Melksham Ladies Dance with Pan’s People

I was in the Baguette Bar in

Melksham when a mini-whirlwind blew in scattering leaflets and people in all

directions. And who did this human gyro turn out to be? Dee Dee Wilde from Pan’s

People, the legendary dancers from the BBC’s Top of the Pops. They were objects

of lust for every schoolboy and envy of every teenage girl in the 1970s.

Thursday night was just not the same when Pan’s People disbanded in 1976.

For a decade Pan’s People lived the

high life, meeting The Who, The Beatles – they road in a yellow submarine with

Ringo Starr – Stevie Wonder, The Jackson Five (Michael was 12), Jimi Hendrix

and idols Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. 

So what’s Dee Dee up to now?

“After moving to Wiltshire, I felt

it was time to do something. Dancing is what I know best, ten years with Pan’s

People dancing on TV taught me a lot. I thought I could pass on my moves to the

ladies of the West Country, which would be fun and keep us fit at the same

time. My lessons proved very popular so now I’m starting another class in

Melksham,” she says.

So Dee Dee’s new Melksham classes

start on Friday 1st of October from 10.30am -11.30 am in the Rachel Fowler

Centre. She’s taken time to fly leaf businesses and shops in Melksham, which is

how I came to meet her, and was really enthused by the reaction to her classes.

“Everyone was so friendly, cheerful and helpful; Melksham seems like a great

place, perfect for a new dance class.”

The hall at the Rachel Fowler Centre is not large,

so if you are interested in attending the classes, please ring or email Dee Dee

first in case she gets inundated with people! Call her on 01380 871608 or email

deedeewildechild@hotmail.co.uk. Go onto her website at www.deedeewilde.co.uk to see a DVD of one of her classes; it’s available for sale and

percentage goes to the Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal to help service men and

women wounded or affected by the conflict. Her son Alex Corbet Burcher has done

two tours of Afghanistan and asked her to contribute to the charity – she was

more than happy to do so.