Dancing in the street is getting Wigan residents through
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Residents on Porlock Close in Platt Bridge are emerging from their homes at a set time each day and showing off their moves - all while standing in their gardens to strictly observe the social distancing measures.
The idea was the brainchild of Kirsty Lewis, who saw a video on social media of another community coming together to dance.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdShe floated the idea of Porlock Close doing something similar to neighbours Sarah Taylor and Catherine Boulton and it quickly snowballed in popularity.
Now many residents on the road are joining in the daily dances and the organisers say the communal moment has helped forge a great local spirit in a tough time.
Kirsty, 32, said: “One by one the neighbours started coming out and now most of the street is involved every day.
“It gets us out for a bit. We never spoke to each other, we just got on with our days and maybe said hi as we were going out to work every morning. It has brought us together.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“It’s cheered everybody up a little bit. It’s something to look forward to every day, rather than just looking at the same four walls.”
Sarah said: “The first day Catherine, Kirsty and I thought there would only be the three of us, but we thought it would be a giggle for a few minutes to break up the boredom.
“About half a dozen houses joined in that day and we’ve kept it going. On the Saturday we decided to dance in the evening and a couple more people got involved.
“We’re all being careful to respect the two-metre distance so we’re dancing in our gardens.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“It’s brilliant because we’re all in the same boat. I walked up the street on Saturday to ask if people were enjoying it and they said it felt they had been out.
“We’re also getting to know our neighbours when we’ve never really spoken before. We’re now messaging each other. It’s quite nice.”
A message from the Editorial Director, Gillian Parkinson:
Thank you for reading this story on our website.
But I also have an urgent plea to make of you.
In order for us to continue to provide high quality local news on this free-to-read site and in print, please purchase a copy of our newspaper as well.
With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on our town centres and many of our valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you buying a copy when you pop out for your essential shop or subscribing for delivery.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdOur journalists are highly trained by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards anywhere in the world. Our content is universally trusted - as all independent research proves.
As Baroness Barran said in a House of Lords debate this week on the importance of journalists: "Not only are they a trusted source of facts, but they will have a role to play in rallying communities and getting the message across about how we can keep ourselves and our families safe, and protect our NHS. Undoubtedly, they have a critical role."
But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. In return we will continue to forensically cover the local news - not only the impact of the virus but all the positive and uplifting news happening in these dark days.
We thank all our readers and advertisers for their understanding and support - and we wish YOU all the best in the coming weeks. Keep safe, and follow the Government advice. Thank you.
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE:
You can subscribe for delivery by contacting us at [email protected] or calling us on 0330 4033004 for details of a participating newsagent near you.