News/Photos 2025

Sunday 8th March 2026 - Charity Tea Dance at Alderbury Village Hall, Jeff Gallant

We held our first charity tea dance of the year at Alderbury Village Hall yesterday, 8th March 2026 which was really well supported and we had some lovely feedback from many of you.  Jeff Gallant, our singer, was an absolute gentleman with a lovely voice and personality to match.  He invited our own Rob (RJ Montana) on stage to do a couple of songs which was a nice spontaneous surprise.  Mike DJ'd for the first 40 minutes with some easier dances so our new members could get up on the floor (a little daunting when you first start), but I heard from them that some of our experienced dancers were really welcoming and encouraging, so thank you for that.

We stopped at 3.30 pm for tea/coffee and cakes - homemade by June and Mo.  So lovely that you support us with your baking.  The new system of having a specific break seemed to work well.  It was changed because of the problems of walking across the floor with hot drinks when dancing is taking place, but we are open to feedback about the new system.  Emma, Jan, Pete and several of our new members helped serving cakes and drinks and I know it was a mammoth effort.  Thank you so much.

Our last social was held at Wyvern school which is a much bigger and more expensive hall, so I asked for feedback on preferred venues.  Many of you said you preferred Alderbury even though it is smaller and sometimes gets a bit hot.  It certainly means we can give more to the charity, even though some of you were sat in places where you couldn't see the stage or have much space, so thank you everyone for your give and take on this.  Emma and I visited the hall in the week to see how we could best place chairs to accommodate the larger numbers, but we will keep thinking on this one.  

Kay and Mo sold raffle tickets, thank you both.  The raffle alone raised £159 so thank you all for your generosity and for bring prizes.

Again thanks to those who came early to help set up, Rob, Selena, Jan, Pete, Emma .. to name but a few and thank you all Mulepackers for making it a great charity event.  Our total raised was £440 for our new charity, "Encircles".  It's a brilliant kick-start.  See photos below ...