TIME is running out to sign up for the world’s largest waltz taking place on Saltburn’s lower promenade next week.
Age UK Teesside has organised the waltz to celebrate “loving later life” and to ultimately raise awareness of the social isolation and loneliness felt by many of the elderly population.
The attempt to break the world record will be on Friday 19 May at 2pm. There will be a host of other activities taking place in Saltburn Valley Gardens between 10am and 4pm to encourage people of all ages to take part.
Anne Sykes, CEO of Age UK Teesside, said: “We are very much looking forward to this fantastic event to raise awareness of social isolation felt by many people, but of course to have a great time by dancing on the promenade.
“We want to emphasise that this event is for everybody, of all ages and all dancing abilities, even those with two left feet.
“If you don’t have a partner to dance with, don’t let that stop you. We will be setting up a Singleton Tent so everyone will have the opportunity to grab a partner and take part.”
Mark Ladyman, director of economic growth at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said: “We are delighted to be hosting such a high scale event in Saltburn, which will highlight such a worthy cause, but also show what our borough has to offer when putting on events.
“I wish the best of luck to all the dancers on the day and hope they take home the world record.”
Guisborough-born actor Mark Benton, who famously took part in BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, is putting his best foot forward for the project and will be there dancing on the day.
Guinness Book of Records regulation requires there to be more than 1510 couples waltzing simultaneously for five minutes and 20 seconds. Each couple must waltz to a set route which will be available on YouTube for those wishing to take part.
If successful, Saltburn would take the current title from Bosnia, which it has held since 2007 when they waltzed to victory with 3020 people in the town of Tuzla.
If you want to be a world record breaker, and help Age UK Teesside secure the title, please visitwww.eventbrite.co.uk and search for ‘World’s Largest Waltz’.
For those who are struggling to use the online system to buy a ticket, a signing up station will be set up at Saltburn Library on Thursday 18 May from 9.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 5pm. People can drop-in and council staff will be there to assist.
For further information, please email enquiries@ageukteesside.org.uk or if you would have difficulty using the online system, please call 01642 805 500.