Dear Pipers There is a mail-out to past attendees of this annual event from the Halsway Manor office today. (Crowcombe, TA4 4BD. Tel 01984 618274)
We are using the same piping tutor staff as last year, with Pauline Cato, Rob Say, Chris Evans, Francis Wood for a weekend event 7-9 March 2008. It will run with the same format from Friday evening through Saturday to Sunday afternoon when it finishes with a Grand Playaround and cream tea. There is the option to stay over Sunday night but with no further tuition, just a chance to relax and enjoy spontaneous playing if so moved. We ran the largest piping event ever this year and I have great confidence that we shall do better in 2008 with this ever growing clan of enthusiasts from far and wide; from New York to Cherbourg, as well as Northumberland. I just want to explain before everybody complains! I need to say that the price for this weekend has increased by only £3.00 (three GB pounds) to £155 for the normal two-day event. If booking late then it is £5 extra. The complication arises with the increase in the amount of en-suite accommodation available. The Manor now want to change the advertising by giving the charge as inclusive of the en-suite facilities price and then offer a discount if your bedroom should not offer these facilities. Also, there is a drive to try and increase the number of bed-nights. So weekends are now advertised as being three nights, with guests being invited to return home on the Monday morning having had a light supper plus B/B on Sunday night. This costs an extra £27.50 which is good value. So the all-in price for accommodation and meals and en-suite facilities from Friday evening to Monday morning is £202, or if booked late £207. People have moaned that this is complex and confusing but if you take off the three nights' £6.50 en-suite charge=£19.50 and the £27.50 it comes to £47 off the £207 which comes to £160. Remove the £5 for booking early and you get £155, where we started. There is a sharing discount too, so please contact the office without delay and pay a deposit by telephone, as I am sure there will be a huge demand for the improved facilities on a popular course. I visited the President's Day in Salisbury and announced the launch to those present. I hope that clarifies things, if not contact me and I will try and do better. See you all there! Alan Corkett (01278 732202 or MOB 07790 863 309. 14 Mill Lane, Nether Stowey TA5 1NL) Trustee -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
