The British Country Music Club was first set-up by Mr. Roy Cooper of DERI-Promotions in 1988. It basically was to help spread Country Music and Linedance, and let people know of all the Country Music and Linedance events organised by DERI Promotions held at Butlins in those days, which then were around 15 spread over the year in various Butlins Holiday Camps and also Butlins Hotels all over the country.
After a while Roy handed over to his son Greg Cooper, and finally May Cooper started looking after it in 1992. Both put a lot of effort into it, and soon the club had around 10 000 members.and spends a lot of time making sure that people get mailshots and know what is happening across the Country.
In the beginning there was a charge, but these days its FREE. The MONTANA Western Dancers have been with the BCMC from the beginning, and are with them to this day, teaching at a lot of BCMC events.
If you wish to join, or need any other info or want to book one of their events, get in touch with May at the address, phone number or e-mail below: British Country Music Club, PO Box 10061, Glasgow, G71 9AL
For the last 23 years we all had something to look forward to at the latter end of the year, namely the Scottish Great Country Music Festival. It was like a ‘Home Coming’ of a very special kind, something that can only be found among our beloved Country Music. To have this cruelly taken from us, through absolutely no fault of our own, hurts a lot. May Cooper of the British Country Music Club and Roy Cooper of DERI-Promotions worked tireless to keep things going, but sadly did not get the support they needed. Meetings after Meetings! Promises after Promises! Why? No one knows, but for many years now there have been major complaints about the accommodation, some small, some more serious, everyone relevant none-the-less. May and her loyal staff had to be in reception and listen to every detail. Did she get support from the centre? Did she heck! Roy would go his usual wonder around, and then he had to listen to all the complaints! This year they were forced to ‘make do’ with very basic venues….also this year was probably the worst as far as complaints was concerned. The cleanliness of the accommodations really beggars believe. This wasn’t just that it wasn’t cleaned after the last occupant, this was dirt and grime that hadn’t been cleaned for months and months. For many years already we have all got used to having to take our own cleaning cloths and bottle of bleach, but this year our own accommodation was so bad, we just couldn’t stay in it, and had to insist to be moved, which we eventually were. I will be writing to Haven Headquarters….with pictures! Will let you know what they have said in the next issue….that’s IF I get an answer! Where there should have been microwaves….there were none, when people enquired, they were told that they could hire one…..the fee was more than if they wanted to buy one. The heaters wouldn’t work and it took hours for somebody to come and fix it. Despite all these problems this year once again it was a brilliant Festival, great music, and it was so good to see all our old friends, a lot of them we only see this one time a year, its much the same for a lot of people who come here. On behalf of everyone who attends the Ayr Festival (still called the ‘Butlins’ Festival by many!) every year, I would like to thank May and Roy for their hard work, their loyalty and insistence, despite a lot of problems, to keep this going. I think everyone understands that ‘enough is enough’, but everyone also hopes that you can work a miracle to keep it going! Somehow! Somewhere!
All the very Best to you Both! Brigitte. XX.
Letter from Willie Downie…..
Dear Brigitte, after all the doom and gloom regarding the future of our great "BUTLINS" festival, I am now in a more optimistic mood. Despite there only being two venues, I think it was a big success and Roy and May Cooper should be congratulated for making it so, against all the odds. But, this is only the beginning of a long road back to its former glory, and everyone must play their part in this, so come on all you music fans, westerners, linedancers, in fact anyone who enjoys a great week-end, please give Roy & May your support, and who knows? The venues and accommodation may have to be increased in future years. Right, thats me off my soapbox. I would just like to say one more thing, I thought it was one of the best festivals for many a year, and I will certainly be back next year, and I hope to see all my absent friends there too.
Thank You, Willie Downie, (aka Big D).
Letter from ‘Bootlegger’ Heather Barton….
Hello B, first things first how is the lovely Danny, was really shocked when you said he had to go into hospital on Sunday, hope all ok.
(Yes, he is finally on the mend, its been a long haul! Thanks! The Ed. )Thought I would write a wee bit about the weekend in Craig Tara. I was asked to Guest DJ over the weekend, in the Line Dance venue, and would like to thank Roy and May for the priviledge. I had a great time, it was a bit strange I have to say having the venues split, although there was a few teething problems on the Friday night, I think come the Sat all had started to relax and start to really enjoy themselves. I was working along side Ian from Music City Disco, who has been DJ-ing for May and Roy for the last 5 yrs. It was a wee bit strange to start with, as we didn't know each other, but after I did a wee bit "bonding" with him, he soon relaxed (lol). On the Friday night there were quite a few complaints regarding the accommodations, this I have to say is totally out of May and Roy's control. I myself had to move 3 times. The staff were not very helpful, and I did feel sorry for May, as she was trying her best to please all. For years most of us have been going to Craig Tara, I myself for 10 yrs, it has for the last 6 I would say its gotten worse, but year after year we go back, with the same problems, the accommodation is terrible! There is really no other complaint except this one (me shouting every time may I add), so I came to the conclusion we all have 2 choices with this: First we either go and accept what we sleep in for 3 nights or we dont go any more. I have decided I will be going back, as it is a great weekend, and with me will come... my own sheets, towels and a cleaning cloth. I will know exactly what I will be facing when I get there, but I will put up with it, as I don't want to miss the weekend. Anyway, I maybe should have thought about this before I did all my moaning on the Friday!!!! The dancers on the Friday were feeling a wee bit left out!!! so to speak as they did feel segregated from the Westerners and vise-versa, but once all relaxed, the good vibes started to come, dancing in the FOOD hall I felt was good, it again took wee while to adjust, but I thought worked out really well. The Bands over the weekend were excellent, good mixture….Stateline, Root’n Toot’n, I had never heard of but were really good. Poor Glenn Rogers had a terrible sore throat, but sang his heart out as usual, along side them were Katie Rhodes, John Dean and Calico. All were brilliant, kept the floor FULL with every act. On the Sat & Sun morning Elma and Kate did a really good mixture of dances, both excellent at getting dances across, will be taken them to my classes, hmmmm, only if I remember them!!!! All in all the whole weekend turned out to be really good, a few adjustments have had to be made in order to keep or try and keep every one happy and to continue with this great weekend, full marks to May and Roy to continue to strive to make this festival the best Country and Western linedance weekend.
Happy Dancing! Love, Heather, The Bootleggers. xxx
Here it is, the OFFICIAL letter we didn’t want to read! The Great Scottish Country Music & Western Festival
Dear Friends,
It is with much regret that a decision has been made not to present the Festival in 2010 at Craig Tara in Ayr. This decision has been made following the many HOUSEKEEPING complaints received over the weekend of this year’s Festival.
It would appear that certain promises made after the 2008 festival were not upheld
regarding the cleanliness of the accommodation, hence more complaints this year.
I would like to thank each and everyone that has supported both May of B.C.M.Club, and myself of Deri-Promotions over the past 23 years of presenting The Great Scottish Country Music & Western Festival.
It is not without reasoning that we intend to look for another venue to present such a prestigious event in Scotland, and will contact you direct accordingly, and also through the CMDS Magazine.My sincere apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused, but now we can all look forward to better days enjoying the music we all love to be part of.
