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Pensioners get into armchair line-dancing
Lancashire pensioners are going wild for a new craze – armchair line-dancing.
Dance instructor Wild Bill McKechnie brought a bit of boogie woogie to Bushell House retirement home in Goosnargh with a one-hour lesson.
Bill has adapted traditional line-dancing steps to allow older folk to join in without leaving their armchairs, by using mostly hand instead of foot movements.
Those with mobility problems can now enjoy musical entertainment and get some exercise at the same time.
Bill said: "It first started with wheelchair line-dancing back in 1997 – a young girl came to me at the end of a class and was upset she could not keep up in her wheelchair.
"Then last year, I went to a nursing home in Lytham St Annes and thought I would teach the elderly residents armchair line-dancing.
"They loved it. It's something different and the smiles on their faces say it all."
Bill has performed at a number of nursing homes in Lancashire this month.
And playing war-time songs like It's A Long Way To Tipperary means older folk can enjoy singing along as well as tapping their toes.
Ann Hull, assistant manager at Bushell House, said: "Everyone really enjoyed it.
"It was a new venture for them. They didn't really know what it entailed at first but I've had very good feedback."
Resident Elizabeth McQuiggan, 88, said: "I found it very enjoyable. He showed us different movements to go with the music and it was very interesting. We all hope he will come back again."
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Weather for Preston
Tuesday 07 February 2012
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