BUCKS DISTRICT

THE BIG NATIONAL CEILIDH

The following is taken from the NEWS section of the EFDSS magazine

The aim of the Big National Ceilidh is for as many people as possible, all over the country, to take part in folk dancing on the evening of 18 October 2008, and in the process raise funds for a worthy cause.

Every event will be locally organised and unique, but to make everyone know that they are part of something big and special, ceilidh organisers, bands and callers are asked to make sure that at 10pm, the band is playing 'Jamie Allen' and that everyone is dancing 'The Circassian Circle'.

'This dance has been chosen because it includes everyone moving together, and all the dancers are able to see each other. It's a simple dance and everyone can take part. "Jamie Allen" is a great folk tune and is known to most folk musicians', say the two people whose brainchild this is - David and Joey Oliver. They come from Hexham in Northumberland and David was, until recently, Folkworks Education Director. His son Joey is a musician with the highly acclaimed band 422. Both father and son are active dance musicians and callers.

It is hoped that the ceilidhs will be fund-raisers for Water Aid, a national charity that aims to provide sufficient clean water for the more than a billion people in the world who do not have it.

If you want to take part and run a ceilidh, then check out the website at www.bignationalceilidh.co.uk.

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