As the unmistakable bass line of Panjabi MCâs huge bhangra hit Mundian To Bach Ke kicks in, a sea of hands reach skywards and bodies start to sway. The feeling is infectious, and it is hard to resist the pull of the crowd as they dance and smile joyously. But this is not a nightclub and we are not gazing out over a late-night dance floor packed with young party-goers. It is a weekday lunchtime in a Cheriton, and the dancers are proving you are never too old to get into the groove.
We are in the main hall at the Folkestone Nepalese Community Centre, where around 30 peopleâmostly women over 50, and some even more seniorâhave gathered for their weekly Moving Well session. It is less a dance class in the formal sense, more an explosion of the profound joy of music, movement and connection.
Watching from the sidelines, it is impossible not to be struck by the happiness that radiates from the group. Smiles are wide, and barriers of language and culture melt away as the team from Moving Memory Dance Theatre lead the group through a series of choreographed moves that come together in one final performance.
Creative facilitator Laura Jeffree is one of a team of three from Moving Memory leading the session we attended. When the Dispatch caught up with her afterwards she explained what these Moving Well classesâwhich run at venues across Kentâare all about.
âThe aim of the workshops is to get people moving and grooving and having a great time,â she said. âWhatâs slightly different about our workshops is that we donât necessarily teach a dance to the community weâre working with, theyâre very integral to creating that movement sequence with us. We develop a choreography together, sharing stories and ideas and favourite moves. And itâs not just about physical health, itâs also about connection and bringing communities together, socialising with one another on a different level.
âThe movements have been cherry-picked from excellent movements that have been shared during the creative process. Itâs so nice to see someone elseâs moves and think âI love that, I want to do thatâ. Weâve definitely tapped into some of the nice gestures that weâve seen here and used those to develop the choreography that you saw today.
âThe minute you walk in the room it is so joyful. People have enjoyed sharing different ways of moving with one another, and weâre bringing together people that wouldnât necessarily get that chance to meet in normal life.â
Of all the workshops the charity puts on, this one is rather unique in the way it brings different parts of the local community together. Cheriton is home to a significant Nepalese diaspora, in large part thanks to the links between Folkestone and the Gurkhas who serve with the British Army, and the community centre in Baker Road has become a vibrant hub since it opened almost five years ago.
The majority of the participants are Nepalese and those we spoke to at the class emphasised how important it is for them, especially the older women in the community, to have opportunities like this to socialise together. âItâs a good form of exercise, and staying at home is no good,â said Pad Maya Limbu Bega after the class was over for the week. âComing here is a way to share company with other people. The community centre is very good for us because staying at home is not good for physical health or mental health. Iâd like to thank the organisers who come and lead the class because I really enjoy it.â
Her sentiments were echoed by Sabita Wanem, who said: âI enjoy it a lot, it is perfect for my age and I would love the class to run more! The dancing is really enjoyable, I have always enjoyed music and dancing. It is nice for the older people to come out and dance, to see the faces smiling, otherwise they are just at home. So I am pleased to see other people enjoying it as well.â
Although hosted by the Folkestone Nepalese Community Centre, the sessions are open to all regardless of background and this makes it a wonderful chance for people to meet others who they may not cross paths with from one day to the next. âMusic and dance transcend any kind of cultural differences and language barriers,â explained Stacy Golding, who had been leading the class alongside Ms Jeffree. âWe could probably run that session saying very little, just letting the movements and the music communicate.â
The charity describes its workshopsâwhich are completely free to attendâas âa chance to build confidence, meet new people and share plenty of laughter along the wayâ. From what we saw during our visit, it is proving to be a great success.
âItâs just so nice,â said Liz Hitchon, who stopped to chat as she was leaving. âI just find it a very happy space, itâs really joyous. Everyone is smiling and everyone likes whatever anyone else is doing. I think the leaders set that tone, and they have some lovely music.â
Although the weekly workshops in Cheriton have now come to an end, there is still a chance for people in Folkestone and the surrounding area to get involved as a new series of sessions is taking place at Wood Avenue Library on Wednesday mornings until December 16
Ms Jeffree encouraged those who may be unsure about whether to get involved to simply âcome and seeâ if it is for them. âIt isnât like a conventional dance class,â she said. âEven if you just want to come and sit and watch, thatâs absolutely fine. But I guarantee that if you come you will leave with a massive smile and you will have made connections with people, even if you donât want to dance for the whole thing.
âSometimes people think that physically they wonât be able to do it, but I think you will, because we adapt it and thereâs so many different ways of taking part.
âAs we age we often feel weâre not allowed to be creative anymore, or weâre not allowed to express ourselves anymore. But why on earth not? You can come here and you can do just that, and kind of be a child again. Play, have fun and be creative. Look what your body can doâthe older body should be seen and enjoyed and should be able to perform. It shouldnât just be for young people.â
Moving Memory Dance Theatre stages workshops at venues across the county. Moving Well sessions are now taking place at Wood Avenue on Wednesdays between 10.30am and midday. You can find more information here.
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News in brief
đĽ Cappadocia BBQ Meze Grill in Cheriton is seeking an extension to its premises licence which would allow the takeaway to remain open until 1am seven days a week. The kebab shop in Cheriton Road is currently able to trade until 11pm. The application will be heard by Folkestone & Hythe District Councilâs licensing act sub-committee when it meets at the Civic Centre at midday tomorrow, September 10. Three representations have been made in relation to the application, all opposing the proposed extension. There are concerns over âpublic nuisanceâ, noise from kitchen ventilation and an increase in the number of delivery drivers coming and going.
đ New play equipment aimed at toddlers and teenagers has been added to Cheriton Recreation Ground. Using development levies aimed at improving local infrastructure, Folkestone & Hythe District Council has invested more than ÂŁ70,000 into 14 new pieces of apparatus to complement the existing play equipment on Stanley Road. Cllr Connor McConville, the councilâs cabinet member for assets, said: âIâm really pleased weâve managed to accommodate a wider age range as this is something residents have been asking for. We are committed to investing in local communities, including our young peopleâas demonstrated by this and the recent ÂŁ750,000 refurbishment of the Lower Leas Coastal Park fun zone.â
đ° We have reached our initial target of raising ÂŁ500 for South Kent Mind, our 2026 charity of the year, so now we are stretching that target to ÂŁ750. In October a three-strong Dispatch team will be taking part in a fire walk at Sea Scrub Sauna, and we would be delighted if you would consider donating for this very worthy cause. You can find our fundraising page here. Thank you to everyone who has given so far, your support is greatly appreciated.
Whatâs on this week
đ Jim Cartwright play Two is being staged at the Tower Theatre on Friday, September 11, and Saturday, September 12. Played by just two actors, the drama shines a light on the lives and loves of 14 characters. Tickets for the three performances, which are being staged in the venueâs Blue Room, are on sale here.
đ¨ Folkestone Art Society is staging its Autumn Exhibition at the Quarterhouse this week. The show is open every day from 10am to 4pm and runs until its final day on Sunday, September 13. Members will be showing original pieces for sale at a range of price points, so it is an opportunity to snap up a unique work for your collection.
đˇ John Dory wine bar in Sandgate is celebrating its fourth birthday on Saturday, September 12, and Ben âLucky Chipâ Denner will be in the kitchen cooking from 1pm. Walk-ins are welcome all day, but tables can be booked between 1pm and 6pm. In the evening DJ Russ Cuban will be playing from 7pm.
đ Edinburgh Fringe favourites Degrees of Error are bringing their improv show Murder, She Didnât Write to the Leas Cliff Hall on Friday, September 11. It starts at 7.30pm and you can get your tickets here.
đď¸ Musical drama The Greatest Showman will be showing at the Harbour Arm on Friday, September 11, as part of this yearâs free cinema programme. The 7pm screening is completely free to attend, you donât need a ticket, and spaces are available on a first come, first served basis. You can find out more about this and other upcoming events at the Harbour Arm here.
Do you have an event in Folkestone you would like to promote in a forthcoming edition of the Dispatch? Send details to us and weâll help spread the word!
Thatâs all from me this week. Iâd like to just take a moment to thank the newest paid subscribers who have signed up in the last few weeks. The support of those who are willing to chip in a little each month is what makes the Dispatch possible, so I am extremely grateful to all who contribute to keep this newsletter going. Weâll be back in your inboxes next Wednesday.
All the best, Rhys
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In case you missed itâŚ
â˝ Invicta announce ambitious stadium plans
Folkestone Invicta Football Club have unveiled significant plans for the redevelopment of their Cheriton Road groundâwhich the club hopes will transform the stadium into a community hub featuring a gym, restaurant and education centre to support its youth programme.
Any chance you could share this campaign in next issue - a lot of Folkestone folk could be interested https://bringbackeurotrains.com/campaigns/register-your-demand/