After watching Dirty Dancing with Patrick Swayze, a movie I still love, it reminded me of growing up.
I first discovered dance when I was at primary school in West Kirby.
I was seven years old, singing Tiddly Winky Woo with four backing dancers – a star was born.
Then, at Hoylake Parade School, we were taught the waltz for our very first Christmas Dance with girls. It was so embarrassing, so many of the lads had two left feet although I wasn’t one of them.
The night of the dance, the girls sat at one side of the room, the boys on the other. Needless to say, I broke the ice.
Mum used to go dancing every Friday night in West Kirby – modern sequence was the order of the day.
Modern sequence uses steps from traditional ballroom dancing, but in a mixed sequence including quickstep, tango, foxtrot, and of course the waltz.
I would go some weeks and partner my mum.
There was a lack of men, sadly, and so many widows used to go for company.
My aunty Jean was the pianist. I would always finish the night with the last dance, with my other Aunty, Mac, doing the Waltz Marie.
From recollection, the night cost two and six, and included a cup of tea and a biscuit.
All this was preparing me for the YMCA in Hoylake, and Merseybeat – jiving and twisting the night away.
And let’s not forget the Cavern Stomp.
Saturday night was the highlight of our week at the YM.
Frothy coffee at the Lantern Coffee bar across the road, then we’d hit the dance floor and I would jive with the Biddle twins.
Then we were introduced to the Twist. I remember going in for a competition and I came third.
My prize? Six bottles of pop.
Wednesday was the day to go to the Cavern in Mathew Street.
You would go past Paddy, the famous doorman, down the stone stairs that were so narrow – forget health and safety!
Then a quick bowl of soup, which you had to slurp fast before the sweat from the low ceilings dropped into it.
Boy, was it hot down there!
I would be dressed like so many – college scarf, Beatles jacket, CND badge and of course, the cuban heel Beatle boots.
Long hair was the order of the day back then and mine was always perfectly groomed.
When I started catering college at Birkenhead Tech, they would have a disco at lunchtime and I was the only boy dancing.
I remember one night on holiday on the QE2, I had gone away with Herbert and some friends.
We were all trying to dance after the gala dinner but there was a hurricane starting.
You’ve never seen anything like it – hundreds of people on the dance floor. We started at one end.. and finished at the other, huddled in the corner. For safety we were all sent back to our cabins, with a bucket!
I’d say I’ve got good rhythm, but I’ve always struggled learning choreography in panto and summer seasons.
My favourite choreographer is Beverley Norris Edmunds, from the Dolphin Dance Studios in Liverpool. She was so patient and caring with me in rehearsals.
I always struggled with the finale, and usually got it right on the last night of the run. The rest of the cast never dared look to me, in case I put them out of step.
Beverley has gone on to big things, and is now a top West End choreographer, winning an Olivier Award.
So you see Bev, helping me has put you where you are today!
I must say, the dance schools around the country do a fabulous job for children’s health and wellbeing.
It keeps them off the streets, and in many cases helps with their fitness. They also learn team spirit, companionship, and competitiveness.
I really couldn’t imagine life without dance.
