Sandbach and District Caledonian Society is celebrating 65 years and is the oldest running dance society in the town.

Founded during 1958 by Harry Elder, the local Police Constable, the Society's purpose is to promote Scottish traditions.

Luckily, the townsfolk took more kindly to this Scottish gathering than they did to the troop captured on the Common during the Civil War! Sandbach Literary Institute has housed a little bit of Scotland every Tuesday since the Society formed.

The Society survived the pandemic in no small part by the efforts of Dance Master Kim Kolodziejczyk, who kept in touch with members, ran Facebook quizzes and led weekly classes over Zoom.

"'It wasn't easy dancing in our living rooms but we made the best of it and had a good laugh' says a spokesperson for the Society," he said.

This year, Kim was delighted to take the Society's first ever entry into the prestigious White Rose Festival in Harewood, Leeds. An annual outdoor festival, The White Rose is attended by Scottish Dancing teams from all over the country.

"We bang the tenor drum for Scottish Country Dancing," said a spokesperson. "We're always looking for new members. If you have ever participated in a Ceilidh, you will recognise the format."

They added: "A Master of Ceremonies or caller and sets of people dancing to Scottish folk music."

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"Our Dance Master, Kim Kolodziejczyk, provides a class from 7pm for newbies and improvers where she goes through the elements known as formations that make up the dances.

"After 7.30pm, the dances are either "walked through" or "recapped" as it's in everyone's interest that the dances flow.'

'If you are familiar with Scottish Culture come along to revisit your heritage or be introduced to a new culture on you doorstep"'

Sandbach and District Caledonian Society meets every Tuesday from 7 pm until 9.30 pm in the Literary Institute, Sandbach.