Folk Dancing in Devon at Gittisham Village Hall


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Dances are held several times a month, often on Wednesdays, in the picturesque village of Gittisham.

They start at 8 pm and finish at 10.30 pm with a break for tea and biscuits at half time.

There is usually live music with a variety of well known local bands and callers.

Newcomers are always welcome - see contact details below.

The village hall is newly refurbished with central heating.

It is the ideal venue at which to learn and practise.

In cold weather there is an open log fire.

You don't need to bring a partner.

Entrance is only £2.00.


Please note that in line with 'child protection' initiatives and recent legislation, no-one under the age of 18 can be admitted, except with a parent or responsible adult.


Venue: Gittisham Village Hall, Gittisham EX14 3AF (Near Honiton, East Devon)

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Gittisham is a beautiful little village near Honiton. Postcode = EX14 3AF
Directions: Maps together with detailed routes can be found here.

If you don't have transport one of our members may be able to give you a lift - please enquire.

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Joining a local dance club is the ideal first step if you have ever wanted to join in the exuberance of the famous Sidmouth Folk Festival or to go to ceilidhs and barn dances.

These dancers are doing a basic right hand star. The green bands denote ladies dancing as men (often there are fewer men who want to dance).

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The Pete Mac Band - one of the groups who play at Gittisham Folk Dance club.

A song written by Pete Mac about the wreck of the Napoli on Branscombe beach is here.

Dance dates: Usually on 3 Wednesdays per month - see below for full details. Data updated 7 July 2010.


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There are times when your feet may leave the ground (both at the same time) or you may feel that the world is rotating a little faster than usual. But don't worry, these things don't happen to newcomers. Genuine log fire in cold weather!


On some evenings new callers have an opportunity to try their hand - if they wish! At all dances, there are plenty of experienced people who are willing to help newcomers. You can be a complete novice and you don't need to bring a partner.

We may hold some 'family evenings' 7pm to 9pm to include youngsters 5 to 18 years old (with a parent or guardian) with tuition in the basics of folk dance and to 'advanced' level (maybe not strictly 'advanced' but good enough to thrash around at folk festivals and know what you are doing!).

2010 Caller

band / recorded music

28 July Aileen Wills

Stick the Fiddle

Summer party with raffle

4 Aug

X

X

Sidmouth Folk Week this week

11 Aug Frances Hilson

Iain Bryden

18 Aug Club callers

recorded music

25 Aug Eileen Nightingale

Stick the Fiddle

1 Sept

X

X

No dance this week

8 Sept Ted Farmer

Jeroka

15 Sept Robert Blackborrow

Bridgwater Band

22 Sept Ryan Roberts

recorded music

29 Sept Aileen Wills

Jeroka

6 Oct

X

X

No dance this week

13 Oct Jane Thomas

Stick the Fiddle

20 Oct Ted Farmer

recorded music

27 Oct Nicole Mac

Pete Mac Band

3   Nov

X

X

No dance this week

10 Nov Eileen Nightingale

Stick the Fiddle

17 Nov Aileen Wills

Jeroka

24 Nov Frances Hilson

Iain Bryden

1 Dec

X

X

No dance this week

8 Dec Nicole Mac

Pete Mac Band

15 Dec Ryan Roberts

recorded music

22 Dec Club callers

recorded music

29 Dec Jane Thomas

Stick the Fiddle

Betwixt Party - free to members?
2011 Caller

band / recorded music

2011

5th Jan

X

X

No dance this week

12th Jan Ted Farmer Jeroka
19th Jan Aileen Wills Iain Bryden Band
26th Jan Ryan Roberts Friendly Folk  
2nd Feb

X

X

No dance this week

9th Feb Jane Thomas Recorded Music  
16th Feb Eileen Nightingale Recorded Music  
23rd Feb Simon Maplesden Jeroka  
2nd March

X

X

No dance this week

9th March Nicole Mac Pete Mac Band  
16th March Colin Andrews Home Brew  
23rd March Club Callers Recorded Music  
30th March Ray Goodswen Stick the Fiddle  
6th Apr

X

X

No dance this week

13th Apr Jane Thomas Iain Bryden Band  
20th Apr Eileen Nightingale Friendly Folk  
27th Apr Ryan Roberts Jeroka  
4th May

X

X

No dance this week

11th May Nicole Mac Pete Mac Band  
18th May Aileen Wills Recorded Music  
25th May Simon Maplesden Stick the Fiddle  
1st June

X

X

No dance this week

8th June Eileen Nightingale Stick The Fiddle  
15th June Ted Farmer Iain Bryden Band  
22nd June Ryan Roberts Friendly Folk  
29th June Jane Thomas Jeroka  
6th July

X

X

No dance this week

13th July Nicole Mac Pete Mac Band  
20th July Club Callers Recorded Music  
27th July Aileen Wills Jeroka

Summer party with raffle

First week in Aug

X

X

Sidmouth Folk Week this week


Enquiries:  telephone Simon on 01297 680201 or Gill on 01404 813129 or email webmaster.


You can check the date and time of most folk events in Devon
(click on 'diary dates' and then on the relevant month).

Basic folk dance moves are explained here.

Once you are reasonably competent you can enjoy Great Western's ceilidhs usually held at 8pm at Bowhill Primary (previously John Stocker) School, Buddle Lane, Exeter. BUT BE CAREFUL of the modified yet still severe road hump at the main school gate. You risk damaging your car if you go over this  'safety' measure at more than a slow walking pace!

Many other useful folk dance links are here in the SeeRed website.


top of folk dance section.