The Spring Ceilidh event is returning to Whittington Park’s Hocking Hall this Saturday after a four-year hiatus.
A ceilidh is a traditional, communal Gaelic dance, set to Scottish or Irish folk music.
Whittington Park Community Association’s (WPCA) last ceilidh took place in 2019, with the planned return scuppered by the pandemic and refurbishment work. Billed as a community event for all ages, this year’s ceilidh aims to raise funds for WPCA’s 55+ Social Club.
Centre Manager Ann Mason said: “We run a subsidised lunch three days a week [for the 55+ Social Club], so the money will mainly go towards supporting that, and to providing free lunches for people who cannot afford the subsidised lunch.”
But, she added: “this is a combination of a family event for the community, and some low-key fundraising. It’s a mixture of both so we’re not really focusing on a particular [target] figure.”
The last ceilidh helped to raise funds for the renovation of Hocking Hall, which began in January 2022 and was completed last May.
WPCA’s ceilidh will be accompanied by live music from the Brookfield Band. The dance co-ordinated alongside the music will aim to make it accessible to everybody who wishes to join in, experienced dancers and newcomers alike. It will run from 7 pm to 10 pm on 16 March.
“The wonderful thing about it is that it’s for all ages and there are very few things like that,” said Mason. She added: “I’ve had Dads say, ‘it’s a chance for me to dance with my teenage daughter when she would normally run a million miles!'”
A simple supper is also included in the ticket, which can be purchased on the WPCA’s website, but not on the door.
