The St Swithun’s Day Barn Dance organised to raise money for the Great Chishill Bell Fund took place on a chilly, overcast Friday evening on 12th July, the nearest the organisers could get to St Swithun’s Day (15th).
Headed up by bellringer Helen Whitehead the event was a huge success. Cambridge University Ceilidh Band again provided the live music with an excellent caller who had people up and dancing within minutes. This year there was a great mix of ages present from young teenagers right through to octogenarians all of whom enjoyed dancing, TexMex food – BBQ pulled pork, refried beans, mexican charred corn salad, coleslaw, BBQ jackfruit etc.
As always, there was a licensed bar open throughout the evening, and of course the ever popular raffle, with a top prize this year provided by the Pheasant. The ice cream van came along and provide a cooling refreshment break from the dancing.
Twice as many tickets sold this year than last so Angus supplied a marquee to ensure that there were enough tables for everyone without cramping the dance floor. A couple of gazebos supplied cover for outside games – cactus hoop-la, wellie wanging and a ball rolling game. Altogether the event raised £1540 !
A big thank you to everyone who helped make it such a success – with a special mention for Helen and Mark, Sue and Phil, Angus and Tess, Rosemary, Jill and Fred, Cilla, Stella and Nigel.
Will there be another one next year? “Hmmm – have to think about that” – but they said that last year! If you would like to make a donation to the Bell Fund, there is a JustGiving page, accessed by clicking on justgiving.com/page/great-chishill-bells .
