Festival of dance celebrated

1:49pm Tuesday 6th May 2008

A DISPLAY of dances from around the world marked the launch of a series of events that will take place in Market Place, Abingdon.

On Saturday, shoppers and passers-by gathered in the town centre to watch a series of performances for Abingdon's International Dance Day celebrations.

The event, which coincided with the nationwide red letter day, saw a wide range of different dancing by Ceroc Oxford, O'Gara School of Irish Dancing, the Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers, street dancing by The Net Youth Centre and a display of belly dancing by Abingdon Dance Studios.

The day was organised by Abingdon Town Council, which has recently employed a new member of staff, Marianne Milburn, to come up with a programme of events to make use of the newly-refurbished Market Place.

Lesley Legge, leader of the council, said: "This is totally new because we are now going out and organising people to come to the Market Place, in the past we have done one or two events throughout the year. This year, we will try to do something every weekend with entertainment of some sort or another and the first one was this international dancing celebration."

Unfortunately, this Saturday's Europe Day celebrations have had to be cancelled as local schools were unable to take part. However, the flags of Abingdon's twin towns will still be flown in the Market Place.

Other events include a Spring Festival on May 17, entertainment by performing arts students on May 24 and acoustic bands will play in the square on May 31.

The popular French market will return to the town centre from Friday to Sunday, June 13 to 15.

Editor's choice