The East Boldon neighbours bringing the street together as they strut their stuff through lockdown

Since the UK went into lockdown in March, every Sunday a group of neighbours been bringing people together with their doorstep dance routines.

Every week – come rain or shine – they have got raided the fancy dress box and strutted their stuff to raise spirits during the darkest days of the pandemic.

When teacher Michelle Hudson saw the idea was happening elsewhere in the country, she suggested those on her street get involved.

And despite some initial reluctance, they’ve never looked back.

“At first I had to talk them into it and now they can’t get enough,” said the 50-year-old, who teaches languages at a secondary school in Newcastle.

“I’m involved with some community dancing, so each week I put a little routine together for us and then they go away and practice it.

“It’s given everybody something to look forward to, we can have a giggle about it.”

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To date they have taken on Grease, the YMCA, Bruno Mars and the latest effort of It’s Raining Men – to name but a view.

Emma Lawson – a media and English teacher - then edits their performance into a short video to share on Facebook with the rest of the community.

“Everyone comments saying how much they love it, but the nicest part of it is that all the neighbours have started coming out to watch us, said Michelle.

“There’s an elderly lady across the road in her 80s who comes out to join in every time, she looks forward to it.”

But despite the Clap for Carers having had its final round of applause and lockdown restrictions gradually being eased, the Western Terrace dance troop is showing no signs of winding things down.

“I’m really proud of the others who have been on a bit of a journey with it, and of our street and the way we have come together,” added Michelle.

“It’s just getting stronger and we’ll keep going for as long as people want us to – I would love to get the whole of East Boldon doing it.”

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