BIOGRAPHY

Al started Square Dancing in London in 1953 during his last year at school and started learning to call in 1960

After several years as "resident guest caller" at many London clubs he started a beginners class in 1965 which became Rockin' 8s. The club is still going strong with the current club caller Paul Bristow.

In 1969 a move with the "day job" took him to Yorkshire where over the years he has started a number of clubs all in areas new to Square Dancing.

Al has travelled widely, in Europe he has called squares in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Italy, France, Germany, Holland, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Slovakia Sweden, Switzerland also Scotland, Wales, Isle of Wight, and Guernsey.

In North America he has called at clubs in Canada, Florida, Virginia, Rhode Island, California, Nevada and Hawaii.

In recent years he has added Australia and New Zealand to the list.

In addition he has been involved in coaching callers in England and Czech Republic

For many years he has been an Active member of ECTA and he has been a member of the Council of the Square Dance Callers Club of Great Britain serving as Vice President and most recently President up to 2007.

Currently he is concentrating on "open door " easy access programmes such as Callerlab Community Dance Programme, which, in his opinion, is the key to the future of Square Dancing. (back to Barnacle Bill !)

RECORDINGS BY THIS CALLER

TITLE	DATE	LEVEL	LABEL ID
Barnacle Bill	1989 / 08	MS-18	SNW 301