Line dancing classes at The Centre in Birchington have led to a ‘Cupid Shuffle’ for two members who are getting married tomorrow (August 14).
Janice Fagg and Cliff Allen met at the class several years ago and were part of a group of friends who would go for coffee after the sessions.
Retired design engineer Cliff, who moved to Thanet from Hampshire seven years ago, started classes with wife Margaret but sadly she passed away.
Cliff, 74, and Janice, 61, became dance partners and friends at the Line Rangers line dancing sessions and over the following years this blossomed into love.
Mum-of-two Janice said: “In 2018, Cliff first came there (line dancing) with his wife and she is sadly no longer with us.
“We were friends and were part of a group of 10 who would go to the coffee shop together.
“The beginners class ends at 3pm and then there was another class until 4pm and Cliff and I were the only ones from the group that did that one.
“We always had a laugh and got on well. When his wife passed away we would just go out as friends for a coffee and later we realised we liked each other more than friends. We got together in 2023 and got engaged in September 2024.”
Stepdad-of-three Cliff said: “My wife Margaret introduced me to line dancing before we moved here. She encouraged me to come to a beginners class and we did that for a couple of years.
“When we moved here we found another class. It’s just fun and it doesn’t matter if you go wrong.”
Cliff and Janice, who live in Ramsgate, will get married at Judds Folly in Faversham before honeymooning in Croatia and Amalfi.
Cliff said: “Janice is just beautiful and funny and we just get on well.”
Theo Loyla, who runs Line Rangers, said: “In 27 years of teaching line dancing, this is only the second pair of dancers that have got married.
“The first was a young couple who were already engaged – and I also met my wife when she came to classes 25 years ago.
“We so often have bereavements but to have a marriage is just wonderful.”
On Monday the Line Rangers members presented Cliff and Janice with flowers, wine and a card signed by all the dancers.”
Line Rangers Line Dancing
Mondays – Birchington
Tuesdays – Westgate
Wednesdays -Monkton
Fridays – Birchington
