Swaledale Squeeze
17-19 May 2024
The Swaledale Squeeze is a convivial weekend of concertina playing, meeting friends, a concert, a ceilidh, sessions, the comfort of Grinton Lodge and fantastic scenery – what more could a concertina player ask for? Everything is centred on Grinton Lodge (a former shooting lodge), now a Youth Hostel, based just outside Reeth in the Yorkshire Dales.
The guest tutors for the 2024 squeeze are
- Adrian Brown on Anglo
- Rob Harbron on English
- Iris Bishop on Duet
- Susanne Borsch for ensembles
Our regular tutors are Alex Wade (English), Harry Scurfield (Anglo), Paul Walker (English/Anglo), Carolyn Wade (Band) and Dave Ball (English). Together they provide workshops covering a whole range of concertina playing for different abilities, systems and styles. Theo Gibb is joining on Saturday for any instrument repairs.
The weekend starts on Friday evening with informal sessions including the Dotty session, with written music provided for the tunes. Saturday includes teaching workshops in the morning and afternoon, an informal tea-time concert and a ceilidh in the evening in Reeth, with the band for the ceilidh and the ‘spots’ provided by participants. There are more workshops on Sunday morning before the farewell concert on Sunday afternoon, again in Reeth, featuring spots from the tutors and their workshop groups.
All of the workshop sessions take place in the Youth Hostel. Coffee and tea are provided in break times. Alcoholic drinks are available to buy from the Youth Hostel. You are welcome to bring your own alcohol to the ceilidh but not to consume at Grinton Lodge.
Most people stay in the Youth Hostel itself, in comfortable bunk rooms with provided bedding (max 4 people per room). There are a limited number of single rooms. All rooms are up a flight of stairs.
In the grounds of the hostel there are some two-person wooden camping pods, with beds, bedding & heating provided. Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included for all those in bunks and camping pods, from Friday evening to Sunday lunchtime.
There is a camping field next to the Youth Hostel which is suitable for tents access by car is from the driveway (carrying of kit required).
Campervans can stay in the car park of the Youth Hostel, no electric hook-up.
There are additional ‘Landpods’ which are waterproof structures with canvas roofing, beds and bedding provided. No heating, LED lighting.
All are welcome to use the self-catering kitchen in the hostel, and can access showers and toilets in the hostel.
Non residents are welcome to participate in the full programme (no meals included,can access self-catering kitchen)
Dogs on leads are permitted in the camping pods, landpods, tents, campervans and public areas. Sheep and nesting birds on site.
You can find out more about ticket prices and book through EventBee.