The Hicksville Bombers will play the last Rock-Ola gig

• In Essex, Canvey Island's Rock-Ola R'n'R Club is winding up after nearly years because of dwindling turnouts.  

Club chairman Della Savin said: "It really is a sad time for me personally, the committee and the regular club members who have attended Rock-Ola through thick and thin.

"On a personal note, I feel absolutely devastated about the closure.   I have been involved with the club and the committee for most of the 19 and a half years that it's been in existence.   It has been a large part of my life and I've enjoyed it immensely.   Unfortunately, over the last two or three years the numbers attending have dwindled from an average of 250 to just 75-80.

"It would be hard to lay the blame at any particular door but there are a lot of contributing factors that when added together would probably go a long way to our demise.   Starting back with the smoking ban, an excessive amount of weekenders and holidays, more clubs opening up, petrol costs and the general cost of living, the excessive hall hire charges.   Even people losing interest.   A lot of people who were on the scene three to four years ago are nowhere to be seen.

"The committee introduced as many cost saving features as possible to try to save the club and we feel that we have done everything humanly possible to achieve that aim.   Luckily, over the successful years, we were able to build up a substantial cash pot which has helped us through this difficult time, but it's not bottomless and alas the end is nigh."

An extraordinary general meeting was held on November 14th to arrange the disposal of remaining funds and assets.   The last gig at the Paddocks community centre was on December 9th with the Hicksville Bombers.

• Rock-Ola's 'next door neighbour', Paradise R'n'R Club in Corringham, has also halted monthly band nights.

Organiser Sam Williams says it follows a series of mysterious hoax calls to club regulars spreading false rumours that the club had closed. "Somebody called the venue and our friends, and the gossip spread as far as Spain and clubs in London and Cheshunt.   We had a turnout of just 48 for our September gig with The Atlantics due to this.   So sadly we just had our last band night for this year.   The economy doesn't help either.

"We may however, put on a few scattered band nights next year as Rock-Ola has also finished.   Our Tuesday nights will continue as normal with £4 admission and free jive and stroll tuition."

Telly threat

• In South Yorkshire, Monday night gigs at The Burghwallis pub in Doncaster ended after just three months.   "It's due to lack of support from locals," said organiser John Tyson.   "If they don't attend we can't carry on."

• In South Wales, Rebels R'n'R Club in Bridgend has downgraded band nights at Pyle Royal British Legion to record hops following poor turnouts.   "On the relevant dates there will be a record hop with £2 admission, providing there is sufficient attendance," said organiser Frank Langford.   "If not, then these will be cancelled as well."   Frank, whose father played in the original line-up of Shakin' Stevens' band The Sunsets, launched the club in 2007.   But the original venue was abandoned in January 2011 following "problems with the dance floor and wet floors in the toilets".

• In County Durham, Chester-le-Street R'n'R Club has ended record hops after 10 months.   Organiser Kevin Simpson said: "Unfortunately we are stopping as of the end of October 2011.   The main reason is that I have started a new band called the Rollin' Aces and we are getting lots more work now so something has to give.   And unfortunately not enough people were showing up at the new venue, the Whitehills Club."

Country music overload

	Rob Bosher

"I started Longlands in November 2010...   Since day one we have had attendances of 80-100 on record hop nights where it's only £1.50 to get in, and we also have about four bands a year.   I put our success down to the type of music we play.   We are not one of the new clubs that are springing up all over the place, run by people the paying customer has never seen or heard of and playing 'new country' tracks that they think is rock'n'roll.

"I've been on the scene up here in the North East since I was 17 (and I'm now nearly 50).   There are a few other clubs up this way but most are in the category I've already mentioned.   We only charge £1.50 as that's the going rate around here, and the cover charge for band nights only reflects the price of the band, or cheaper.   So if a band charges me £600 I put £6 on the tickets and £7 on the door.   We have a little kitty that builds up to help keep ticket prices down when we get a 'big' named band.   We find it works well.

"We are not in this to make money, just because we love the music as much as our customers.   It's hard work sometimes.   There's a lot that goes on behind the scenes that never gets noticed, but it's worth it.   That's why I'm trying to get known outside of the North East by asking for guest spots at other venues, alldayers and weekenders, because I love doing it.   I can be contacted at rockin_jukebox@yahoo.co.uk "

Promoter Peter Phillips who runs a string of club nights across various jive genres says: "It seems to me that the successful clubs are the ones that know and understand what their customers want and cater to their needs.   If they are a jive crowd book jive friendly bands."

And he says clubs are short-changing themselves by undercharging for gigs: "Some clubs will book an established band that has had a three hour drive (or more) to the venue, then they have to pay hall hire, possibly hire a DJ and advertising etc, get about 100 attending then charge £5 entry and lose money!   Why not make ALL Friday and Saturday band nights £10 because the bands playing on our r'n'r circuit are worth it.   For some the perception is that rock'n'roll must be cheap to attract customers.   In our experience the reality is that it must be good quality entertainment and good value for money."

Sociable

Lindy in Lincs

"We started Louth Lindy Hop Club last January and were totally overwhelmed by the response from the local dancers.   Within three weeks we had too many people to carry on running in the Louth Town and Country Club.   Although we were very happy there we moved the club to the Mayfair Family Club on Birch Road, Louth.   Since we moved there, we have maintained a steady 30-ish people with new starters coming on regular intervals and the core of the group is now big enough to maintain around 25 members on a weekly basis.

"Although we started very well the economic climate has hit us, but also it is obvious that we are dealing with a different area from London.   We have to remember that we are in rural Lincolnshire and quite a few of our members are farmers so they have been missing all summer.   Together with the summer season people have jobs and visitors in the summertime.   We haven't been able to assess how the seasons will affect us yet as we are still in our first year, however we are hopeful that we will get busier towards Christmas and start again with a new influx in January.

"Our usual way of teaching has been that we run a nine-week rotation of beginners classes with a chance to move up to the intermediate class after that rotation.   We have now changed that here in Lincolnshire to 'drop in' classes as it is clear to us that not all people can commit to every week.

"Also, by looking for new starters every nine weeks Lincolnshire is not as densely populated as London so we run the risk of running out of people!   We have totally rearranged our class structure to accommodate this.   We have not increased our entry fee although petrol has increased greatly since we started, we feel that it is important to keep the price low in this area.

"Our classes will carry on as long as there is support and we will do everything we can to adjust to the financial situation.   We ran a couple of dances early on in the beginning of the Louth Lindy Hop Club but these weren't supported well enough to make it worthwhile.   We haven't run any dances since February but now have a new venue in mind and are hoping to plan a dance in 2012."

If it jumps, jives, bops or strolls we want to know about it.   or call 07833 703189.