“KEEP dancing,” presenter Bruce Forsyth tells the nation’s viewers each week as the credits roll to mark the end of another session of Strictly Come Dancing, the Saturday evening favourite of elderly housewives on BBC Television.

His call cannot really be taken too seriously, for dancing in the style of the TV show, with elegant, well-groomed couples, flowing dresses and twirling tails, is a fading memory for most of us.

Formal dancing in the past fell into two main categories — clubs’ dinner-dances at the Crown or the George, with posh gowns and smart suits, and much more easy-going affairs held every Saturday night in the town’s Drill Hall and in village halls.

The colourful era of the Drill Hall, effectively ended by a fire in 1963, leading to demolition about a year later, is remembered fondly by older folk.

The Saturday night “bob hop”, to the sweet tones of Frank Walton and his Melody Makers, was an essential part of Penrith’s weekly routine.

The dancing, mainly foxtrots, quicksteps and modern waltzes, spiced with “ladies’ choices”, was probably secondary to the sociable mixing of people. The “boy meets girl” element was also strong.

At a shilling a time, Saturday night dances in the Drill Hall were amazing value for money.

The Melody Makers lived up to their name in playing for a range of dances and their leader, gentlemanly Frank Walton, pianist and compere, was a 1950s version of smoothie Bruce Forsyth when he urged young Penrithians to “Keep dancing”.

Some people tend to sneer at Drill Hall dances because of the occasional displays of violence which marred proceedings, but others prefer to recall them as pleasant, relaxing get-togethers, full of musical harmony, smiling girls and a hint of romance. The last dance was always “Who’s taking you home tonight?”.

ONE-ARMED GOLF CENTENARY

This year has seen the centenary of a very curious golf match between two one-armed players!

Jack (“Wingy”) Scott was the Silloth professional and John Haskins filled a similar role at Hoylake. They played each other at Silloth in July, 1907, for a prize of £5.

The match finished all square, so the rivals agreed to play a further five holes and Scott was the winner, finishing three up with two to play.

An account of the unique contest is one of the gems in a local history book just published by the Holme St. Cuthbert History Group, based at Beckfoot, Silloth.

More Plain People differs from other local histories because it is a team effort containing contributions from more than 50 people living on the Solway Plain, some providing pictures and scraps of information and others writing down their memories for inclusion.

The result is a 157-page work of great diversity, topics ranging from the salt industry to sea smuggling, old sayings and washing day routines long ago to Silloth’s grandiose plans to rival Scarborough and Brighton as a watering place for Victorian upper classes.

Local history is booming, with many village groups in the area covered by this newspaper.

Can we look forward to a spate of books from these enthusiasts in probing the past?

INSTANT CRICKET

Twenty/20 cricket is being hailed as “fabulous”. This quickfire form of the game, with short matches, big hitting, speedy singles and brilliant fielding, has changed cricket in the twinkling of an eye, said a writer in The Times.

Gripping and nail-biting it may be, but Twenty/20 is not new, being a direct descendant of knock-out competitions which thrilled local crowds almost 100 years ago.

In fact, Penrith cricketers began playing post-haste matches back in 1911 to draw spectators to Tynefield Park on summer evenings. The town bellringer strode the streets, announcing who was due to play in the “medals” — a form of contest which differed from Twenty/20 in name alone.

The Ancients were the first winners, defeating a team from the Central Club in the final.

The Penrith brand of Twenty/20 remained a feature for many years, a valuable money-spinner until it became defunct some seasons ago.

Perhaps the ecstatic success of national and international contests will spark a revival of instant cricket at Tynefield.

COUNCIL SERVICE RECORD?

A Penrith man may hold a record for his length of service in local government. This was revealed half-a-century ago, when the former Penrith Rural District Council paid tribute to J. W. Smith on his retirement after 57 years as clerk.

Veteran councillors T. W. Holliday, George Hogarth, Bernard Mandale, John Wood and Harry Noble congratulated Mr. Smith on his service and presented him with an illuminated address.

His 57-year clerkship may qualify for an entry in the Guinness Book of Records, but he revealed that his overall service was even longer. He said: “I was deputy returning officer at the very first election in 1895, so I can say that I have been with this authority from the very beginning and my service extends over 62 years.”

Will anybody on the staff at Penrith Town Hall have ambitions to break a record like that?