Husband and wife Western fans take the reins and breathe new life into club

LONGING for the days when fearless cowboys ruled over the Wild West?

With period dances held in an authentic desert saloon setting, West Point Country Music Club is Swindon’s nostalgic tribute to the new frontier.

The group was launched in March by husband and wife Helena and John Bowie in a bid to keep the western tradition alive in Swindon.

It all started at a country festival in September 2014.

The pair, who were loyal members of Wild West group The Lawmen in Bristol, bumped into an old acquaintance who revealed a country and western club they had visited on several occasions in Swindon was about to fold.

They decided to pick up the baton and form their own group, West Point CMC. They held their inaugural dance and music night at the Ferndale Club on March 27.

“When we found out it was closing down we decided to open one ourselves,” said Helena, 41.

“We found out last September but we opted for a March launch to give us time to get it all set up.

"We visited other clubs and we got advice from the people who run them. We wanted to do it right. It was quite a learning curve.

"We had 36 people at our first event. It was quite stressful but there was such a buzz.”

From line dancers to Wild West re-enactors like Helena and John or country music connoisseurs, the club has so far attracted eclectic crowds. While some opt for century garb, the music has a more modern country feel with classics from the likes of Johnny Cash booming from the speakers.

“We hold country music nights, with a different act performing every month,” she added.

“And we encourage people to come dressed in western costumes. It’s all about country and western music. You can choose to wear Victorian-era Old West costumes or not. You don’t have to but we encourage - it makes it more fun.

"The music is a mixture of old and new. Some of the acts will cover Johnny Cash or Dolly Parton.”

Unlike most country and western groups in the region, West Point CMC also welcomes children.

“We found that a lot of clubs didn’t allow children but we wanted people to have the option to come have fun and not have to get a babysitter every time.”

In future, Helena hopes to raise funds for local charities. through the monthly events The next event will take place on May 29 at 8pm at the Ferndale Club. Admission is £6 for adults and £3 for children aged between 10 and 18. Children under 10 go free. For more details visit the West Point CMC Facebook page, call 07910 111825 or 07722 971669

 

The next event will take place on May 29 at 8pm at the Ferndale Club. Admission is £6 for adults and £3 for children aged between 10 and 18. Children under 10 go free. For more details visit the West Point CMC Facebook
page, call 07910 111825
or 07722 971669