Aardvark Ceilidh Band at Subscription Hall, Stroud

It's the first time I've been to a non-folk festival ceilidh in aages - and I really enjoyed it. Adrian, our friend from the Somersetshire Coal Canal Society, kindly gave us a lift and tried to teach me some ceilidh moves - with varied success!Aardvark Ceilidh Band were pretty good - sort of folk/prog rock fusion music, with guitar riffs from Pink Floyd or Led Zep creeping in at times. Trouble was, the caller sounded muffled and so I couldn't hear the instructions - luckily the dances were mostly well-known ones like Roger de Coverley and the Shetland Strip the Willow so the regulars were able to show us what to do - or shout at us when we went wrong! Everyone seemed good natured, nobody was (outwardly!) impatient with us when we made mistakes or weren't quick enough - despite some very good dancers being there (we were in Cotwold Morris territory, of course).
There was only one real ale on at the bar - but since it was Champion Beer of the Cotswolds, Stroud Brewery's "Budding", I wasn't complaining! The dance floor was rather bouncy, even for a sprung floor - apparently they've had problems with it in the past - but it was a huge hall, similar to my old haunt Godalming Borough Hall, with plently of room for dancing.
Very good - will definitely be back when the wonderful Climax Ceilidh Band are on in February, if not before!