A GROUP of Weardalians set off to Seaham on Sunday night to take part in a Silent Disco Walk event.
Organised by the Shoreline Shakers, headed by Karen Savage, the walk began at Nose’s Point on the western side of the town and on the shoreline. It began, with participants wearing headphones, doing a warm-up dance with the stunning view of the ‘Chemical’ Beach and sea in the background before heading towards the North Green where ‘Tommy’ was waiting.
The snake of over a dozen participants attracted some strange looks from the passing traffic, including cyclists and other pedestrians as they danced and jigged their way downwards to the sounds of disco music across the decades. Twisting the night away, they went, laughing and giggling, increasing the endorphins in the system that create pure joy within.
On and on they went, dancing around lampposts and through bus shelters with bemused onlookers laughing along with them. What is it they say about the ‘crazy English’? Visitors and tourists joined in the fun as well as residents as the walking dancers passed them by and car and bus horns pipped their approval. Finally, the group approached Tommy and stopped for a few seconds – to dance the YMCA around him – although he declined to join in! As he sat, exhausted on his ammunition box, contemplating the war in which he was engaged, we tried to cheer him up – this is what you fought for, Tommy – for life, love and laughter among strangers who quickly became friends. For a country where you can be who you want and do what you want and sing your hearts out while dancing down the road!
Afterwards the ‘Village People’ started back again, up the gentle incline of one and half miles back to Nose’s Point with the same enthusiasm and attraction from others that they had on the way down.
What a night! What an experience. We can’t wait to do it all again!
For more information about Shoreline Shakers, check out the page on Facebook or the website theshorelineshakers.co.uk – or email
