Having a ball — and it’s all strictly for fun

A LOVE of dance and the willingness to have fun brought this group together on the dance floor.

Twelve months on, they have improved their footwork enough to venture out on the town to dance to big band sounds. And every Monday evening they join ranks at St Paul’s Parish Centre to brush up their skills under the expert tuition of Val Millard. At 62, Val has a lifetime of experience under her belt, and has been teaching ballroom dancing professionally since 1972.

She runs four Monday classes, one specifically for children as young as five, another for teenagers and two for adults — one for beginners and one at intermediate level.

Her pupils’ main weekend viewing is “Strictly Come Dancing,” because, as Val explained: “They like to see steps that they can do.”

She recalled her own life: “I went as far as I could go dancing as an amateur. I got all my medals, but the next step was to go in for competitions and it was so expensive with the dresses and travelling and lessons that I just couldn’t afford to do it.”

So she combined a full-time job — first in environmental services at Oldham Council, then as chairman of the Oldham branch of the RSPCA — with evening teaching.

Dance has always been her first love, and at one time she taught four nights a week, but now, semi-retired, she sticks to Mondays only.

These pictures were taken at her beginners’ class and Val said: “We don’t do any competitions. There is no pressure — it’s purely for fun.

“People get the benefit of gentle exercise, they gain confidence and there is a good social side — at the end of the class everyone stays to talk and I have to move them out ready for the next class.”

Dancers don’t need to go with a partner — Val pairs people up in class — and all dances are taught from the waltz and quick step to the foxtrot and rumba.

Anyone who wants to join in can contact Val on 01706-881321 or 01706-643614.