2026- 2027
08 March Norman Bearon, Ian & Becky
11 October 2026 Hilary Herbert Denise, Norman & Sally
08 November 2026 Norman Bearon Ian & Becky
13 December 2026 Trevor Monson Denise, Norman & Sally
10 January 2027 Bernie Culkin Ian & Becky
14 February 2027 Hilary Herbert Ian & Becky
14 March 2027 Andrew Shaw Denise, Norman & Sally
REPORTS
2025-2026
On Saturday evening, 21 March, there will be a dance organised by Preston FDC at St Cuthberts in Fullwood; Andrew Shaw is leading the dancing and Stradivarious are providing the music; see the handbills on Sunday for details of this and other upcoming events.
Towards the end of April, Lancashire Folk – the group that supports us financially – is holding another afternoon dance. It is on Saturday 25 April 2026 from 2pm to 5pm at St Cuthberts in Fullwood; Bernie Culkin will be leading the dancing and Portland Duo will be providing the music. Again, see the handbills on Sunday for details.
Almost two dozen dancers arrived at Samlesbury Memorial Hall on Sunday 12th October for the start of a new season of dance workshops that will take us through the winter.
Ian Jones had by and large, left alone his instrument to lead the dancing with music being provided by a new combination of musicians: Denise Becky and Sally were playing for dancing together for their first time, a new combination of musicians that we hope we will hear many times in the future. Ian lead us through some challenging but thoroughly enjoyable dances with the emphasis on style and interpretation of the music adding very much to our learning experience.
Intriguingly today there were at times more men dancing than ladies. Does it matter? No, but it just shows how our world is changing!
As in previous years, the tea break gave us the opportunity to deal with the administration of our Annual General Meeting and, as ever, since all the reports and comments had been circulated before the meeting, it was quickly over allowing a swift resumption of dancing.
The following month Ian returned to his accordion and keyboard and, with Becky, provided the music behind Andrew Shaw's interpretation of dances from way back when, each dance with its own story to tell, each with its own history and each described in detail by Andew who builds an intimate knowledge of the dances he leads. The format of FNW means that callers can take the time to explore more complicated dances and Andrew uses this to our benefit.
Twenty-six dancers had braved the wind and rain and negotiated the traffic delays on the motorway and local roads that meant we had a late start for this thoroughly enjoyable and informative programme of dances.
Come December, two dozen dancers came to enjoy an afternoon lead by Trevor Monson taking us through some of his own dances intermixed with dances from further afield Denise, Norman and Sally provided the music for the afternoon and, it being the run up to Christmas, during the break with enjoyed our customary mince pies augmented by more from Lorna (thank you Lorna). Trevor's programme included both simple and complex, challenging dances that all keep our minds well and truly active!
The new year brought another interesting and, at times, challenging programme from Bernie Culkin, using to the full the format of FNW as a workshop. Ian and Becky provided the music for this complex afternoon of dance. One dance included a "Schehalian reel", new to some of us, and many dances took a while to get right but we did, lead by Bernie with patience and humour. This is after all, what FNW is about.
01 February 2026
This is just a reminder . . .
Folk North West meets again this coming Sunday 08 February 2026 when we will welcome Hilary Herbert to lead the dancing; Denise, Norman and Sally should be providing the music and we hope Denise is recovered from her accident. We look forward to an excellent afternoon of dance
Just to repeat for the benefit of those that missed our January meeting, Folk North West is affiliated to, and substantially supported financially, by Lancashire Folk and we ask that dancers are affiliated too; at £1 each year the cost is minimal but it maintains the link that we rely on for support. Some dancers maintain their affiliation via their own club or by membership of EFDSS otherwise, please affiliate via Folk North West. For those who weren’t there in January, Chris will collect the £1 fee at the door on Sunday.
Also, on Saturday 21 February, Preston FDC will be holding a dance at St Cuthbert’s in Preston when Trevor Monson will be leading the dance, with music from Portland Drive. Please see the handbills for full details, we’d love to see you there.
Once again, we meet next week with Hilary Herbert leading our session and Denise, Norman and Sally providing the music, so, make a note . . .
Sunday 11 February 2024, 2 o’clock till 5 o’clock at Samlesbury War Memorial Hall.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Bill Barcroft,
Secretary, Folk North West