Aquarius to host dances

A weekly tea dance that attracted up to 160 people until the day a Staffordshire ballroom closed its doors will return to the new-look venue.

Organist Graham Darby's, known as Mr Music, tea dance attracted dancers from all over the Midlands and Shropshire every Monday until it was forced to find a new base when the Aquarius in Hednesford closed in July last year.

It moved to Avon Business and Leisure Centre, in Avon Road, but numbers dropped to around 25 and it later moved to Heath Hayes Conservative Club, in Hednesford Road, where numbers currently stand at around 37.

Mr Darby has now been in touch with the new management and booked the hall each Monday so the dance can return to its roots.

It will start again on March 19 and will be held between 1pm and 3.30pm. The price has had to be increased slightly from £2 to £2.50 to cover the cost of hiring the hall.

Mr Darby, who first played the organ at the Aquarius when he was aged 16, said he was delighted to be returning to the venue.

He said he had been inside and seen work taking place and was impressed by its new look. Mr Darby said: "The event was so successful when it was at the Aquarius and attracted 120 people each week and up to 160 people on Bank Holidays."

The Aquarius, in Victoria Street, will re-open on March 16 with a grand gala event featuring dancers Flavia and Vincent from BCC1's Strictly Come Dancing.

Management company Giraffe Leisure Limited is also planning to host a weekly rock event called Blitz to ensure there is something to appeal to all ages.