KFA Moves North East Autumn 2013 Newsletter

1. North East Region
The Mover
Autumn 2013
More Reasons to
Celebrate the Joy
of Movement!
Volume 2, Issue 4
Raising a glass to 55 years of
As we mark 55 years of keeping
the Regional fit, there is still no
stopping us … we just live life
to the full!
Movement, Exercise and Dance in
KFA North East !
See what we have been doing
over the Summer …
And looking forward to 2014
with Panorama and the
National Festival …
So, keep dancing!
Catherine
Inside this issue:
Ladies Day
2
Youth Moves
3
Panorama
4
North East Teams
5
Teachers Forum
5
Branch News
6 /9
National Festival
10
Cober Hill
11/ 12
An Emerald Celebration
at Ramside Hotel
(see inside)
Dates for your Diary 1 3
Your contacts on the 1 3
Regional Committee
Now find us on Facebook ! – Visit:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/KFA-Moves-North-East-Region
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2. Ladies Day (55th Anniversary
Celebration,
Sunday 30th
June, Ramside Hall)
Fantastic day enjoyed by those
who were able to attend. A
chance to relax and catch up at
a social event (not to mention a
good opportunity to put our
posh frocks on!
Stalls to
browse and purchase that
uniquely crafted item, a sit
down meal, serenaded by Dan
James, followed by an “emerald
theme” raffle and dancing.
A big Thank You to Christine Chapman for organising the event
Here’s to many more years of KFA Moves – the North East Way !
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3. KFA North East Young Adults Team “Northern Lights”
receive local award
Christine Chapman and two
members of Northern Lights attended
the Chester le Street Summer Area
Action Partnership (AAP) Forum on
Monday 24th June to receive an award
for putting Chester le Street on the
map through Dance. This came about
from their winning performance at the
KFA Championships in Southport.
Well Done to Christine and Northern
Lights!
Hi - This is me, Rebecca Kennedy
and Laura Skelton receiving an
award
on
behalf of Northern Lights for Outstanding Community Service. It was
presented by Neighbourhood Inspector Amanda Cathrine. It was awarded to
Northern Lights for their hard work and dedication leading up to the KFA
National Championships and for putting Chester le Street on the map by
winning the Fitness Freestyle Section with their Crazy Charleston.
Best Wishes
Christine
Extravaganza !!!
The Youth Moves Extravaganza will be held on Sunday 17 th November at
the Lancastrian Suite, Lancaster Road, Dunstan, Gateshead NE11 9JR. All
Youth Moves Key Stages will be performing (2pm show). There is still time
to reserve your seat! Contact Christine for info and tickets: 0191 3884205
christinechapman4@btinternet.com
HOT OFF THE PRESS …
And the award goes to …
Fantastic news! Chester le Street was awarded the Membership Trophy at the KFA National AGM
for the Area (Branch) that increased their membership totals the most! Well done!
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4. North East Region
Work it, Feel it, Dance it …
At our
Christmas Fundraiser
for next year’s Panorama
Saturday 30th November (1pm-4pm)
Durham Free School, Gilesgate DH1 1HN
Tickets £4.50 – from your Branch Reps
(includes tea/coffee)
Teachers:
Ann Brown
Amy Holden
Victoria Mills
Clare Iley Christie
Raffle in aid of KFA National Charity –
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5. North East Teams
The Producers for the North East Teams 2014 will be as follows:
Young Adults – Christine Chapman
Movement - Marilyn Laverick
Skipping - Jackie Oliver
Fitness Freestyle - Lisa Clarke
Mature Moves - Ivy Purdham
Workshops will be held on the weekend of 2/3 November 2013, and registration forms have been
sent out. There is still time to join, so why not go along?
Contact Marilyn: 0191 388125 / mazza.laverick@gmail.com
This is an opportunity to extend your skills and improve your personal performance, so please
come along and join a team. However, if you would like to join a team, you are strongly
recommended to participate in the corresponding Workshop for your benefit and that of the
Producer.
Review - Teacher’s Forum
Teachers/Publicity Officers Forum (Gilesgate, Durham) 17th August
This was a new venture, and was held in the hope that it would be a regular event. Although, this
year, we had to hold it over Summer, it was an excellent day.
Janet Ridsdale (KFA Marketing Director) and Jane Dewar (KFA Company Secretary) were able
to attend. Janet gave an overview of what was in the pipeline on the marketing front, and
explained how Regional Websites would work, demonstrating the pilot Yorkshire Region Website
which was now live on the Web: (keepfit-yorkshire.org.uk) (Take a look!).
It is hoped that we will be starting work on a North East website soon.
Catherine Gilsenan gave a little presentation on the North East Newsletter, and a useful PR pack
prepared by Matthew Moore was given to all those present (and which would be sent out to all
Branches in the Region). The Forum also gave Faye and Tonia the opportunity to bring everyone
up to date with Training and Course information. All those present were able to ask questions
and discuss the various points throughout.
Another Forum, to include a recreative session, is planned for next year – 12th July 2014
Please note that EMDP have moved
As of the 14th October 2013 their new address is:
14 Graylands Estate, Langhurstwood Road, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 4QD
Telephone numbers and Email addresses remain the same as before.
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6. Darlington Dance Festival Show – “Dancing Through the Decades”
(Civic Theatre, Monday 16th September, 2013)
This is fast becoming a “must see” event. A celebration of dance performed by dance schools and groups
within in Darlington.
Clare Iley Christie produced KFA Moves Darlington Team – the Shim Sham
While Age UK’s team item – a tango with scarves - was choreographed by Veronica Ridsdale.
“Jealousy” (or “Age Shall Not Weary Us!”)
Come on girls, with one accord
It’s time for us to tread the boards.
Remember footwork – sharp and short
Exactly like we’ve all been taught.
Remember “attitude” as well
Especially on hearing the music swell.
Keep your scarves held firm and taut,
To drop one would just make one fraught.
Orange in the left hand – pink in the right
Oh, we all look great tonight!
So, off we go – let’s light up the stage
And show how fit we are for our age!
Team Tango
*****
Well done girls, we tango’d a treat
Excelled in attitude, kept footwork neat
And now when we hear “Jealousy” played
We’ll be proud to remember the time that we made
Our debut on the Civic Theatre’s stage
When we danced a great tango – despite our age.
Joyce Crawford, 16th September 2013
Team Shim Sham
To everyone who supported our Summer Classes and Charities, we would like to say a big
We will know the final total of money raised by the end of the year.
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7. Stockton
“Ashley Banjo’s Big Town Dance”
Ivy Purdham (Stockton Branch)
In June 2013 I was approached by Shine TV to audition for a TV programme that they were making
for Sky TV. The idea to show how dancing brings the community together. Stockton was chosen
because of its rich tradition of dance halls after the war and becau se its been hit by the recession!
They thought I was a good role model for an over 60 retired person! (that’s the KFA for you!)
I could write a book about the experience but it involved the following!






Producers, camera crews and Ashley Banjo visiting my class looking for potential
crewmembers!
Being taught a tough street dance by Ashley Banjo & Diversity members!
Cameras everywhere - my home, my classes, my car, Preston Park, Hollywood bowl, other
dancer’s garden! (all set up of course!)
Performing on stage with Diversity at Middlesbrough Town Hall (WOW!!)
Filmed dancing in a Stockton street with Diversity
Being part of 10,000 people dancing with Diversity on Stockto n High St on a very hot Sunday
in July (this gave Flash mob a whole new meaning!
It was an AMAZING experience and I always tried to promote the KFA! The producers have been in
touch and they tell me I am a main contributor! The programme goes out in January 2014, SKY1
and to say I am nervous is an understatement!
With Diversity in St Peter's Rd
Ashley Banjo visits Ivy's class
Stockton News
 In July Stockton had a charity rally in aid of A Way Out, a local charity that reaches out
and changes lives of women and vulnerable young people. This was led by Ivy Purdham
and raised £260. A large selection of foodstuff was also donated for their food hub!
 Two of Stockton teachers, Ruth McGrath and Ivy Purdham (with Marilyn Laverick,
Durham) have enrolled on the Diploma in Teacher Training Skills course.
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8. Middlesbrough
“I wish I could do it all again!”
Myra Burton’s own words when being presented
with a card and voucher by President Pat Fulton at
a surprise party to celebrate her 50 years of
teaching and service to the Keep Fit Association
(KFA) – Middlesbrough branch. More than 70
members past and present gathered for afternoon
tea, to share Myra’s special moment, many of
whom have attended her classes or been in her
demonstration teams over the years. Myra is an
active teacher with 3 local classes, some of her
class members having been with her over 30
years. She always supports the funding raising
activities of the branch, who have raised more than
£40,000 in the last 26 years - giving active support
to locally based charities. Myra is a role model to
us all, she promotes an active lifestyle, loves to
move and dance, and has a wicked sense of fun;
her enthusiasm and commitment to the principles
of the KFA are truly inspiring.
KFA National Charity – the Macular Society
We are very grateful to have been chosen as the KFA’s Charity of the Year and are really excited about
working with you to raise funds and awareness for people with macular disease. The Macular Society is
dedicated to supporting people with macular disease, the leading cause of blindness in the UK, which
causes the loss of a person’s central and detailed vision. As the condition progresses, people find looking
after themselves and their home much more difficult and they become increasingly dependent on others.
Unfortunately, 95% of the UK population have no knowledge of its symptoms. You can find out more
about the Society at our website – www.macularsociety.org. To make it as easy as possible for you to
fundraise for us we have a fundraising ideas sheet and materials order form available to download from
our website www.macularsociety.org/kfa or call me on 01264 321 984 to request a copy and a freepost
envelope. Also, in some areas of the UK we have volunteers who are happy to visit groups and talk about
their experience of macular disease, if you are interested in arranging someone to visit your group, please
give me a call.
Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like more information.
Thank you and good luck!
Rachel Crawford-Jones
01264 321 984 / rachel.c@macularsociety.org
(Please could anyone raising funds for the Macular Society, ask their Branch Rep to take any
money raised to North East Region Executive Committee, who will then forward it to the KFA.)
Thank you
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9. My Annual Garden Party- Summer 2013
We are in the middle of a most unusual North East heatwave – especially in Whitburn.
Will the good weather last? ?
No problem ! !
The day dawns hot and calm
(Very important when you live by the sea and often experience a little wind!)
Everything is ready and waiting:
chairs in the garden
table prepared
music ready
First guests arrive … 28 ladies from my keep fit classes have now arrived in their
'posh'
and a hat, laden with:
savoury food
sweet food
a little' booze'
a wrapped raffle prize
and perhaps a spare garden seat.
frocks
the eating begins
the drinking begins
the laughter begins
the chatting begins
The quizzes begin
‘Singers and groups’
Q : Nuns with toboggans?
A : Sister Sledge
(more Q & A available from ann@the-seaside.me.uk )
Irish bingo
Songs with the colour red in the title
(What a racket when the ladies had to sing the songs!)
Everyone receives a raffle prize.
The added bonus is that we have collected £53.34 for
W.H.I.S.T (Women’s
Tyneside )
Lots of hugs and kisses as we say goodbye
Have a great holiday break ladies and I shall see you in September!
Health
in
South
The dishwasher is full with more dishes waiting
I sit down to watch ‘The Tour de France’ and look back on yet another successful and happy Garden
Party!
Ann Brown
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10. National Festival of Exercise Movement & Dance 2014 “Move to the Rhythm!”
2pm, 5th July 2014 – Birmingham Symphony Hall
Taster Sessions for National Festival Teams - 16th November, Laurel Avenue
Producers have been chosen and dates set for taster sessions, so come along and try out for
our fantastic show next Summer:
Clare Iley-Christie – Jazz/Swing
Taster Session: 10-11am
Tonia Gabriel – Movement with Ribbons Taster Session: 11.30-12.30
Please also note that there will be a Young Adults team (open to 14-25yr olds across the
North East, and produced by Christine Chapman) and Janet Balfour will be taking her Key
Stage 2/3 group, but there are no taster sessions for these.
The Festival promises to be fabulous, with guests the Wheelchair Dance Association, Just
Jhoom! (Bollywood/Indian Dance), the Fitness League and Medau.
Details of how to purchase tickets will be available soon. Keep checking EMDP/KFA website
for further details.
Hotel Agreements
Hilton Garden Inn
1 Brunswick Square
Brindley Place
Birmingham
B1 2HW
Tel: 0121 6431003
Jurys Inn
245 Broad Street
Birmingham
B1 2HQ
Tel: 0121 698 7999
Hampton by Hilton
200 Broad Street
Birmingham
B15 1SU
Tel: 0121 3297450
50 twin bedrooms @ £85 B & B (all rooms have fridge)
Single occupancy @ £75 B & B
Group Code: GKFAA
Any rooms not taken up 35 days before the event will be
released back into system
60 twin bedrooms @ £82 B & B (2 double beds in each room but
will only allow 3 per room)
Single occupancy @ £72 B & B
Group Code: THEK04071
Any rooms not taken up 6 weeks before event will be released
back into system
50 Twin bedrooms @ £70 B & B
No mention of single occupancy rate
Group Code: KF1
Any rooms not taken up 28 days before event will be released
back into system
All hotels charge for car parking approx. £12 - £14 per day
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11. Cober Hill
Recreative Weekend – Scarborough
We exercised our bodies with Teachers Nicola Pilmoor, Jean Brown, Myra Burton and Lynne Casey
We exercised our minds
with a tough quiz from
Tonia Gabriel –
and another one our
theme for the weekend,
musicals !
And laughed along the way!
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12. Cober Hill
does
The Modern Millies from Durham
Top Hats!
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Our Sister Sue Performs her Act
The Wicked Witch of the West !
Jean’s Recital goes down a treat!
Some do like it Hot !
Kidnapped ! – That’ll teach her not to dress up and do a turn!
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13. Back Page Story Headline
Dates for Your Diary
2013 / 2014
Youth Moves—Extravaganza
17th November 2013
KFA North East Panorama of Movement Exercise and Dance (Darlington)
17th May 2014
KFA National Festival (Birmingham Symphony Hall)
5th July 2014
Cober Hill Recreative Weekend – Scarborough:
(Hosted by KFA North East)
Friday 27th to Sunday 29th September 2013
(For further details of these and other events visit www.keepfit.org.uk)
Your Contacts on the Regional Committee
Back Page Story Headline
We would love to publish your Branch News, Keep Fitter Profiles, Keep Fit-related articles
and any other relevant information you wish to advertise.
Contribute to, and look out for the Autumn Issue
Send to: Catherine Gilsenan, Regional Publicity Officer, email: catherine.gilsenan@yahoo.com
Find us on Facebook – Visit:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/KFA-Moves-North-East-Region
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