EDEN NIGHTS BALLROOM DANCING HOLIDAYS at THE CARRINGTON HOTEL at BOURNEMOUTH

by

PAULA

Reprinted from DANCE NEWS

The lovely seaside Town of Bournemouth is famous for its 'Dancing' Hotels, and those 'Dancing' Hotels are famous for their comfort, their cuisine, and for their Ballroom Floors - a lovely floor is a pleasure for any dancer, always noted and joyfully appreciated! The Carrington Hotel provides all the facilities required for a welcome and happy stay, commencing with that super asset, a particularly spacious Car Park! And Spa, Pool, Games Rooms etc., plus for those who attend the many Ballroom and Latin Dancing occasions, there are two delightful Ballrooms, The Ambassador Suite and the President Suite.

Paul and Carole Eden became attracted to Ballroom Dancing some 15 years ago, and studied for two years, and they make a very charming pair on the floor – though nowadays Paul has little time for his dancing, his Music comes first. It has come first now for some 13 years, - their organisation 'Holidays for Dancers' - 'Eden Nights', was formed 13 years ago, and during that time has become so well established and attended that our pair have only rare opportunities for anything else, since this particular occupation relates to both 'working' and 'relaxing'! Carole does not complain.....oh, yes, she says, the Holiday at Diamante Beach, Calpe, in Spain! That's my favourite! (So that accounts for the beautiful tan this lady has!) Success under the Sun! Other 'overseas' Holidays are at Madeira, Portugal and Ireland. This will be the 5^th Year in Spain, and the 3^rd Year in Madeira and Portugal, and second year in Kilkenny, Ireland – all repeated due to popularity!

And new, on the future Agenda, is South Africa! Taking a little longer to organise.....but it's there!

Apart from the dozen or so U.K. Venues, all exceptionally well chosen, and some 50 'Holidays'....... there is the iconic Blackpool! A wonderful choice of eight occasions there, all at the famous Winter Gardens!

The other attraction for Ballroom Dancers, in fact as important as the Floor, is the Music. And this is undoubtedly Paul's metier! Right now, entering this lovely Ballroom, we hear an ageless and lovely Classic of the Ballroom, 'September in the Rain'.

The leaves are brown, came tumbling down, remember, that September, in the rain.

The sun went out just like a dying ember, that September, in the rain.

For every word of love I heard you whisper,

the raindrops seemed to sing a sweet refrain.

Though Spring is here, to me it's still September,

That September, in the rain!*

Well, Sinatra thought it was good, too!

It seems years since such neat and telling lyrics were around, lyrics which actually said something - they had meaningful words, and – they even rhymed, cleverly, attractively, and made sense! - we miss them!

This is the music which inspires one to dance! It did, it does, and it always will!

It seems odd to think that in the 1660's, when famous Diarist Samuel Pepys wished to sing just for his own personal enjoyment, 'around the house' as it were, he was obliged to attend a Singing Master - at considerable expense - in order to 'learn a song' - words and melody! He didn't know any 'songs' at all!

This evening is a Black and White Ball, so simple for the gentlemen! Most of the couples are on the floor, circulating, and the ladies look lovely, in white with a touch of black, or black with a touch of white. That lady there, from Lincoln.....slim and elegant, a black gown - and the white? A three string necklace of pearls. It's a Rumba, and they dance so very well! Now who can their teacher be? Darren.....Darren? BENNETT! Oh well, that explains it! Darren and his lovely wife Lilia are former U.K. Champions, and Stars of TV's 'Strictly Come Dancing'. Their associated School of Dance, which is a 'Bennett family affair', is the celebrated City Limits School, in Manchester.

Some ninety guests are here tonight, from Reading, from Birmingham, further areas north, and many from points South in Devon, which is the Eden Nights home ground - and of course local dancers, Dorset and Hampshire, who always appreciate this opportunity to dance to Paul's music at this lovely venue.

A truly enjoyable 'Black and White' evening!

A FIVE DAY MID-WEEK BREAK

Ten days later - and another Group of Guests. Right now, it's the Argentine Tango - Social Style - and it has a supreme fascination all it's own. Eric and Glenys attended the Leamington Spa Dance Centre, and 'we worked hard....it's not easy, concentration and thought.......' - but they look very, very good! 'Well', says Eric, 'we saw a Demonstration by Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace, World Argentine Tango Champions. It was so wonderful, we felt we must try it ourselves! We are so glad we did, but it's difficult to find an opportunity to practice. Not many Music Men play it! To their joy, Paul does.

Thank you, Paul and Carole. Thank you, Carrington Hotel. Two excellent Dancing Holiday occasions.

*'September in the Rain' Harry Warren and Al Dubin 1937