A NEW 'Tea Dance' session is being set up in Okehampton by the Time for Life service. The Tea Dance group will take place once a month on a Sunday afternoon at Fairplace Church Hall. The session, for the over 50s, has been set up to offset the closure of the day centres in the area, and gives people a chance to socialise during the winter months while capitalising on the popularity of Strictly Come Dancing in the autumn and winter months. The new series has recently launched, with the likes of Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills and pop star Pixie Lott among the contestants. Professional dance teachers John and Sonia Davies from Sidmouth have agreed to run the session. Providing music from the 20s, 30s and 40s, they will teach basic steps for around 20 minutes, followed by tea and biscuits, and then social dance time. John will explore some sequence dance steps and routines, and will adapt to the requirements of the group. He will attempt to stretch the already experienced ballroom or sequence dancer — and thereby offer some fine dancing for those who wish to sit and listen to the music and watch. He will also offer beginners the chance to learn to dance. There will be plenty of time for taking tea and meeting and making new friends. The cost is £3 per person, and funding has been secured from Okehampton United Charity for the first six sessions. All will be made very welcome. The first tea dance starts at 2.30pm on Sunday, September 21 and runs for two hours. The following tea dances take place on October 26, November 23, December 21, January 25, February 22 and March 22. If you are interested in attending, bringing a group or volunteering, call Jenny Beavon on 01822 810564 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected]