The Folk Song and Dance Group runs a large number of events each year (typically more than 100) available to all members of the Camping and Caravanning Club. Most of these are organised through the areas. There are, however, a few events that are deliberately designed to be “national’’, so that we continue to have a national identity. These meets are typically able to cater for larger numbers, have a wider range of activities, and bring people together in a variety of ways. These meets are spaced throughout the year, typically one per “season’’. There are occasionally extra meets to celebrate special occasions, such as jubilees, for example. The fees for these national meets vary, as costs change quite considerably with venues etc. The current planned national meets are:
The Spring Festival currently takes place at Easter, and is a camping meet typically at a large school or college, offering venues for several dances, rooms for workshops and spaces for social gatherings. The use of a large venue ensures activities can continue even if the weather is not perfect and there is always a range of activities across both age groups and interests. This is a pre-booked meet, and details for 2026 will be posted on the website as soon as they are known.
The Summer Gather is conventional camping meet usually close to a hall for dances, and often with rooms on site for activities. We use this an an opoortunity to hold annual meetings, such as our AGM and Members Meetings.
The Autumn Gather is another conventional meet, but this one has an emphasis on crafts. There will still be plenty of music, song and dance, but there are also plenty of craft workshops.
The Winter Residental is a non-camping, pre-booked, event, and takes place in a large hotel with facilities for dances and workshops. One important function of this meet is to enable members who are not able to camp to continue to feel part of the group, meet up with friends and enjoy activities. Recently it has taken place on the South Coast, enabling winter walks along the sea front from the hotel.