Well, we were about an hour into the dance, at a wedding reception, and - bang - out went all the lights. Not just in the hotel - the whole village was blacked out. In fact, most of South Gower was without power. Of course, some big pop group was doing an open-air concert in Swansea that night - perhaps they blew all the fuses. Anyway, there we were, with no sound system. The hotel brought out candle lanterns, we kept on playing, and the guests kept on dancing. I'd like to see them try doing that with a disco!!! Yes it was hard for the caller, but he got in among the dancers, and they recognised the problem and listened to him.

I think McGrath is right - the dancers used to know the dances. They didn't have callers in those old castles - knowing the dances was part of the etiquette that let you in. And minstrel galleries do happen to be placed in the best position for being heard - strange coincidence, that.

BTW, we were a loud band that night - two fiddles, concertina, guitar, drum and TWO accordians. Try ignoring that lot!!

Andrew