The normal line-up for Tumladen Country Dance Band is accordion, drums and bass or keyboard plus a dedicated 'caller' to explain every dance. We specialise in easy dances for barn dance beginners and 'call' (teach, walk-through) every dance. As the night proceeds, your skills develop and dances get more challenging. Whatever steps you take, you'll have a whale of a night.

Tumladen delivers a full evening of entertainment, usually 8pm to midnight, with a short break at buffet time. Sometimes we are asked to condense a series of dances into a blistering one hour spot; we are happy to oblige. We play a mixture of tunes, old and new, Celtic and modern, fast and slow - our accordionist is from the Orkneys, our drummer from Dorset and we are based in Wales, so expect a potpourri of styles. Don't let tradition get in the way of a good time.

All we need is power, a dance floor and a crowd willing to have a go. You will need some drinks (it can be hot work) and a raffle or some food (as an excuse for a rest).

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Why Tumladen?
Where on earth did that name come from?

Perhaps the question is where on middle earth because Tumladen is a secret valley mentioned in Lord of The Rings. During the capture and journey of Merry and Pippin, the Orcs discuss which route to take, one of the candidates being towards Tumladen.

The secret vale inside the Encircling mountains, the Echoriath. In the midst of the green plains stands Amon-Gwareth where-upon Gondolin was built. The vale was found in year F.A.51 by Turgon under guidance of Ulmo. The only entrance is the Secret Escape, an underground course beneath the mountains.

More likely, the name refers to a joke about the eating habits of Colin, our first, current (and only) master of the accordion. Lock up your buffets! Pronounced tum-laden as in full stomach, you'll understand the connection. A legendary eating competition at Sidmouth Folk Festival between Colin and a Great Dane was an easy win for humanity.

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