Age is no barrier for tea dance tango

Many suffer from arthritis and some have even had hip replacements.

But that doesn't stop determined pensioners in Wolverhampton from taking to the dancefloor for the rumba, tango and salsa.

Around 40 sequence dancers enjoy classes and a chat at the Jennie Lee Centre in Lichfield Road, Wednesfield, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon.

And while they might not be as light on their feet as Ginger Rogers or Fred Astaire, they still manage to glide and twirl around the floor to traditional orchestral pieces played from CDs.

The popular tea dance is held in the community centre's gym and was set up by professional dancers and married couple Alf, 78, and Betty Devey, from Walsall, around 12 years ago. "We had been dancing long before we started the sessions here," said Mrs Devey, a former leather machinist. "I was dancing when I first started courting Alf over 56 years ago."

The 79-year-old said the couple both loved the weekly sequence dancing sessions.

"You get to see your friends and have a bit of a chat," she added.

The pair take to the dancefloor to lead the routines and then the other couples take to the floor.

Former post office and shop worker Olive Cooke, 82, of Wednesfield, joined the group with her husband Geoff, who died in 2001.

"We used to loved sequence dancing," said the former post office worker. "When Geoff died I still wanted to come here because I had so many good friends." Mrs Cooke, who said her favourite routines are the tango and rumba, said learning new dances keeps her brain ticking.

"We learn new dances every week so it keeps us fit and keeps the brain healthy," she said. "It's nice music and nice company."

Olive's dancing partner Dan Withers, aged 78, of Fallings Park, started going along to the dance eight years ago.

"I didn't know how to dance when I first joined," he said. "But Olive taught me the routines and I come here three times a week now. I thoroughly enjoy it."

The former secondary school teacher added: "I've met loads of friends here and I even go away on holiday with some of them.

"There is no denying we are old and many of us have arthritis but I always say age is no barrier."

For more information on the tea dance call 01902 555911.