About me
I
was bitten by the folk dancing bug in the early 90's when I joined my
local folk dance club in Waterlooville, Hampshire. Before that my only
taster of
traditional dance was during Country Dance lessons in primary school! I
understand from my niece that this is still on the national curriculum
in
some shape or form. I have always been interested in dance - at
one stage I was learning ballroom and latin dance with a close friend
and at some
point my Cha Cha Cha turned into a Do Si Do. I blame all those wedding reception ceilidhs!
Anyway, back to Waterlooville folk club. As my interest and enthusiasm grew my dance partner and I found ourselves going to more and more dance workshops and folk festivals.
Gradually I began to notice how each dance was written, how it flowed and what each dancer/couple were doing at each stage of the dance. This ability to take a ‘detached view’ is something that comes with time and is a valuable asset in a dancers skill repertoire. From this point it’s a natural progression to calling a few dances, particularly as my folk club encouraged this by having a ‘club caller’s night’ one evening a month. Slowly my library of dances began to grow alongside my calling experience.
The folk world and I parted company for a few years while I embarked on a professional nursing career although I am
pleased to say we were
reunited in 2006 when I joined a band of morris dancers
called Rampant Rooster Morris. Morris dances share many moves (called
figures) with their folk-dancing counterparts. I felt completely at
home
again! Apart from a great social scene, a good workout and regular ale
house inspections, Morris dancing also shares a passion for all things
traditional. Today, I dance for Penshurst Village Morris.If you’ve never been to a folk festival before – you don’t know what your missing!
The paths of morris and folk dancing cross again at festivals and I found myself once again on the ceilidh dance floor promenading the night away.
Festival ceilidhs are renowned for their shear exuberance –
a packed
floor full of keen dancers, exciting and upbeat dances and band sounds
ranging from
the funky to the downright exotic.
And m
Testimonials - Send me yours!
I dont ask people to supply me with feedback but am very grateful when they do. Positive and negative feedback all helps to make my business and the customers experience better. Having said that, I dont recall having had any negative feedback to date! The correspondence below is posted as and when people have felt the need to supply it. If you would like to speak to one of my 'happy customers' before you book me - just ask and I will put you in touch with someone.Hi Ben,Sorry I didn't get much chance to see you at the wedding on Saturday but I just wanted to say thank you for the ceilidh. It was just the right amount to get everyone dancing and the song choices were brilliant...I'll never forget doing the basket in a wedding dress! Many thanks for helping to make the day a great one.Regards,Vicky Tomlin
(31 January 2012)
Ben,
Just a quick thank you from all of us for your excellent Ceilidh on Saturday night. We hope you also enjoyed the evening.
Best Regards
Peter
Peter Leonard
Chairman
1st Ashtead (Pelham) Scout Group
(31 October 2011)
Ben
Last Saturday was a resounding success. Every one I have spoken to during the week had a great time and complimentary comments have been made about every aspect of the party. Please accept my thanks for organising the band and calling the dancing so well. Could you please pass my thanks to The Royal Borough Band members. What a great time we all had.
My best wishes to all of you,
Regards
Nigel Bird
(24 June 2011)
Dear Ben,
Just to say a HUGE thank you for yesterday. Everyone said how much they all enjoyed it. I'd definitely recommend it as a work-out - much more exhausting than the gym!!!
The musicians were excellent too, please pass on our thanks to them.
Kind regards and thanks again.
Karen. x
(20 June 2011)
From: Nicki Woolgar
Sent: 03/05/2011
Hi Ben
I hope you're well.
I just wanted to drop you a note to say thank you so much for calling at our wedding. There was such a mix of people, from the Scots who know all the dances, to experienced barn dancers, to complete novices, but everyone had a brilliant time. You picked dances that kept those in the know interested, and not too challenging for those of who were experiencing the Ceilidh for the first time. Our friends and relatives are still talking about it, telling us what a great time they had. Needless to say, Frank and I had the best time too!
So thank you once again, and if ever I'm in need of a caller in the future, you'll be top of the list.
Kind regards
Nicki
Re:Easter Barn Dance
Sent: 02/05/2011
Hi Ben,
Just a note to say thank you for a great evening on the 23rd Apr. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all. You may be hearing from some of them as a few asked for your details.
Thanks again
Wendy Dickson
25th January 2011
Dear Ben,
Just to say once again, thanks very much for the great time had by all at Hannah’s 18th birthday celebrations on Saturday – everyone really enjoyed it especially Hannah!
Simon & Angela Newcombe
Ashford, Kent.
To: stripthewillow@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: Barn dance
Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2010
Hi Ben
Just to say many thanks from us both. You helped to make our do fun and relaxed and break the ice for everyone. I am so glad we didnt start with a disco (I have always had a secret liking for the barn dance!).
Once again a great time was had by all.
All the best
Patrick and Peter (West Ashling)
"A great ceilidh music evening, great fun, thoroughly recommend to friends and family. Many thanks."
Stella & Peter Barnes, Tiptree, Essex.
"Thank you for a fun evening and being so patient with us".
Joan Powels
Hampshire
Hampshire
"I’ve danced to several callers and
Ben is my favourite. His instructions are clear, which helps me to
understand and
enjoy the dances."
Sue Wilds
Cowplain
"If you want a good night out, get Ben.
I have been lucky enough to have been invited to a couple of Barn Dance Parties where Ben has been the caller. Both parties were a huge success, thanks to Ben's excellent calling, he made even the shyest guests feel like having a 'go'. His enthusiasm is contagious and the variety of dances, from simple ones to a little bit harder made us all get up and try, many of us had not been Barn Dancing before but he made it easy for us to understand. The main reason I enjoyed it so much was that it was FUN, I haven't laughed so much for ages, he got us all in the party mood. I am really looking forward to the next one."
Maureen Aldous
Waterlooville
Waterlooville
Ben Moore ©