BALLROOM & SOCIAL DANCING      MUSIC for DANCING             JIM FURSDON            SID GATELEY            JOHN WESTLAKE

Dennis SAMUEL:  Music for Dancing.  Please click on the Music for Dancing page for lots of information about Dance Classes. Dance Host and many more services that Dennis can offer.

Jim FURSDON and his CANDLELIGHT DANCING: In 1987 Jim was dismayed to find that Big Ballrooms filled with beautiful music and happy people sadly no longer existed in the South West. He decided to do something about it and presented his first dance with recorded music on 20 May 1989. To help the dances to appeal to the widest range of people he developed the formula he grew up with when playing piano accordion and trumpet in a band for Dartmoor village socials in the 50s. Here dancing for fun as best you could was everything and 'strict technique' was unheard of!

Now more than 22 years later, Jim's considerably upgraded “Big Ballroom Mixed Social Dances” still retain the fun elements of a village knees up and attract both singles and couples of all ages and dance abilities. Ballroom, Rock and Roll, Latin, Popular Sequence, Line, Olde Tyme, Barn and Party Mixers are all danced in one fun evening and those who arrive without a partner can be sure they will not be left sitting out for very long. Excellent weekly attendances, plus the hundreds now happily coupled, or even married, after first meeting at “Jim’s”, is testament indeed to the success and quality of his highly popular mixed social dances.

If you are a couple or single, fairly new to dancing or have been doing it for years, do get along to one of Jim’s Candlelight Dances. A warm welcome awaits you.

Jim’s weekly dances alternate between Exeter and Plymouth. The Exeter Corn Exchange, Market Street, EX1 1BU, has a beautiful cushioned oak ballroom floor just asking to be danced on, plus excellent full bar facilities with tea and coffee always available.

On alternate Saturdays, Jim can be found in Plymouth at the City College, Kings Road. Devonport, PL1 5QG. Again a fabulous venue where he creates just the right atmosphere with his own special lighting, trademark ruby table candles and beautiful mix of high quality music.

SID GATELEY and his Music:  Sid  has been in the Entertainment and Music business for many years, having performed with Dance Bands and Show Bands alike. Prior to becoming a Band Leader in his own right, Sid was under contract with the BBC, having broadcast with many famous Artistes and Entertainers over the past. With his own Show/DanceBand, he also performed many times on TV and Radio, produced several L.P. Records, and appeared regularly at the Royal Albert Hall.  He also enjoyed an appearance on Sunday Night at the London Palladium.

Apart from running very successful evening dances in Torquay, Sid, along with his wife Ross also host dances at the Winter Gardens in Weston Super Mare,  Somerset, and many other towns in the South West. They also organise Residential Dance Weekends where their own unique brand of entertainment is very popular with the Ballroom Dancing fraternity. (See the CALENDAR OF FORTHCOMING EVENTS for more informaiton).

Sid, with his extensive knowledge of the Dance World, now uses pre -recorded music for dancing and can guarantee a warm welcome to all, be they regulars or visitors.

John WESTLAKE:  There are people who can play the organ and then there are people like John Westlake who can really make his Yamaha Tyros 4 keyboard speak.  (The Tyros 4 is the very latest organ from Yamaha)  John has been playing for Ballroom and Social Dancing for 35 years now, yes, he really did start very young, (7) originally learning with private lessons but later working with people like Len Jackman.

John’s style is easy and is just as enjoyable to dance to as it is to listen to so, if you need a break from the dance floor, sit back and enjoy.

John, working with his partner Mike, runs his own Dances and Tea Dances and is available for bookings for special events, dances, birthday parties etc. Usually decorating the hall with lights but it is the special atmosphere that he creates with his music that attracts dancers, be they regular ballroom dancers or beginners. All are welcome.