Oh, how we danced!
November 2006
Dave & May Walker at the Beach Balolroom, Aberdeen in the early 1950s
by Jack Duffy
My own introduction to this exhilarating and creative pursuit came about more by accident than intent. Having been at the age of 16 literally shoved in to a dancing class, I quickly found myself actually enjoying the experience. After all, here was an opportunity not only to meet and chat with – but to actually hold a soft, sweetly-scented girl while so doing.
It was gratifying too to move together, however awkwardly at first, to the regular rhythms of the music of the day. The mysteries of the ‘interlock’, the ‘fishtail’, the ‘whisk’ and the rest duly dealt with, it was soon time to move on – the lure of a glittering array of medals having been dangled before us by our teacher ‘Babs’ Wilson. Her innocent comment, “You’ll need a partner, of course,” gave me the excuse – and the courage – to ask a young lady whom I found particularly attractive to fill that role.
Thankfully, she agreed. Sixty years later the partnership still glides smoothly on…
It was at the third of these tests, the much coveted gold medal, that we saw our first competitive couple, Billy McBain and his lovely partner Lynn McKinnon. Already successful in the highest rank, they were taking the ultimate award, the Gold Star, their graceful and apparently effortless movement over the Palais de Dans floor making our efforts appear stilted by comparison.
The die was cast. My girl-friend and I enrolled with their teachers, Tom Murray and his wife Margaret Leys. With their guidance and encouragement we soon found ourselves in the hallowed sphere of competitive dancing, our aspirations whetted by our association with other dedicated amateurs and our subsequent involvement with some of the world’s topmost professionals.
In those early post-war days the North of Scotland Amateur Ballroom Dancing Championship was the goal, the deeds of earlier champions Charlie Dalgarno, Ronnie Duncan and their partners spurring us on to greater effort. Sandy Morrison, then manager of the Beach Ballroom, and Lex Henderson, owner of the Palais, organised demonstrations and competitions which attracted the finest dancers in the country as well as a host of enthusiastic spectators.
We thrilled to the artistry of British and World Champions, Wally Fryer and Vi Barnes, their quickstep a soft rubber ball skipping in syncopated rhythms over the gleaming maple floor. And who could ever forget the perfect phrasing and dramatic ‘fireworks’ of Len Scrivener and Nellie Duggan; the precision and liquid power of former paratrooper, Sonny Binnick and his partner Sally Brock, or the refined technique of Harry Smith-Hampshire and the exquisite Doreen Casey?
To such icons we must add Hugh Carter and Hazel Willis, a couple whose eye-catching variations had earned them the European Professional Championship. We met Hugh Carter at Tom and Meg’s studio to learn the maxim which would enable us to capture our first title, the Caledonian Pre-amateur Championship; “Dance through the music, not into it,” he had smilingly admonished.
On the following evening we took fourth place in the Open Amateur; both events having attracted dancers from all over Britain.That we had done so well in such distinguished company proved the worth of his words.
There were many fine dancers in the city at that time. North of Scotland champions included Bob and Frieda Shand, whose finely tuned amalgamations in the Waltz, Slow Foxtrot, Tango, and Quickstep made them a pleasure to watch. These qualities were mirrored in the stylish performances of multi ‘North’, and ‘Star’ heat winners Eddie and Betty Maitland, whose are still dancing regularly today, some 50 years later.
Our own predecessors were Gordon Robertson and his charming wife Jessie MacTavish, winners of the ‘North’ on several occasions.
Special mention must be made of Dave and May Walker, whose commanding presence saw them find success in the challenging Scottish arena.
To young folk whose everyday lives were far from glamorous, the opportunity to dress up and display their talents was thrilling indeed. Orchestra leader Leslie Thorpe had merely to lift his baton for our cares to waft away. For the men, at competition times the necessary ‘duds’ – suit, shirt, waistcoat – were hired for the evening; few could afford to emulate our English counterparts and have their suits made to measure. The girls on the other hand took up the challenge of making their own dresses, tier upon tier of net skirts skilfully built up so that the finished product would ‘dance’ and not lie in a shapeless mass around them. Mums, aunties and other ardent female helpers would glue on by hand the mandatory hundreds of sequins – one at a time.
Looking back after 50 years: was it worth it? The interminable practice, the abdication of other interests, the stress of competition and the late-night runs by bus to Dundee, Glasgow and elsewhere to pit our skills against the opposition? Of course it was. We have our memories – aye, and proud photographs to back our claim that we were once as swack as our pitying grandchildren. To today’s practitioners of this branch of the terpsichorean art, I say, “Hold your heads high – and enjoy.”
An Aiberdeen loon and former RAF marksman, amateur ballroom dancer and Rosemount community councillor, JACK DUFFY’s main interests these days are writing, golf, and gardening. Now an English tutor, he does what he can to help bright youngsters make it to university.
This is an article from the November 2006 edition of Leopard Magazine. To read much more like this every month, see our subscription details.
Nostalgic article . ballroom is making a resurgence . A girl of 30 brought up on disco jigging has asked me to be her partner at her first real dancing lesson me 76 and bereft of my State Professional shoes !!. from small time comp dancer of the 60`s
— tom withers 21 January 2007 #