Celebrate 50 years of ABBA in Torquay with a disco in the park

Iconic Swedish supergroup ABBA are coming to Torquay but keep it quiet - at least that's the plan.

Believe it or not, August 16 marks the 50^th anniversary of the world-famous band performing on Torre Abbey Meadows.

Hot on the heels of their 1974 Eurovision song contest victory in Brighton, ABBA came to the Bay as part of a BBC Seaside special.

Now a special event is being organised in Abbey Park, 50 years to the day since the group belted out their number one hit, Waterloo, to delighted fans not just in the Bay but watching TV screens across the country.

Torbay Communities are putting on a Silent Disco which will feature ABBA hits down the years, alongside other 70’s smashers to raise money for their work in communities across Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.

David Gledhill, Marketing and Communications Lead for the charity said: “Once we knew that it was 50 years to the day, we knew we had to do something to mark the occasion.

“There will still be plenty of people around who remember fondly that momentous gig, but there are fewer memories associated with another tie in between Eurovision and Torbay – it was devised in Torquay 75 years ago at a meeting in the Imperial Hotel.

“Eurovision wasn't the only idea to emerge – we also got the European Sports Championships and Jeux Sans Frontières (or It's a Knockout for those who prefer their French translated).

“The Eurovision Song Contest originated as a technical experiment in television broadcasting: a live, simultaneous, transnational broadcast intended to unite Europe through the power of music.

“We want to do the same for communities in the Bay, uniting them in the power of music and have organised the Silent Disco featuring ABBA Music (other 70's music is also available) close to the original gig venue, outside Cantina in Abbey Park.”

As well as the silent disco dancers are encouraged to dress up in 70’s outfits – all glitter, boots, platform shoes and voluminous flares.

Tickets are available from the Torbay Communities website (www.torbaycommunities.com) for the two sessions, an afternoon one (3-5pm) aimed at families and an evening one (7-9pm) which will be adults only.