What to expect at Weeks 2 and 3 at Rolvenden
These 2 weeks are very much a “pair” of weeks for people who want a longer holiday with a continuity of style. An eclectic mix of music, song and dance with something to appeal to all ages. With all the volunteer talent we have at the week, this may include the ‘Join the Band Band’ and the chance for everybody to play for dancing, call a dance or just take to the floor. In addition to the more conventional folk dances, campers may be able to sample the delights of the Bucksaw Lambada, Traffic Lights, The Devil’s Doughnut and the Wizard’s Walk. And kids’ favourites Monkey Nuts and Donkey Derby are likely to put in an appearance. In past years many have joined in with barbershop, doowap, West Gallery choir, kids’ music, morris and rapper. Bring your talents with you – we are very open to diverse styles of music. And there will probably be a beach trip, or a boat trip or a picnic – or all three.
Week 2 (this camp) is led by Walter Pohl and the newest kid on our block, Anthony Keen with workshop music from Alistair Gavin. Walter hails from Bremen where he runs a choir (Chor Don Bleu) and various other music ensembles and performs in theatre as well. Anthony hails from London with many years of singing, performing and improv experience under his belt. Pianist Alastair’s many credits include conducting and playing for several hit West End musicals as well as playing with UK and US rock and jazz ensembles.
Week 3 (The following camp) is led by Paul Weir, who was Walter’s mentor many years ago. Paul has led many folk camps in the UK, France and Germany, over the past 40 years as well as calling for festivals, birthdays and weddings. Musical animation will be shared between Holly Clamp and Bruce Knapp. Fiddler Holly was a founder member of Climax Ceilidh Band and has also played in the European Youth Folk Orchestra. She loves to play for dancing, be it French dance, Swedish dance, Morris or Ceilidh. Guitarist Bruce also plays with Climax Ceilidh Band and has toured the world with the likes of the Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain, and pan-European band The Bluesmasters.
Here are a few of the campers comments from last year with some of this camp’s leaders and musicians:
“ Music particularly was amazing. Thank you Alastair for your workshops”
“The staff team has given us 100% and it seems like everyone has had a good time”
“Huge thank you to the staff for organising such an amazing summer fete (to distract from the rain!), it was the best and so creative with endless activities”
Here’s a clip from Climax Ceilidh Band, on YouTube (opens in new window).
Video of the “Devil’s Doughnut” dance:
Video of the Wizard’s Walk dance (thanks to Andrew Jackson for filming this):
Location
Our site is in the grounds of Hole Park, home to magnificent gardens and our large field. Hole Park Estate is situated between the pretty Kent villages of Benenden and Rolvenden in a beautiful area of the High Weald.
The site is within reach of a group of larger towns: Maidstone, Ashford, Hastings and Royal Tunbridge Wells. The south coast of Sussex and Kent is home to a multitude of historic sites, from the Norman conquest to the second world war, and beaches at Eastbourne, Bexhill, Hastings, Camber Sands and more on the Sussex and Kent coast.