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This Group has been running for 23 years under the very capable hands of Charles (Charlie) Havill. He has taught us many dances, and we have all benefited from his great dedication.
However, in 2008 he became extremely ill and was unable to take the Group. He eventually contacted the U3A Secretary to inform her that he could no longer carry on. In Charlie’s absence I was asked if I would help out to prevent the Group from folding. When Charlie decided he could no longer carry on I was asked to take over full time.
On questioning the members on how they felt about this change, I was met with a very positive response. All this happened last year and I took over at the beginning of November 2008. I then had to decide how I would handle the Group. The members were clear that they wanted to learn the standard dances. I have always taken this to mean the top 40 most popular of all dances that are danced.
As I am a ‘DJ’ and play for many dances, this top 40 is not difficult to list.
There are many schools and clubs in this area that teach the latest, or more up to date dances. I am just interested in getting people, who have never danced before, onto the dance floor and to have a go. If anyone is interested in joining our little band. Just come along to the Corpus Christi Hall on Monday mornings. Have a chat and a coffee with the members so that you can get a feel of what goes on.
Group Leaders do not get paid and even the U3A only ask for 30p for refreshments and £1.20p for administration.
I do not teach Ballroom dancing. But as Sequences that are taught are all based on Ballroom and Latin, I will quite often, when it becomes relevant, mention how the movements in Sequence can be split up and used to dance a simple Ballroom movement. This will not turn you into a Ballroom Champion, but a simple Waltz, Quickstep or Foxtrot etc will be possible. |