We can't go on together...

From the archive, first published Tuesday 10th Apr 2007.

ELVIS fans have left the building.

The Elvis in Essex Fan Club is moving out of Pitsea's Leisure Centre to Billericay's Outwood Common Community Centre.

Club founder Mike Davis said when the leisure centre decided to up its charges by about a third, it was time for a little less conversation and a little more action.

"We had to move," he said. "Those costs were too much.

"I think the new venue will be really good for the club. "We already have 250 members and we're hoping that being within walking distance of many homes, we'll pick up plenty of new members in Billericay."

Mr Davis, 63, says this is not the first time the group has rock and rolled to a new venue.

It started out at the home he shared with late wife Gyll, in South Woodham Ferrers, 23 years ago.

Since then it has been based at a squash club, the Woodham Function Rooms, Basildon Football Club and, for the past five years, the leisure centre.

Mr Davis points out the club is for people who love the King's music, if not his dress sense.

"There's not a jumpsuit in sight," he said. "We don't dress up like Elvis, we just listen to his music.

"There's just something about him. If you ask the girls they say it's his looks and charisma, but if you ask the guys, they say it's the voice and his music."

The group is the Essex branch of the Official Elvis Presley Fan Club of Great Britain.

The first event at its new home will be its monthly Elvis Disco from 7.30pm, on Saturday.

Entry is £4 for non-members, £3 for members, while children go free.