Youngsters hop to it
Published: 11:11 AM February 7, 2008
Updated: 12:54 AM February 23, 2021
ON the up is a new village hip hop dance club which has received a grant of nearly £4,000 from Herts Police. The dance class in Wheathampstead gives teenagers aged 13 to 18 the chance to learn street-dancing techniques including popping, locking and break
ON the up is a new village hip hop dance club which has received a grant of nearly £4,000 from Herts Police.
The dance class in Wheathampstead gives teenagers aged 13 to 18 the chance to learn street-dancing techniques including popping, locking and breaking from talented dancer Brendon Hansford.
Brendon recently won the South London Street Dance Champions in 2007 and is a past winner of Herts Beds and Bucks Street Dance Champions.
The classes began last month after Wheathampstead Parish Council agreed to fund the first month. District councillor Judy Shardlow managed to secure long-term funding with a grant application to the Police Authority Initiatives Fund.
She said: "I am delighted that we have won this funding. Hip hop dance has a certain amount of 'kudos' as a street art and is more likely to attract teenagers than other more conventional types of dance or exercise.
"We won the £3,800 grant because we felt that this was a great way to tackle anti-social boredom behaviour and crime. It fulfils the need for activity, energy and fun and provides a 'buzz' that teenagers are looking for. It is also a great way to build motivation, self discipline, energy and confidence."
The classes are held at 6pm every Monday evening at Wheathampstead Memorial Hall. They usually cost £5 but are subsidised to £2 for 13 to 18-year-olds living in the village.
Places can be booked by calling Brendon Hansford on 07782 345111.