… First, a quick look back at how Let’s Bop! got going
At the beginning of 2017 Jane Spencer-Rolfe had her vision for Let’s Bop! She wanted to dance again, as she had when she was younger, but she rarely had an opportunity to do so. And what’s more she wanted to dance with others, who like her, wanted a regular chance to dance. Her problem was, there was nothing quite like that ‘out there’ – not the way she envisioned – and that is how her idea for Let’s Bop! started to take shape.
Jane knew she would enjoy the sort of evening she had in her mind, and her instinct told her there must surely be other women out there – who felt like her? Jane set about finding those women and started to bring her vision for Let’s Bop! to fruition.
Dancing – or Bopping – freely to one’s own pace, rhythm and style, in a non-judgmental sociable atmosphere, with like-minded people – along with the nostalgia of the music – is great for promoting feelings of well being, and is also a wonderful form of self-expression. Soon Jane had her ‘format’ for the evenings planned in her head. Next it was about identifying suitable venues, and reaching out to woman who wanted to get back ‘out there’. Before long Let’s Bop! was doing just that, and was starting to throw some shapes.
From a standing-start the Let’s Bop! dance floors gradually started to fill up, as word spread about this unique event for women. Soon, not one but three venues were regularly ‘up and dancing’, as women, of all ages dropped their inhibitions, and got on board with the idea of simply turning up on a week-night, dressed in whatever felt comfortable – either on their own or with friends – and letting their hair down – ‘Dancing like no one was watching’. Bopping for an hour and a half, having a load of fun, being active, sociable, and (although one hardly dare say it …) exercising – by default – because it doesn’t feel like exercise when you are out having a good time!
By the time the world came to a standstill in March 2020 due to the global pandemic, Let’s Bop! had become established as a successful evening for women throughout Suffolk, regularly holding events, in Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich, and Stowmarket in mid Suffolk at the John Peel Centre for creative Arts – the original home of Let’s Bop! and Jane’s chosen start-up venue.
Post pandemic Let’s Bop! evenings have recommenced as a collaboration and joint venture, with the John Peel Centre for Creative Arts running the evenings, and Jane promoting and hosting the Let’s Bop! events.
Women gathered to dance at John Peel Centre …. come on in, they did!
note
Post pandemic, unfortunately the Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds venues had both permanently closed.
IN SPRING 2022 LET’S BOP! MADE A COMEBACK AFTER TWO DIFFICULT YEARS FOR EVERYONE OUT THERE
In May 2022 after talks with The John Peel Centre, an agreement was reached with the John Peel Centre. They now hold the Let’s Bop! evenings, and continues Jane to promote them on her social media pages, provide playlists, and host the Let’s Bop! events.
Jane’s story
In May 2017 Jane Spencer-Rolfe was working in the Probation Service, in Suffolk, where she’s lived all her life; she had worked – in total – for 20 years in this the criminal justice system.
She says: “it could be a stressful environment to work in at times”
It also meant that for much of her working day she was sat at a desk, tapping away on a computer.
She added: “At that time I was looking at retirement in another eight years after, the changed retirement age for women from 60 to 65 …then again to 66, I was tired, in my late 50s and going nowhere. I didn’t like or enjoy exercise, and the gym was ‘not me’. I was overweight, and I was UNHAPPY.”
Looking back, Jane says: “I decided the time had come to review my life, and make some much-needed changes, for the sake of my overall mental health and well-being.
On top of the stresses and strains of the pandemic, Jane was diagnosed with bowel cancer in November 2020.
After swift NHS cancer treatment, followed by two operations during 2021, and her determination throughout to recover and get back to life, Jane felt able to start Let’s Bop! but wouldn’t have done so without the support and encouragement, and the new operational collaboration, with The John Peel Centre for Creative Arts.
If you are a interested in finding out more about Let’s Bop! (trademarked), or might be interested in running a regular Lets Bop! event for women, please contact Jane using the form below.
Jane at home with her dog in May 2022 photo taken by her husband Mick Spencer
Lets Bop! 