"Marvellous!" was the reaction of Tony Bell to the sight of perhaps five hundred young people dancing to the music of their favourite local bands in the incredibly hot and noisy hall of the Seacote Hotel. This is the way they like to spend their Saturday evenings, hugging one another and vibrating with the joy of being alive and young, but when has the Seacote ever been heaving with so many, feeling so passionately? This was a very special jig, when local bands, including Adam Amor, Antisocial Butterfly, The Cartel, Mazzoni and their own group, Shore (previously 78 Volts) responded to the appeal of Lee Shackley and Adam Glover to come and give their services free in memory of Lisa, Pauline and Tony's daughter and the friend of Lee and most of the fervent young dancers who came to remember her in the only way they could, joyfully. The pang of loss they still felt caused many to add all the money that they had left to the door money and raise more than £1,300 for Meningitis Research. This will give other young people the best possible chance of resisting and surviving this terrible disease, and it will be increased by a special donation of £750 from Barclays Bank.
Tony was particularly impressed by the dedication and managerial skill of Lee and Adam in organising and publicising such an amazing event. They had interested the local press, produced posters, organised the sound system (thanks to Steve Bouckley) and the staging (thanks to Wyndham School) and rivalled the persuasive powers of Bob Geldorf to line up the musicians. Their professional and efficient briefing would have been a great credit to any company or campaign group.
Our photo top right gives an impression of the spirit of the dancers.  Above, Shore in performance.