Retired Metropolitan Police officer joins Pinchbeck Tappers aged 91 and encourages young people to try new hobbies

A retired mounted police officer is proving that age is not a barrier after joining a tap dancing troupe at the age of 91.

Ian Dack says it is important to ‘use it or lose it’ when it comes to your energy and talents after becoming a member of Pinchbeck Tappers a year ago - and feels groups like this play a crucial role in helping people of all ages to stay healthy.

The Donington pensioner - who still rides a motorbike - had learned some tap dances when he was younger but his interest was rekindled after spotting a notice for the group while attending a line dancing class.

Mr Dack left school without any qualifications - only learning that he had dyslexia in his 70s - and went onto serve 30 years in the Metropolitan Police including a number of years in the mounted division.

He said: “I definitely think it is important as the older you get things become more difficult.

“When I was younger I learnt to dance waltzes and tap dances but I haven't been on a ballroom floor for years.

“You have to use it or lose it.”

Having spent his early life in India, Mr Dack left school at the age of 15 and went on to begin his policing career at the age of 23.

He went onto join the mounted division where he served eight of his 30 years.

Mr Dack, who was also a trained first aider, said: “I left school without any education or qualifications and at 75 found out I was dyslexic.

“The mounted branch has training similar to the army and I eventually finished up in Brixton.

“I had been there a couple of months when the superintendent in charge of the branch transferred me to Kentish Town and then eventually I got my own horse.”

Mr Dack worked with Star of the Jungle, a thoroughbred horse born in Ireland in 1949 and later gifted to the Met.

He said: “Where I got my work satisfaction was from working on the streets.”

“One thing I detest is studying, I am one of these people who won't lie down.

“If it interests me I soak it up like a sponge and I read a lot of books and I am interested in genetics.”

After his retirement from the force, Mr Dack moved to Lincolnshire in 2003

It was purely by chance that he joined the tappers, run by Nicky Lavis, after seeing a notice on the board when he was at a line dancing class.

“So I took myself along there and like any form of dancing or playing musical instruments the earlier you start in life the easier it is.

Joining the dance troupe, which is made up of ladies who meet weekly , has rekindled artistic interests that he had as a child.

He said: “I used to go to ballet and opera and I liked music as a child.

“Although neither of my parents were musical, I had the opportunity to listen to music.

“If you are going to start with anything, really work at it to be any good - with dance you have got to do that as well.

“It doesn't matter what people do or what their calling is.

“But here is something special in seeing this group of people dancing.

“The troupe has panache.”

But dancing is not Mr Dack’s only interest as he is involved with a number of community groups including canasta, cribbage, walking, Rummikub and mahjong

The group recently welcomed another two new members and encourages people to join.

For further information about the Pinchbeck Tappers visit the Facebook page.

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