Ace School Of Ballroom Dancing

A Memory of Deal.

The 'Ace Ballroom School of Dancing' was for many a young person the first time they had expeienced the close up contact with the opposite sex, I remember the beginning of placing our hands on each others shoulders and desperately trying not to step on each others toes, not easy! Hands were damp and nerves were on edge trying too hard to do the right thing. Mr Redman I seem to remember was one of the teachers and it was run by Mr and Mrs Whidett, son was Malcolm and his sister, I can't remember her name, but they made it all look easy. As time went on and afer numerous lessons it all fell into place and the 'Quick-step' and 'Waltz' became things to look forward to and the music and lights and the holding of one's partner were the most amazing beautiful memories that one could have. One could fall in love completely on those evenings, and on leaving, I remember the feeling to this day that my feet didn't touch the ground. I remember dancing with the most beautiful young lady, who was training to be a trainee teacher at Teacher Training College at Wrexham, North Wales. We went out for a while and I remember my mother asking how 'I pulled a girl like that' - must have been my reverse turn on the waltz! The last waltz was the one that you tried desperately to get the girl that you had your eye on all evening and no one could cut in on the last waltz thank goodness. So the snuggling up close and the smell of scent and beautiful hair made you feel ten feet tall! Ahh if one could bring it all back - still we have memories hey! Hope some of you remember those days. One guy I do remember was David Redman, he went on to Rugby and worked at Rolls Royce, hope you are still this side of the earth David and remember those days of one, two, three; one, two three! Not forgetting Malcolm Whiddet, who worked with me at "East Kent Mercury" and at one time was going to go to New Zealand with me. Kindest Regards to all those people who used to go dancing at the "Ace".