am declining - it's a long way away for a small weekend so suggestion is it's not worth it.
See some of you on Thursday, and the rest next week 🙂
Thanks,
Becky
Hi folks,
With the AGM just under a month away I wanted to send the agenda round.
If you believe there is anything missing, or anything you think doesn't need discussing please let me know and I can amend it.
Thanks,
Becky
