It’s social, it’s good exercise, (but not too much), it’s fun and it’s local to West Somerset. What’s not to like? Yes, Judy’s Ceilidh Classes are starting again on September 23rd 2026 in Minehead and October 1st 2026 in Watchet.
Intrigued and want to know more? Checkout Judy’s Ceilidh Classes page for full details.
Intrigued but still not sure whether you would like it? Here’s why you might just find your local happiness home at Judy’s regular ceilidh classes.
The dancing at Judy’s Ceilidh Classes is Country Dancing. It’s the sort that people do at barn dances or ceilidhs. It’s been thrilling people of all ages for hundreds of years and it’s social without actually having to get too personal with your partner. It definitely isn’t Strictly Come Dancing!
Here’s some country dancing with Judy calling.
There are lots of dances and they have lots of names (although that doesn’t really matter). Typically they last for 5 minutes each and then people have a rest for a social chat. Classes last an hour and you are likely to do five or six dances or sit out, enjoy the music and watch if you prefer. Judy explains the name of the dance at the beginning and how to do it but each dance is made up of a small number of moves or figures. So, when you do one dance, you are learning bits of the next dance. There aren’t that many moves to learn and they are very easy and can be done at almost any level of fitness.
Let me explain a dance with some examples of the dance moves.
Here we go! The group forms two lines and walks four steps forward and four steps back. This is a figure. The group does it again! (Btw, there is jiggy recorded music). Easy isn’t it! The group then does a do-si-do – that is, advances forward to the person in the opposite line, passes their right shoulder and then walks backwards to their place. The two persons at the top of the group hold hands and walk or skip between the lines from one end of the group to the other and form an arch. The two lines of dancers in a line ‘cast out’ and pass through the arch. Then they all do it again, lots of times! That’s it!
Here’s an example of the do-si-do, in case it wasn’t clear.
In country dancing, the swing is very popular as part of a dance.
Sometimes, the groups are in circles, sometimes in squares. There is lots of variety to keep you interested and your brain healthily active.
If you can walk, you can country dance. If you can skip, that can be more fun. The point is that how you dance is up to your preference and, perhaps, level of fitness. Science says that exercise makes us feel happier, and, for the feel good factor, it doesn’t have to be too vigorous! The music too is toe-tapping and cheerful!
There is usually lots of laughter! Those who are less experienced are helped by those who have done it before (at least once, very often). It’s designed to be easy and fun.
As previously said, Judy explains each dance before the music starts? And to make it even easier, she carries on ‘calling’ the instructions as the dancing progresses until everyone has got the hang of it.
Country dances always have a ‘dance caller’ and Judy is very experienced at doing this. With her local band Barnbuskers, she calls for dances all over Somerset and Devon when other callers are not available. The rest of the time, most weekends, as band leader, she plays the fiddle and accordion for private and public barn dances and ceilidhs. A lot of the private functions are to celebrate special birthdays or anniversaries at local Somerset and Devon village halls. (If you are planning one, come along to a ceilidh class to see country dancing in action and how it could work for your private celebration.)
People like ceilidhs and barn dances because they bring people together of all ages and are really easy. Grandparents can dance with grandchildren, parents can dance with babes in arms (and often do). It’s a joining-in, community thing and lots of fun.
Plus you don’t need to bring a partner to country dancing. The caller (Judy in this case) will arrange the groups at the beginning of the dance and this can include finding you a partner, if you haven’t got one. Partners are very informal. Some dances are called ‘progressive‘ where dancers change partners each time through the dance. Basically, your partner is just the person you are standing next to or opposite.
Still not convinced that Judy’s Ceilidh Classes are the best thing since sliced bread? Well, why not come along to one and try it. There are no term charges. It’s turn up when you like and as much (or little) as you like. It’s pay as you go for each class and about the same price as a coffee at your local cafe or a pint in your local pub…but the feel good effect is, arguably, more lasting!
Lastly, Judy is available on WhatsApp. Just click on the WhatsApp button below for any more information you need or check out Judy’s Ceilidh Class Page. For more about country dancing in Somerset and Devon, check out the news on Barnbuskers Ceilidh Barn Dance Band blog.
Barnbuskers and Judy (photo below) are also on social media. We’d love you to follow and join in our conversation. We can be found on Facebook, Threads, Instagram, X or Bluesky. There is also a mailing list.
Judy, and the rest of us at Barnbuskers, look forward to seeing you!
Barnbuskers 