Next Chapman Bore dance will be the last

This post was contributed by Peggy Bennett.

For the past 70 years, dances have been held at the Chapman Bore hall on the fourth Saturday of every month.

Only the recent pandemic called a temporary halt to this iconic local event.

In earlier decades the local dance drew in crowds from far and near for a form of entertainment available to all, and everyone joined in.

Over the years children have learned to dance, young couples have met and fallen in love, and hundreds have benefited from the social interaction and exercise ballroom dancing provides.

There always used to be an annual ball, and everyone dressed to impress, with ribbons being awarded to the best.

In those times the Chapman Bore hall was the focus of local activities, with a very active tennis club, agricultural bureau and women’s ag bureau meetings being held.

Bands in the early years included piano and drums, saxophone and piano accordion.

Last year a crew from ABC Landline came to visit and featured the dance; dancers all tuned in to see if they’d been caught on camera.

Sadly fewer locals now attend regularly, so the final Saturday dance at Chapman Bore will be held on November 25.

Everyone will be welcome to attend and remember the good old days.

Live music will be played by Peter Hutchins.

Enjoy a pooled supper, with tea and coffee supplied.

The dance will be held in the hall at Chapman Bore, 30 kilometres east of Murray Bridge on the Karoonda Highway.

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