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Mark Drinkwater
Society Guardian, Monday March 31 2008
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Pensioners take to the dancefloor at Southwark council's Silver Social event at London's Ministry of Sound venue. Photograph: Hannah Maule-FfinchThe Ministry of Sound is not an obvious venue for a pensioners' party but this Friday, the legendary nightclub plays host to Silver Social – the climax to Southwark council's fortnight-long festival of events for older people.
This unusual setting was chosen for the second year running following the south London council's consultation with older residents about where to hold their annual dance. Pensioners settled on the Ministry of Sound as they wanted a local, high-profile location that wasn't a draughty church hall or community centre.
The club's facilities, including the massive sound system and laser lighting, will be put to full use by an estimated 400 pensioners, with ages ranging from 60 to 80 years old. Tea and coffee will be given out by staff more accustomed to supplying high-energy drinks to sweaty youngsters. And for those who over-exert themselves on the dancefloor, the venue's usual chill-out facilities are available for rest and recuperation.
Julia Honess, who runs an older people's disco at the nearby Inspire community centre, has been drafted in by the council to help ensure the event runs smoothly. One of her tasks is to cater for the diverse musical tastes of pensioners in a borough where a third of residents are from ethnic minority communities. The eclectic playlist, based on pensioners' favourites, will feature wartime favourites, by the likes of Vera Lynn, played alongside songs by Jamaican reggae artists, such as Desmond Dekker.
Honess explains why she thinks the event's location is so important: "Some of the grandchildren of the local pensioners were surprised when they heard that there was going to be a party at the Ministry of Sound and wondered whether they had got the right venue," she said. "It's great to have the event at the Ministry, as it shakes up everyone's perceptions of older people as sedentary members of the community. It's like storming a young people's palace."
Silver Social is at the Ministry of Sound on Friday 4 April from 3pm to 6pm.
Tickets cost £2 from local libraries.
www.southwark.gov.uk/silver
© Guardian News and Media Limited 2008
