Peace Garden pole dancer speaks out
One of the pole dancers who caused a stir in Alexandra Park's Peace Garden has come forward to defend the girls' antics.
In last week's Observer, Deirdre Burrows told how she had taken her elderly mother to the Peace Garden which her late brother Kevin Murphy had helped set up.
However, far from the relaxing afternoon she had planned, Mrs Burrows - who was visiting Hastings from her home in Canada - was met by what she described as 'three scantily clad young ladies' being filmed pole dancing.
A spokesman for Hastings Borough Council, which would have had to give permission for filming in the park, said the authority knew nothing of it.
After reading the story though, one of the dancers got in touch. Jennifer Gooch, of Holmesdale Gardens, said she had been left "bemused" by the mention of sauciness.
She said: "The fitness poles are exercise equipment and the clothing worn was no more revealing than a bikini or anything else people may wear in the hot summer weather.
"As for saucy - it was far from that, more like sweaty, bruise making, muscle tiring exercise."
Ms Gooch also said there was not a film crew in tow, instead just a local photographer and a few friends with their own cameras.
And she argued that far from a sleazy sexy pastime, pole dancing was among the best pursuits for fitness.
"Pole fitness is a growing form of exercise and gymnastics – as that is what it is, gymnastics on a vertical pole," said Ms Gooch.
"The park is a public space where people are free to enjoy all parts of it and also use exercise and sports equipment if they so wish or sun bathe etc.
"If we had been practising and photographing yoga or pilates or salsa dance would the opinion still be the same? Or was it just because it was exercise on a vertical pole?"
Nevertheless, despite her insistence that the park was a perfect place for pole dancing, Ms Gooch did spare a thought for shocked Mrs Burrows and her 84-year-old mum.
"A heartfelt apology is given to Ms Burrows and her mother for any upset and distress caused, this was certainly not the intention.
"A huge thanks also has to be given to her late brother who helped set up the peace garden, as it is a very beautiful and artistic place.
"If Mrs Burrows had said she and her mother wished to have some quiet time in the garden, the group would have happily moved on."
She also added that neither of the girls involved had ever worked in a strip club, or done pole dancing for any reason other than fitness.
"There are still ideas surrounding pole fitness that are untrue nowadays," she said.
"I would urge anyone who has any doubts over this form of exercise to go along to the Active Hastings pole fitness lessons at Summerfield's Leisure Centre and speak to the instructors and see how challenging and rewarding this form of dance and fitness is."
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Monday 28 May 2012
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