It's been a while since I've had the time and/or energy to blether but with the world going mad around us I count myself very lucky that I can look back on such a fabulous time dancing in Scotland. Only a couple of weeks ago I was dancing in Pitlochry at the RSCDS Winter School, with people from all corners of our world. I then managed to return home safely, unaware - as were all of us - that I had returned with only a few days to spare before all the current flight cancellations.
Many prayers are being said for a quick end to the conflicts changing the lives of so many all around us. It seems Cyprus, and even Paphos, isn't going to be a peaceful place in the immediate future (though only those of us who need to travel are likely to be much effected - at least at the moment). Amongst this madness we are glad of spring bringing back our lovely warm weather (yes, I know we'll be complaining of the heat soon) and walking through carpets of anemones last weekend emphasised that the world is still a lovely place.
Another thing that cheers us all is the dance classes. A super afternoon's class today, well done everyone for tackling some very new formations. They all came together in the end - so, it's a challenging programme tomorrow, but the Monday dancers have lead the way, and although I do have a few simpler alternatives available in case everyone's brain cells decide enough is enough, I look forward to seeing everyone there, keen to give it a go - you can't be worrying about anything else when you're concentrating on getting a Rondel right!

Two more dance classes are now under our belt and numbers are very gradually increasing - it was especially good to welcome back dancers this week who had been ill/injured prior to, or during, the Christmas break - we're a tough lot - and it's just as well!
First, a call out to the Monday class who tackled 'Trip to Timber Ridge'  with it's 'double triangles', and 'corner pass & turns'. These were two completely new formations for most of the class and,  even for those who'd done them before, it's been a while since they'd tackled them.
It was an excellent class and everyone really did well to grasp such a lot in such a short time. We only covered 2 dances - but with the brains boiling over that was enough!
On Tuesday we did manage to cover most of the programme but with relatively few dancers it didn't give anyone much rest.  Next week I've included a few more familiar, or at least less challenging dances, so our more experienced dancers might get the chance to rest - if they want to of course. 
In the meantime it's BURNS NIGHT this Saturday. Let's take advantage of the cooler time of year - it's a chance to dress up and feel special; I'm looking forward to seeing everyone in their kilts & posh togs. The dress code is probably closer to 'cocktail' than 'ball gown', but wear whatever makes you feel special, it's an 'over the top' evening - after all - Burns enjoyed the high life himself for all he celebrated the lives of the workers! For those who are joining us, doors open 6.30pm and it's a prompt 7pm start - if you aren't in your seats by then you might get mown down by a manic Haggis trying to escape the wailing of the piper... just saying!​

 Okay, so it's a slow start but actually a very good one. On both Monday and today we only just managed to field a set, but nevertheless we've managed to do some excellent dancing. Monday is advertised as a 'beginner's' session but the only people who made it to the class this week were all experienced dancers - so it was a great opportunity to revise some of the more challenging formations in the Strathspey repertoire, namely, the All Round Poussette (AKA the Diamond Poussette), The Tournée and The Knot; the knot isn't very challenging to learn but isn't a very common formation so it was a new one for most of the class.
Tuesday's numbers were blighted by sickness & injuries as well as the family commitments that are more likely at this time of year, but it was lovely to welcome back a few people who had been missing from our ranks before Christmas - and we know that most of the others are due back in the near future. Having said that, having lower numbers meant we again had more time to learn new dances/formations - so we covered the 3 couple 'set & rotate' in the super dance 'Festival man' with a useful amount of thoroughness and replaced the Strathspey 'Letham Ladies' with 'Chequered Hall' to introduce, 'The Knot' to even  more people. An excellent night - we even sold more Burns Night tickets- don't forget we'll have to know final numbers fairly soon, so don't delay contacting me if you want to reserve yours. 
Roll on next week.

Well here we are in 2026, a little bit fatter, a little bit slower and a little less fit and hopefully keen to get back to dancing - to remedy all that, while having a lot of fun on the way.
It is actually hard to grasp that the Monday class restarts tomorrow (and of course the Tuesday class the day after that). Even though we had several weeks of low numbers, and even cancelled classes before Christmas, it still seems amazing that we are back already. I have plenty of ideas for this year's classes though and I know people are looking forward to them so it'll be great to get going again.
First:- don't forget our Burn's Night is less than 2 weeks away (note to self - don't panic!) so we need you to get, or at least reserve, your tickets this week please (- the cooks need time to catch the Haggis); if you aren't a Scot you might assume that this isn't the event for you, but it's a great occasion whatever your nationality - you certainly should do it at least once in your life, and don't worry you aren't expected to do anything other than eat and be quiet!
Burns' Night (we are well aware that the 'proper' date is 25th January - but you'll find there are events held practically every day for weeks before & after, and we decided to get in early) is celebrated all over the world and not just in Scotland - there are many variations on the theme - after all they've been held for 225 years and things do change. As a Scottish Group we try and keep to a more traditional format - though including the ladies in 'person' rather than just in 'mind'. And because we ladies will be there, there'll also be the opportunity to dance at the end, if people wish to do so.   
See Pete for tickets at either of the classes, or contact me to reserve your tickets - my details are on the website contact page or check out the poster. We'd appreciate your meal choices when you book, and you can find them on our Future Events page. 
Who says January is a slow month? Hah! - I look forward to seeing you soon.  

The ceilidh is over.
Thank you so much everyone who contributed to the night - not many people made it compared to last year, but on the other hand quite a few more joined us than made it to the classes over the last few weeks. The food was enjoyed by all and we were lucky to have Jean on the bar to relieve our stalwart volunteer barman from his duties, though we didn't quite get him to join us on the dance floor again. Everyone who wanted to got plenty of dancing in - no brainwork involved at all, but plenty of the usual laughter, the  only difficulty was managing to ply people away from the Word Search quiz I'd prepared - next year I'll have to wait until the end to give these things out!
I also have to thank everyone for our super gifts - really lovely, even the biscuit tin lights up! I can't for some reason upload the shots of Pete & I receiving them but here's a few of the general evening and of the hamper once we got it home. 
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And now it's onto our Burns' Night - let me know if you would like me to reserve your tickets - it's on Saturday 17th January 2025. cost €20 you can find the menu & more details on the Future Events page. (note that the Phoenix Club is also holding their own Burns' Night on Sunday 25th January - same menu but different style event - why not do both!)

Christmas Ceilidh is tonight...! I've been so busy preparing I haven't thought about reminding people until now. All you need to join us is a plate of goodies to add to the supper table - sweet or savoury - it balances out in the end. Bring your friend who's always said they'd like to try, but never have, bring your family who've always thought it's hilarious you dance! They'll have a great time and won't think you are crazy after all! Or just come yourself, even if you've never been before, we'll love to see you.
If you can't make it tonight - have a very happy Christmas and don't forget that we restart next year on Monday 5th January and Tuesday 6th January 2026 - only 2 weeks to wait.
In the meantime you can contact me to book your Burns' Night tickets. Our event is on Saturday 17th 2026 and tickets (€20) will also be on sale tonight. 

Say Goodbye, or au-revoir at least ... as many of our resident dancers,  as well as regular visitors, head home to their various shores - not necessarily in the UK - since our group is truly international (currently we are lucky enough to have regular dancers from 10 very different countries). Thankfully many will  be back again and many of them in time for the Xmas ceilidh next week. The last few week's classes have been tiring but great fun and time has literally flown by. A couple of weeks ago during our Tuesday class we literally had everyone in the room, who was capable of dancing - including our intrepid barman, who had never danced a step in class before - joining in to get two sets together for Lethem Ladies. At the other end of the difficulty scale Luckenbooth Brooch took a few by surprise - we haven't done it for several years - but was really enjoyed by everyone who attempted it. 
Since then numbers have been very low, last week the 'Monday' class had to be cancelled due to illness - and the Tuesday evening session was blighted by dismal weather - with only 8 people making it to the class - but as often is the case, it turned out to be  a truly excellent evening, lots of fun and some great dancing. This Monday, (i.e. today) the class did go ahead, but only 2 dedicated dancers joined us. Again this could have been a disaster but again it turned into a really great afternoon - with the chance to cover some little known, and much more advanced formations in detail, and then doing some super dancing (you can always find the details of the dances taught on Monday's by following the links on the Monday Class page - or clicking HERE if you are reading this on the website).
We'll see what tomorrow (Tuesday) will bring.
This is the last 'normal' week before Christmas. In the light of today's low turn out I will cancel next week's Monday class, but hopefully everyone who can will then join us for the Ceilidh on Tuesday 23rd (info HERE)Future Events- anyone can join in, as long as they bring a dish of food to share - usually we say enough for yourself & one more and that ends up as double the amount anyone can eat. In the meantime I hope we'll see you tomorrow.

Well, I thought I'd get quieter, and have more time to catch up once the ball was over but how wrong I was. All the things that I'd delayed thinking about until 'post-ball', suddenly landed on top of me with a rush, and it's taken a bit of time to recover. Blethers have had to wait for a while, but if my head is still only just above water, at least the feet are paddling a little less frantically to keep me there.
So, it's been 3 weeks since the ball and from the dancing point of view they've been excellent ones. Not only have the classes been well attended (up until last night - but more about that in a minute), but we've been welcoming new people to our sessions, as well as greeting the return of familiar faces.
Both Monday and Tuesday classes have had a great atmosphere, and many of the Monday class dancers have been showing significant increases in confidence allowing us to try more challenging dances and  increase their formation repertoire - well done them!
As well as the regular classes I've also called for both a Barn Dance and a Ceilidh, similar events but different sound tracks! - to which various members of the classes have also attended - a real bonus since at least they had a vague idea of which way they were meant to go! 
In all the time since the ball we've had beautiful weather - until last night when - it got a bit wet... perhaps not quite as wet a Scottish drenched-dreary-dripping-wet but certainly on the dampish side for Cyprus. I'd already had bad news from various people with health problems (get well soon everyone) that precluded them from coming to the class, others I knew were away and the weather was the final straw. However - 8 dedicated souls - plus our fabulous volunteer barman - made it to the class and we had the most amazing night of dancing - even managing the 5 couple dance 'Staircase to Styria' with literally everyone in the room dancing. A lot of hard work because almost everyone had to dance every dance but it was a really super night. 
And next week it's December... another year almost gone. Don't forget the various Pantomimes - we're booking tickets for everyone who wants to attend Old Mother Hubbard at Stage One on Dec 11th (see info on Future Events page), and we are also going to the Phoenix Club Panto 'Mother Goose' which is this week - I know a few places are still left on Sunday if you fancy it - but don't ring me, use the phone number from the posters on the phoenix club website www.phoenixpaphos.com - and we'll see you soon hopefully.  

Those of us with memories of last year's ball - when 1/2 our guests couldn't make it because of a humongous storm - will understand the trepidation caused by the spectacular lightening show we were treated to on the way to this year's ball.
Up until then everything had been hectic, but under control - Pete and I had managed to fit everything into the car in the morning, including our 2 meter ladder and me (just), so only one trip was necessary to get all our decorations to the Club. Daniela, Suzanne & Debbie turned up to help, and they turned out to be just the right people to get the place looking amazing with the minimum of fuss or guidance, and natural skill and energy; To then be confronted with the possibility that, yet again, people might not be able to enjoy the night we had all worked so hard for, was depressing.
Thankfully all was not lost - despite the lightening, the rain - what there was of it- held off until we were all safely gathered in! :-) And we had a fabulous night.
Despite the unavoidable absence of so many of our class regulars, guest numbers were increased from previous years by the inclusion of 'external' P3A members & dancer's family & friends - they entered into the spirit of the night with enthusiasm and many stayed with us until the last note of Auld Lang Syne and removal of the last fluttering flag.
The food served by the Kamares Club team was excellent as usual, service equally so, with the timing of the evening working out perfectly. Class members had plenty of dances to choose from, we even managed 2 sets up for Mairi's Wedding, and the more well known ceilidh dances were thoroughly enjoyed by all the room. The night flew by and it was a shock when I realised how late it was and that it was time to wind the event down, in past years things had 'died down' naturally and we'd called it a night - not the case this year! Thanks to everyone who contributed to such a fabulous evening, David, Doug, Pete, all the helpers in the morning and everyone who came and so obviously enjoyed it. Daniela not only took excellent photos with an unfamiliar camera, but also worked hard after the event to create a great little video for us - those of you on our WhatsApp group will have seen it, and I'll happily share if you get in contact. Lots of the photos can also be seen by clicking the link HERE (if you are reading this on our website) or going to www.standrewgroup.com and navigating to Events -> Past Events and clicking on the 2025 Ball poster. 
Now we are heading towards Xmas events - there'll be news of a trip to the Stage One Panto soon (our Doug is writer & director) and the dates and details of our Christmas Ceilidh can be found elsewhere on the site. We look forward to seeing you at the classes in the meantime however - tonight? I hope so.