Sir,

It's not easy to keep a community spirit in seaside towns. Too many second-homers only come for a few weeks in the year, so the full-time population is fragmented.

We find it hard to socialise with neighbours, for example, because there are so few of them.

The good news is that there are enlightened people around who're determined to foster a community spirit, and give us all a jolly good time. We should all support them - or stop complaining that 'the town dying on its feet.'

On such pioneer is Brian Tooth, who arranges a wonderfully warm and friendly rock 'n' roll club at the De Valence Pavilion.

You might think that this might be a riotous night out. After all, didn't Jerry Lee Lewis set fire to his piano and didn't fans tear up the seats at screenings of 'Rock Around the Clock'?

Well, that was then. This club is as civilised as it could possibly be. Couples and singles drop by for a drink and a jive. Or they just watch.

In between times, they chat - or not. The music of Chuck Berry, Gene Vincent, Tommy Steel, Little Richard and Bo Diddly is the same, but these Tenby fans are older now and more subdued. Yet the fun is still there.

I went to re-learn how to jive. It will take a few more sessions before I can do it, but I look forward to them. A more pleasant evening you couldn't hope for.

The De Valence re-lives its youth as a top dance hall in the '50s. And some of those who came along re-lived their youth as frantic jivers.

There were younger people there too, though not enough. Let me encourage junior rockers by spelling out the big advantage. If you can rock 'n' roll just a bit, you'll stop the show at any modern ball or dinner dance.

It's far more impressive than just standing there, jigging about like Ricky Jervais in 'The Office'.

The jive is as stylish and cool as it always was. It's surprisingly easy to do, without the formal steps of the quickstep or waltz. You can get away with anything in the way of fancy foot-play - and everyone thinks you're being imaginative.

It costs £2.50 to get in - and should be more than that. But Brian would rather have a full pavilion than entrance money, even if he only clears expenses. They meet every month - look out for posters around town or 'phone Brian on 810474.

Why not give it a try? You'll have a spiffing night of sheer nostalgia for next to nothing - and many who've gone are surprised how much they've lost weight. Rock on.

M. Stacey,

Crackwell Street,

Tenby.