Thousands dance for clean water
The Big National Ceilidh for WaterAid

On Saturday 17 October, more than twenty-five ceilidhs were held in the UK and overseas as part of WaterAid’s Big National Ceilidh. Proceeds from the event, which are estimated at almost £20,000, will be donated to WaterAid’s work improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world’s poorest communities.

David Oliver at Water Aid

Ceilidhs were organised across the UK (and one in France) in schools, village halls and churches from Edinburgh to Woking. To unify the events, at 10pm everyone danced the Circassian Circle to the tune of “Jamie Allen”. Father and son David and Joey Oliver, from Hexham, first came up with the idea for the Big National Ceilidh two years ago and this is the second year of the nationwide event.

David is Chair of FolkArts England, promoter of Folk and Traditional Music and Joey is an accomplished musician and plays the whistle in BBC award-winning band 422.

David Oliver said: “We chose to support WaterAid because of the fantastic work it does, bringing a simple, major, permanent improvement to many people’s lives. We are thrilled that WaterAid have taken on the Big National Ceilidh and we hope that as a result, more and more people will go to ceilidhs and will think of them as wonderful, stimulating community events – and effective fundraisers too.

Both David and Joey held ceilidhs on the night; David’s event was in Hexham, while Joey’s was in Durham, though he managed to play the role of ‘caller’ at both, arriving in Hexham just in time for the big Circassian Circle at 10pm after a 40 minute cross-county drive.

Earlier this month David and Joey gave a speech to over 300 people at WaterAid’s Annual Supporters’ Meeting and entertained the audience with their rendition of “Jamie Allen” on the accordion and whistle. They inspired WaterAid’s CEO Barbara Frost so much that she is planning her own ceilidh for 2011.

The Olivers, together with WaterAid, have created a step-by-step guide to help people to organise their own ceilidh. To find out more, or to request a Big National Ceilidh pack for next year, visit www.wateraid.org/ceilidh or call 0845 6000 433.