History of Hampton-in-Arden Folk Dance Group
What was Hampton-in-Arden Folk Dance Group began in the Autumn of 1954 when Joe Tatton, the village shoemaker, organised a series of dances in response to the "square dance craze" that was sweeping the country. Many of the dancers arrived by public transport, some by train and some by the coach (organised by Curly) that travelled from the centre of Birmingham, collecting people along the way.
In 1957 "local boy" Ray Parker became the chairman and he remained in this position until shortly before his death in 2012.

The dances were always held in Fentham Hall, a property owned and maintained by The George Fentham Trust.

The dances were organised and run by a small committee who cared passionately about folk dancing and who hoped to continue the tradition of dancing in Fentham Hall for those who had gone before us, for our wonderful bands and callers and FOR YOU, THE DANCERS. ​
Falling numbers, particularly following the Covid Crisis, combined with increasing hall hire charges, threatened the financial stability of the club. Then in 2023 the adjoining restaurant re-opened and dancers arriving for the folk dances found that all parking space had already been taken. So, sadly the decision was made to finish the series of dances.
The final dance was held in March 2024.