CELEBRATIONS are being held to mark 200 years since Benjamin Rose began to create a book of country dance tunes from his Blackmore Vale alehouse.

A selection of country dance music will be performed at Ibberton Village Hall on Thursday, January 30; while the Benjamin Rose big band will play a ceilidh at Cerne Abbas Village Hall on Saturday, February 1.

The creation of 'Benjamin's Book' will be marked. On January 29 1820 Rose sat down in his alehouse in Belchalwell and began to copy country dance tunes into a small book. Amazingly, the book has survived, and with it 135 lively and very danceable tunes that our ancestors enjoyed in and around Sturminster Newton 200 years ago.

Nine years ago Dorset musicians Tim Laycock and Colin Thompson published a facsimile of the original tune book, and arranged workshops to teach the tunes to local musicians. Many of the tunes can now be heard all over Dorset and beyond!

At Ibberton Village Hall on Thursday, January 30 there is an opportunity to hear a selection of the tunes played on fiddles, concertina, recorder and tambourine by Tim and Angela Laycock and Ruth and Colin Thompson. The evening starts at 7.30pm, and all are welcome to listen to the music, hear the story of Benjamin Rose and perhaps do some dancing.

And at Cerne Abbas Village Hall on Saturday February 1 the Benjamin Rose big band will take the stage of a ceilidh where all the music will be from Benjamin’s Book, and caller Angela Laycock will get everyone up dancing. Admission £8 in advance, £10 on the door. The event is a bring-and-share supper, bring your own drinks, but tea, coffee and soft drinks will be provided.

Tickets can be bought from Ruth by emailing ruthfiddler@outlook.com or calling 01300 321396 or from Angela by emailing alaycock61@gmail.com or calling 01308 482443.