Many people think dancing is old fashioned, but you only have to go to the Age Concern building in Varley Street any Saturday morning, to see the children’s dance class. It is still a very popular pastime. The children really enjoy it and if they wish, they can enter the examinations for rosettes, medals and trophies.

Our roving reporter, fondly known as Nosey Nellie went along one Saturday morning to take a look.

“I had heard about the children’s dance class from adult friends and they told me it gets very busy. To be honest I thought ‘busy’ would be about a dozen kids. When I got there the whole place was heaving, the dance floor was packed with children doing disco type dancing. The rest of the space was taken up with parents chatting over a cuppa. I was welcomed with a piping hot cup of tea by Pam and Larry who run the dance school. I managed to find a vacant seat so I could organise myself and my camera.

Fifteen minutes later the fun dancing ended and the lessons began. The dance floor was even more crowded with both children and dance teachers. The children were patiently put through their steps a couple of times. Then the music was played and they danced in time to the music. The dance floor seemed such a melee, I wondered if the children actually learnt any dancing. I was quickly assured by proud parents and grandparents about this, as they told me about the ‘medal tests’ and how hard the teaching staff work to get the children to the required level.

I was pleasantly surprised at the choice of music. It was chart music, Spice Girls, B.Witched, Boyzone, Steps etc. No wonder everyone enjoys it!

Sarah has been dancing with Fiesta for three years, since she was four years old. I came to a presentation dance and it was the first time I’d seen anyone (apart from on T.V.) dancing ballroom. I couldn’t believe how good the little girls were. It was brilliant. The staff are really friendly and have loads of patience. Their hard work really shows on the examination days when everything comes together. Saturday mornings just wouldn’t be the same if there was no dancing class.
Margaret O’Donnell

"My daughter Amy has been coming for two years. I was really pleased when I found out about it, as there was nowhere for me to take her. Amy now has rosettes for various ballroom dances and she is going to do her bronze medal next. I think it’s really good to have this in the area and it’s very good value for money. The children enjoy coming and can achieve something and the parents can have a morning off! Amy has made some new friends and so have I, so it’s really benefited us all."
Jo Dowd

"My daughters have been going to the Fiesta Dance Centre for 10 months and they enjoy it. They learn latin and ballroom dancing. It also gives them the confidence to dance in front of people. The problem is that not many people know the centre is here. I am sure if people knew, they would want their children to do this. It is a great way for the children to meet other friends, and also the parents. I would recommend this to everyone."
Tia McDwyer

"My daughter has been dancing at Fiesta Dance Centre since she was 3 yrs old. She couldn’t wait to start as she used to go before that to watch her two older cousins. They would teach her the odd dance step to get her started. She is 15 now and still learning new things and helping out with the younger children. Some of the new children start off a little nervous but are soon put at ease by the very friendly staff headed by Pam and Larry and very soon gain confidence while dancing to the latest records."
Anne Morris