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The Orpington Team

Peter Marriot very kindly sent us the following information about the “Opington” team and the press cuttings which follow:-

The Orpington Team was formed in late 1969 after Peggy put up a notice saying she was going to form a new team. In fact so many people turned up she actually formed two teams, ourselves and the South London Latin Team. For several years there was a friendly rivalry between us and the South London Team.

Basically we were sorted according to height . Orpington was know as the "Big Team" and South London as the "Little Team". Initially we had the same music but in around 1972 we diverged and had our own music know as the "Spanish" routine as we had "Spanish Eyes" as the rumba, "Spanish Flea" as the rest in a similar Spanish theme. Although latterly, the jive was changed to "Rock around the Clock" - brilliant!.

We were possibly unusual  in that the Orpington Team had four girls in one set of dresses and the other four in a different set but reverse colours. Made some of the pattern changes interesting.

Most of the time we competed under the "Orpington" name, although Peggy decided for bigger competitions, principally the first World Championship's in New York and the European in Germany that we should compete under the "Penge" name. Shame in a way but you could see where Peggy was coming from.

The team lasted till about 1974 or 1975 but effectively stopped competing after 1973 when a number of members including ourselves left. After that they had a little difficulty recruiting and retaining new members.

Peter’s prized possessions, his U.K. Championship Medal, and British Team badge.

After winning the BBC formation trophy at the Lyceum in the Strand before it was turned back into a theatre. Notice Terry Wogan centre front !

( Peter Marriot is the third from the left.)

Action shot from the BBC formation Trophy.

Peter thinks this was taken at the Team’s first outing to Blackpool

The Orpington Team

This photograph was kindly sent to us by Kathy and Ty Fox,

all the way from Australia.

The Orpington Team

This photograph was kindly sent to us by Kathy and Ty Fox,

all the way from Australia.