Youshould be dancing(...yeah!)

September is the month for dancing. So are the other 11, for a lot of people! For many, dancing is all about watching Strictly, Dirty Dancing or Grease and trying to emulate their moves in the living room. Others prefer a bit of sweaty retro-rave dancing. This month, we've found two forms of dancing that you might not have considered. Have a look and consider having a go.

The first is from the Lucy Clark Scottish Country Dance Club, which meets in Wendover Memorial Hall; the second is Crackwick Morris, meeting at Halton Village Hall.

Liz Mitchell from the Lucy Clark SCD writes: We had the perfect ending to a very successful year with the news that two of our teachers had gained their Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Teaching Qualification a few days earlier.

We celebrated in style at our end of term party on 29 June, accompanied by live music, cake and prosecco!

This term’s programme has been packed with extra activities which have been particularly well attended. Our Crowns and Coronets event for the Coronation, our tuition evening for more experienced dancers led by a visiting teacher and our defibrillator demonstration were all well received.

Chiltern Foodbank was our Charity of the Year and our three collection evenings, plus donations, resulted in the provision of about 230 meals and £392.

In this centenary year of the RSCDS, we’re particularly pleased that, for the first time, five of our dancers will attend the Summer School in St Andrews.

Research has shown that Scottish Country Dancing is good for your physical and mental health. If you’re thinking of taking up a new activity, why not give it a go? The first visit is free. To book a place on the New Dancer Class see the website for more details: www.lucyclarkscottish.org or email lucyclarkscottish@gmail.com.

Morris dancers have their own language. A “side” (team) is led by a “squire”. Cracklewick Morris’ own Squire Darryl explains the appeal: "Come and meet the brand-new Cracklewick Morris side and even have a go!"

"We are an all-inclusive fusion side focused on the sheer enjoyment of all things Morris, and we’d dearly like to have you come along, any skill level. You are welcome as a musician, dancer, or both.

We perform many dances, some of which have been written by members of Cracklewick Morris. Fusion Morris takes its inspiration from a range of Morris traditions from Border to Cotswold via Northwest.

"Although we are a new side, we are not new to Morris dancing. Between us, we have over 60 years’ experience playing and dancing. Our dance lead teaches the dances with a deep understanding of both the dances and dancers. Our head musician finds interesting and unusual music from around the world. Our Squire adds a flourish to performances, makes announcements and works hard to liaise with other sides.

This teamwork and culture is key in creating a community of sides for dances out and celebrations. Morris can open a whole new world of friendship, music, and fun so why not give us a try?

It's also a great way to get your steps in for the day. We meet at Halton Village Hall.

If you can’t make the open evening at 8:15 - 10:15pm on Tuesday 5 September, please drop us an email at cracklewickmorris@gmail. com".

If you have lived in Wendover any amount of time, you will have fond memories of the late Colin Riley – not just a great GP, but also a real gentleman and friend of the community. One of his favourite causes was the RNLI. Although we are miles away from the sea, many locals will have benefitted from having lifeboats to keep them safe when on the water – either whilst sailing or on a beach holiday.

You might want to honour his memory by meeting with the RNLI team at Wendover's Local Produce Market Saturday on 16 September. Andy Stephenson, Chairman of the central Bucks Inshore Fundraising Branch of the RNLI, writes

The Royal National Lifeboat Institute is our national charity that saves lives at sea and last year was no exception as the statistics reveal: Launches: 9,312 Lives saved: 389 People Assisted: .............................. 16,476 Hours at Sea by crew: 57,858

Out of every £1 raised 81p is spent on paying for the Lifeboat Service, the remainder invested in generating greater wealth. The charity requires £405,000 per day to remain operational and all this comes from voluntary donation raised by 95% of the team, being volunteers themselves.

The RNLI is 199 years old and next year we celebrate our Bi-Centenary. As your local Inshore Fundraising Branch of Aylesbury

& Central Buckinghamshire, we want to make this a special year! Our Branch covers the geographical area across the middle of the County from Wing through the county town and across to Brill and the far west, and we have a number of committed volunteers, but we are seeking even more and more importantly those in key locations just like Wendover, who can volunteer within their own community as they know it better than we do!

We know of the work of the late Dr. Colin Riley who for many years ran a terrific collection round for the RNLI in the town and as a tribute to his memory it would be great to recreate that funding stream. The role as volunteers would be to help us by getting all year-round collection boxes out into the community at pubs and shops then service them with our assistance and guidance whenever required. Plus advising us of any opportunities that arise where we may advertise our presence at public events in the town and help raise general awareness. We also have a specialist speaker who is happy to attend local groups to provide talks about the RNLI if there is sufficient interest.

Volunteering need not be an arduous task for you but if you believe you can afford a little time to support the RNLI and extend our fundraising effort you will be helping a great cause please email or contact me and I will be pleased to provide you with a greater understanding of the role and responsibility involved. Come and join us at the Local Produce Market outside Budgens on Saturday 16 September!