Question

Bars 5-8 also bar 16

How does the 1st couple turn to their first corners?   At the end of bar 16 does 1st couple stay in the middle?

Answer

Given that plenty of time i.e. 4 bars are allocated for this turn it may be danced like “Sugar Candie” with the man retaining his partner’s left hand in his right hand to assist her to face first corners.”

The specific mention of “finish facing down the dance", indicates that 1^st couple should stay in the middle on bar 16 - there would be no need for those 5 words if 1st couple finished in the side lines.