I have been trying for several years to promote modern (Western) square dancing - which is very good for one's health as well as being inexpensive as a hobby - amongst youth organisations and amongst groups representing the LGB community and ethnic minorities. All my work has been in vain. I wonder what I am doing wrong or whether I am just contacting the wrong people. I am from the East Midlands so it is not as if I don't know the region (I have also worked for EMDA and am a member of EMARAN). I am also trying to get square dance events included in Pride festivals. I have been trying to get the festival organisers involved for 3 years. I am sure I'd have no problems at all if I were in the USA or Canada. I am particularly concerned that it should be so difficult to get through to health promotion officers with the PCT and various charities. Keeping people fit and preventing disease is meant to be a priority in this country at present.

Can anyone help with some contacts? At present, I need to contact organisations in time for beginners' courses starting in September. All square dance clubs are run on a voluntary basis so I am not trying to promote any commercial activities. I am also willing to help voluntary organisations to run square dances (or Playford balls) as fundraising events, if this helps dance clubs to recruit new members in the long run. I can be reached on 0115-928 2896.

The Foundation for Community Dance seems to be concerned only with contemporary dance and has little interest in promoting folk dancing, which is a great shame considering the number of folk dance clubs that could do with its support.