Dancing queen Barbara

Dec 10 2009 by Paul Mannion, Chester Chronicle

Dancing queen Barbara

A BALLET teacher is celebrating 50 years of a dancing dynasty in Helsby.

Barbara Walters, formerly Davies, 73, of Elton, has been teaching generations of children from Frodsham and Helsby since 1959 and her current class surprised her with a special celebration in the Helsby Methodist Church hall last week.

“I had some lovely gifts and flowers and some lovely cards,” said Barbara.

“They really kept it a secret.”

The Barbara Davies School of Dancing was started in Barbara’s home, teaching just one pupil, as well as helping out with productions in the area and she was urged to start a dance school of her own.

“It started off as a hobby but I was helping that many people that my teacher said ‘why don’t you just start your own school?’ So I did,” said Barbara.

“I began teaching dance routines to the girl guides of Helsby for a production of a pantomime in 1959 and I was examiner for their dance badges.

“I also taught the WI in Helsby for their productions. After that I started teaching from my home in Helsby with just one pupil but the interest grew and the dance school was formed.

“As a school we have had many great successes in examinations, festivals, and shows including two Royal academy of Dance scholarship winners.

“Some of them have travelled the world with their dancing skills, performing and teaching in italy, Japan and the Middle East, while others have appeared on TV, joined the Royal Ballet School, the Royal Ballet Company and the Bluebell Girls.”

Following her five decades of teaching dancing, Barbara has seen her former pupils grow and have families who now send their children to her classes.

“Pupils who attended the classes when they were young now send their children and grandchildren for lessons at the school,” she added.

“I’ve taught three generations of the one family.

“I am very proud of them all, I keep in touch with a lot of them, one of the girls is going to be 60 this year.”

Barbara now visits the school on a voluntary basis in an advisory capacity for the Royal Academy of Dance Examinations.

“It’s been a hard slog but if you’re interested in something you carry on with it,” she added.

“I still enjoy going now and I hope there will always been a Barbara Davies School of Dancing.