A DANCE company in Barry recently hosted its first live event since the first national lockdown.

Motion Control Dance, a Barry-based dance studio and charity which has received more than £3,000 through Newsquest’s Cash for Charities drive, recently took over Central Park for a community event focused on climate change and sustainability.

The event, funded by Art Council and GVS (Glamorgan Voluntary Service) and held on April 23, included:

  • A dance show featuring their dancers;
  • A silent protest/march;
  • Eco-focused stalls

One audience member described the event as an “amazing afternoon bringing the community together” while another praised the inclusion of dancers of all ages and abilities.

Motion Control Dance aims to make dance accessible to all, enriching lives through movement – catering for people with additional needs or disabilities.

It offers classes for youngsters and older people, aiming to avoid isolation among the latter.

The charitable endeavour was started by Emma Mallam following the death of her husband in 2004.

Motion Control Dance – which gained charity status in 2015 – is based at a studio in the YMCA Hub in Barry, which was refurbished in 2019.

The charity was awarded £3,280.54 through Newsquest’s Cash for Charities drive and has been using the funds to help engage older people through dance.

To find out more about Motion Control Dance visit www.motioncontroldance.com