FOLK DANCE SOCIETY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 267, 13 October 1941, Page 7

FOLK DANCE SOCIETY.

The Palmerston North centre of the English Polk Dance and Song Society brought its first season to a close on Saturday afternoon, when 32 members of the Wellington centre were their guests at a pleasant function in the Little Theatre. Mrs B. Elpliick (president) welcomed the visitors and was assisted by Mrs Iv. Dean (secretary). Also present were Mr Hoy (president of the Wellington centre), Mr C. F. Rockfel (secretary) and Miss H. Taylor (centre teacher). The programme opened with a bright number “lielston Furry,” directed by Miss Taylor. The frockings were colourful and gay, while the men wore tennis suits. Some of the dances were: Durham Peel, Bonnets So Blue, Up Tails All, Party Tufty, Gallopede, and Sellenger’s Pound. The accompaniments were provided by Mrs Hoy, ol Wellington and Mrs Elphick, while .Miss Taylor gave the explanatory notes. A solo jig was given by Mr Hoy, and also by special request, “London Cries.” Two folk-songs were sweetly sung by Miss Putli Sheppard. Demonstrati/ns by Wellington teams were greatly appreciated. Mrs Elphick stated that the aims of the society were to foster and preserve folk music and to share in the dancing, singing and playing of it on bamboo pipes and other instruments. She spoke of the summer course to be held ] in Nelson in January and of the pleasure to be derived in such community efforts. She thanked the visitors for the new dances they had taught Palmerston North members. She expressed appreciation of Miss Taylor’s enthusiasm and thanked Mrs Hoy, Miss Sheppard and Mrs Dean. Miss Marshall presented Mrs Elphick with a gift as an appreciation from the Pal- | merston North members for her leadership of the centre, the recipient briefly returning thanks. Mrs Elphick thanked Airs Dean for her work. His Excellency the Governor-Gen-eral, Sir Cyril Newall, has consented to bo patron of the New Zealand branch of the society. The president is the Prime Minister (Mr Eraser).