Fun, friendship and fitness are at the heart of a thriving Cockermouth group.
Cockermouth Scottish Country Dance Club started in 1960 with a few friends getting together to dance and has since blossomed into a busy club catering for a range of ages and abilities.
"We seem to be attracting new adults in the wake of Covid and have started new classes for beginner adults as well as our children’s class and general club night," said member Gail Inglis.
Dancers range in age from seven to over 80.
The club meets weekly at the Methodist Church Hall in Lorton Street from September to May.
"We pride ourselves on being a very friendly club and we welcome all dancers – from beginners to the more experienced – to our evenings, which are a combination of teaching and dancing," said Gail, a long-time member and one of the club's teachers.
"We also have a Young Dancers’ Class and a New Dancers’ Class. There is also n affiliated adult class in Bassenthwaite village on Monday evenings."
The club organises two dances each year – a Spring Dance in May and a St Andrew’s Dance at the end of November, when they dance to live music provided by well-known Scottish dance bands. They are always on the lookout for a musician to provide live music for the children’s group.
Gail comes from Scotland and has been enjoying Scottish country dancing since the age of three.
"Back then everyone at Scottish schools learned Scottish dancing as a matter of course.
"I danced at university and then took my RSCDS teaching exams. I have friends all over the world through my dancing and when I first moved to Cumbria back in the seventies, I joined the Cockermouth club in the first few weeks and felt instantly at home.
"My children danced in my classes and my granddaughter (who lives near Carlisle now) is in the middle of her Scottish dancing exams to become a teacher."
The Royal Scottish Country Dancing Society (RSCDS) celebrated its 100th anniversary this year. Its mission is to promote a worldwide community of Scottish Dance and Music and has branches and affiliated groups in countries around the globe.
"Many of our adults travelled to Longtown to take part in the joint centenary dance with Dumfries, Carlisle and Lockerbie branches. Quite a few Cumbrians went to the ball in Edinburgh and dances in Glasgow," said Gail.
Numbers at the Cockermouth club increased after it reformed following Covid.
"I think this is because the committee decided to start an additional separate class for new adult dancers so they could learn the basic steps, terminology and formations in a block of ten weeks - the building blocks or 'Lego' equivalent," said Gail.
A new beginners class starts on January 9.
"No previous experience is necessary and we have a lot of fun," said Gail.
"Cockermouth Club is known for its friendly atmosphere and Scottish dancers all over the world know how to party and enjoy themselves!
"We are a friendly, all-ability club which welcomes new members from beginners to experienced dancers alike."
It used to be known as the Derwent Scottish Country Dance Club as it was held at Derwent School now Cockermouth School.
More details of the classes and events on offer at: https://derwentscdc.com/
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here