For the record

Hundreds of people braved the heat on Saturday to take part in the city s Big Dance event. More than 430 people made their way to Jubilee Gardens, Ely – the Cambridgeshire location for a Guinness Book of Records attempt at a dance record whiich was broken

Hundreds of people braved the heat on Saturday to take part in the city's Big Dance event.

More than 430 people made their way to Jubilee Gardens, Ely - the Cambridgeshire location for a Guinness Book of Records attempt at a dance record whiich was broken with 8,962 people taking part.

Tracey Harding, tourism and events officer at East Cambs District Council, who helped to organise the event, said: "I was so pleased with the turnout from the local dance groups as well as the general public. The whole event was great fun and it was lovely to be part of a national televised event."

Local dance groups, including Octagon Studios, Lantern Dance Group, Lane Academy, Maple Academy and Featherstone all suffered the heat for an hour's rehearsal with assigned dance captain Diccon Hogger. After putting them through their paces, volunteers joined them for the record attempt at 12.30pm.

Simultaneously, across the country, dancers were performing the same routine at more than 40 locations.

"The routine was easy to pick up, great fun to do and everyone seemed to thorough enjoy themselves, despite the fierce sun," said Mrs Harding.

BBC Radio Cambridgeshire broadcast its lunchtime show from the gardens and several Ely people were interviewed on air.

Mrs Harding said: "This whole event has given Ely a fantastic promotional opportunity and has also proved once again, what great community spirit Ely has."

Photo: GEOFF DURRANT

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