Dance hall days

Mention dancing these days and no doubt Strictly Come Dancing will come up. The television programme certainly draws enthusiastic viewers, but how many ever venture on to the dancefloor?

There was a time when every village would have a hall where regular dances took place and where every city would have many dance halls. However, a search through the local area shows there are still quite a number of groups, clubs and classes where dancing can be enjoyed, practised or learned.

One such club, which has been on the go for more than 50 years is Tayside Dance Club, which meets monthly, from September to April, in Woodlands Hotel, Dundee.

The club came into being when Kidd’s Rooms closed in Dundee. A group called Dundee Dance Club formed and went to dance at the Angus Hotel, while the Tayside Dance Club, formed at the same time, used the Taypark Hotel in Broughty Ferry until that closed.

At that time, 17 dances a year were held and there were around 69 paid members. Today, members enjoy dinner followed by dancing to live music: a mixture of ballroom, Latin, ceilidh and Scottish dancing.

Most evenings uphold a black tie dress code where ladies are elegant in gorgeous gowns and shining jewellery, and men look like James Bond.

Anyone interested in joining the club when the new season starts on September 28 should get in touch with Sheila Barclay, secretary on 01382 521650 or Jim Mulreany, chairperson on 01382 533736.