LINE DANCE CLUB TAKE TO THE AIR

A local line dance club has achieved national recognition - when it was featured on BBC Radio 4.

Nicola Humphries from BBC Radio-4 contacted Mick & Wendy Bennett of Tulsa Shuffle Line Dance Club in mid-January when she was researching for a series of programmes on different forms of dance and wanted the low-down on line dancing.

They chatted for about an hour and Nicola asked for the names and numbers of a few club members for further research and the gathering of some appropriate anecdotes.

On the next club night, Mick asked for, and got, a number of willing 'victims'.

An associate of Nicola came to Leigh to interview Mick for the Radio programme and then went on to the club night at Prince Avenue School to catch some club ambiance and chat with members.

Mick, who lives with Wendy in Leigh, has been retired for four years and in that time, Tulsa Shuflle has played a leading role in his life.

He used to be an IT Process Assessor, visiting companies all over the world and on a trip to the USA he visited Nashville and the famous Wild Horse Saloon.

That was where he was bitten by the linedance bug.

Clubs

Before long, he decided that he wanted to teach and run his own club and so he was trained by the British Western Dance Association and never looked back.

These days, Mick and Wendy run their club on two nights locally and also offer party nights - some with optional fancy dress - and a healthy and fun way of spending an evening.

In addition, they feel line dancing offers unique opportunities for single people.

Partner

"You don't need a partner and you don't have to ask anyone to dance," explains Mick. "Dances are choreographed and there is a series of steps that you learn and you repeat those steps to music until the end of the dance. Every dance is different.

It's social, mildly aerobic but without the impact, and promotes co-ordination and physical mobility. I have people in their 80's in my clubs, and the youngest is eight. The most important thing you need is a smile!"

As well as the Monday evening club at Prince Avenue School {Post article note from Mick : We have now moved our Monday night dancing to The Ambleside Club, Southchurch}, Mick & Wendy run an evening at St. James' Hall, Elmsleigh Drive, Leigh for beginners and experienced dancers.

For more details phone 01702 474 315.