37th International Folkdance Festival


Our 37th International Festival was held in May 2018, on its regular weekend and in its usual format. After venue problems last year, this year we were delighted to be able to use the new facilities at Knole Academy, Sevenoaks. A new venue is always a bit daunting but with helpful school staff, the festival was a success. Everyone enjoyed it and we are looking forward to hopefully going back next year!

On Saturday afternoon we made our 8th visit to Bencurtis Park, where we were warmly welcomed by the residents and staff, who then enjoyed displays from our visiting groups as well as EFPB and MSG. In the evening was the International Folk Dance and Ceilidh, where each group did a brief display before encouraging everyone to have a go. On Sunday morning we were made very welcome, as usual, at Emmanuel Church, West Wickham, for their Sunday morning service followed by tea/coffee and a brief display of dancing. In the afternoon was the International Folk Dance Concert where there were performances from all the groups. It was another wonderful show which was enjoyed by everyone. There are some video clips from the weekend on our Facebook page!

The participating groups in 2018 were:

De Isselschotsers from the Netherlands
Website: www.iesselschotsers.nl
This was their 2nd visit to us, having first come in 1990.

Hopsani from Estonia
Website: www.hosani.ee
This was their 2nd visit to us, having first come in 2013.

Upland Dancers
(contact via MacLennan Scottish Group website)
The Upland Dancers are all pupils or former pupils of Upland Junior School, Bexleyheath, where they are taught Scottish and English Country Dancing by Mrs Wendy Kellett.  The children performed at the very first MSG festival. This year it was again inspirational to see the new dancers taking their first steps and the more experienced dancers within the group who have developed into wonderful dancers.

Epping Forest Pipe Band
Website: www.efpb.org
Once again the Epping Pipe band "wowed" us with their performance. The pipes and drums raising the hairs on the back of all our necks as they opened the festival. Simon Bredin the leader of the Epping Pipe Band moulds both new and experienced musicians into one team playing to strict tempo in perfect unison. The Maclennan Group performing with the Epping Forest Pipe Band is unequalled within scottish music and dancing


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