King's Lynn Silver Swans ballet classes restart after lockdown

Silver Swans ballet classes for the over-55s in Lynn are about to take off again for the first time since lockdown in March.

Experienced dance teacher Karen Waite, will be welcoming back participants to her classes which restart on Tuesday, September 7, at her studio at 33 Bridge Street. She started Silver Swans just over a year ago.

She said: "Because the ladies have been in lockdown, they have realised that exercise is so important and they have missed the social interaction that classes bring. The classes benefit people physically as well as being positive for their mental health and wellbeing.

"Ballet is a gentle exercise, which may suit older people better than pounding away at exercises in the gym."

Precautions are being taken with regard to Covid-19, which include large stickers on the floor which state "Dancing together, whilst six feet apart."

"With regard to masks, I have asked those who are coming whether they will wear one, but they have all said they find them uncomfortable and don't feel they are safe for balance. However it's agreed that if one person wanted to wear one, then everyone will," said Karen.

Silver Swans classes are designed specifically for the older generation and the programme can only be taught by a licensed professional, such as Karen.

Karen trained at the Royal Academy of Dancing and has been teaching dance in Lynn for 54 years.

Before lockdown, Karen held one regular Silver Swans class, but now she has split participants into three classes so there are no more than six people in any one group.

They last for 45 minutes and are held on Wednesdays at 2.30pm and 3.30pm, with a 15-minute changeover to allow for sanitising. A third class is held on Thursdays at 3.30pm.

Karen said that members had taken part in her show For the Fun of It in December at Lynn Arts Centre. "It was the first time any of them had performed in front of an audience. They performed two routines and it was a huge achievement," she said.

To book a Silver Swans place, or to attend Karen's other classes for ballet, jazz and tap, call her on 07964193758 or send an email to karenflanders@btinternet.com