HE’S a Harwell scientist and a classically-trained pianist, but Grahame O’Connor was cutting loose with Wantage Folk Dancing Club.

The 70-year-old was performing a jig he wrote specially for the club to celebrate their 40th anniversary at Steventon Village Hall on Saturday night.

The dance, entitled “The King’s Jig” or “Alfred Burns the Cakes”, celebrated the legend of Wantage’s most famous son King Alfred burning the cakes at an old woman’s cottage while hiding from the Danes in Wessex.

Grandfather Mr O’Connor has been a member of the club with his wife Liza since 1978, and they have been playing music - Mrs O’Connor on the accordion - for the dancers there for nearly 20 years.

Mr O’Connor said: “The night went very well, everyone had a good time.”

While Mr O’Connor composed the music, the accompanying jig was choreographed by fellow member Diana Triplow.

Each part of the dance depicted the legend, firstly introducing Alfred, then the woman mixing her cakes, then a general panic as people try to douse the flames.

The club, founded by Icknield Morris man Joe Marms, meets twice a month at the Chalton Centre in Wantage and enjoys live music from husband and wife duo. Mrs O’Connor said: “We just enjoy playing for everyone, and the ambience is always good.”

The club raises funds for local charities at its dances and has raised many hundreds of pounds, including for the Charlton Centre and local hospices. It also sponsors the national Folk Dance website Set and Turn Single and always welcomes new members.