Fit As A Fiddle - The Ashford Dance Project

Fit As A Fiddle - Dancing for Over-50s

Every Thursday afternoon from 2:00pm to 3:30pm
River Room, Stour Centre, Ashford TN23 1ET

Only £4.00 for an hour and a half!

Come and learn a wide range of wonderful dances, from 17th Century Jane Austen style dances to 21st Century Ceilidh Dances, including American Contra Dance, English Barn Dance, Contra Waltzing and the Polka!

Great low impact exercise!

No experience or partner required!

Have fun, get fitter and meet new people!

No need to book - just turn up!

Under-50s welcome too!

This is a partnership project between Contrafusion, South East Folk Arts Network, The Ashford Leisure Trust and Age UK.

Frequently Asked Questions
Hey, I'm under 50 but I really want to do this. Can I come to these sessions?
Yes, everyone is welcome.

How fit do I have to be?
This type of dancing is suitable for all levels of fitness. Many of the dances are done to a smooth walking step. You can work to your own level of fitness by adding some of the optional stepping that we will demonstrate.

Does it matter if I miss some sessions?
No, even if you can only make one session we will make sure you can join in and have fun. Of course the more sessions you come to the more you will learn, the fitter you will get and the more fun you will have!

Is there an admission fee to the Stour Centre?
We have arranged for free admission to the Stour Centre for these sessions. Just tell reception that you are attending "Fit As A Fiddle" in the River Room and they will admit you for free.

Where is it?
The Stour Centre is in the centre of Ashford at TN23 1PL.
Follow the signs to the Railway Station (Domestic). When you get to the station go straight ahead past it and turn left at the mini-roundabout into the Stour Centre car park. The car park is only 80p for two hours.

Do I need to know the dances?
No, the caller teaches the dance and everyone walks through it, then the music starts and the caller calls each move so that you don't have to remember anything.

What Should I Wear?
Whatever you feel comfortable dancing in, there are no rules. Skirts and dresses can look great when you are spinning, but trousers are fine too. Layering is a good idea in case you get too hot.
Make sure you have comfortable flat or low-heeled footwear that you can balance easily in and that won't stick to the floor when you try to spin. Outdoor footwear is not allowed.
No stilettos please - they won't be comfortable and they might damage the dance-floor.

Do I Need To Bring A Partner?
No, everyone asks everyone to dance, and during each dance you will dance with lots of people. By the end of the afternoon you will probably have danced with everyone in the room!
At these dances it is perfectly acceptable for ladies to ask men for a dance as well as men asking ladies.
Most people ask a different person for every dance and we will be encouraging this. It is lots of fun, you meet lots of people, and you will learn more quickly.