The Dawlish Divas dance group are set to step out on tour in residential homes in Teignbridge. The group was formed by participants of Teignbridge Council and Dance in Devon’s Dance This Way scheme, which brings low-cost informal dance classes to village halls and community centres right around Teignbridge.
Over 300 local people took part in the scheme last year.
Having been given the confidence and skills by Dance This Way, the Dawlish Divas formed their own independent dance group and have now secured nearly £5,000 from the The Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All scheme to take themselves on tour. Awards for All gave the group £4970, and Devon County Councillor John Clatworthy has also contributed £500 from his local member’s fund to help the Divas take to the road.
The group are planning to perform fun and interactive dance sessions around residential homes in Dawlish and Teignmouth, enabling elderly people to take gentle exercise and improve their health. The project builds up to Older People’s Day on 1 October, with the tour of performances due to kick off soon and last until October. The Divas will also be performing at Teignbridge Council’s popular free summer U Can Cut It festivals, which are due to take place in Newton Abbot, Teignmouth and Dawlish in August.
Any residential home managers who would like the Dawlish Divas to visit can contact Teignbridge Council’s Dance This Way practitioner, Katherine, on 01626 215606 or dance.this.way@teignbridge.gov.uk
(image: Back row, left to right: Gillian Milton (Dawlish Diva); Shirley Hoyle (Dawlish Diva); Christine Reeves (Dawlish Diva); Katherine Nietrzebka – Dance This Way Practitioner. Front row, left to right: Rachel Sutton – Director of Dance in Devon; Cllr Anne Fry – Teignbridge Executive Spokesperson for Recreational Services; Cllr John Clatworthy - Devon County Counillor for Dawlish.)
(from a press release)
