Popular dance that brings folk together

AMERICAN square dancing does not, as its name may suggest, have its origins in the US but in France.

Quadrilles were popular in France in the 1700s and 1800s and when French settlers travelled to the US they took the dance with them.

Each state had its own moves but in the mid 20th century the states joined forces to standardise moves.

This was the beginning of Callerlab, the US-based governing body of American square dancing.

US soldiers brought the dance to Europe during the Second World War and in 1951 the Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, was pictured square dancing in Canada.

This, explained Sue Elliott, founder of square dancing club Thornbury Squares, proved a boost for the dance in the UK and the British Association of American Square Dance Clubs was launched in 1953.

The dance has grown internationally - there are 190 clubs in the UK and 9,000 clubs throughout the world including Japan, the Far East and Europe.

Mrs Elliott, of Winterbourne, began square dancing more than 20 years ago after going to a barn dance.

And she was later to meet her husband, Andrew, through square dancing. When he moved to the area, she launched Thornbury Squares as an outlet for his talents as a caller.

He was a caller throughout Europe as well as the UK.

Sadly Andrew has since died but Mrs Elliott was to find romance again through square dancing.

She is public relations officer for the British association and was contacted in this capacity by a German square dancer, Stefan Krebs, who wanted to know where he could dance while travelling through the UK.

The couple met when he came to the UK to dance and romance blossomed. Square dancing itself has blossomed in the UK during the past half century.

Indeed, explained Mrs Elliott, dancers could partake in their hobby every night of the week.

Thornbury Squares, which was launched 13 years ago, meets each Thursday and alternate Wednesdays at Manorbrook Primary School.

Membership is about 80 strong and dancers have the opportunity to take part in dance weekends.

In 2000, the group took a party of nearly 100 people to Sweden to take part in the European square dance convention.

The group has also been invited to dance at events such as village fairs. Square dancing involves learning approximately 70 moves.

"The caller will put the moves together in any order," said Mrs Elliott, "so you are thinking as well as dancing."

Although 70 moves seemed a daunting figure, Mrs Elliott insisted it was not as difficult as it sounded and up to 10 moves could be learned in one night. And, she explained, once you have learned those moves you could dance anywhere in the world.

Callers, said Mrs Elliott, called the moves in English, whatever their mother tongue, creating a past-time which travelled well.

"A lot of our people going on holidays ask if there's a club where they are going and often go to it," she said.

The moves are standardised the world over.

Dancers can move up levels and thus learn more moves.

Square dancing, said Mrs Elliott, can be enjoyed by all - from young children to older people with health problems.

She explained learning square dancing was a little like going to an evening class - participants should go most weeks to learn the level.

It was a very social pasttime, she added, and there was no competitiveness in square dancing.

"You'll meet everyone in the room in the evening," she said.

"I know so many people though it."

At square dancing weekends you would meet both old and new friends, she said. The square dance movement's motto was, she explained, "fun and friendship set to music".

And as well as the social enjoyment of the hobby, square dancing has further benefits.

Mrs Elliott said: "It keeps you mentally and physically fit."

In South Gloucestershire there are square dance clubs in Thornbury and Winterbourne.

The Winterbourne group meets at Winterbourne Community Centre each Tuesday. For information about Thornbury Squares call 01454 778795.