Love blossoms for ballroom dancing pensioners

A music group that brings all ages together from 11 to 98 has really lived up to its name - with love blossoming for two pensioners on the dancefloor. Music For All Long Sutton is a social group which is proving to be a big hit by bringing the local community together at the meetings, which are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at Long Sutton Church Hall, from 2pm - 4pm. With a packed hall of some 120 music lovers attending a recent meeting, people of all ages were up on their feet dancing to live music performed by Andy Phoenyx.

Organiser Sandra Whatling, who set up the group in 2023, said: “All the singers are popular. “People come for the social side. “Some people don’t get out and here they are dancing.



” Ivy Turner, 76, and Jack Beck, 88, met through their love of ballroom and are now a couple and attend the group and others in Spalding and Sutton Bridge. Mr Beck said: “We met through ballroom dancing. “Even at my age - it just goes to show.

” The love birds have been together for three years and show no signs of slowing down as they danced the ballroom step to Andy’s live country music. Andy’s wife Michaela Bennetto, from Deeping St Nicholas, is a line dance instructor and brought her daughters Kaitlyn, 11 and Abi, 12. Michaela said: “I teach dance and we really enjoy line dancing.

” The girls and their mum led the way with some great routines - all three were total professionals and never missed a beat. Leslie Pierson, from Long Sutton, at the age of 98 was possibly the oldest in the room and loves the atmosphere. He said: “I have been coming along since it opened.

“It gets you out and is really good. “If I didn’t come along I would just be sitting in my armchair watching television.” With Easter approaching there were some goodies being given out for free.

Norma, who did not want her surname printed, 80 lives in Long Sutton and is a widow. She said: “It is lovely. “It brings us all together in Long Sutton.

“We all make friends and I love to give out the crème eggs - that’s just me.” The group is a great way for music and dance lovers to come along to enjoy the social occasion. For some older people they may have been isolated through illness.

Ron Bloye, 85, from Sutton Bridge, said: “I have been coming along since it started. “I have had two minor strokes. “As it is a free group people come along to dance and be happy.

” A newer member of the group has attended for the last two months and made friends to dance with. Leslyn Chandler, 70, from Long Sutton, said: “I love it. “The music - and the people are so friendly.

” Coun Hayden Feetham represents Long Sutton Parish Council and he came along after work to see what the group is all about. He said: “I think events like this one are truly brilliant for bringing not just our own community but also people from surrounding areas together nicely. “It made me feel happy to see everyone there enjoying themselves and having fun.

“It has been a lovely afternoon and it is excellent for our community.” For further information visit Music For All Long Sutton on Facebook. What do you think? Post your comments below.

.