English Country Dances with Andrew Shaw (UK)

Music: Denise Bearon (piano) (UK) and Dries De Maeyer (recorders) (B)

From Friday evening March 27 (6 p.m.) with warm dinner, till Sunday afternoon March 29, 2026 (4 p.m.)

Drongen Abbey - Drongenplein 27, 9031 Drongen (Gent)

Drongen Abbey is a historic monument dating back to 1138, when the Norbertin monks founded the abbey. The Abbey, located about 6 km from Ghent , is situated along the river Lys in a picturesque park of 25 acres, containing gardens, ponds, orchards and meadows. The facilities of the abbey consist of conference rooms, dining rooms and en-suite bedrooms.
The Abbey is easily accessible, both by train (8 minute walk to the railway station) and car (5 kms. from the E40 highway). Both Brussels and Lille airports are within easy reach. If you come by train (www.belgiantrain.be) , choose for a seniors ticket (+ 65) at € 7.20, valid during the week from 9 a.m. and anytime at weekends.

Some reasons why you should definitely visit Ghent: 

• Lonely Planet has called our city “Europe’s best kept secret” and a must see destination for 2011
• National Geographic Traveler Magazine has listed this city as the most authentic historic city in the world and full of life
• You can witness with your own eyes what Napoleon and the mysterious thief of ‘The Just Judges’ panel already knew: The Mystic Lamb really is key to European art history

Andrew Shaw was dragged kicking and screaming to his first country dance as a teenager back in the 60s, but has got over that and is now one of the UK's most sought after and respected English Country Dance leaders, highly regarded for his detailed knowledge, high standards and precise, good-humoured instruction.

Back home he has run the Lemmings Reprieve dance club for 40 years and his Kyndred Spirits course attracts an international group of country dancers. Although he can sometimes be found teaching modern dances in the same style, 17th and ECD is his passion. He researches, reconstructs, then teaches these dances, not as a museum piece, burt in a way that will appeal to the dancers of today, whilst retaining respect for the originals and great interest in their social and historical context.

He is uncompromising in his belief in the value of dancing well: that doing so can raise the dancer to another level, that dancing, like singing, is one of life’s redeeming pleasures, that lemmings may indeed be reprieved.

This is his 11th visit to an AADS weekend.

Music will be provided by two excellent musicians: Denise Bearon (piano) and Dries De Maeyer (recorders)



Denise Bearon’s experience as a musician for dancing has evolved over many years from playing recorder (and violin which she soon abandoned) to piano accordion and in recent years piano. From a wide range of styles and genres, she now currently plays mainly for local dance clubs with husband Norman, or other local musicians.
Over the years, Denise and Norman I have played for dance weekends, and Festivals such as Casterton and Southam.
For many years, Denise has been closely involved with Andrew Shaw and his reconstructions. She is delighted to be invited to accompany the very talented musician Dries De Maeyer, she danced to his wonderful recorder playing for Postscriptum at Halsway Manor.







Dries De Maeyer is a skilled recorder player trained at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels with a focus on early music.
His artistic journey expanded during a formative year in Sweden, immersing himself in folk and world music traditions. Currently, Dries is engaged in a variety of creative projects.
He also collaborates with theatre productions and leads engaging music workshops in schools, sharing his passion with the next generation.

English Country Dances

No sound or video recording of any event without prior permission.

If you register and pay by 20 January € 309
This includes tuition, room, six meals, and coffee/tea during the breaks. Insurance included.
Vegetarian meals and diet meals must be ordered with your subscription. A surcharge of €18 will be applied for gluten-free and/or lactose-free meals.
Sheets are included. Towels (€ 9 surcharge) can be rented, please order with your subscription.
Supplement single room: € 30

You should register at least 4 weeks before the start, by means of the registration form (by e-mail) or by telephone. When the 44 dance places are full, registrations will be closed. Your registration is only valid when AADS has received your payment. Before that your registration is on a waiting list.
Participants will receive confirmation and a letter with extra information about two weeks in advance.

You can pay in Euro or British Pounds (including any additional charges) by bank transfer to one of our bank accounts

1. EUROPE: BNP PARIBAS FORTIS (B) Warandeberg 3, 1000 Brussel
   IBAN BE82001218540268; BIC code: GEBABEBB
2. GREAT BRITAIN: write a cheque in GBP, payable to Luc Blancke and send it to our office.
   Bank: HSBC, Maidstone Account # : 31756710 - Sort Code: 40-31-06
3. CREDITCARD: Go to PayPal - https://www.paypal.com/ and use our email address: aads.vzw@telenet.be to pay us.

OUR OFFICE ADDRESS:
AADS - ANGLO-AMERICAN DANCE SHOP v.z.w.
Resedastraat 8 B-9920 LOVENDEGEM
Tel. & Fax: 09/372.96.35 Intern. : +32 9 372.96.35
email: aads.vzw@telenet.be
website: http://www.aads.be

Additional bank charges are at your expense. Please mention the course reference number 'C2026A'.

If you cancel before 26 January your payment minus 10% costs is refunded.  If you cancel until 31 days before the start of the course the amount minus 30 % costs is refunded. If you cancel within a fortnight before the start of the course the amount minus 60% costs is refunded.   If you do not cancel at least 48 hours before the start of the course there is no refund.