Casterton 2026
Next year’s Casterton will be from the 10th to the 12th April. We will be offering additional morning workshops on Saturday and Sunday in the village hall. This will allow a balanced programme of English and American dance styles.
To support these workshops Ian Jones will be joining Geoff Cubitt, Bernie Culkin and Nicola Scott in our caller line up and we will have an additional band with Denise Bearon and Becky Hutchinson joining Chris and Julie Dewhurst and Deo Volente.
Geoff Cubitt
Geoff is renowned in the world of traditional dance, particularly for his role as a caller in American Squares, Contra, and English Ceilidh.
Geoff has called in the USA and many other countries. His expertise has led him to be a featured caller at prominent national dance festivals such as Whitby, Chippenham, and Sidmouth. Respected by his peers, Geoff also excels in Appalachian dancing, showcasing his talents at various festivals.
Geoff will be retiring from calling in the near future, so this may be one of your last chances to dance to Geoff.
Bernie Culkin
Bernie has been very busy this year calling at several festivals and weekend events. Bernie is a dance teacher and caller based in Cheshire. She specialises in the dances of Playford as well as modern choreographies in the Playford style. She has a clear calling style and encourages all dancers to dance to the best of their ability by encouraging good technique, timing and teamwork.
Bernie has also been awarded the Brownie Dancing badge for teaching the 6th Knutsford Brownies country dance!
Nicola Scott
Nicola is a newcomer to Casterton. She has been interested in Scottish Country Dancing since university and is now deeply involved in the folk dance scene.
Nicola has recently called at the Chippenham Folk festival and regularly calls at local folk dance clubs in Birmingham and the West Midlands where the dancers enjoy her unique mix of Scottish, English and contra dances.
Nicola teaches a weekly Scottish Country Dancing beginners class in Birmingham, and has also written a number of Scottish country dances.
Ian Jones
Ian is the founder of the Casterton weekend and also the Crook Folk Dance Club and was a committee member for the Casterton dance weekend for many years.
Ian has been a fixture at Casterton for many years and returns in 2026 to call for a number of workshops and at the Saturday evening dance.
Deo Volente
Deo Volente are a versatile accordion and flute duo based in Monmouthshire and formed in 2006. Dave and Victoria are experienced folk dance musicians and have become familiar faces locally and are well-known on the national dance scene.
Dave and Victoria have been associated with Casterton for many years. They are both keen dancers so look out for them on the dance floor when they are not performing!
Chris and Julie Dewhurst
Chris and Julie have always enjoyed playing for a variety of dance styles and play a wonderful pair of counterbalancing accordions. Chris and Julie have been playing for Scottish, English, Old Time and American dance styles for many years and are very versatile and imaginative.
Denise and Becky
Denise Bearon and Becky Hutchinson have both played at Casterton before but this year they will be playing together to provide music for the third workshops on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
