Dancing kings needed to balance club members

The would-be modern versions of Jane Austen's classic male

character picked up leaflets at Felpham and Middleton Country Dance Club's stand.

Among the routines performed by its members are the social dances featured in novels such as Pride and Prejudice.

But the club is desperately short of male members. Those men who do join in are outnumbered by more than three to one '“ eight compared with 26 women.

Roy Heyworth, 66, a club member for eight years, said: "I've always been interested in amateur dramatics and I think it is a case of not minding showing off.

"I understand some men may feel a bit reserved, but they should not for the dances within the club. It's mental exercise as well as physical and it helps with co-ordination and timing. But, most importantly, there's plenty of fun and laughter."

The club meets at Middleton's Jubilee Hall at 7.30pm on Fridays and has members in their 40s to their 80s. A partner is not needed to join in.

Its stand was among about 40 at Bognor's first Men Included event. Held at the Royal Norfolk Hotel, this was intended to show men the opportunities which existed for them to join in activities.

Other organisations present included the Citizen's Advice Bureau, Bognor Regis Camera Club, the 4Sight charity and Age Concern. The exhibition attracted more than 200 visitors. It was organised by Arun Neighbourhood Network of four charities.

Helen Saxton, a community locality worker for CVS-Arunwide, said: "I work with a lot of different charities and organisations around Bognor and most of them have very few members who are men.

"We are looking for ways to get men to join in. It could be they do not realise what opportunities are available, they are busy working or they have more home-based hobbies. But this exhibition is just the start. We are going to do other activities so that men do not have to be isolated."

One of the visitors, Bognor man Gavin McPherson, 39, left clutching several leaflets. He said: "I thought all of the exhibition was very good."

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