This will probably be my last blether of 2016 - it's been an amazing year, there have been sad moments, we don't forget the friends we lost this year, but there have also been many happy memories; The committee has organized and hosted their usual collection of fabulous events, some of them 'firsts', at least in my lifetime at the society; we've gained many new friends and will be regaining several again next year, who for one reason or another hadn't made it back to us during 2016.
The constant thread throughout has been the Tuesday class & social - we are now at the stage when we have to restrict the number of tables put out to accomodate more sets, and to be told over and over again by people coming to the class (whether they are dancers or not) that it is the highlight of their week (as it is for me too) is both immensely gratifying and a terrifying responsibility! :-) .
I have just been preparing new registration lists, new membership forms (they are now downloadable from the membership page HERE), I'm doing the dance programme for our first 2017 class and also the tickets for our Burns Night at the Elea which will be the usual sell out by the looks of things. Members have first shout for tickets but guests can book from Tuesday 10th at our first 2017 dance class or by e-mailing Irene (see the contact page). There are lots more things to say - next year we have the International Branch visiting Paphos - their website is HERE if you are interested - and some lovely events planned so 2017 is going to be an exciting year for us all so I hope everyone has a lovely time in what is left of 2016 and I look forward to seeing you all soon. Jx

It's taken a few days to recover from it, but that's not surprising - well done to everyone who contributed to our 'new' style of Christmas Ceilidh; the food was excellent & plentiful; the wine flowed in judicious but appreciated amounts, as did the apple juice for those of us who needed super clear heads; the entertainers (thanks to you all) provided an excellent combination of party pieces all of it entertaining; thankfully the piano worked and we had a spare battery for the mic. the missing kilt was gallently replaced by the gamest lady in the class and we had a superb and surprisingly large turn out of 46 people - more than double the number for any previous class at this time of year and they weren't all here for the beer because we had to accomodate 5 sets for Borrowdale Exchange - that's 30 people and there were more who wanted to dance but we were running out of room! I must also thank everyone who helped to decorate and then to clear up so well - the place was cleaner when we left than when we arrived. There are many things that we learnt from the event... so we'll do it even better next time, but everyone enjoyed it and it was great to see lots of faces we haven't seen for a while - many intend to rejoin us again next year - please do, it'll be great to have you back.
On a slightly different note, remember that Members only can now put their names down with Irene for Burn's Night tickets - Non-Members can't book until next year; we always have high demand for our Burns Night event so let Irene know now if you'll want a ticket. Also a reminder that our first Tuesday class of 2017 will be on January 10th and memberships will then be due - but we still have one more class of this season to go so I hope I'll see you there.
OH - and I almost forgot....  a beige jacket and some gillie type dance shoes were left behind last Tuesday - we'll bring them on Tuesday if they are not claimed before hand but please check your shoe bags and make sure that they are not yours. 

We're back from a full on 2 weeks away, to a full on few weeks till Christmas, can you retire from retirement?
I think I need a rest ! 
Already everything we did in the UK seems a blur - which in fact it was since in less than 2 weeks we stayed with different friends or family near London, Manchester, Newcastle, Aberfeldy, Huddersfield, and in P's case Cardiff too. We managed to reach our destinations despite 2 delayed train journeys (one due to staff shortages, one, more seriously involving going over a broken rail), getting on the wrong tram, getting on the right tram but with no time to get a ticket and finally on our return flight loosing my Mum's case - which thankfully was returned to her within 48 hours because it had P's kilt inside, not to mention all her clothes of course! Since returning it's been non-stop too, but tomorrow night it is the Ceilidh (which is going to be brilliant) so at least one lot of preparation will be over - and then onto Christmas. I'll attach a picture of us at the Highland Ball that we were lucky enough to attend in the UK (5 hours of practically non-stop dancing - oh my feet!) and one of the wonderful 4 month old Mabel - then I must go and get some sleep - lots more to do tomorrow!