A very early photo (late '70s or early '80s) of the Steamers playing at Ninfield Village Hall. Jane Downes (calling / drinking); standing (L to R): Paul Roberts, John Burgess, Brian Chainey (just a glimpse), Paul Dengate; seated (distant to close up): Bob Bourner, Nigel Taylor, Eric Downes, Pete Moore, Andy Dennis, Paul Rawlinson. Jane & Eric/Will Downes, Paul Dengate and Andy Dennis are still playing with the Steamers. Photo by Max Fletcher.

End of an era – the Catsfield Steamers

Well, it is the end of an era as Jane Downes, caller with the Catsfield Steamers Country Dance band for the last 40 years, calls one final dance at St Mary in the Castle on Saturday 18 January. However, the band continues, with some additional members and a new, dancer-friendly caller, Rachel Roberts.

Jane and husband Will, melodeon player, who is also leaving the Steamers, are moving on to do some serious sailing and generally eschew the responsibilities they have taken on over the years. Paul and Jo Dengate are also leaving.

The Catsfield Steamers are amazing – a ceilidh band with a  name that resonates with so many local people who enjoy the social dancing and the excellent driving music.

Catsfield Steamers more recently

Jane and Will, at a late-night dance at Sidmouth Festival in the early seventies, were very put out by a grudging set and an indifferent caller who made the two novice dancers decide they didn’t want to be involved. Later, whilst co-running The Lamb Folk Club, Eastbourne, and meeting up with Mad Jack’s Morris, Will became more and more interested in traditional music and Jane taught the set dances in schools.

‘Let’s put on a dance for the public’, one member of the fledgling band was heard to say, and the rest is history. The Sidmouth lesson made Jane Downes determined to keep a helpful eye on the dancers and to keep the dancing light-hearted; fundamentally, fun.