Swing, the big band sound of the 1930s, is once again in style - and is fast attracting a following among a new generation of jivers, writes TIM HUGHES.

But this time, it is Oxfordshire's sharp-suited young professionals who are taking to the dance floor, attracted by the music's romantic sense of nostalgia and its leg-flapping energy.

One of those helping to spread the dance craze to a new audience is Mr Keiran Millard, 31, an engineering consultant at Hydraulics Research in Wallingford.

Keiran, a member of the Oxford Swing Dance Society, said he has always been a fan of the big band sound of the 1930s and 1940s.

But, after learning to jive four years ago, he was bitten by the jitterbug and is now teaching others how to swing.

His fortnightly jive and swing classes at Hightone health and fitness centre, in Wallingford, already attract a loyal following of fans - and are slowly putting the town on the big band dance map.

Keiran, who lives in Pochard Place, Greater Leys, Oxford, said: "We get a real mix of people at the classes who are finding a new interest in the romantic idea of partner dancing.

"Although it is nerve-racking when you start, after a couple of classes people get the basic moves under their belts, which is really satisfying."

He added: "There is definitely a swing band revival. There is a real renaissance in America and it is also big in London, but outside the big cities there is nothing, so what is happening in places like Wallingford is quite important. It is a big thing to have in a small town.

"Swing dancing opens up a whole new world of music. People are getting bored of the club and disco scene and are looking back to a time when you danced with a partner. It is a new way of meeting people on a social level and is something a bit different.

"People have all heard the music of Glenn Miller and Duke Ellington, but didn't realise you could dance to it. The 1930s and 40s are seen as a romantic era and people want to get back to that." His partner, Miss Alison Wright, 26, also of Pochard Place, Oxford said: "We are passionate about dancing. It gives you a whole new social life and also keeps you fit. It is great not only to enjoy classes, but also to travel to the weekend dances which are becoming more common.

"It is really nice that when a guy asks you for a dance, he means he only wants a dance."

Fellow jiver Mrs Camilla Shryane, 25, of St Helen's Mews, Abingdon, is also a fan. She said: "My main interest is the music. I love listening to it and being able to dance to it with my husband. It is more fun than going to clubs and is something totally different to anything I have ever done before."

DANCE CRAZES

*1920s: The Charleston

*1930s: The wartime introduction of swinging and jiving by American GIs

*1950s: Rock 'n' roll theme dancing and spinning in the aisles

*1970s: Disco burst on to the scene in an explosion of flares and platform shoes

*1980s/90s: The UK dance-music scene has evolved from illegal raves and acid house parties into a multi-million pound industry.

Story date: Tuesday 09 February

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