Oban line dancers get in step for fundraiser
Line dancers in Oban are dusting off stetsons and polishing rhinestones ready for a footstompin’ fundraiser on Mull.
When Jean Drummond read about plans for the Marie Curie dances on the island later this month, she got in touch with old pals from a line dancing group that used to meet regularly in the town to see if they wanted to go.
She got a big yes but folk were a little worried their moves had gone a bit rusty.
Mrs Drummond got in touch with Roger Pendlebury, who was organising the charity dances, to see if he could help and he got on board – literally. To get them back in line, he agreed to travel over to Oban by ferry for three Wednesdays in the run-up to the line-dance ceilidhs to put on refresher classes.
Roger, who is also running taster sessions in Bunessan, Craignure and Dervaig with all proceeds going to Marie Curie, has years of teaching tucked under his cowboy belt.
He hopes the dances, coming up at Bunessan Village Hall on Thursday October 25 from 7.30pm and at Aros Hall in Tobermory on Saturday October 27 also at 7.30pm, will raise more than £1,500.
Tickets are on sale now from Tackle & Books, Tobermory Pharmacy, Bunessan and Pennyghael Post Offices and Fionnphort ferry shop.
Roger is also looking forward to welcoming friends from the Manchester Prairie Dogs, the only all-inclusive lesbian and gay line dancing group in the UK, whom he used to teach and dance with.
Money for Marie Curie will stay on the island to help with the charity’s work, he said.
‘We’re hoping lots of people will join us at the ceilidhs to raise as much money as we can for Marie Curie. Nondancers are just as welcome.’