Each Wednesday night a social club in Hull is transformed into a country and western line dancing bar, creating connection, activity and a chance for people of all ages to meet each other. Willows Club Country and Line Dancing Night is always on the look out for new people to join its weekly throwdown – with dancing optional but encouraged.
Becky Brown has been running the event for the past six years. It started as a country and western night at the Ritz Showbar and Function Suite on Holderness Road. When the Ritz closed down, Becky approached Willows. The country and western night was put on a six week trial – three years later it is still going strong.
She said: “It’s such a nice night, so inclusive and friendly. I think sometimes people are under the impression you have to be able to line dance and that’s not the case at all. We have a good mixture of listeners and dancers, so no dance experience necessary. It’s just something where it’s a safe environment, it’s friendly, there’s never any trouble, it’s inclusive.
“People who are a bit lonely on their own can come out and don’t have to be scared because they are not on their own for long. Everybody speaks to each other. Everybody is really genuinely friendly. That’s what I love about it. Sometimes people come in on their own.”
The night attracts between 80 and 100 people each Wednesday night, but there’s still capacity for more. The evening begins at around 6.30pm and goes on until 10.30pm. Because it is classed as a private function each week, people of all ages can attend. In fact, one of the night’s most dedicated members is just 10 years old.
Becky, who has been singing country and western for many years and is the evening’s weekly compere, said: “It’s changed a lot since I started singing country 35 years ago. Line dancing is becoming more popular. That attracts the younger ones as well. We have a little girl who comes in who is 10, she’s fabulous. She’s up for school the next day so leaves a bit early but she is brilliant. We have people from age 10 up to their 90s. We have a few people with disabilities who come, people with learning difficulties. We’ve got a right mix, right across the board.
“We have everything from old country to modern country and rock and roll. I compere the evening, sing, and do some short spots before the acts go on. We have a different live act every week. They come from all over. It’s not just for line dancing, that’s not the point. It’s open to listeners and to dancers. It’s not a line dancing class, it’s a social night.
“Up until about three or four years ago there were three country clubs in Hull, but now we are the only one left. Willows used to do one once a month but now we are the only country and western night in Hull. It’s difficult and we do as much advertising as we can but it’s still surprising how many people don’t know we are there. Everybody who comes, always comes back. It’s just a really friendly night. People come in on their own. We have groups who come in. It’s just so friendly and inclusive. Everybody is so nice. It’s just like walking into somewhere where straight away people talk to each other, it’s a nice chance for people to get together and meet. People always end up making friends. Some people use it as a lifeline who don’t otherwise come out.”
While there’s no designated line dance teacher, Becky says the regulars are always happy to show their skills to new members. “There’s no teaching but they are so friendly,” she said. “We get some people along who want to learn and the regulars are so accommodating, they’ll drag them up and allow them to follow them, whenever they turn.”
The event runs every Wednesday night at the Willows Social Club on Holderness Road. There’s no need to book in advance and those hoping to attend can pay £5 on the door. Each week there’s live music, a raffle and optional line dancing – Becky says there are plenty of people who simply turn up to listen.
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