Dear Fellow Boots N Blisterer,

Firstly…and most importantly, we’d like to wish you a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2003. I’m getting a severe attack of déjà vu, is it really a whole year since we were wishing you the same thing? Of course it is, but as they say, I must have been having fun, as 2002 just flew by.

And we certainly did have some fun! Boots N Blisters’ 3rd and 4th Big Breaks came and went, going from strength to strength. For Robbie and I, and indeed as far as the feedback goes, the latter of the two certainly had to be the best ever. With the renovations that have been taking place at the Cumberland, and the smooth running of events (incredibly there wasn’t one hitch!) it certainly felt nothing close to work for us! In fact it was the first time that I have come close to having a hangover down there (is that a good thing? Well the night before was!!) As always we laughed continuously from Friday to Sunday. The electric atmosphere was quite evident to all present, and the manager told me that you were the most fun, and easy going bunch that they have at the hotel, and that the staff love you, and look forward to your visits (I can vouch for this, they have told me so themselves).

It may, therefore, seem like madness that we decided to host only one Big Break in 2003, and I must admit I am doubting the wisdom of it as I sit here at my computer, but the reason for it had nothing to do with Robbie’s & my enjoyment of it, or any difficulties in drumming up support., for as you know, there are no problems on either of those counts. In fact quite the reverse, we felt, somewhat superstitiously, that they have all been so much fun so far, that we were in danger of (if it is possible) having too much of a good thing…we want to be doing these until Robbie is old, and I am grey, and the way that we felt we could ensure the same amount of enthusiasm all round, was to make it an annual event.

We have taken into account everybody’s comments and suggestions, and have it all planned and we believe we have the ingredients (you guys being the most important of those ingredients) to make Boots N Blisters’ 5th Big Break the best yet!! We will be launching it on 28th February, and, as before, those booking within a week of the launch will be given an early booking discount. So that you can get the dates in your diaries, it will be Fri 10th - Sun 12th October, with the fantastic, totally unbeatable, Linedancer Magazine Crystal Boot Band Of The Year Nominees…VEGAS!!

There were many highlights of 2002 for us, in fact too many to mention. Here are a few, ‘The Bunch’, at my Birthday Bash in November. That was an incredible night. Robbie and I have never had so much stick from a band, absolute unadulterated fun, and music to blow your socks off.

Vegas were brilliant in October, and it was due to the feed back we got from this gig, and the fact that you voted them the band you would most like to join us in Eastbourne that we booked them for Boots N Blisters’ 5th Big Break. Excellent line dance music, and extremely funny, nice lads.

Our Burn’s Night Bash makes me giggle every time I think of it. If you were there you’ll understand why, if you weren’t, I am not going to spoil the fun by telling you…just come along to our Late, Late New Years Party, where we will be combining Burns with hogmanay! Don’t forget to wear something tartan. Which reminds me of our Late, Late New Years Party last year, where we were entertained by the very talented Marietta Station, and relived the bongs of Big Ben together.

Nadine Somers and The Corn Exchange were fantastic in September. Always a favourite of Boots N Blisters, Nadine just seems to get better and better, and a full house just boosted the atmosphere further. Talking of female singers, The Haleys were fabulous, many of the members’ favourites, we feel extremely flattered and grateful that we are the furthest South that thy now travel for a gig. And what a show they put on, enhanced by the fact that they love you as much as you love them. Apparently they’ve never seen such smiley faces at a line dance gig! (Apparently worth making the journey for!)

The Red Nose Fun’d’raiser was just that. A big charity moneymaker with the emphasis on fun.

I thoroughly enjoyed the 80’s night, when Paula and I became two large female characters out of Viz (those of you who are acquainted with the magazine will know who I mean, those who aren’t I am going to enlighten you no further!).

The Summer dance was hot (Well it was inside the hall, for those of us in our beachwear, and summer attire, outside it was unseasonally wet and miserable, something akin to the weather I remember as a young child on holiday in Wales) We weren’t going to let the British weather let us down, and we line danced the night away to classic summer sounds, with a touch of unusual circle(ish) dancing thrown in. (…I think you had to be there!)..

The Deans were the best ever in December, as always a sell out, with a brilliant atmosphere, everyone went home on a pure high! Followed a week later by The Christmas Party. Members and guests forsook works Christmas Parties and outings; family parties and one guest even cancelled a weekend away to come to our Christmas party!! I know I say, ‘If there’s only one Party you attend this Christmas this is it’, but that’s taking it to extremes isn’t it?! It was, however, as predicted, a great night, or so you told us. Robbie (nick named around this time of year Scrooge, for his lack of enthusiasm for seasonal festivities), as always, made the ultimate sacrifice, and played a feast of Christmas tunes for the line dancers, while the rest of the party goers tucked into the edible feast. My brother, Patrick’s trifle, and Thai rice were once again the two most talked about topics of conversation…(what about my sandwiches???), oh and of-course Eileen, who won the £150 luxury hamper, and wasn’t there to collect it, I was nearly bribed in to dividing the spoils…one more Vodka and I may have! Eileen was, however thrilled that I hadn’t when we presented it to her at Monday’s Christmas Party, which has to be another highlight.

As I’ve said, I can’t possibly tell you about all the highlights of 2002 for me, and there will be, no doubt, some of you favourites that I haven’t mentioned, but I have just spoken about them as they popped in to my mind, leaving my favourite, in a masochistic kind of way, to the end.

Boots N Blisters’ 6th Birthday Party. The work that goes in to getting it together, every year, leaves us saying never, never again…until it is all over…and we are left with hundreds of dirty plates and all the furniture to move, and hall to clean, enough to put any sane person off you might think, sane probably being the operative word, because by then we are on such a high that it is all worth while.

And once again thank you for the wonderful gift of a weekend away that you all clubbed together and presented to us on that evening. It chokes me up that you think so highly of us to do these lovely things for us, we are, after all only doing what you pay us for, and thoroughly enjoying it, how many people can say that about their jobs? You guys simply are the best; I’ve no doubts in my mind. On a Friday night, we can have less than thirty in the hall, or a hundred and thirty, and you manage to make a party atmosphere like no other group of people I know! It’s going to sound v.v. corny, but you make it all worthwhile!!

Which leads me gracefully on to my final point, those of you who have been to the club recently will already know, but Boots N Blisters has once again been nominated to be Club Of The Year in the Linedancer Magazine Crystal Boots Awards. Actually, it’s better than that, we have just discovered that we have been short listed to the final six, for the second year in a row…can you believe it?? Robbie and I are totally stunned to have got this far for a second time! Knowing you lot anything can happen, but I just want you to know that as far as we are concerned, Boots N Blisters is already a winner to have had you guys put all this energy and effort into getting us this far, and although it would be a dream come true to win it for all of you, we will not be disappointed to once again be runners up, as anyone who gets this far has to at least be!

Thank you once again, you really do make Boots N Blisters fun.

Before I love you and leave you, I just want to draw your attention to the separate ‘Keeping you in touch’ leaflet, with everything that is happening over the next couple of months, (we will have more comprehensive lists for you shortly) and the fact that we will be closing for two weeks and a day, so that Robbie and I can get disgustingly brown on a tropical beach (you have revised you opinions about us now, haven’t you?!). I’d also like to draw your attention to the invitation to The Valentines Ball, tickets for which are on sale now, it really does promise to be a great night, and a rare opportunity to go out on Valentines night without feeling like a gooseberry if you don’t have a partner (or have one but would rather not be seen out with him/her!).

Until the next time, On behalf of Robbie & myself,

Adios Amigos

Emma x

Ps Let us know what your highlights of 2002 were, with photos if possible, so that we can display them on the website, or anything else that you feel others may enjoy reading about. Have a think…you will be doing us a real favour!

Pps Would you believe it...I nearly forgot to mention… Once again, would you believe it, Robbie & I have also been nominated for Line Dance Personalities Of The Year!! Thought that may bring a little smile to your faces!

LATE NEWS We’ve just got 2003 off to the best imaginable start, with a brilliant night at our Dulwich venue, starring The Glenn Rogers Experience. Glen and Les Evans were absolutely fantastic. The night was electric, the crowd were unbeatable, and we had The Best Time! It is the morning after, and I am still on a high. Sorry, but I just had to mention it!!