2017 12th Annual Weeklong Summer Intensive details

Here are the details for this Summer's workshop, The Twelth Annual T'ai Chi Centre Summer Intensive. It is being held the same venue as last year. We are at Leander Sea Scouts, 92 Lower Ham Road, Kingston Upon Thames, KT2 5BB. The no 65 bus from Kingston or Richmond goes past the end of Albany Park Road, 1 minute's walk to the venue from the 'Durlston Road' stop. The entrance to the venue is in Albany Mews, off Albany Park Road. There is no public entrance from the Riverside on Lower Ham road, so please come to the back. (This was part of our hire agreement). If you are walking along the river from Kingston then turn up Bank Lane near the end of Canbury Gardens, turn left into Albany Park Road, and continue along until you get to Albany Mews. There are parking spaces in nearby roads and there are two spaces at the venue by arrangement for those who need to park close by, let me know if you need this. Come by public transport if you can. It's only a 12 minute walk from Kingston BR.

Class times are 2-5 and 6.30-9.30pm daily from Saturday 22nd until Friday 28th July. All GR and TCC students are welcome, as are students and grand-students of John Kells, please let me know if you plan to come. If you are a more junior student, make sure you come on the Saturday or Sunday, then stay for as long as you can, as the week builds in intensity, so dropping in later is not advised. Old hands, please come when you can! There is the traditional optional stepping partner work session on the Friday evening from 7-10pm for Ta Lu, Wabu and the Dance.

If you are not a regular student of our T'ai Chi family, but wish to come along, please get in touch to discuss suitability.

Each day we bring food to share at meal times. Bring your favourite teas and soft drinks too. On the Saturday we can all bring something to share. On the Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, please bring food if you were born in an even number year. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday please bring food if you were born in an odd number year. It always seems to work out, although there's usually a bit too much houmous! We have the use of ovens, a microwave and plenty of space to prep food.

Fees will be £44 per day or £22 per session. There are concession prices of £24 / £12 for those who feel they cannot afford this. This venue is somewhat dearer than our previous venues, but gives us much better facilities, including showers.

Students can camp indoors at the venue in the scout troops' den rooms, there is no charge, you'll only need sleeping bag and a roll mat, as there are gym mats there already. You may also wish to bring a sheet or big shawl to hang across the doors to the little rooms as the sunlight apparently comes straight in the sky lights and onto folks sleeping faces! I will supply drawing pins for the fabric.

I send love and best wishes to all who are coming, and to those who cannot attend this year due to ill health, moving abroad, or unforeseen events, who will be in our thoughts and hearts.

Please get in touch with me if you need more information or if I can be of any assistance.

River side view of the venue.

Albany Mews, the way in.

Entrance to the venue on Albany Mews.

View from the terrace over the river.

Looking to the front of the hall from the entrance.

Small scout troop rooms can be used for indoor camping, there are showers and good facilities. Please bring towels, bedding and maybe an extra sleeping mat to put on top of gym mats provided.

There is a large kitchen and scullery, crockery and cutlery are provided.

Looking towards the venue entrance.

Canbury Park Gardens, 1.5 mins walk upstream, where we can work outside when the weather is good. There are picnic tables, lovely big trees for shade and a good pub nearby (The Boaters Arms)with public loos and good food and beer for after class.