Meet the line dancing OAPs who are a lifeline for their community

The Bootscootin Bankies meet every Wednesday between 11.30am and 1pm at Radnor Park Parish Church hall to put on their dancing shoes – and have a blether.

The group, made up of 15 to 20 women, has been running for over two decades and has an average age of around 80.

Joan Hawkins (Image: Newsquest staff)Joan Hawkins, one of the class leaders, told the Glasgow Times that it has become more like a small community where members can get respite from everyday life, get support when going through difficult times, as well as have fun and make friends.

She said: “We all started line dancing in the year dot when we were all young. We had intermediate, improver, and beginner classes and would go on weekends away socialising.

“However, our age now means a lot of our abilities have slowed down, so this is social line dancing.

“We’re not kicking our height to Dolly Parton or anything like that but we do dance and have a blether.

“Some of the ladies are widows, some live on their own, so this is where we meet and the girls can have a good old chat.

“The class provides respite for me and I’ve made so many friends through it. You can’t walk through Clydebank without meeting someone you’ve met at line dancing.

“That’s what it’s all about, bringing the community together especially at our age when there is a lot of grief and bereavement and things like that so even if it’s just to offload you have somewhere to do that and someone to speak to and help you through the trauma.

“We serve a good purpose as well as kicking our height now and again.”

Over the years the group has been based at various locations across the town including the now-demolished Doublet bar in Faifley, the former Braidfield High School, and St Eunan’s Primary School.

Joan explained that the Bootscootin Bankies are always on the lookout for new members and that everybody is welcome.

She added: “We all help each other out and the church is very welcoming. The dances are easy and people can dance to their ability.

“They might not be able to turn, shimmy, or shuffle but we have a laugh. If you start taking it seriously you’re at the wrong place.

“Most of us are in our 80s, some are in their 70s, and we have two over 90. We don’t currently have any male members but everyone is welcome.”

In addition to dancing and chatting the group also does a variety of charity work including regularly collecting donations for Faifley Parish Church’s food bank and recycling program as well as Help For Heroes.

Anyone interested in finding out more is asked to contact Joan on 07817119208.