© 2008 Cinque Ports Swing Jive                                                                 

Made by Mike Pipe

The first swing dance Gypsy John organised was “Stomping At The Cinque Ports” at Stone-In-Oxney Memorial Hall on 15th December 2001, featuring London DJ Tim’s Jumping Jive: forty two people attended.

On 16th July 2004 Gypsy John launched his new swing dance “Jump for Joy”featuring yet again Tim’s Jumping Jive: sixty people attended at Icklesham Village Hall.

By the 5th “Jump for Joy”, now running quarterly, the Cinque Ports Swing Ball was launched featuring a 17-piece orchestra The Sounds of Swing with cabaret from Gypsy John’s dance troupe, The Cinque Ports Lindy Hoppers.  A new venue had to be found: The Masonic Hall, East Ascent, St. Leonards-on-Sea, Hastings TN38 0DS.

This glorious building is situated just to the rear of the Royal Victoria Hotel on Hastings sea front.  During her visit to Hastings, Queen Victoria would leave from the back doors of the hotel and walk through the underground tunnels to the Assembly Rooms basement to take her bath!  (The original shower still remains).

Now used as The Masonic Hall, this splendid period venue has a large sprung wooden floor, comfortable lounge/bar, (with real ale), and plenty of seating.  There is also a free car park on the promenade opposite the Royal Victoria Hotel.  For more information and pictures of the Masonic Hall visit www.alexanders-uk.org

Using top swing DJs from around the country and quality dance bands for the winter and summer events, “Jump For Joy” has established itself as the South East’s premier swing dance club.