COUPLES will once again trip the light fantastic at the Weymouth Pavilion’s Ocean Room.
Dance instructors Ralph and Muriel Aird will be running a dance session in the room tomorrow evening, after a five-year absence.
The couple say they are delighted to be bringing dancing back to the Pavilion and hope it will spark a renewed local interest in the pastime.
Mrs Aird said: “We ran dance nights at the Pavilion for 20 years but we had to give it up because of a lack in numbers and people had started to drift away from it.
“I think people thought that it would always be there, but a lot of people seem to be missing it now it’s gone, so it’s time to start it up again.
“Now we’ve been approached to see if we can start the sessions up again after having to give it all up five years ago.
“It’s such a beautiful ballroom with a lovely, good-sized dance floor and it’s a real waste to see it not being used.
“We’re very happy that it’s returning and we’re always very happy to get people dancing.
“There’s nothing quite like it – it’s a wonderful pastime.”
Mr and Mrs Aird have been teaching couples how to dance for more than 50 years.
They began by running a dance class in Surrey and later on cruise ships, and have judged dancing competitions at holiday camps.
Mrs Aird said: “We won’t be teaching dancing as such at the next Pavilion session.
“The evening is for couples who can already dance, or anyone interested in giving it a try, and we will supply the music.
“There’s going to be a lot of sequence and ballroom dancing.
“I think people’s interest in learning Latin American, sequence and ballroom dancing has been reignited after shows like Strictly Come Dancing and it’s nice to see it making a comeback.”
Mrs Aird, 75, and Mr Aird, 81, say they are living proof that dancing keeps you ‘young at heart’.
She added: “We still teach and dance and are very active for our age and I think it is down to the dancing.
“As a retired physiotherapist, I realise the importance of exercise.”
Mr and Mrs Aird, of Preston, said the first Pavilion dance session will take place tomorrow at 7.30pm.
The second session is set to take place on Tuesday, June 22, but future sessions will depend on its popularity.
Anyone interested in taking part can turn up on the night or contact Mr and Mrs Aird on 01305 832578.
They will also be running a four-week Argentian tango and mambo class in May.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here