Strip for St Andrews

Scotland’s first University is calling for volunteers to help St Andrews to make history again; by setting a new record for the world’s largest Scottish country dance on Sunday March 10, 2013.

The University’s Athletic Union is organising the event to celebrate St Andrews’ 600th Anniversary. The event is also raising awareness for the Healthy Mind Healthy Body Award, which the Union supports in conjunction with the Scottish Student Sport.

Fifers are being called to sign up to take part and to help strip Edinburgh of its crown. The current record is held by the City of Edinburgh, where 1,914 people danced on 30th December 2000.

The University’s 600th Anniversary celebrations will take to the streets, hoping to encourage 2,000 people to dance on South Street at 1400 hours on Mothering Sunday. Why not take your mum for a spin? The event promises to be fun for all the family.

South Street will be closed to traffic for the event, with diversions in place between 1200 and 1700 hours.

Scotland’s rockiest ceilidh band, The Cutting Edge Ceilidh Band, will be performing live and encouraging everyone to join in and dance.

Event organiser and Athletic Union President Emily Griffiths said:

“We are hugely excited for St Andrews to be hosting such a fun event that will bring together the whole town; across every generation, all schools and the university. With the culmination of the 600th anniversary celebrations we’re pleased to offer the opportunity for everyone in St Andrews to participate in this incredibly unique venture.”

Assistant Director of Student Services Rob Warren said:

“This is shaping up to be a really exciting event, one that everyone involved will remember and one that people will not want to miss. We are looking for people of all ages and from all parts of the community to come, listen to great music from one of Scotland’s top Ceilidh bands and dance strip the willow. You do not need to know how to do the dance as there will be someone there to tell you.  All you need to do is turn up, be ready to have fun and take part in making history.”

David Bowie said:

“It’s an invitation across the nation, a chance for folks to meet. They’ll be laughing and singing and music swinging – dancing in the street.”

As well as dancers, volunteer marshals and counters are required to help make sure the event runs smoothly and attendees are recorded. To register as a volunteer marshal or counter please email [email protected] with your name and contact details by March 1, 2013. To register as a dancer please email the same address before March 10 if possible.

Notes to news editors

Emily Griffiths is available for interview on 07973 354 682.

For more information about the Cutting Edge Ceilidh Band go to: http://www.cuttingedgeband.com/

Any media wishing to make use of the photo attached – please credit Lightbox Creative.