The Circassian Circle Folk Dance Club

The Formation of the Club

Early Days

The Circassian Circle Folk Dance Club was formed in the early 1950s. Joan and Jim English were amongst the founder members and you can listen to some of their memories by clicking the links below. Also see more pictures.   and more.

The pictures form a photographic archive of some of the events attended during the 50s and 60s.  In later years some of the members branched out to form the band the Blue Jays.

Stills from the book "Square Dance Manual" by Charles Chilton 1953
From the collection of Joan English nee Phillips
Stills from the book "Square Dance Manual" by Charles Chilton 1953
From the collection of Joan Phillips
Foreword in the book Square Dance Manual. With acknowledgement to the Circassian Circle Folk Dance Club
From the collection of Joan English nee Phillips
Getting ready for Southend Carnival, taken in The Hoy yard.
Joan English (nee Phillips)
Southend Carnival Procession - passing the pier (1st prize)
From the collection of Joan Phillips
Southend Carnival Procession - (1st prize) Joan Phillips playing the accordion.
From the collection of Joan English nee Phillips
Southend Carnival Procession - Chalkwell Avenue
From the collection of Joan English nee Phillips
Club Dance at The British Legion Hall, Castle Lane, Hadleigh
From the collection of Joan English, nee Phillips
Club Dance British Legion Hall, Castle Lane, Hadleigh
From the collection of Joan English nee Phillips
Club Dance at St Mary's Hall, School Lane 1952/3
From the collection of Joan English nee Phillips
Coronation Day Tour - Benfleet Memorial
From the collection of Joan English nee Phillips
Coronation Day Tour - Benfleet Memorial
Joan English (nee Phillips)
Coronation Day Tour - Benfleet Memorial (the old Post Office can just be seen behind the dancers)
Joan English (nee Phillips)
Coronation Day Tour - Benfleet Memorial
Joan English (nee Phillips)
Coronation Day Tour - The White Hart, Thundersley
From the collection of Joan English nee Phillips
Westminster Morris Tour - Musicians - Jim English and Brian Conner
From the collection of Joan English nee Phillips
Westminster Morris Tour, near The Abbey - Musicians - Jim English and Brian Conner
From the collection of Joan English nee Phillips
The Hoymen dancing in Hadleigh
Joan English (nee Phillips)
Westminster Morris Tour - The Hoymen
Joan English (nee Phillips)
Westminster Morris Tour - Musicians - Jimmy Coleman, Brian Conner and Jim English
Joan English (nee Phillips)
Formation_of_the_CC_MP3
Formation of The Circassian Circle Folk Dance Club
Joan describes how the folk dance group came to be formed in the early 1950s. (3m 38s). The picture above (from the collection of Joan English nee Phillips) is of the group's first public demonstration, performed in the garden of The Vicarage in Benfleet.
Unknown Album
Square Dance Manual
Demonstration of square dancing at The Lyceum Ballroom in London, followed by a request to be photographed to illustrate a new dance book. 1m 43s.
Unknown Album
Hobby Horse
Jim English talks about the Hobby Horse at Westminster. 49sec.
Learning the Dances
Joan talks about visits to London to The Folk Dance Society Headquarters and how ultimately, the group turned more to playing instruments. 1m 39s
Folk Dance Festival at the Albert Hall
Joan talks about taking part in the annual Folk Dance Festival held at the Albert Hall. Playing at Barn Dances and other venues. 2m 4s
Performances at local venues
Joan talks about performing at the Folk Dance Festival in Southend, performing at the end of the pier and also the Cliffs Pavilion. 1m 16s
The origin of the group's name
Joan talks about the reasons behind the choice of name for the group and how, together with her husband Jim, she gradually moved over to performing Scottish Dance Music. 2m 16s

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