by John Prince
A lively array of tartan, kilts and tam o’ shanters were on show for a night of dancing in celebration of the Scottish poet Robert Burns.
The Burns Night ceilidh held at Hornsea Methodist Church on Monday night attracted keen participants of all ages, who jigged and do-si-doed across the floor along to traditional folk music.
Those who weren’t taking part couldn’t help but tap their feet while enjoying some Scottish treats, such as shortcakes and the famous Tunnocks tea cakes, which were lovingly laid out on a tartan-covered table.
Music was provided by the seven-piece Hornsea Ceilidh Band, who played a set of folk songs from north of the border such as the perennial Scotland the Brave, and even a song written for the village of Cottingham in East Yorkshire.
A rare auld time and a guid bit of blether and banter was had by all, while the ceilidh caller took the dancers through their paces and encouraged everyone to get up and give it a go.
Midway through the evening, organiser Alison Riley announced that all proceeds would be donated to Hornsea Inshore Rescue, in recognition of the charity’s vital support during the New Year tragedy in Withernsea.
Alison, 61, who also plays fiddle in the band, said: “We are a not-for-profit group, and we wanted to give something to the volunteers at Hornsea Inshore Rescue, who put their own lives at risk all year round to help save others at sea.
“We’ve made £50 tonight and all that will go to the charity.
“This is our fourth year of holding monthly ceilidhs. After Covid I was feeling a bit lonely, and as a fiddle player I put an advert out to see if anyone wanted to put a band together. So that’s how it started.
“This is for Burns Night, but we do Valentine’s events, St Patrick’s Day and Christmas so they’re all themed. It’s about socialising, making friends, getting fit and having a really good laugh.
“We play British traditional music like reels and jigs and hornpipes, and a few Scandinavian and American songs. So it’s international. It’s a lot of fun and lively and bouncy.”
Angi Beckett, 62, who was the caller on the evening, said: “It’s wonderful seeing so many people here tonight.
“It’s about having fun. We do a bit of teaching as well as the dances, but it’s mostly about enjoying yourself.
“I started dancing when I was at school and I’ve loved it ever since. I joined a folk dance group and I filled in as caller so I took it up.
“It’s special as it’s for Burns Night. If we were in Scotland, it would be far more manic. They often do two dances back-to-back, so it’s really hard going.
“It’s nice to have those traditions here in Hornsea.”
Burns Night is held to celebrate Scottish identity, language and culture, and honour the life and poetry of Robert Burns, who was Scotland’s national bard. It is marked around the world every year on January 25.
To find out more about Hornsea Ceilidh Band and to contact them, go to their Facebook group Ceilidh Class – Hornsea.