Members of Exmouth Sequence Dancing Club are used to taking to the floor with their partners – but now they’ve also forged a partnership with Budleigh Salterton Lions.
The club, which meets every Wednesday afternoon, has started collecting items for the Lions, including used postage stamps, hearing aid batteries and used tablet blister packs, which are then recycled. Last month Budleigh Lions Richard and Tom attended one of their sessions, where they gave a brief talk about their work and then joined members on the dance floor.
Afterwards Steven England, who runs the dancing club, said members had decided to hold their Christmas charity dance in aid of the Budleigh Lions.
President Richard Allen said: "We would like to thank Steven, Joan, granddaughter Hannah and all the members of the Sequence Dancing Club for making us feel so welcome. We must also thank them for all the items they have collected for our recycling projects which is great for the environment and will help to raise money for charity. Lastly, Tom and I would like to apologise to our dance partners for any bruised toes!"
The Sequence Dancing Club has a core group of members who attend regularly, either to dance or to meet their friends. Steven said: “Whilst our primary function is to be a dancing club, we also provide a place for people to socialise and maintain links with their dancing friends. Our oldest dancers are now 92 and 94, so, as you can see, dancing really does ‘keep you on your toes’.
“Dancers with birthdays ending in ‘0’ are treated to a celebration dance, where we encourage ex-dancers to come along to see everyone again. This year we have celebrated two 80th birthdays and will be celebrating a 90th birthday in mid-December. Next year we have two couples who will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversaries.”
He said he sometimes organises dances with the music matched to a theme; these have included the Queen’s Jubilee, the King’s Coronation and Eurovision being held in the UK.
The club also supports the Open Door centre in the town. It has raised £200 for the centre and some members also meet there for breakfast or lunch.
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