ENTER Cardigan’s Guildhall on a Thursday evening, and the music coming from somewhere above sounds like Saturday night television and ‘Strictly’, but there is no element of competition here, quite the opposite. In the great hall are people being coached into feeling at ease on the dance floor and teacher Janice Hawtin sees it as her responsibility to make it as much fun, and as pleasurable an experience as possible.

‘It’s true that ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ has had an effect on people learning and we have had people joining because of it,’ she says. ‘But most people who join us have been prompted by something in their own lives. Maybe they’ve booked a cruise, and they begin to wonder whether they need to brush up on their dancing. Also ballroom is a very social thing, and people come because they want to meet people. They know they can start from scratch or pick up where they’ve already got to.’

Olivia Rose is one of the students, new this term and on her third class.

‘I’m really enjoying it and learning a lot,’ she says. ‘I’ve always enjoyed dancing but in a very informal way, so it is really good to know how to do the right steps in the right order to the music.’

This year the course at the Guildhall is in its third year, and newcomers are still joining. The class begins at 6.30pm for beginners, 7.30pm for intermediates with some knowledge and 8.30 for those who know the steps, the music and how to put the two together with a partner. The classes also lead into the seasonal dances held at the Guildhall where groups come from further afield. The next one of these is the Autumn Dance, and will be held on 26 October incorporating ballroom and Latin dancing.