Dancing to celebrate Jane Austen

Bourton & District u3a's Country Dancing group leaders, Steve and Myra, share how they celebrated the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth with an event filled with dances Jane Austen may have taken part in herself.

Our English Country Dance Group felt a need to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen, one of the country’s greatest novelists. Her books though few in number, remain ever popular. When you see film and TV adaptations of her books, such as Pride and Prejudice, there is usually a ball scene featuring 17th and 18th century dances from the English Dancing Master by John Playford and his contemporaries. Our group mainly practises these dances, with their wonderful music and elegant figures. Jane Austen even once said, “To be fond of dancing is a certain step towards falling in love.”

Consequently, our group invited other u3a dance groups from Cheltenham, Cirencester and Bishop’s Cleeve to meet together for an event in Jane Austen's honour.

Over 40 members took part in 17th and 18th century dances which Jane Austen may have been familiar with herself. Bourton u3a members worked together before, during and after the event to ensure it ran smoothly and that everyone had an enjoyable time. Our group received plaudits from the visitors, with one even suggesting we hold this as an annual event!

Meeting with other local u3a members has led to cross-fertilisation of ideas. It was interesting seeing how other groups dance the same dances as us but in slightly different ways. I sometimes think we in Bourton and District u3a, like others, exist in a bubble, inward looking. However, it’s good to realise there are other country dance groups nearby sharing our passion. We can now phone these other groups and know who we’re speaking to. I’m always ready to pinch good ideas!