FASH workshops and events

We hold workshops on Sundays from 10.30am to 3.30pm at Durley Memorial Hall SO32 2AD and Soberton Village Hall SO32 3PF. See the bottom of this page for maps of the two venues.

Bring Your Own Lunch, or you could try the pub up the road (although possibly not at Durley where there is no pub within walking distance of the hall). Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available and it would be helpful if you brought your own mug.

Admission is £10 for FASH members and £14 non-members, and it costs just £10 to become a FASH member.

We usually run around eight workshops between September and April, comprising various kinds of folk dance with live music and excellent callers, West Gallery music with the Madding Crowd and other folk-ish activities. The December event is the Winter Gathering, an informal get-together with lots of dance and some music and singing.

If you fancy repeating any of these activities or can suggest new ones then please do contact us.

Please read our FASH Workshops and Covid19 document before attending a workshop to see what precautions we will be taking at the venues, and what we ask our attendees to do to protect everyone involved.

Details of the workshops we have planned for 2026-27 are below. Please also see our Facebook page for updates and news of FASH workshops. We have a flyer listing this season's workshops.

You can see the workshops as a Google Calendar for the user fashfolk78@gmail.com. If you would like help using this calendar then please ask the Editor.

If you are a newcomer to folk dancing you might find it easier to try a ceilidh or a dance club first to learn the basics, but everyone is welcome: with a partner or on their own. We are a friendly crowd and will make sure you always have someone to dance with. These are workshops, as against a "dance night", by which we mean that the dances will be taught and there may be a focus on improving some particular aspect, or on different styles, or perhaps dancing in different positions. However the emphasis on these Sundays is always on enjoyment.

Workshops and events

Sun 18 Oct 2026

Rachel Bending: music from Linda Game and Thomas Bending The music will tell you: experiments with music and dance. A mixed programme of dances encouraging us to play with the same figures to different music. Durley Memorial Hall

Sun 15 Nov 2026

Victoria Yeomans: music from Dave Yeomans and Linda Game General Relativity Einstein's theory considers time and space as two aspects of the same concept which are inextricably interconnected and yet have their own distinctive characteristics. We'll explore this in a dance context through the day, using dances from across the genres. Soberton Village Hall

Sun 13 Dec 2026

The FASH Winter Gathering! Not a workshop! Mainly dancing but with a few extras - a mix of callers, musicians and styles. Durley Memorial Hall

Sun 10 Jan 2027

Louise Siddons: music from Pete and Sue Hall From the Stage to the Social Dance Floor Morning: Theatricality Dances and tunes alike were written for the theatre, appearing within plays and as entr'acte entertainments. We will dance some of the most delightful and learn a little bit about the plays they come from. Afternoon: Extras: Dances for Any Number Theatre directors can decide how many dancers to have on stage, but callers don't have the same luxury! From the earliest days of social dancing, choreographers have accommodated any number of dancers in inventive and playful dances that welcome everyone to the floor - we'll see which ones we need! Soberton Village Hall

Sun 14 Feb 2027

Ivan Aitken: music from Pete and Sue Hall Morning: Ancient and Modern A wide range of dances from Playford to the present day in various styles by choreographers from both sides of the Atlantic, and set to tunes old and new. Afternoon: One for the Pot A collection of Ivan's own dances, written over the last 48 years of calling, most written to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions and commissions, in various different dance styles. Durley Memorial Hall

Sun 28 Feb 2027

The Madding Crowd - West Gallery Music A popular annual workshop - come to sing or play your instrument or swap around and do both! Booking essential via info@fash.org.uk or 07779 818638. Soberton Village Hall

Sun 21 Mar 2027

Nicola Scott with Claire Coxwell, Judith and Rick Beton Morning: English dances inspired by Scottish moves Some figures originated (probably) in Scottish Country Dance and have inspired ECD choreographers. We'll dance some of them! Afternoon: Dances from Williamsburg There are lots of lovely dances from the Williamsburg group in the US, from Gail Ticknor, Lou Voosten, Jenna Simpson and others. We'll enjoy some of their choreography. Soberton Village Hall

Sun 25 Apr 2027

Nigel Close: music from Pete and Sue Hall Morning: More or Less We are all accustomed to 32 or 24 bar dances made up of 8 bar phrases, but there are some interesting dances with very different lengths. Nigel's choice for the morning session spans 5 to 40 bars! Afternoon: Now and Then The first thing that attracted Cecil Sharp (and many others) to country dances was the music, often by well-known composers, that they were set to. In recent years, modern choreographers have plundered the archives to find superb tunes for their new dances. Nigel has a selection for the afternoon session that connects the past and present in this way. Durley Memorial Hall

May 2027

The FASH AGM Details tba. Our AGM for 2025-26 was held on Sun 17 May 2026, and the minutes are available.

Gallery

Winter Gathering, December 2023. Images and video courtesy Dave McGlade and Dick Gurney.

Southern Stepping workshop led by Simon and Jo Harmer with JigFoot at Twyford, March 2014.

West Gallery workshop led by Mike Bailey of Madding Crowd, February 2014.

Comments on previous workshops

Mentally challenging but their dances were very interesting.

Very clear instructions so it was easy to dance.

Good dancing which seemed to be enjoyed by everyone.

They are such skilled musicians and make it so easy to fit the steps into their music. Brilliant quality.

Great music made you want to get up and dance.

Maps

View Durley Memorial Hall in a larger map or see directions to the hall. Durley Memorial Hall's what3words location is ///diggers.mediate.additives .

View Soberton Village Hall in a larger map or see directions to the hall. Soberton Village Hall's what3words location is ///advising.backhand.trumpet .