Wednesday Night Dance

History of Stanley Dance Club

A group of ladies met on the 17th March 1965 with a view of forming a dance Club for Old Time and Modern Dancing on a 50/50 basis.  The instruction would be given by Nan Cummings and her daughter Sharon; Nan is still a keen dancer.  There were no men allowed!  That came later.....

The "Wednesday Night Dance Club" was agreed at the May 12th meeting, but the name became "Stanley Dance Club" in July 1969, but the old name continues.  The dancing became Modern Sequence, the Old Time moved to Saturday, and the old "MC's" became "Floor Leaders".

Mr A Follos started the ball rolling and eventually, Bob and Vi Lennon took over the reins.  Members flocked in to the extent that the club had a waiting list for new members.

Among the members were Norman and Audrey Burdon and Ruby and Ted Sheavils who competed for a number years, successfully, at Butlin's holiday camps.

The club became members of the Durham County Federation of Dance Clubs and attended ventures including twice yearly formal balls.

For various reasons we have had a  number of Floor Leaders, Ian and Jennifer Davison, Jack and Margaret Chisholm, Nevil Brown and Vi Lennon, Sid Powson and Valerie Breen, Walter and Kath Westberg, Alan and Maureen Steel, Sid and Delia Coulson, Alan and Gillian Purdy and the latest "incumbents", Gordon and Louvain Low.


In all the changes, we have always had qualified teachers from the Northern Counties Dance Teachers' Association, or United Kingdom Alliance of Professional Teachers of Dancing.