Three youngsters had come up with an original way to do their bit for the Ethiopian appeal in February 1985 by “body-popping” in Barrow’s Dalton Road.

Thirteen-year-old Jason McCarter, of Ainslie Street, Danny Cave, ten, of Cragg Street and 12-year-old Scott Reid, also of Ainslie Street, all Barrow, started practicing the latest dance-craze only in September 1984.

Parkview pupil Jason said he first learned about break-dancing and body popping when on holiday in Wales and before long he had shown both Scott and Danny the basic steps. 

The boys wrote to Barrow town clerk Derek Lyon to ask him for permission to hold a street collection.

Mr Lyon passed the letter on to Barrow council’s finance and policy management sub-committee and members agreed to consider the application.

The boys made it very clear why they wanted to raise money for the famine fund. “We thought it was a shame because they were not getting much money,” said Danny.

“Because sometimes we have nothing to do, we thought we would do some body-popping to collect for them.”

Jason’s father, Bryan McCarter, said he would stand with the trio if they were allowed to go ahead.

Support had come from one Barrow shop, which had said it would try to lend them a cassette-player as Jason’s own machine would not be loud enough outdoors.

It was hoped a date in May would be set for the collection, which would probably take place near the entrance to Barrow market.

Shall we dance?

The answer for scores of Furness youngsters was clearly 'yes' judging by the response to Pippa Rothwell's creative dance classes at Barrow's Forum 28 in 1993.

The courses for five to ten-year-olds were held every Wednesday from 4pm-5pm.

In 1995 Karen's School of Dancing at Millom won a trophy for the most entertaining item at the Workington Little Theatre Dance Festival. The under fives from the dance school performed 'Mary Mary Quite Contrary'.