February 2026

Hi everyone,

Apologies for not producing a January newsletter. It was a busy start to the year and then it got to the point where sending it would be a bit pointless, so I waited for February :-)

It was great to welcome everyone back after the Christmas break and we started the new year with new classes in Storrington (see below) as well as our regular classes in Worthing.

The January freestyle was super busy and had a fantastic atmosphere. We had loads of great feedback about the venue, music and friendliness of our local dance community. So thanks to everyone for making these nights what they are. Other operators are also doing well and expanding their offering.

DiscoJive (Bob Ball) are opening a new venue in Horam where Teresa and I will be running the classes on 26th February and 12th March. We will also be teaching the intermediate lesson before their freestyles in Herstmonceux on Friday 6th March and Friday 3rd April. Check out the socials for details.

Regular Beginners Classes

After the hugely successful workshops at the end of 2025, the Chanctonbury Leisure Centre asked us to continue with a regular weekly slot on Wednesday evenings. This started on the 7th January and we are about half way through the first 8 week rotation. We have a good core of regular dancers who are learning fast.

We need new dancers to come into Modern Jive, so please spread the word to friends and family in the area who might be interested. Places can be booked in advance on the Chanctonbury system, or just turn up on a Wednesday and pay on the door:

https://chanctonbury.ez-runner.com/CCE/ClassCalendar.aspx?group=2

Key Dates

Event	Date	Time
Monday Classes	2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd February	7:45pm - 10:30pm
February Freestyle Heene	Friday 20th February	7:45pm - 11:00pm
Beginner’s Classes, Storrington	Wednesday 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th February	8:00pm - 9:45pm

Looking After Yourselves on the Dance Floor

Dancing should feel energising, not risky. While warm-ups, stretching, and good footwear all help protect your body, one of the biggest safety factors in Modern Jive is floor craft, being aware of the space around you and dancing with consideration for others. We share the floor with lots of other couples, all moving in different directions, so staying alert is just as important as knowing your steps.

For leaders, floor awareness is a key responsibility. Try to keep your head up and your vision scanning beyond just your partner. Before travelling moves, spins that travel, or bigger patterns, take a quick look around to check the space is clear. If the floor is busy, keep movements more compact and avoid large travelling turns or dips that could put your partner at risk. A good leader adjusts their dance to suit the environment, not just the music.

Followers play an important role too. Staying balanced, keeping your own footwork tidy, and being aware of nearby couples helps you protect yourself as well as support your partner. If something feels unsafe — perhaps you’re being led into a crowded space — it’s okay to ground your movement and stay smaller. Good dancing is a partnership, and safety is shared.

Most importantly, let’s remember we’re all responsible for each other. A moment’s awareness can prevent an injury that might keep someone off the floor for months. Smooth, controlled dancing not only looks better, it helps make our dance nights enjoyable and safe for everyone.

Newsletter and Socials

If you find this newsletter useful, then please take a moment to tell your friends in the dance community. They can subscribe on the Leroc Sussex website, on the Contact Us page: https://www.lerocsussex.com/contact/.

I’d also appreciate it if you would follow us, and share, the social links below.