Sign up today for the next free Fenland tea dance or an exercise and activity session

On this page:

• Tea dances
• Full Active Fenland programme of free and low cost exercise
• Chatteris
• March
• Whittlesey
• Wisbech
• Christchurch
• Doddington
• Eastree
• Parson Drove

Tea dances

Thirty people took part in the Chatteris tea dance event and anyone with an interest in 'following their lead' can go along to the next event in Wisbech on Friday (March 15).

The tea dances are offered by Fenland District Council's Active Fenland, which secures grant funding to provide opportunities for people to live more active lives. They're part of a range of sessions for people who might face additional barriers to accessing exercise, funded by Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Integrated Care System (ICS).

The events include free entry, tuition and light refreshments.

All tea dance events are 1.30pm to 2pm (free dance tuition), 2pm to 4pm main event.

Booking is essential at Active Fenland booking form . Events are:

• Friday, March 15, at Wisbech Queen Mary Centre, Queens Road, Wisbech, PE13 2PE
• Friday, April 26, at the Eastrea Centre, 2 Roman Gardens, Eastrea, Whittlesey, PE7 2DF
• Friday, May 24, at Christchurch Community Centre, Upwell Rd, Christchurch, PE14 9LL
• Friday, May 31, at March Braza Club, Elm Road, March PE15 8NZ
• Wednesday, June 19, at Parson Drove Hall, Wisbech, PE13 4LA
• Friday, June 28, at Chatteris King Edward Centre, King Edward Road, Chatteris PE16 6NG
• Friday, July 26, at Wisbech Queen Mary Centre, Queens Road, Wisbech, PE13 2PE
• Friday, August 2, at March Braza Club, Elm Road, March PE15 8NZ
• Friday, August 16, at The Eastrea Centre, 2 Roman Gardens, Eastrea, Whittlesey, PE7 2DF

At the Chatteris event, accountant Kirsty Pointer, of March, aged 34, went along to support Active Fenland as a volunteer, helping as a dance partner for anyone who needed one and with refreshment provision.

She took a day out of work and made the most of her firm's employee volunteering scheme. Many firms offer this benefit to support the community.

She said: "It was a great opportunity to give back to the community."

Nicky Ward, Director of Strategy & Development at NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, part of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Integrated Care System, said: "We're delighted to continue to fund local exercise classes like these tea dances being held across Fenland, so members of our communities can attend them for free.

"As an Integrated Care System, it's important to us that we help people stay well for longer and preventing any future illnesses. That's why we actively encourage people to attend because dancing improves physical health and wellbeing, as it's an excellent example of a fun and sociable exercising experience."

• Book onto a tea dance at Active Fenland booking form or call 07592 774656.

Full Active Fenland programme of free and low cost exercise

Tea dances are just one of the diverse programme of activities on offer with support from Active Fenland.

The programme includes wellbeing walks, classes for older people who are losing confidence in their strength and balance, dementia friendly classes and loads more.

Except where stated, Active Fenland sessions should be booked in advance via our Active Fenland Booking Form. Places are confirmed by email.

If sessions are fully-booked, you'll be placed on a waiting list and notified by email if a place becomes available.

Full details of the latest Active Fenland sessions

Chatteris

• Free Chatteris Pocket Park Wellbeing Walk, first Sunday of the month, 10am, from outside The Sportsman, Fairway, PE16 6ST. Walk of 45 - 60 minutes.
• Free Chatteris Wellbeing Walk, Tuesdays, 1.45pm from Chatteris Library, Furrowfields Road, PE16 6DY. Walk of around 45 minutes, variable but usually slower pace. Tea/coffee available afterwards in the library.
• Free dementia friendly 'Love to Move' class 11am to 12.30pm Thursdays at King Edward Community Centre, King Edward Road, Chatteris PE16 6NG. No need to book.
• Free 'Wellbeing Stretch and Breathe' class to help with relaxation and releasing tension, suitable for all abilities, with exercises that can be done either on a chair or the floor, at King Edward Centre, King Edward Road, Chatteris, Thursdays, 12.45pm to 1.45pm. Book at: Active Fenland booking form
• Strength and Balance classes for people who have or are losing confidence in their balance or fear falling, Fridays, 11.30am to 12.30pm, Chatteris Leisure Centre, Eastwood, Chatteris, PE16 6FN. Sessions cost £2.50 and can be booked and paid for at the leisure centre.
• 'Pre-fit' activity sessions for people who have noticed they are limiting their activity or have stopped doing things because they are getting more challenging. At Chatteris Leisure Centre, Eastwood, Chatteris, PE16 6FN. Wednesdays, 11.30am to 1pm. £3 per session, book and pay at leisure centre.
• Free tea dance, Friday, June 28, at King Edward Community Centre, King Edward Road, Chatteris PE16 6NG.  Beginners dance lesson 1.30pm to 2pm and main event for all abilities 2pm to 4pm. Book at: Active Fenland booking form. 

March

• Free Beginners' circuits for adults who feel they need to lose weight or do less than 30 minutes of exercise per week, George Campbell Leisure Centre, City Road, PE15 9LT, Wednesdays, 8pm to 9pm. Book at: Active Fenland booking form
• Free dementia friendly 'Love to Move' class 11am to 12.30pm Tuesdays at March Braza Club, Elm Road, PE15 8NZ. No need to book.
• Free March Riverside Wellbeing Walk, Tuesdays, 1.30pm from March Library, City Road, March, PE15 9LT. Around an hour, variable yet usually moderate pace. Tea/coffee available afterwards in the library.
• Free adults 'Wellbeing Dance and Stretch' fun dance and wellness stretching for beginners, Wednesdays at Neale Wade Sports Centre, Wimblington Road, March, PE15 9PX. Book at: Active Fenland booking form
• 'Pre-fit' activity sessions for people who have noticed they are limiting their activity or have stopped doing the things because they are getting more challenging. At George Campbell Leisure Centre, City Road, PE15 9LT. Wednesdays, 2pm to 3.30pm. £3 per session, book and pay at leisure centre.
• Free 'Kickboxing For Wellbeing', Saturdays, 9.30am to 11am, RKA Kickboxing Academy, Unit C4, Enterprise Park, March, PE15 0BD. For people aged 16 plus. Enjoy a free hot drink and chat afterwards too. Book at: Active Fenland booking form
• Free tea dance at March Braza Club, Elm Road, PE15 8NZ, Friday, May 31. Beginners dance lesson 1.30pm to 2pm and main event for all abilities 2pm to 4pm. Book at: Active Fenland booking form. Also being held Friday, August 2.

Whittlesey

• Free Whittlesey Wellbeing Walk, every 2nd & 4th Monday of the month, 10am from the Buttercross, Market Street, around an hour at variable but usually slower pace. Tea/coffee available afterwards in the library.
• Forever Fit - an hour of circulating around different sports such as new age kurling, table tennis and badminton and have an included drink and a chat too. At Manor Leisure Centre, Station Road, Whittlesey PE7 1UA. Tuesdays, 12.30pm to 1.30pm, £2 per person. Book and pay at the leisure centre.
• Strength and Balance classes for people who have or are losing confidence in their balance or fear falling. at Manor Leisure Centre, Station Road, Whittlesey PE7 1UA. Fridays 11.30am to 12.30pm, £2.50 per session. Book and pay at the leisure centre.
• 'Pre-fit' activity sessions for people who have noticed they are limiting their activity or have stopped doing the things because they are getting more challenging. At Manor Leisure Centre, Station Road, Whittlesey PE7 1UA. Tuesdays, 10am to 11.30am. £3 per session. Book and pay at leisure centre.

Wisbech

• Free Wisbech Mindful Wellbeing Walk, Fridays, 10am from Wisbech Park Bandstand, around an hour at a variable but usually moderate pace.
• Free tea dance, at Queen Mary Centre, Queens Road, PE13 2PE, Friday, March 15. Beginners dance lesson 1.30pm to 2pm and main event for all abilities 2pm to 4pm. Book at: Active Fenland booking form. Also being held Friday, July 26.
• Strength and Balance classes for people who have or are losing confidence in their balance or fear falling Wisbech Oasis Centre, St Michaels Avenue, PE13 3NR, Tuesdays 12.15pm to 1.15pm.  Book at: Active Fenland booking form
• 'Pre-fit' activity sessions for people who have noticed they are limiting their activity or have stopped doing the things because they are getting more challenging. At Hudson Leisure Centre, Harecroft Road, Wisbech, PE13 1RL.Wednesdays, 2pm to 3.30pm. £3 per session, book and pay at leisure centre.
• Gentle yoga, Wisbech Oasis Centre, St Michaels Avenue, PE13 3NR, Tuesdays 2.15pm to 3.15pm, £30 for 12 weeks or £15 for six. Book at: Active Fenland booking form
• Turn-up and play sessions, , £2, at Hudson Leisure Centre, Harecroft Road, Wisbech, PE13 1RL:
  • Badminton sessions for people aged 16 plus:
  1. Social Ladies', Wednesdays, 7pm-8pm
  2. Beginners, Mondays, 6pm to 7pm
  3. Intermediate, Mondays, 7pm to 8pm 
  • Walking football, Fridays, 7pm to 8pm
  • Forever Fit - a chance to enjoy a variety of activities in one session in a social group and have an included drink and a chat too. Activities might include things like new age kurling, table tennis, badminton and mini golf. Tuesdays, 11.30am to 12.30pm.

Christchurch

Free tea dance at Christchurch Community Centre, Upwell Road, Christchurch, PE14 9LL, Friday, May 24. Beginners dance lesson 1.30pm to 2pm and main event for all abilities 2pm to 4pm. Book at: Active Fenland booking form

Doddington

Doddington Court, Benwick Road, Doddington, PE15 0WD (book and pay online via our Active Fenland webpage or at Doddington Court):

• Strength and Balance classes for people who have or are losing confidence in their balance or fear falling, Wednesdays, 11.15pm to 12.15pm. £30 for 12 weeks. Currently fully booked but a waiting list is being operated. Add your details to the waiting list or email activefenlandbookings@fenland.gov.uk for information on other Strength and Balance classes in the district.
• 'Pre-fit' activity sessions for people who have noticed they are limiting their activity or have stopped doing the things because they are getting more challenging. Wednesdays, 12.30pm to 2pm. £36 for 12 weeks.

Eastree

Free tea dance at Eastrea Centre, 2 Roman Gardens, Eastrea, Whittlesey, PE7 2DF, Friday, April 26, and Friday, August 16 (to be confirmed).

Parson Drove

Free tea dance at Parson Drove Hall, Wisbech, PE13 4LA, Wednesday, June 19. Beginners dance lesson 1.30pm to 2pm and main event for all abilities 2pm to 4pm. Book at: Active Fenland booking form

• See the Active Fenland timetable on our Active Fenland webpage.
• Welcoming, circular wellbeing walks are available across the district. Find your nearest one on the Ramblers website. Registering in advance is preferred but you can just turn up. Register on the Ramblers website.
• Active Fenland can provide 'active at home' booklets and family treasure hunt sheets for outdoor fun, email: activefenlandbookings@fenland.gov.uk.
• And there are virtual fitness sessions on the Active Fenland You Tube channel: @activefenland8408.
• Keep up to date with Active Fenland news on Facebook.

Keep up-to-date with Fenland District Council via Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and our newsletter The Fenlander.

March 2024