Wessex Film and Sound Archive

Members of the Winchester folk dance group Woodfidley reunited at a film show of their past glories, hosted by Wessex Film and Sound Archive (WFSA) on 26th September 2013.

Although the group has disbanded, they were celebrating the 40th anniversary since being founded, watching their youthful selves dance at events like the Sidmouth International Folk Festival.

Former member Rob Mills, dressed in appropriate dancing costume, led the event in the WFSA Cinema by ringing a bell and singing an introduction. The packed audience was then treated to clips from videos deposited with WFSA, showing the very best of their performances going back to 1984. Complicated and intricate folk dance routines were shown, accompanied by their excellent house band on the soundtrack, revealing why they became hailed internationally for their skills, despite being a hobby which members had to juggle with their work and home lives. After the film show, some Woodfidley scrapbooks were laid out for the audience to look at and they were chatting and reminiscing for a long time.

This was a very enjoyable occasion and will be long remembered by all those involved.