Annual Gathering, Hope 1996
Neil Corbett, Nonsuch Club's Newsletter Editor

It was with some sadness that Nonsuch members left the hotel at Hope this year. Not because we hadn't had a great weekend, we certainly had. No, it was because next year we'll be going somewhere else. Lovely though the setting is, and even though the staff are friendly, the food good, and the atmosphere cosy, we've just outgrown it. Each weekend there has seemed better than the last and many new friends have been made and new tunes and techniques learned.

Ah well, next year we look forward to Launde Abbey in Leicestershire. It certainly looks nice in the brochure, although what we will do for the `quiet and tranquil atmosphere' I hesitate to think! The main point is, more of us will be able to share in the experience.

What about this year then? Super again. As usual the Saturday night concert showed what we can do for ourselves. Who could forget Jim Couza dressed as Dracula (no matter how hard you try)? We had everything from early music to clog dancing, and the bill was topped in barnstorming fashion by this year's main tutor, Maclaine Colston.

Attendees have received an early Christmas present in the form of a tape of the concert skilfully put together by Dave Clifford.

The annual weekend is also the time for the club's AGM, which was more concise this year, due the fact that dinner was to follow!.

Workshops included Klezmer music taught by Cor van Sliedregt from Holland, Maclaine's Circle of Death, a mammoth tune series for mountain dulcimists from John Shaw, and a rare treat from Jim Couza, a dip into his great collection of old time American music records. Lots of other good things too of course, too many to mention here.

Save up your pennies and try to make it to the Abbey next year, it's too good to miss. Now I have to think of new headline puns. How about 'Nonsuch abandons Hope and gets the Abbey habit'?