A somewhat older than average lady friend of mine has just received a phone call asking her not to attend her Western Square Dance Club anymore. She has been a member for 30 odd years. At the time she was away on holiday looking after her grand-daughter whilst the parents were having a well-deserved quality break. So she missed an evening. She was absolutlely gob-smacked. The club had been doing A2 and she was getting along fine, but then was away for a week.

On A2 evenings the club is lucky to get 8 dancers = 1 square as it is. But apparently the club received complanits about her from a person / persons unknown - the details of the complainants were not relayed to her nor the exact specifics of concern. And this is a person who has been dancing with the club for over 30 years, and regularly did the tea roster whilst missing out on dances. In the past other dancers have also been ostracised and eventualy left.

This is why I wouldn't touch WSD with a barge pole. If this is an example of the attitude prevaling in WSD cubs then its a nasty, vinidictive, and arrogant scene. And even worse because this is in Southern England - where folks are rarely welcoming anyway. (Folks up North are far more welcoming).

Personally I've also had the same attitude when I've tried to join RSCD clubs. They're also up themselves and unwlecoming. EFDSS English CD / Playford Clubs in the South can also be unfriendly - as I know all to well to my cost.

On the other hand Irish Set Dancing is an amazingly friendly scene, full of joi-de-vi, and welcoming to all. But then at a certain Christmas Country Dance School in the Appalachians I was told "we don't want that rubbish here."

But it appears that WSD is the WORST.

CJB (London)