The Southern England Regional Council is proud to announce
The Great Britain Championships 2012
Butlins Resort, Bognor Regis
Friday 19th - Monday 22nd October
(Please note that any previously advertised dates are incorrect)
The full syllabus and provisional days of competition will follow as soon as possible.
Please note that all bookings for this years event will be by a hard copy booking form. No phone or internet booking will be available for this years Championships.
The Friday night will only be used if entries are such that all competitions cannot be completed on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Booking information will be made available in late March with options this year to pay by instalments.
Finally, Butlins are delighted to announce the opening of their new "Wave" hotel in time for this years event.
Further details will be provided on this website very soon.
Background
The "GBs" is the second-oldest major Irish dancing championship in the World -- only the All Irelands is older -- and we are immensely proud to be the custodians of its traditions.
Having moved to the Butlins Resort in Bognor Regis in 2008, the Southern England Regional Council has worked hard to continue the Great Britain Championships as a unique event in the Irish dancing calendar. Always known as the 'friendly championships', the GBs has long had a reputation for coupling amazing standards of dancing with a real opportunity to renew acquaintances and to make new friends. We sincerely hope you will join us for a fabulous long weekend of Irish dancing and fun.
[The Resort at dusk.]
After leaving Brean Sands in 2006, the Council wanted a new venue that fulfilled two main criteria: firstly, the venue had to be an excellent backdrop for top quality Irish dancing but -- almost as importantly -- it had to embody the old 'Spirit of the GBs', which has had a unique atmosphere for so many years. Everybody wanted a return to the days when families could get together and socialise with their friends from around the globe, but nobody wanted to compromise on the quality of accommodation and food.
Given the overwhelmingly positive feedback we have received over the past few years, we believe both objectives have been achieved, but rest assured we will be working to improve again in 2011.
The Venue
The Butlins Resort in Bognor Regis lies on the English south coast. Despite being within easy reach of London and its airports, trains and motorways, the Resort is surrounded by the rolling South Downs and is bordered by two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). Quite apart from all the facilities offered by the Resort itself, there is a choice of wildlife parks, quaint villages, castles and beaches close by. You won't be bored on this trip!
['Centre Stage' -- one of the competition stages.]
Accommodation
Finding good quality/good value accommodation is a big part of attending a major competition, so you'll be glad to know that the accommodation at the Butlins Bognor Regis Resort is excellent AND it comes at a great price. But there's more: you can choose self-catering and keep costs down even more, or pay a little extra to have your meals included. Furthermore, everyone gets to use all of the Butlins facilties, so your non-dancers will be just as happy as your dancers!
[The Ocean Hotel, opened 2009.]
Last but by no means least, you would expect the venue to provide all that is necessary to host a top-class dancing event: from providing a framework for the dancing through to top class technical support. The team at Butlins is outstanding and professional, so you won't be disappointed there either.
The navigation menu on the left will provide links to all the information you should need to plan, book and enjoy the 2011 Great Britain Championships. You will find essential information already in place, and more will be added as it becomes available, so keep checking back. Finally, if you have any queries that aren't answered on this website, please fill in a contact form and we'll do our best to get back to you as soon as possible.
[A view inside the Skyline Pavilion. Click the picture for a larger image!]