Waggoners 51st Birthday Dance

On the afternoon of Saturday 20th September Waggoners were pleased to welcome Philip Mee to Hertingfordbury to call for our 51st Birthday Dance. Philip had been very well received at the SDCCGB 70th Anniversary weekend, attended by some of our members last November, and we were delighted when he accepted our invitation to call for us. After setting up his equipment Philip proudly displayed his own Humberside Steppers Club banner alongside another with “Philip 52 Mee”. As soon as the dancing began we found that we had eight squares on the floor and this number continued for most Tips during the afternoon. It was a mixed bag of dancing experience ranging from a couple who had only just completed learning the Mainstream program that week, to a few very experienced C2 dancers with all levels in between. There was a lovely, fun atmosphere with the experienced helping those with less. Philip told us that, with his well over 6’ height, from the stage he could see all squares, so there was nowhere to hide!

During the afternoon Philip explained that he had been invited to call for Cliff and Gene’s club, Harmony Squares, while they were away together on holiday. They advised him that there was unlikely to be more than a square in attendance but Philip was okay with this - he was going to be paid the same rate however many dancers there were! After a slow start the hall was suddenly filled with more dancers meaning that he ended up calling to 5 squares - hence the reason for his banner.

Just before the break, our Chairman, Bob Warner, took to the microphone and highlighted to the dancers that we had a number of VIPs in attendance. From BAASDC: Malcolm Girdler, President, Granville Spencer, Vice-President and Susan Ellis Public Relations Officer. From SDCCGB (Callers Club) were: Gene Turner, Vice-President, David Hewitt, Treasurer and Acting Membership Officer and Penny Warner, Council member (Penny and David are part of the Waggoners Committee) There were also a number of callers, some of whom had travelled a great distance to be with us. Kevin Lovell, Callers Club President had been expected but was forced to stay at home due to illness and sent his apologies. They were all warmly welcomed with a round of applause and we then we all went down to the Dining Hall where an array of home baked and shop bought cakes awaited us along with teas and coffees served by two of our stalwart Committee members, David and Sue.
Then it was back to the Main Hall for the raffle and more dancing under Philip’s excellent calling. He announced that he would be having his banner altered to “Philip 82 Mee” so, if you dance to Philip in the future, you will know that this accolade was earned at a Mainstream dance held in a little village in Hertfordshire for a club celebrating its 51st Birthday.