With marriage, children and a husband in the forces we moved around this country and abroad. We did manage to dance at various places and one of these was at RAF Lakenheath. We did a lot of Jiving then too, and this was more readily available. We danced to folk like Kenny Ball and Chris Barber whenever the powers that be arranged a night on the base.
More recently I came under the Square Dancing Spell again when friends persuaded me to join their club. I quickly made up for lost time and now dance as often as I am able.
Just before Christmas 2005 my friend said “Why don’t you have a go at calling” Well I did think about it and at the I.O.W. bought some records from Paul Bristow. I sang a bit at home, thought about going to Ivinghoe but was still not sure. Then in quick succession I went to several big dances, notably Mike Sikorsky at Chiltern and found I could only manage three half tips and I was shattered! This was the crucial moment as I thought if illness was going to stop me dancing at least I could have a go at calling.
Having once made up my mind I enrolled for the G.S.I. Caller School in June and told our caller Barry Potter. He said if I was going then I had better start calling at the Club. So in October 2006 I started by doing a singing tip and then after a couple of weeks was also doing patter calls. Barry has helped me a lot with both critisism (constructive I hasten to add) and encouragement, also I get homework!
During the last six months I have called at various places including Black Squirrels, Yorkshire, Chain 8’s, The Snowflake Dance , Castle Squares, Wight Weekenders, and Active 8’s. I have sung a duet with Simon Fielding, performed a singing tip in Guernsey and more recently at Hemsby where I can claim to have been on the stage with James Wyatt! He even blew my whistle for me!
Caller School is in June so watch this space!
Patricia Connett-Woodcock
