In 2003, Lin and Mike's newsletter included a request for some fund raising ideas.
The thought of a ceilidh (as a one-off) was put to Lin, whose reaction was 'Brilliant, What's a ceilidh??' A ceilidh is another word for a Barn Dance - usually associated with our Celtic connections, but more English in this context.
Cats Whiskers, a six piece band from near Bristol, and their regular caller Grant
Glanville offered their services free of charge. The Long Ashton Village Hall was
the venue, and many of the regular sponsors 'manned' the bar.
Guest dancers were
the City Clickers, a ladies clog dance team from Bristol, Bristol Rapper part of
Bristol Morris, and a surprise guest spot of members of the City of Bristol Brass
Band, who played for two dances.
The hall was packed, and a fantastic night was enjoyed by about 160 people, many of
whom are sponsors, and who had never met Lin and Mike. Sufficient money was raised
to build a classroom, which far exceeded everyone's expectations.
For the 2004 event it had to be repeated and every year since, the Ashton Park School offered their facilities a much bigger hall for dancing, craft displays, food preparation. The Maji Safi Ceilidh is now established as one of the major fund raising events of the year.
Guests and callers have all given their services free, and most willingly. Our thanks go to: