Yes he can-can! Eric Pickles takes to dance floor

Mr Pickles links arms with Councillor Linda Kelly. Photograph: Karen Zetter

Eric Pickles took to the dance floor when he visited Stamford Hill late last month to praise local community groups.

The Communities and Local Government secretary spent around two hours at the Brenner Community Centre visiting representatives of a range of Jewish groups that operate there, including Jewish Care and Kadimah.

He also took part in a can-can-style tea dance and chatted with residents.

“What I like about this community is that it always contributes,” said Mr Pickles.

He added: “I am having a great time I have seen a range of activities for people in need and have had a dance – the first time I have had a dance for a long time.”

Vice Chair of Jewish Care Debbie Fox said: “We were delighted to be able to welcome Eric Pickles to the Brenner Centre.

“The Stamford Hill community is a growing yet changing community.

“We at Jewish Care, are increasingly reaching out to different groups within the community to ensure the centre continues to meet the changing needs of this community.

“The Secretary of State was able to see much of this work in action today. “

Eric Pickles has been a Conservative MP for Brentwood and Ongar since 1992. He was also Chairman of the Conservative Party from 2009 to 2010.

Born into a Labour-supporting family in Yorkshire, he joined the Conservative Party in 1968.

In his role as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, he was responsible for the Localism Act 2011, which gave power to local groups to apply to their councils for the right to have a say in planning policy in designated areas.

Two recent applications to Hackney Council under the Localism Act, both from groups based in Stamford Hill, were rejected by the council.

Pickles has also championed the holding of prayers in council meetings.

Hackney Conservative councillor Simche Steinberger described Mr Pickles as “very down-to-earth”.

On the subject of the Stamford Hill Neighbourhood Forum, he said: “I hope the forum will get what they deserve. If the Council won’t do anything, I hope that the Government will”.