The Choughs

Contacts: Margaret Oliver   01637 861171 (home) 07791038083 (mobile) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (website) http://www.choughswheelchairdance.co.uk

The Choughs Wheelchair Dance Team was formed in 1970 to provide therapy, social activity and recreation for disabled people.  We cover a wide range of dances such as old time, ballroom, disco, modern pop and anything in between.

Margaret Oliver MBE has coached the team from the start, she puts a great deal of time and effort, with no charge, into the team which reflects in the Choughs success over the years.

In 1971 the Choughs entered their first competition at the Hammersmith Palais and emerged as National Champions, a title they have held almost every year since.  The Wheelchair Dancing Association (WDA) the National body, was formed in 1974 with all teams having to observe rules etc. laid down by the controlling body.

Dancing is not the teams sole activity, they are self financing.  Team members pay a subscription each week, at present £1.50.  They also are involved in fund raising activities, street flag days, stalls, car boot sales as well as demonstrations, without which the team would not be able to carry on.

All wheelchairs are provided, and you do not need to be a wheelchair user to qualify to become a member. The Choughs have the same uniform, the gents with a Cornish Hunting tartan waistcoat and the ladies with their skirt in the same, both with matching accessories.

The Choughs practice one a week at St Newlyn East Village Hall.  During the winter months, December to March, we meet on a Thursday afternoon 2-4pm and the rest of the year on Tuesday evenings 7-9pm.  When the team are practicing hard for a competition the practices are usually twice a week.

The Choughs welcome anyone to come to a practice session to watch or have a go!  Ladies and gents, of any age, as long as you can propel a wheelchair.  Our present age range is 24 years to 78 years.   Please come and try the dance experience, no commitment but you will love it.

In 2011 the Choughs were 40 years old and to celebrate and mark the occasion the team held an afternoon of dancing. The event was held on Tuesday 13th December at the Green Lawns Hotel Falmouth, who kindly gave us the room free of charge. The team's family and friends came to watch and urge the team on. It was kept very light hearted and we revived dances that we hadn't done for a while mixing easy with more difficult, slow and fast dances, all in all a good mix with time for a tea and biscuit break.

As it is the 40th anniversary of Margaret Oliver's involvement with the Choughs we decided to make our Christmas meal an occasion to mark it. The team sat down to a splendid meal at the Green Lawns Hotel in the evening. A great time was had by all, with all concerned expressing their appreciation for the work carried out by the committee. A gift was presented to Margaret Oliver for all her hard work by our longest serving member, Margaret Coots.

National Championships

The Choughs retained the National Championship Trophy in November but were beaten by one point in the Formation and Novelty sections  by the Inverclyders.  Well Done to all who took part.