Event: The Big Dorset Michaelmas Family Ceilidh

Date: Saturday, 13th September 2025

Time: 7.00pm (7.30pm start)

Cost: £13 / £7 Concessions

Venue: The Corn Exchange, Dorchester

Come and celebrate this exciting and colourful ceilidh band’s 10th anniversary!

For 10 years, Tatterdemalion have bounced around stages, bringing traditional tunes known to Dorset people 200 years ago to life, and led many people in many a dance all over the county.

Back once again at the Corn Exchange, the Band of the New Hardy Players will bring their favourite tunes for dancing, with the dances led by experienced caller Angela Laycock. No experience or partner necessary! As before, an early-evening hour-long session for younger families encourages youngsters to try folk dancing, often for the first time. Then at 7.30pm the main ceilidh makes a start. The bar will be open for the whole evening.

Thomas Hardy, his father and grandfather all played in village bands for country dances as well as in the West gallery of Stinsford church for services. The tunes they played are preserved in manuscripts in Dorset History Centre but also still played today by many musicians. Dorchester’s ceilidh band Tatterdemalion formed 10 years ago after playing music for the New Hardy Players. They will be playing many of these ‘Hardy’ tunes at the Big Dorset Michaelmas Family Ceilidh in the Corn Exchange on Saturday evening (7 for 7.30pm) 13th September. Join them for a fun evening of social dancing!