Parade dancers get ready to shake

5:56pm Friday 9th May 2008

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A TROUPE of belly dancers are set to perform in the annual Lord Mayor's parade in Oxford.

Up to 30 belly dancers from across Oxfordshire - aged between 16 and 80 - will join the parade, stopping along the route to show off stheir steps during the event on Bank Holiday Monday, May 26, to welcome in new Lord Mayor Susanna Pressel, who takes office on Thursday.

The parade will include people dressed as orang-utans, stiltwalkers in Victorian costumes, unicyclists and rickshaws

The Witney-based Hazzaz Dancers, taught by Anna Clifton and led by organiser Christine Clements, 59, are hoping to raise money as they dance for a new Maggie's cancer centre, which is being built at the Churchill Hospital.

Mrs Clements said: "We're really looking forward to it. It's just a lot of fun. We're all wives, mothers and grandmothers. It's very colourful and all the costumes and jewellery are very dramatic.

"It's an unusual thing to have in a Lord Mayor's Parade and it will certainly be different."

Janet Pratley, who is one of the dancers, said: "It will be a good opportunity to show what we're doing and maybe collect more money for Maggie's at the same time.

"There will be lots of shimmying and twirling and that kind of thing."

The announcement follows Ms Pressel's decision to ditch recent tradition and march at the head of the parade, rather than riding in an open-top bus.

Ms Pressel said: "I think it's wonderful. It's very exotic but it's also a very womanly way of dancing.

"I would love to try out belly dancing myself, but it's very strenuous. You have to be good at moving your hips around.

"Our parade this year is going to be very different and we're going to have lots of things going on.

"I'm sure it's going to be tremendously entertaining for everyone who comes along."

She said the number of people lining the streets in recent years had dwindled and she hoped the new-style parade - which will also include people dressed as orang-utans, stiltwalkers in Victorian costumes, unicyclists and rickshaws - would revitalise people's interest.

Ms Pressel admitted she had never taken part herself before, but she added: "I'm sure it will be the best Lord Mayor's Parade ever.

"It used to be something, with lots of floats, but it has become terribly expensive to hire flatbed lorries and get insurance.

"I don't think it will be undignified, as I will be walking in my robes, which will be quite ceremonial and all these wonderful street performers will make everyone so happy. It will be a joyous occasion."

The parade starts at 11.30am in Radcliffe Square and winds its way to Hinksey Park, South Oxford, where a party and picnic will be held. Anyone who wants to take part in the parade should call Andy Kneebone on 01865 467284.