Scottish dancing society Newbury Caledonians to celebrate 70th anniversary with tea dance in Wash Common

Scottish dance group Newbury Caledonians is celebrating its 70th anniversary this October with a tea dance, writes Grace Clift.

The Newbury Caledonians will be gathering at St George’s Hall in Wash Common on Sunday, October 12, for a celebration tea dance for members and fellow Scottish dancers across the area.

The dance will begin at 2pm and continue until 5.30pm, with a 45-minute break for tea and cake around 3.15pm.

Club secretary Sarah Denly said: “Scottish dancing is good for your mind, because you have to think a little bit, your body, because it’s exercise, and your spirit, because the music and socialising is great fun.”

The society has been running since 1955, and meets every week for Scottish country dancing.

It accepts anyone from Newbury, Thatcham, Hungerford and surrounding areas, and new dancers are always welcomed.

The most senior member of the group is 95 years old and dances in his kilt every Friday for their weekly meetings.

There are also young members, and any age is welcome.

Mrs Denly said: “We have a mixed group – some have been dancing for years and others are fairly new – and we teach them the steps and how to do it, but we all keep going wrong, so that produces a lot of laughter.”

To get tickets, email sarahdenly@googlemail.com, or call (0118) 981 3807.

Tickets are £10, and attendants are encouraged to bring a plate of food to share.

If you would like to attend a Friday session, get in touch with Mrs Denly.