A fitness and dance group for women over 50 is celebrating its 10th anniversary, with 52 active members and a guest ballet teacher set to lead a special class this weekend.
Spring Chicks Keep Fit & Dance was launched a decade ago by retired dancer Alice Blue, who wanted to create a fun, welcoming space for older women to stay active. What began as a once-weekly session has since grown into a thriving community group offering 3 exercise classes and 4 ballet sessions each week.
The group is not a business, but a self-sustaining community effort. Members, who range in age from their 50s to 80s, meet regularly to stretch, build strength and dance to an eclectic music playlist that includes Deep Purple, Curtis Mayfield and Mrs Mills.
Alice, known affectionately as ‘Chief Chick’, has said:
“Spring Chicks is not, and was never intended to be, a business; it is a community group that pays it’s way, and it has grown so much that we now have three exercise classes and four ballet classes a week.
“To be still going strong after 10 years is something I am excessively proud of. I know that here on the Island – likely because it Is an island – people tend to be hearty and outdoorsy, but even so when I see the stamina that these women have, it amazes me.”
Many of the members attend twice a week, and all classes are fully on their feet – no chair-based exercise. Alongside the fitness sessions, the ballet classes – known as the ‘Dainty Chicks’ – have become a key part of the programme, welcoming women who have danced before as well as complete beginners.
The group also enjoys regular social events and recently marked their 10th year with a celebration party. Behind the scenes, a small team of volunteers helps with logistics and planning, including Jane, Carol, Pam, Gen and Chris.
This Sunday, the Dainty Chicks will welcome distinguished ballet teacher Yolande Parkin from Liss Forest Ballet School on the mainland. Yolande holds the highest teaching qualifications with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing and will be leading a special guest session.
Alice Blue has said:
“Yolande is a very distinguished teacher who holds the highest of teaching qualifications – Fellowship of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance, plus Cecchetti to Advanced 2 – and is a dear friend of mine from the old days; she is the best ballet teacher I know and I am delighted that she has agreed to do this for us. It will be terrific to get together again, and I look forward to learning even more from the person who inspired me to rediscover and reconnect with ballet.”
Spring Chicks continues to offer movement, music and mutual support for women across the Isle of Wight. For more information about joining the group, contact Alice Blue directly.
