40 years of International Folk Dancing in Worthing
The following text is taken from an article in the March 2020 S.I.F.D. News
The Interdance Banner
On March 21st, 1980, Iris Birch, armed with her first international record (it had Chekassia Kfula on it and is still danced today) and her
Adult Ed. Teaching Cert. founded the Interdance Club in Worthing. Previously, she had taught small dance classes (clogging, square dance and
Playford).
During the 1980's, Interdance Worthing became a popular and a widely known dance club and had at one time 70 members. The repertoire
was entirely due to Day Courses using visiting teachers from the S.I.F.D. Their first Day Course was in 1984 - French Dances with Simon and
Joan Guest. Interdance Worthing also had close ties with the Merton International Folk Dance Group, who sometimes came and danced
with them.
Dancing Hassapikos on the Seafront
Iris has a reputation for good teaching, with emphasis on correct style and has often helped teachers at other south coast clubs with dances. She made teaching aids, costumes and the banner. The late Uri Gerson was a big influence on her and she remembers how much Walt Tingle encouraged and supported her to start displaying international folk dances.
Dancing in an idylllic setting
They also gave displays at quite a few different retirement homes and schools. Iris is also indebted to her brother Michael Allison
without whose support in the early days she could never have managed. He was her taxi, porter and support during the difficult days of
finding suitable halls for dancing, transporting equipment and costumes. He is also an excellent dancer who has since started a U3A group
down in Devon.
In 1992 due to ill health Iris had to step back from running the club and a committee took over as Worthing Dance International. They
continued to give some displays and still offer International Dancing every Friday evening. Ella leads most of the dancing and Helen and
Mary can be contacted for information. Iris died 5th November 2022, (below left, and front row 2nd from left) she continued to dance up to the time she was
admitted to a Hospice. Hopefully, there will be another 40 years of International Folk Dancing in Worthing.
©Janet Douglas 2022
