Several weeks ago our brilliant events organiser turned her talents to raising Charity funds - the Charity in question being the Cancer Patient's Support Group in Paphos, an incredibly active and valuable local group that is close to the hearts of many of our members. On behalf of the members and as a token of support to Irene the committee agreed that €100 be donated to the event and this contributed to the very significant total raised by her very well supported coffee morning at the Artemis Private Hospital. Congratulations have to go to everyone involved and especially Irene for such a successful morning.

Sometimes we have slightly fewer dancers but it feels a really full class, other times we have a similar number and it feels a bit sparse. This week it was definitely the former - despite the absence of many of our valued regulars the class seemed as busy as usual especially when we twice managed to dance with 4 sets up. We rattled through the programme despite the rattling of the rain as it lashed down in the first really significant storm of the season. Luckily we'd got all the equipment in and many of the class before it started and although I had to talk even louder and the music volume was high, it gave a definite Scottish feel to the session and we could keep the end door open for some proper fresh air rather than depending on the A.C. Since we had several minutes left over this week, next week I'm going to add an extra dance to the programme, we don't have to dance it but if we have time for one more, why not. 
By next week we'll have had our Tattoo night, we checked out the DVD today and it looks really good, especially played on the big screen at the UKCA. The more the merrier on the night but if you want to come at this late stage it's probably best to check with Debbie at the UKCA first to ensure she's good for the catering. Other details can be found on the Future Events page. On the same page you'll find information on the St Andrew's Ball - tickets are now available, or if you don't want to pay quite yet you can just book your place in Irene's magic book. I'll see you on Saturday I hope. Jx

Half way through the first half of the class I turned around from my contemplation of computer, camera and next dance crib to see bodies flying in all directions, more or less out of control but still with big grins on their faces. I realised, a little belatedly that the music I was playing for Duke of Perth was just a tad faster than our normal speed and although everyone was up for it, and doing amazingly well, I confess to a momentary qualm as to whether all our injury disclaimers were current. Thankfully everyone survived more or less intact - and despite a certain amount of staggering as they left the dance floor the recovery was worthy of a Jane Fonda exercise class and within minutes the floor was packed again for 8 minutes of the lovely Miss Gibson's Strathspey. At an average age probably hovering around the late 60's if not more, I doubt if there's many forms of exercise that can provide that degree of fitness without anyone even considering the good that it's doing them, we are all just there to enjoy ourselves. It was a challenging programme though that wasn't my intention really - the inclusion of Black Mountain Reel was intended to be the only true challenge but the welcome return of several of our 'swallows' over the last few weeks meant that a larger proportion of the class were new to the dances. Well done to all of you who were dragged up and joined in, and didn't you all do well! See you next week and I promise I'll check the speed of the Duke of Perth music next time!

Last Tuesday was a rather exhausting day. Congratulations and thanks are due to David , who was 75 last Tuesday (well that is what we are told but he certainly doesn't look it) and to Janet who organised his stylish lunch time celebration with incredible flair and patience. Further congratulations to both of them and everyone else who managed to enjoy the fantastic feast and convivial company they provided and still turn up to dance, with as much energy and enthusiasm as usual, only a few hours later. Our numbers were very slightly down on the last few classes but not as much as I had expected so we still had enough dancers for 3 sets.
Sad news had been delivered earlier of the death of Sheila Fenwick, the wife of former chairman and stalwart supporter of the Society, Harry; although many years since they could take to the dance floor Harry was still a regular attender of the Society AGM's until only a few years ago, our sympathies go out to him and all his family. 
On a brighter note, if people are planning to attend our St Andrew's Ball on November 24th and want to check the Dance programme in advance you can find it HERE or via the Future Events page above. Most of the dances will be already familiar to regular attendees on Tuesday's because the programme always includes mainly dances for the ball (they are marked with an * on the printed evening programmes) - the fact that every Tuesday class is so much fun bodes very well for an excellent night at the Kamares Club in November. In the meantime don't forget the Tattoo Night at the UKCA on October 28th - more details HERE 

Our numbers are getting back into the mid 30's as we welcome more and more people back to Cyprus. With so many dancers, including a very intrepid guest/newcomer we've had our first dance with 4 sets up, again it's a work in progress working out the best way to organise ourselves but the dancers in our 4th set were happy with the amount of space they had to dance and we've still got other options to explore if necessary. It was lovely to see Maxine again who is visiting after a few year's absence, she has been a great support and source of knowledge in the past and is a very generous and experienced teacher. We dance a reasonably challenging program and the fact we get through so many dances with a very mixed range of abilities in the class is because all our experienced dancers are so helpful to the rest of their set. We had 3 sets dancing Culla Bay again to help get it firmly into peoples minds, and I'm putting it on the programme again this week, it's a lovely dance which is on the St Andrew's Ball programme and having more people confident dancing it means it's easier for beginners to join a set to learn it too. The other dances on the programme which are also on the Ball dance programme were all danced well and enjoyed. I will be putting the Ball dance programme on the website soon - with a link from the Future Events page but in the meantime we also have the Tattoo night to look forward to. Open to Guests as well as members with a showing of the Edinburgh Tattoo video, and excellent meal and a live band to round off the evening it's only €10 for members and €12 for guests - details again are to be found on the Future Events page.