Tea Dance ? No Chance !

The change in postion this week by Chelmsford City Council means that the Chelmsford Muslim Society now do not need to apply for planning permission to use the Main hall on Fridays for congregational worship.

Although the current Covid restrictions do not allow for social dancing groups or classes to take place, this latest decision by Chelmsford City Council effectively ends any chance of the Friday Tea Dance returning to the Hamptons.

For many in our community, especially those who are aged 60+, Hamptons is synonymous with Marconi and both are synonymous with dancing. The Tea Dances had been running for at least 20 years. The dance floor in the main hall is probably the largest sprung dance floor in Essex?

The Centre for Policy on Aging has published a report which reviews the international evidence for the health benefits of dancing for older people. Exercise programmes for older people commonly experience high drop-outrates. Dance, on the other hand, is an enjoyable and sociable form of exercise where participants report very high levels of motivation.

No BAR or cafe

Of course the first thing that the new owners did in February was to close and rip out the bars, shutting down the club’s largest revenue stream. This was swiftly followed by the removal of the clubs two longest tenants, Roamers Caterers and the European Buddhist Hanmi Association, a really poor decision for an unestablished new business.

The much advertised new cafe has not materialised, and the original area identified for it’s location is now planned to be converted for religious ablutions. With the current economic downturn, and the rumoured top dollar rental fees being requested by the club owners, we don’t think that any catering outlets will be fighting for the chance to open a cafe at the Hamptons

A BITTER blow for elderly club users

The Friday Tea Dance was a long established activity vital to a great many of the elderly residents and club members, and for some was their only real social contact every week. This is exactly why we are fighting to preserve the community use at the venue. Remember that the Marconi Veterans Association have already been forced to find an alternative venue for their annual lunch.

Even if an another slot was offered by the club owners, the lack of a bar or cafe would make any booking unlikely. We really hope the Tea Dancers can explore alternative venues and are able to continue when the Covid restrictions are lifted.