Members of a borough dance club and their guests spent Valentine’s Day dancing, socialising, quizzing, and enjoying a buffet together.
Winnersh Dance Club participants wore red for their romantic event, the first of a series of evenings this year to celebrate half a century of dancing for the group.
Music was provided by Lin ‘The Dancing DJ’, and began and ended, appropriately, with a romantic waltz.
But couples were also able to enjoy a wide range of ballroom numbers, including Latin American, sequence and line dancing, all to love-related songs.
“Lin provided a walk-through of the line dances as we don’t usually include these in our weekly dance evenings, and we had a laugh trying to remember which way to turn so we all ended up facing the same way,” said group secretary Beverley Chiles.
Table decorations in the form of little heart shaped lights, red table cloths, hearts and cherubs completed the romantic atmosphere, and five lucky dancers went home with a raffle prize and a red rose.
Quiz winners shared a box of chocolates, after solving some head-scratchingly difficult questions, and a bring-and-share buffet was enjoyed by all.
“We had some lovely comments afterwards, said Beverley.
“People were saying how much they enjoyed the evening, and how glad they were they’d come.
“They loved the music and said they’ll be back.”
Beverley began dancing as a child, and met her husband through their shared interest.
For a time they both stopped dancing due to the busyness of life, but later took lessons together to refresh their skills.
Now they enjoy taking to the dance floor every week with Winnersh Dance Club.
“Anyone with a basic dance knowledge of ballroom, Latin, or sequence dancing can take part,” she said.
“Most of our members are aged 50 and upwards, but we do welcome all ages.
“We’re not a school, but we learn new sequences each week to put into the dances we already know – followed by refreshments and a time of social dancing when we can put into practice what we’ve learnt.
“It stretches your brain, it’s great fun, and it helps to keep you fit.
“And nobody criticises anyone else’s dancing – because we all get things wrong.”
Usually around 30 dancers meet each week.
Dress code is smart casual, but for special dances the members like to dress up in evening wear and suits.
Special dancing shoes are not necessary.
“We’d love more people, especially couples, to come and join us,” said Beverley.
Winnersh Dance Club meets at Winnersh Community Centre every Thursday evening at 8pm – except for the month of August.
New members can try out the group three times, and after that, if they wish to join, membership costs £15 per person for the year, with sessions thereafter costing £6 per person, per night.
For information, and to join the club, visit: winnershdanceclub.co.uk/index.html
