Enjoy dancing? This will suit you to a tea!

Club Call highlights the hard work of community organisations and groups in the Oldham area. here reporter BEATRIZ AYALA speaks to Barry Stretton, who runs the weekly modern sequence tea dance at the Honeywell Centre in Hathershaw.

IT’S best foot forward for the 50 members of the Modern Sequence Tea Dance Club who meet every Wednesday at the Honeywell Centre, Ashton Road, Hathershaw.

Keen dancers have ensured the group has stayed open since its creation 26 years ago.

Current managers Barry Stretton (68) and his wife Margaret (65) have seen membership rise during the two years they have been in charge.

Mr Stretton said: “It’s a great social event and keeps you fit and active.

“You get to learn new dances every week and there is no age limit. We have some members who are nearly 90 and never miss a week, as well as others who go dancing every night of the week at other clubs.”

Up to 46 new dances are created every year and these are passed down from the sequence dance competition circuit throughout the UK.

Mr Stretton said dancers are kept on their toes learning all the new steps.

He said: “It helps to have some dancing experience as we do not teach people how to dance. Learning the new dances going round the sequence dance circuit keeps the sessions interesting.”

Sessions run 1.45pm to 3.45pm on Wednesdays and cost £2, including tea and biscuits.

New members welcome and for more information call Barry on 0161-624 0707.