Introducing the band for the Barnbuskers open to the public Christmas Ceilidh Barn Dance  at Minehead Rugby Club 4th December 2025 🎄

Only 34 days now to Barnbuskers Grand Christmas Ceilidh at Minehead Rugby Club Hall and, yes, we at Barnbuskers are getting very excited. So we thought it would be nice to show you the band that Judy (our band leader and organiser) has planned.

Barnbuskers Christmas Ceilidh Barn Dance Band

Judy will be leading the band on her fiddle, Robin will be blowing his clarinet and other wind instruments, Rocky will be whizzing his fingers over the keys of his piano accordion, Sarah will be adding the rhythm on her guitar and Laura (Judy’s daughter) will be coming up from Cornwall for her debut on her double bass. The dance caller who will MC the evening and organise all the dances will be one of our favourite callers, the highly experienced Bridget.

And, just so you can get an idea of the music we’ll be playing, here’s a short video taster! (You might have to click it to get it started!)

Cheerful music, isn’t it! We like cheerful. Jigs and reels are cheerful and good at getting people up on the dance floor. There’s usually lots of laughing and smiling too. In fact our ceilidhs and barn dances are often quite noisy affairs what with all the laughter but that’s alright. We just turn the volume up on our equipment and play a bit louder. We like the sound of happy people. (The Rugby Club Bar will be open at the end of the hall too which no doubt will add to the merriment!)

And isn’t that what a Christmas party is all about? Friends old, new and those we haven’t met yet, getting together to have festive fun. Of course, for most of the evening, we will be busy during the dancing playing our selection of great traditional folk music tunes. There will be a break, however, about half way through the evening when we will put on some of Barnbuskers recorded music. It will give us the opportunity to join the dancers to chat and share some free nibbles. We always look forward to that.

So we hope you are getting as excited as we are. If you haven’t bought your tickets yet, they are going fast so relying on getting them on the night might not be a good idea. Tickets, £10 adults and £5 (accompanied) children are available online from https://buytickets.at/barnbuskers/1898543. You can also buy them in person from Judy at either of her weekly Minehead or Watchet Ceilidh Dance Classes. Any questions? Chat to Judy on WhatsApp

📍 Event Details:

• 🎶 Event: Barnbuskers Ceilidh Christmas Barn Dance
• 📅 Date: Thursday, 4th December 2025 (the evening before the Dunster Winter Festival)
• 🕖 Time: Doors open at 7:00 PM | Dancing starts at 7:30 PM
• 📍 Location: Minehead Rugby Club Hall, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 6TR
• 💃 All ages and abilities welcome!

Who’s invited?

Well basically anyone who wants to come and enjoy the dancing at our Barnbuskers Christmas Party. It’s being held in Minehead but it’s open to everyone in local West Somerset and Exmoor villages and towns such as: Williton, Roadwater, Washford, Watchet, Luxborough, St Audries, Sampford Brett, Stogumber, Bicknoller, Nether Stowey, Dunster, Blue Anchor, Selworthy, Allerford, Porlock, Luccombe, Old Cleeve, Culbone, Carhampton, Timberscombe, Bossington, Wootton Courtenay, Withycombe, Wheddon Cross, Exford and any other Exmoor villages not mentioned.

What about holiday makers visiting West Somerset?

If you are visiting West Somerset or Exmoor for a Christmas holiday, visiting family for Christmas or perhaps for the Dunster Winter Festival, you are also extended a very warm West Somerset and Exmoor welcome too. Come along, enjoy the music and join in the dancing. There will be right hand stars, left hand stars, circling to the left, circling to the right, do-si-do-ing, galloping between the lines and lots of swinging your partners (gently or vigorously, whatever they prefer!). No previous experience is needed as Bridget (the dance caller) will walk everyone through the dances before the music starts. It’s going to be great fun!

Finally!

Whoever you are and wherever you are from, Barnbuskers Ceilidh Barn Dance Band are very much looking forward to seeing you joining in at our Christmas Party!