Barn Dance Held at the Flower of Kent 2011

Well that was an unusual evening but an enjoyable one. Eighty Oddfellows and Friends made it a night to remember. It was especially nice to see so many Lodges of the Garden of England, Good Intent, Lord Holmesdale represented and so many new members of the Flower of Kent.

As we arrived twenty minutes early the car park was almost full. As we found a table we found a guy on stage setting up a sound system and noticed he had a squeeze box on his chest. Promptly at 19:30 he introduced himself as John Scholey and asked to see a circle in the middle of the floor. To my surprise so early and all still fully sober a quarter of the room go up to dance. Being a Barn Dance many were dressed in jeans and a check shirt and wore cowboy hats.

It was not essential to know the dances as John explained and showed the steps first. Dances included the Gay Gordons, Line Dance and many other Dances including the Lemon Tree. The Ploughman's was served at about nine, a welcome rest for the dancers. This was followed by a suite which was put onto a table in the middle of the floor and we were told to help ourselves. That over we returned to the dancing. This went on till ten thirty when the raffle was called, there were a number of prizes including a Halogen Oven and a Bale of Towels. Raffle over we went back to the dancing, some then started to put on their coats. Even with the dwindling numbers those who remained continued to dance, culminating in a Cowboy Dance.

As attendance was good and a lot danced I can see this becoming a regular event. Thanks to Pam Magee and her Team for all their efforts.