More than 55 of Bathurst’s and the state’s dancing elite gathered for the grand period dance in the magnificent ballroom of Abercrombie House on Saturday, which was followed by a post-dance and brunch on Sunday.

The dance group, organised by Marlena Welch, was made up of skilled old-time, ballroom and new-vogue dancers from Adelaide, Bathurst, Canberra, Dubbo, Lithgow, Melbourne, Sydney, Oberon and Wagga Wagga.

The group was invited to the sixth annual Abercrombie House Ball by Christopher and Xanthe Morgan.

The ball was officially opened by Mr Morgan at 8pm and continued until midnight to the music provided by Phil and Ester, who are well-known in ballroom dancing circles for their excellent rhythm and dance tunes.

The guests were entertained during the evening by a demonstration of a new dance called the Kardinia Saunter, choreographed by Peter Gamble from Canberra.

On the Sunday, guests danced, toured Abercrombie House and sat down to a relaxed brunch.

“Guests dressed in period costumes from 1850 to 1900,” Mrs Welch said.

“It’s lovely to be able to relive and dance and dress the way they dressed.

“We eat and live like they did in those times.”

Ladies in long dresses and men in top hats mingled around Abercrombie House’s extensive gardens.

Mrs Welch, of the Bathurst Old Time New Vogue Dance Group, said the ball was a huge success.

She said all guests at the invitation-only event had to be able to dance in old time, ballroom or new vogue styles.

A bellringer was also part of the event, ringing in each new bracket of dancing.

All funds raised from the event will go towards the ongoing restoration of Abercrombie House.

Next year’s ball, which will be held on Saturday, February 17, is already fully booked.