Bronwyn Telford in 2014

Before setting of for Kenilworth, I wikipaedia’d it – Richard Smith had the first cattle run in 1850, his wife was reading Sir Walter Scott’s novel “ Kenilworth” at the time, hence the name. 2006 population = 238 !

It was my first time to Kenilworth. From the top of the Peachester Ranges I turned left to Maleny, and as I was driving by myself, caught only glimpses of the Glass House Mountains – I vowed to view them properly at a later date ! Even the 40 odd klms from Maleny to Kenilworth was enjoyable with views over the green Mary Valley with cows etc.

When I hit Kenilworth I thought “well it is only little, surely I’ll see the ring at the showgrounds”, drove past an enormous set-up of campers and 4X4 wheel drive club sign and of course was at the other end of the main street in 2 seconds flat. Asked a local, who said it was on the other side of town!

This time I drove into the enormous camp gr5ound. Saw Heather and Joyce relaxing and then noticed Noel’s sign! I didn’t realize how popular Kenilworth is at Easter! And not just line-dancers!

6 of us ladies were housed in the old farmhouse on acreage next door to the show-grounds, which was pretty handy for to’ing and fro’ing to the hall for meals ( well priced and yummy ). Lunchtime social, afternoon revision and evening socials. As I am not used to old houses, I went to open my window by pushing on the glass pane and not the wooden frame, when crash/tinkle out into the front yard! It was not the only glass already broken in the house though! We owned up to the caretaker, who apologized to us !!

Even though the house could probably sleep more people, with only one bathroom, and an outside toilet shared with campers behind the house, it would probably wise to keep it at six I think.

Saturday morning saw just about all the group up and down the main street, checking out the stalls, enjoying the cheese tasting, and all the food and wine tents. The cheese rolling intrigued me! Turns out it is a wooden pretend cheese you have to roll through croquet hoops down an incline. Fastest wins something! Kids love it. I threw a busker 50c in the main street, and scored “Desperado” dedicated to me. So I sat in the sun and enjoyed it! The Nepalese op shop also seemed to do a roaring trade.

In the house we voted Brett “best dressed female” following Sunday night’s ‘tropical’ social!

As the other campers are exposed to all our music over the weekend, it was nice to see some families come up to watch our dancing at night, kid’s in their pj’s etc. One young couple were standing with their arms draped around each other, I said to Ailsa “look at those love birds over there” to which she replied “yeah, get a tent!!”

Rosemary kept herself busy making elastic loom bracelets, with some of my design input and entrepreneurial ideas of flogging purple one’s to Rebecca etc!

Massive congrats to Noel and his team. Vern always seemed to have a tea-towel over his shoulder, chopping up tomatoes, bbq’ing, washing up, flouring rissoles. He’ll make someone a great wife one day!!

After picking Woody’s brains, I did get to see the lookout over the Glass House Mountains from Maleny on my way home. WOW was it spectacular. And his recommendation of coffee and cake at the Maleny hot-bread shop was appreciated also, yummy.

It’s a given that I would love to attend Kenilworth again next Easter.

Bronwyn Telford,

Toowoomba.

 

Helen Webster in 2013

WOW what a weekend. To each and everyone who came, THANKS for the memories. Must admit cook’s temper frayed quite a few times, so I must say sorry….

We had good weather, great camp fires and great company. To our three wonderful teachers. Three really big cheers – to our special guest instructor Carol (Apache Linedancers ) who was a great sport as we put her in the deep end for teaching us Pure Indulgence.

Another three cheers to all my helpers. THANKS.THANKS.THANKS. and to everyone who wanted to help THANKS. Special thanks to Vern for his help and his patience and Laurie for the help and chocolates, Jess and Chelsea for helping with scrap book and for anyone I missed, THANKS,THANKS,THANKS. And to my friend Lorraine thanks for the box of chocolates. Very special thanks to Delwyn and John ( for his patience ) while Delwyn and I were pre-loved shopping, all for $5-50, and then my ice-cream ( yum ) and to the girls for my Thursday shopping $20 top. I now have something with a touch of purple ( especially for Rebecca ).

And I think we should thank Noel for finding Kenilworth and keeping it going, for extra bedding and for the use of his balls ( something that all who were there know about ). I still managed to get some really great photos. Must admit I didn’t miss street dancing but I think the Festival missed out and to Brett, we did miss you mate!

Cheers everyone, see you all somewhere, sometime on the dance floor…..Helen W

 

Ellie Wallis in 2012

The Easter Hoedown at Kenilworth was another roaring success. Organised very ably by Noel ( with much help from Helen ), the line dancers ( whose numbers had swelled substantially from last year ) had a fabulous time. The weather was glorious, the camp site was filled with vans and tents. The dancing in the street on Saturday morning drew a big crowd. A few from the crowd ventured to the free beginner workshop conducted by Delwyn on Sunday morning.

The teachers : Brett Jenkins, Delwyn Swailand, Jenny Ogden and the irrepressible Rebecca Ross taught two dances each during the workshops.

Dances taught : Brett. Peace Train and TFM Cha. Delwyn. Steam and Somebody. Jenny. Like it or lump it and Slow burn. Rebecca. Whiskey Gone and Along for the ride.

The socials held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights were packed, with dancers who had made day trips only, staying to enjoy the dancing and the fun.

Sunday night theme was Tropical. We all thought Brett’s blue grass skirt was by far the best outfit! However, nearly all the dancers were right in theme – as most of them were on Saturday night’s theme of Red and Black.

Once again, we say a Big Thank You to all the teachers for their time : and to Noel ( and Helen – Vern ) for their hard work, enthusiasm and commitment to ensure this weekend was a huge success. Ellie Wallis.

Helen Webster in 2012

Well what a great Easter weekend of dancing, camping, a wee bit of drinking, badminton championship, camp fires and marshmellows, card games etc.

The Friday welcome started with an afternoon teach and social dancing and then the night social.

Saturday we had dancing in the street at the wine and cheese festival, then back to change shoes for a teach and afternoon social. A few hours off for a get together, a few drinks and nibbles, maybe a bite of dinner and then back for the Red and Black Social. Afterwards we had a campfire and of course marshmallows. And drinks for those still sitting.

Sunday there was a free beginners workshop and then a teach and social dancing. Saw some day trippers from Wondai having a good time. Only a short break and then back for the evening

Tropical social. Finished up around 9-30pm and had another campfire.
Monday saw many packing up and leaving, while some stayed the extra day.
All and all a great weekend and only a few photos… ha ha.

Many thanks to one and all who helped make it a great weekend. Hope to see everyone again next year. So see you on the dance floor sometime, somewhere… Cheers Helen W

Ellie Wallis in 2011

The weekend at Kenilworth was excellent. Jenny Ogden taught Stumblin and Fallin,  A Better Life ( Bill Larsen ) and a beginner dance Little Red Indian Drums.  As an encore Jenny also taught Abracame early Sunday morning. Rebecca taught Someone Like You and I’m No Good. Delwyn taught Til It Snows In Mexico and In A Moment. One had to keep one’s wits about them to take in all of the dances! That could account for Noel’s asking for Little Black Duck to be played at the last social! Fortunately Rebecca realized Noel meant Little Red Indian Drums. The purpose behind the dances chosen were older ones that are still requested and done at socials.

The dancing in the street on Saturday morning, conducted by Rebecca ( the quiet one ) was very popular. A wide variety of music and dances were done and the crowd grew to watch.

Ten brave new beginners arrived for the free beginner class Sunday morning with Delwyn. Those people learnt 3 dances and 6 of those beginners look likely to continue with classes close to their home.

The weekend could not have occurred without the huge work done by Noel, Helen and Vern and the 3 teachers. All of us who attend recognize that without their enthusiasm and commitment, weekends like this do not happen. Noel advised that the venue and campsites are booked again for next Easter – so put 6th April in your 2012 calendar now.

Kenilworth really comes alive at this time of year, as it has its own Festival on Easter Saturday. There are stalls, displays and lots of good food available. The line dancing just adds to the atmosphere, and the hours of dancing that was available helped to burn off all that good food! I’m sure there are lots of tired dancers today!

Dot celebrated her birthday, and Lloyd got through the weekend unscathed this year. We all had a merry time around the campfire, Rebecca and her lot were their usual “quiet” selves!  Ellie Wallis

Donna Hope in 2010

Hi Rosemary. (Editor of Downs Line Dancing Club INC Newsletter)

I just had to pass  on these pics to you from the Kenilworth Hoot & Scoot weekend held over Easter. Hats off to Noel Honeyman for organizing such a great event. The teaching of some older classics was shared by Jenny Ogden, Brett Jenkins and Ebonie Sippel with such dances as – Nothing Much, When You Walked In, The Rose, Frequency, Jump In, Evergreen, Black Dresses and Deep River.

The showgrounds was the perfect place to camp with kitchen facilities and barbeque available and a good floor surface to dance on in the hall. Saturday’s dancing in the street attracted quite an audience with a number of people expressing an interest in learning how to line dance and one couple was intrigued as to how so many of us all knew the same steps to the same music !!

It was good to catch up with Narelle, Del, Dot, Nia and Heather and co. and I’m looking forward to seeing Narelle and Del again so I can learn the new version of Southern Streamline from them. Til then      Cheers……Donna ( On Line Dancers Gympie ).