Falkirk group celebrating Polish culture through song and dance congratulated on anniversary

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Falkirk group that celebrates Polish culture through song and dance has been congratulated by the Provost of Falkirk as it celebrates its first anniversary.

Provost Robert Bissett was delighted to join members of Parzenica Polish Folk Dance Group at one of their rehearsals on Monday evenings.Provost Bissett said: "It’s wonderful to hear them spontaneously burst into song - they even had me up dancing! Read more: Tearful Falkirk resident shares rat horror as group bids to bring back pest control service "It just great to see people so happy and enjoying and sharing their culture."The group is led by Renata Carter, who set up the group when she and her husband Anthony moved to Falkirk from Dublin last year.Renata had danced for several years with the Dublin group Koniczyna (Shamrock) and found she desperately missed dancing and being part of the group.When she realised there was nothing similar locally, Renata advertised the new group hoping that even a couple of people would turn up."I wasn't sure if anyone would come so I kept saying even if two people come that will be fine.

Then two people did turn up and I was very happy. Then the next week more came and the next week more again," she said.The group has now grown to 17 members.For many months they met in Bainsford Parish Church hall but recently, they moved to a new base in the Dawson Centre in Langlees.Renata, who recently completed an instructors' course in Krakow, choreographs all of the dances, incorporates traditional elements from dances such as the polonaise."I think it's bringing a little bit of home to people," she said.While members rehearse in casual clothes - with Parzenica t-shirts for everyone and simple floral skirts for the women - their full