Children from eight primary schools in Portsmouth come together this week for a ceilidh, in the culmination of a country dance project run by FolkActive, the Folk Association of South Hants and Portsmouth Music Education Hub.

Traditionally, a ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) is a social gathering which can include music, dancing, song and storytelling. Although Celtic in origin, the word ceilidh is now used regularly across the British Isles to describe lively community dances often known as barn dances.

Over 200 children aged 5 to 11 will be dancing to music played by Jigfoot at Milton Park Primary School, and we hope this will mark a positive step towards getting more schools actively re-engaged in this rich area of our culture.