As I've said before on these blethers, no class is the same 2 weeks running. This week I organised the programme with a clear expectation of slightly lower numbers but relatively good knowledge of the dances - and of course the class turned out to be nothing like that; we were delighted to welcome 3 new dancers to the class - one lady returning after many many years away, one returning, but for only her second visit and one an intrepid 'graduate' from the Monday class. We also welcomed back several visitors who have only just returned to these shores. None of these dancers were familiar with anything on the programme even if they had danced before, even more challenging, many of our regular dancers were away and of the experienced folk who were there - quite a few had suffered from the 'blip' in this website which stopped them accessing the dance programme before they came. A recipe for chaos one would think! (not that we are unfamiliar with chaos even on a normal night :-)).  
But no.... I'm not saying there wasn't a few chaotic moments but although we had to take things slowly, for most of the night we had at least 2 sets up, our new dancers got plenty of time on the dance floor tackling the most amazing things for beginners to try and until we got to almost the end of the night we were largely successful in getting through every dance, or, at least really enjoying the process of trying - the final Strathspey became the only defeat but not surprisingly most people were pretty brain dead by then, including me! Overall it was a brilliant night with lots of fun sprinkled with a sense of achievement and everyone seemed to go home with a smile on their face, looking forward to next week - when I will plan a slightly less challenging programme ... or will I... heh, heh, heh - you'll just have to come to the class and see !! ;-)

It's been a full on week, hence the blethering delay (sorry that sounds a bit rude doesn't it!)  but I mustn't miss the moment to record what an excellent night we had last week celebrating our 25th Society Set Up anniversary. We were very, very honoured to have Harry Fenwick with us, all of 92 years old and a founder of the society in which he is obviously still interested and delighted to find thriving; Harry was escorted onto the floor by Doris, our current chairman, but his presence was mainly thanks to David (and Janet) who have kept in contact, and, on the night, collected, escorted and generally looked after this wonderful man. Harry had prepared a little speech about the beginning of the society which David read out for him, before he cut the very impressive cake (supplied by Debby at the UKCA).
More than one of our older (or should I say, more 'long term') members commented afterwards on how lovely it was to see him and how memories flooded back with his speech and other items of memorabilia we had scattered around.
It was really great to have so many members and their guests attending, as always the food contributed was an amazing selection which couldn't have been better if we'd organised it and everyone - whether they joined in or not - seemed to thoroughly enjoy the dancing - the fact that the dances were not the 'normal' selection of Gay Gordon's and Strip the Willow was enthusiastically applauded by more than one of the dancers who confessed that they never normally enjoyed a 'ceilidh'!
Pictures from the night can be found HERE or via 'Past Events' on the links above. If anyone wants to contribute some please send them over to me (P.S. I know who doesn't normally like their pictures taken so I've made sure they aren't on the shots - or at least not recognisably - but if anyone else doesn't want to be on them let me know, I will happily take them down from the site) see you tomorrow I hope Jx