Kathryn CrossTAKE your partners - dancing is back in Dereham after a day centre launched a new series of dance sessions for the over 55s.There was plenty of nifty footwork on show at the first session last Thursday as well as a few less experienced toe-tappers keen to learn a new skill.Kathryn Cross

TAKE your partners - dancing is back in Dereham after a

day centre launched a new series of dance sessions for the over 55s.

There was plenty of nifty footwork

on show at the first session last Thursday as well as a few less experienced toe-tappers keen to learn a new skill.

Dereham Meeting Point used to

hold regular dancing get-togethers

at the centre off St Withburga Lane

but following the death of the organiser John Horobin the centre

had been unable to offer the

activity.

But now Meeting Point member Ian Thomson and his wife Bev have waltzed into the frame to get their fellow members moving and grooving and getting some all important exercise as well as a new outlet for socialising.

"I've got quite a large music collection because I play the

keyboards so I can play whatever

they want to dance to," said Mr Thomson. "I used to help John

out when he ran it and it was very popular.

"The idea is members can come and have their lunch on a Thursday

and then get a couple of hours of dancing for fun. We don't have the facilities for anything serious,

there are no dress suits and tails,

but anyone can come along and take part.

"It does not matter if you can

dance or not because there are those who can teach and those who want to learn. The more people we get the better.

"It is a good fun exercise and because a lot of members are single and probably don't mix easily it gets them together."

Members certainly looked like they were enjoying themselves.

Sylvia Stibbon, who brought husband Reg along, looked very at home

with the moves but explained she

had been dancing since the age of

15.

"I used to do Old Time and Modern Sequence dancing at a club," she said. "We have come all the way from Swaffham to dance here today and I would really recommend it to

anyone."

Frank and Katherine Vella started dancing six years ago and were regulars at the previous Meeting Point sessions so were very pleased Mr Thomson had agreed to start the activity up again.

"It is a good way of keeping

supple and active," said Mrs

Vella.

The dance sessions take place

every Thursday from 1pm to

3pm and are free to all members.

For more information on becoming

a member of Dereham Meeting

Point, which is available for

anyone aged 55 or over and the disabled, contact them on 01362

698866.