<figure id="attachment_3226759" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3226759" style="width: 1600px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-3226759" src="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/b4b23b9b-tea-dance-britain-afp-03_12_25.webp" alt="" width="1600" height="1000" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3226759" class="wp-caption-text">Seniors take part in a Tea Dance, in the Main Ballroom of Liverpool Town Hall, north west England. (AFP pic)</figcaption></figure>
LIVERPOOL: All gloom was left outside as pensioners bustled into a room in Liverpool&#8217;s centuries-old town hall for a tea dance, a lively antidote to getting older in Britain.
&#8220;Come to tea dances and avoid the NHS!&#8221; joked Davina Woods, 71, referring to the country&#8217;s creaking health system and the awareness the retirees have that as they age, they will likely come into increasing contact with the service.
Woods, a former headteacher, said she loves the sessions for the chance to get dressed up and don high heels.
It really &#8220;lifts your spirits&#8221;, she said.
For some, the dancing provides a welcome chance to put aside the political tensions facing the country as it grapples with a host of issues, including weak economic growth and discontent over immigration.
&#8220;We leave politics outside,&#8221; said engineer David Easton, 65.
&#8220;It brings people together. It brings us joy.&#8221;
This mirrors a trend seen with other traditional dances such as ballroom, with the BBC&#8217;s hugely popular hit TV show, &#8220;Strictly Come Dancing&#8221;, often cited as a key factor.
One recent chilly Monday afternoon in the northwest city of Liverpool, 115 dancers paid £12 (US$16) to waltz, tango and cha-cha-cha under the chandeliers of the stunning 18th century town hall.
Refreshments included tea and cakes.
&#8220;It is very vibrant. It&#8217;s growing,&#8221; said organiser Jackie Williams, 53, who also started the company Ballroom Blitz in 2017.
&#8220;More and more people join. Since Covid, people have realised how dancing can help, how much they need physical contact.&#8221;
Good for mental health
New tea dance formats, which are more an occasion for people to gather for various types of dance, rather than a dance type itself, have emerged in recent years.
They include tea dances for same-sex couples and sessions tailored for people living with dementia.
For many, the social aspect is as important as the exercise.
&#8220;It&#8217;s a highlight of my life,&#8221; said Mo Massie, 75, a retired psychotherapist.
&#8220;I love the social side of it. Otherwise people would be sitting at home alone watching TV.&#8221;
Retired nurse Greta Jones, 65, agreed. She started dancing 15 years ago when living alone.
&#8220;I made a fabulous group of friends over the years. Tea dances are definitely a good way to fight loneliness.&#8221;
After three hours of twirling and tapping, the dancers melt away until the next time.
Mike Robinson, a 57-year-old former lecturer who lives in Manchester, said: &#8220;Dancing put a smile on my face. It&#8217;s good for mental health.&#8221;

MatchPoint Times

UK seniors fight loneliness with tea and a tango

The tea dance, originating from the late 19th century, is seeing a revival, giving seniors a chance to overcome loneliness and stay active.

Fifa gives clubs an extra week before releasing Afcon stars

Ex-Sabah minister denies receiving RM500,000 in cash in office