| Big National Ceilidh |
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| Written by Ian |
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On Saturday 17th October, the Mellor Brook Community Centre played host to the 2nd Big National Ceilidh. Dances took place throughout the UK in a co-ordinated effort to raise awareness and funds for the charity Water Aid. The local event raised £784.
The event was organised by the musicians of The Union Street Band and was supported by local business, the Community Centre management and the dancers themselves. A hot pot supper was donated by Blackburn bakers, Sandersons, the venue was offered rent free, the musicians and caller gave their services for nothing as did the bar and venue staff. There were many donors of raffle prizes including Blackburn Rovers who pledged a signed football.
At 10pm, the Union Street Band were joined by Mellor Brook-based fiddle group, The Palatine Fiddlers and, in co-ordination with all the other ceilidhs across the land, the North East tune Jamie Allen was played for a dance based on the Circassian Circle. For other dances, the band was joined on bodhran by Niamh Boadle. The 15 year-old from St Annes is the youngest member of the Palatine Fiddlers and in early October won through to the final of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award to be held in London on 4th December.
The following night, Niamh Boadle will return to Mellor Brook to front her trio, TRI as special guests of Edinburgh harpist, Ailie Robertson. The organisers thank the local radio and press, the volunteers on the night, raffle prize donors and all those who attended and made it such a worthwhile event.
Seamus.
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