Media Release

Beighton’s Dancing Shoes

Beighton is joining this Saturday’s International Day of Dance with a celebration of dancing in the village, past and present. This special event has been organised with Drapers Dance and the Discover Beighton project which is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, as part of the Objective 1 regeneration of the area. The event will take place this Saturday evening, 14th May at Drapers Dance Studio.

Many people will remember ballroom dancing above the old Co-op on West Street and the annual dance on Beighton Feast Monday. For years Ruby Wilkinson and her family organised fortnightly dances at the Church Hall, including special Christmas and Valentines Dances. Today there are still dances in the Hall, regular sequence dancing at the Miners’ Welfare, tea dances at the library and classes at Drapers and with Michelle’s Steppers.

Organiser Catherine Mailhac is asking people to bring along photographs, trophies, exam reports and any other dance memorabilia. A team of people will be on hand to take copies of photographs and record memories. Catherine said: “Dancing is such an important part of life in this village, and we really want to hear everyone’s stories! If you’ve ever danced in Beighton, now or in the past, then please come along and share your memories with us.” Everything that is collected can be added to the project website, and some may be included in a Discover Beighton book.

This special Dance Event will take place at the newly refurbished Drapers Dance Studio, which was founded by Raymond Draper about 30 years ago. It is still a thriving centre, and is now run by his son Scott, with his wife Hayley. Before the building became a dance school, it was a farm, a golf club house and the Miners Welfare.

The event will run from 8pm, until 11pm. It is free to come and share your memories with us, and there will be the usual charge of £9 for any couple who want to join the dancing. There will also be a chance to see displays of photographs gathered together from Ruby Wilkinson and Beighton’s Historic Society.