Woman sues over reel mishap

Mrs Waddell has taken her complaint to court

A woman who slipped and fell while dancing the "Dashing White Sergeant" reel during a farmers' ball at a hotel is suing the hotel where the accident happened.

Marney Waddell, 46, blamed the highly polished floor at the Peebles Hydro hotel for her accident, which left her with a broken arm.

She is seeking £30,000 in damages from management.

However, they have contested the action at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, alleging that Mrs Waddell voluntarily put herself at risk by wearing high heels and taking part in a "boisterous" dance.

By voluntarily participating... in forms of dance such as the Dashing White Sergeant known to be boisterous, she accepted the risks naturally inherent in such participation Hotel management

The accident happened at the Peeblesshire Agricultural Society Ball in January 2001.

Mrs Waddell, of Netherhorsburgh, Innerleithen, in Peeblesshire, said she continues to suffer pain and restricted movement in her left arm following the injury.

She said she was unable to work as a secretary for five months and underwent surgical exploration of the injury and painful physiotherapy.

Mrs Waddell said she is an enthusiastic golfer but was unable to play competitively for a year after the accident and her playing handicap suffered as a result.

Mrs Waddell attended the ball with her husband Robin and slipped while taking part in the Dashing White Sergeant after dinner.

She alleged that several other guests slipped that evening and problems had been encountered about a fortnight beforehand at the hotel when a policewoman fell and bruised her right hip.

'Spun round'

Responding to the action, the management said: "By voluntarily participating... in forms of dance such as the Dashing White Sergeant known to be boisterous, she accepted the risks naturally inherent in such participation."

Farmer John Aitken, 47, from Carlops, in Peeblesshire, who was president of the agricultural society at the time of the incident said about 400 people had attended the event.

He said there was nothing out of the ordinary about the dance floor at the event, which he said was "lively, but not wild", and agreed when it was suggested that the action should not have been brought.

Accountant Louise Roberts, from Balerno, in Edinburgh, said she had not seen Mrs Waddell drinking at the event but did see her on the dance floor being "spun round" and falling.

Judge Gordon Coutts QC will give a decision at a later date.