Wednesday 13 June 2018

A June wedding

The ceilidh was at Quarry Bank Mill. Enthusiastic dancers, the venue had rightly decided that the portable dance floor wouldn't be big enough so they pushed the tables back and we danced on the carpet. As we were lining up for the first dance it became obvious that the tables need to go back even further. Nice when people leap up to dance. Bridegroom Phil's family was from Belfast and obviously knew what they were doing, but those who hadn't danced before joined in and enjoyed it too.

May. A birthday party and a folk festival

I called with Hi Jinks for a birthday party of two members of a family who we had met at the Burn's Night ceilidh we played for. Dad was 50, daughter 16. The daughter has been coming along to Stockton Heath dance club and bringing various friends and family members, so some of the club dancers came along to celebrate with her.

Then as usual the late may bank holiday weekend was Chester folk festival. I called a family ceilidh. The sun was shining and there was a circus skills tent offering rival attractions, but those who were there joined in with gusto. And I enjoyed other ceilidhs, concerts, music sessions and singing for the rest of the weekend

April - an unusual venue and event

I've called ceilidhs in churches and church halls before now, but never in a change-of-use church which had become a Buddhist Centre.
I've called at birthday parties, again this was a celebration with a difference.
The organiser was remembering her father on his birthday. He had been one of the founders of the centre in High Lane, Chorlton.
It was a happy community event, the guests brought food to eat after the buddhist chanting, then joined in the dancing - one of his other interests.