Use the links, left, for more information |
The Southern England Regional Council is proud to announce
The Great Britain Championships 2009
Butlins Resort, Bognor Regis
Friday 16th - Monday 19th October
(Competitions commence Saturday 17th October)
Grateful thanks to our fabulous
Platinum Sponsors, 2009
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Championship Results
The results for the Great Britain Championships 2009 are now online -- please click here.
Competitor Lists
The Competitor Lists for Saturday's competitions are now available in PDF format -- please click here.
And Sunday's Competitor Lists are here.
And Monday's are here.
Final Timetable:
The full timetable has now been published (PDF format, approx 47kb). See the 'Schedule' link (left) or click here.
Syllabus Update:
We have become aware of minor errors in the GBs syllabus issued recently. We have amended the older age groups/years of birth, and updated the timetable accordingly. In addition, Rule 22 referred to competition number 39 as being the Adult Ceili. It now correctly reads competition 45.
Please make sure you have a copy of the latest version, correcting minor typos, which is dated 14 August (see bottom right of the front page). A copy may be viewed or downloaded by clicking the 'Syllabus' link, left (PDF format, approx 155kb).
Syllabus:
The Official Syllabus has now been emailed to teachers worldwide, and is available in PDF format (157 kb) by clicking the 'Syllabus' link, left.
GBs Update #6:
Some of you will be aware that there have been postal strikes across parts of England over the last week. These strikes have not affected the Essex area (home address of the GB's Secretary) and postal deliveries have remained regular. However, we appreciate that some collections have been delayed in other areas, which could ultimately affect the entry's arrival date. Therefore, as a safeguard, any teacher who is concerned that their entry may be delayed should please email the Secretary, either with their entry, or just a note advising that the entry has been sent.
As far as we are aware, these strikes have not affected any overseas deliveries, including Northern Ireland.
GBs Update #5:
With the summer holidays coming to an end we would like to remind all teachers that the syllabus has now been issued for this years event.
The closing date for this years entry is 18th September. Late entries will be accepted up until 22nd September, but are subject to double fees.
For those dancers staying off site please ensure this is indicated on the official entry form. Failure to do so will mean dancers having to pay the on-site facility fee.
In addition any teacher or adjudicator staying off-site should indicate this on the official entry form.
Please note this is the only opportunity that dancers, teachers and adjudicators will have to ensure they do apply for dispensation against the site facility fee.
GBs Update #4:
The Great Britain booking line is still open and will remain so until all available accommodation is booked. Booking levels specific to our event are again close to the 3000 level however at present the following accommodation is still available.
- 40 silver double rooms 40 twin rooms
- 28 silver self catering apartments that sleep 7 guests
- The Shoreline we have 25 Columbus rooms
- The Ocean we have 30 rooms that sleep up to 5 people
Please note that the camp is open to the public as last year.
The Ocean Hotel has now opened to the hotel and is getting rave reviews. Please look this up on this site or at www.butlins.com
GBs Update #3:
The actual days of competition will be as follows:
Saturday
- Under 8, 9, and 10 boys and girls
- Under 18, 19, and 20 men and ladies
- Senior (over 20) ladies and men
- Under 10 ceili and figure
- Over 15 (senior) ceili and figure
- Adult ceili championship
Sunday
- Under 11, 12, 13, 15 boys and girls
- Under 12, 15 ceili and figure
Monday
- Under 14, 16, 17 boys and girls
GBs Update #2:
The Southern England Regional Council is happy to announce that the vendors for this year's GBs will be Derry Reel Dancewear, Melaine Murphy, Feispix, Irish Dancing Magazine, Doire Designs and merchandising by Ken Barrett.
GBs Update #1:
The Southern England Regional Council is proud to announce that this year's Great Britain Championships Platinum Sponsors are Doire Designs and Melaine Murphy. The Council would like to thank them for their generosity ahead of this years event.
Having made the move to this exciting new venue in 2008, the Council is working hard to make this year's event even better. Amongst other things, we have negotiated extended hours in Centre Stage, which will give greater opportunities for presentation ceremonies. And there's more -- the brand new Ocean Hotel opens in August and adds lots more accommodation!
We sincerely hope you will join us for three fabulous days of Irish dancing and fun -- see below for booking details!
[The Resort at dusk.]
Booking lines open for Teachers at 9am on Tuesday 5th May. Teachers MUST quote Great British Irish Dance Championships 865 and MUST provide their CLRG registration number, which will be cross-referenced against the current CLRG list. You will not be able book without your number.
Booking lines open for the general public (non-teachers) at 8am on Monday 11th May. Non-teachers MUST quote Great Britain Irish Dance Championships 862.
If any non-teachers book in the first week their bookings will be cancelled and deposits returned.
There should be no shortage of accommodation this year, as there is no 'cap' on numbers of GBs guests. There will thus be NO FACILITY to book via a regular Butlins package and then buy a wristband. Those who do not book via the dedicated GBs line will NOT gain entry to the Irish dancing venues.
The dedicated GBs 2009 booking line number is: 0845 070 4785 -- PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION ABOVE BEFORE CALLING!
Background
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 positive feedback we received, we believe both objectives were achieved, and we will be building on that in 2009.
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', which will be 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 brand new Ocean Hotel.]
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 provides links to all the information you should need to plan, book and enjoy the 2009 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!]