Kildoag Hall is a hive of activity

Pictured during the 80th anniversary celebrations at Kildoag Orange Hall on Friday evening were, from left, Donald Eakin, Worshipful District Master, District No.2, Gary Middleton MLA, Assistant Deputy City Grand Secretary, Alderman Maurice Devenney, Deputy City Grand Master, James Hetherington, City Grand Master, Gavin McCombe, Worshipful Master, Kildoag L.O.L. 1164, and Stuart Parkhill, Deputy Master. INLS3115-117KM

With Christmas just around the corner, classes are winding up for the autumn season, but there is already great interest in classes for the New Year.

One class that took everyone by surprise was the dance class on a Wednesday night, which attracted 42 eager learners all keen to put the right foot forwards and get the jive down - as the video attached to this story online shows - as well as learning a few line dances.

In another week the photography club will stage an exhibition and the fortnightly Bingo sessions are enormously enjoyed.

“We have a lot happening in Kildoag Orange Hall at the moment,” said Mark Moore, PRO for LOL1164, which meets at Kildoag.

“The dance classes have taken off, which surprised us. The classes have now finished for the year, but such is the enthusiasm for it that the group is going to continue to meet on a Wednesday night to dance, so it has been a huge success.

“We were absolutely overwhelmed by the numbers of people who were interested and we ended up with 42 in the class all wanting to learn some basic dances. We learned how to jive and did some line dancing. We have not had any formal dancing classes, but the jiving was brilliant,” said Mark.

The age range for the classes also spanned the generations, with the youngest about 15 years old and the oldest in the class into their 60s, but they were all linked by the simple fact that they were all novices and keen to learn some moves.

The tutor of the class was Tammy Love from Castlederg.

“We will be running more classes, possibly after Christmas or towards Easter, but in the meantime at Kildoag we have a lot of work to do in the hall after Christmas. We are putting down a new wooden floor upstairs and then we are widening doors to provide disability access and to comply with regulations on access,” said Mark.

The hall is so much more than just a space for meetings and get-togethers for Orange Brethren.

“The hall is a real community space. It is open to all people in the community.

“We are also keen that the hall is open to young people and is an inviting place for then and a genuine alternative space for them; an alternative to the street and getting involved in anti-social activity.”

To book Kildoag Hall contact Mark on 07872058676.