When Judy comes back to our Barnbuskers humble abode after running an evening’s ceilidh class, she loves telling me (her other half and wind musician in Barnbuskers Ceilidh Barn Dance Band – photo above) the exciting details of all the dances she has done. Judy loves country / ceilidh dancing and loves sharing her passion at her weekly ceilidh dance classes and I get to hear all the details. I hear about the excited chatter, laughing and whooping. I hear about the dances she has done, which dances went particularly well and ideas for next week’s dances. It normally takes about an hour … then I can return to whatever I was doing, (which is often trying out some new ceilidh dance tunes on my clarinet) lol!
Record Numbers at Minehead Rugby Club, West Somerset!
Last night at Minehead Rugby Club Hall Judy’s 5pm ceilidh class was different because she had record numbers and she came back even more buzzing than usual! There were lots of new dancers as well as lots of regulars and she was particularly pleased about how the regular dancers were now experienced enough to help with the newcomers.
Successful because Country / Ceilidh dancing is so easy, here’s why!
When the dancers are in a line or a circle and the dance caller (Judy) says ‘forward one two three’, if you are a beginner, you are carried forward as part of the line or circle so it’s easy. The dance caller says ‘circle left’ or ‘circle right’ and a beginner can easily follow the others in their circle. Newcomers can dance with more experienced dancers quite easily because the steps are generally so simple. If you can walk or skip, you can country / ceilidh dance. Galloping sideways between the lines can be modified to walking side by side for the less able. On the other hand, if you are feeling really exuberant and your partner is happy with it, you can gallop sideways like a spring lamb! Ceilidh dancing suits all ages and abilities. That’s why it’s so great.
A very long debrief! But it was lovely to hear about it!
So, last night’s debrief about Judy’s Minehead Ceilidh class record numbers was a very long and excited one … and I even got to hear about it before breakfast the next morning (lol!). Nevertheless, it’s wonderful that her ceilidh classes are doing so well and so many people are enjoying them.
Not only record numbers at the ceilidh classes!
In fact, it’s not only Judy’s ceilidh classes that are doing well, Barnbuskers Ceilidh Barn Dance Band has record numbers of gigs booked throughout 2026 (check out our Barnbuskers blog news for dance details). Judy, as band leader, of course, organises all the bookings and I get to hear about those at great length too! We mainly do birthday party ceilidhs because they are really great for mixing the generations at special family gatherings. We have a few weddings booked, which are lovely events, and quite a mix of dances in village and community halls. We often think it’s a pity there aren’t more Saturdays in the year. (Saturdays being the most popular day in the week for ceilidhs and barn dances. Hot Tip: consider Friday or Sunday!)
How can you join in?
If you are thinking about joining in the do-si-dos , right hand stars, left hand stars, forward and backs, no need to worry about there being not enough room. Minehead Rugby Club Hall is very large and there is lots of space for you to join in and have fun with the other dancers, which is what it’s all about. Parking is particularly easy at Minehead Rugby Club which has a huge car park.
Who can join in?
Anyone really. Judy’s ceilidh classes are held in Minehead and Watchet, West Somerset but everyone is welcome from surrounding villages such as Williton, Porlock, Washford, Roadwater or the Exmoor villages like Wheddon Cross or Exford. Judy even has a couple of dancers that come from Taunton!
Visitors to the area can join in too. If you are on holiday in West Somerset or Exmoor and fancy an hour of easy and fun traditional dancing, you will be made very welcome. It’s only £5 for the hour. You can come once or as many times as you like for the duration of your holiday. Judy explains all the dances before she puts on the music. When everyone starts dancing, she continues calling the dance figures until everyone has got the idea.
Finally!
Ceilidh dancing is fun and has been giving pleasure to people of all generations and abilities for hundreds of years. The recorded traditional music at Judy’s ceilidh classes is the same music that Barnbuskers play live at birthday parties, weddings and other gatherings and has regularly proved great for getting everyone onto the dance floor and enjoying themselves.
How can you join in?
For more information about how to join in the ceilidh class fun, simply click on the link to Judy’s Ceilidh Classes page.
If you would like Barnbuskers Ceilidh Barn Dance Band to come along with our dance caller to play at your very own ceilidh, Judy (photo below) would love to hear from you on Barnbuskers contact page.
See you soon!
Barnbuskers 