Ballroom is a gentlemens sport. Simple as that. I don't think all ballroom dancers are well mannered, especially not outside of a dance environment. Also alot of ballroom dancers have attitudes, it's weird though. It's a smile and talk to you but I'm better than you kind of thing. What else can I say, it's a british sport.

British " sport " ?-- funny-- I thought it was an International event ??

It used to be a British sport and it was protected. Terence might remember when a young dancer Graham Strowbridge copped a five year ban for competing in an event in Germany without asking permission, which would have been refused anyway. You would remember his father the photographer who was at all the big events. That was about 1953.
I think our friend who wrote in does not know any of the top dancers.I've never met one who had tickets on themselves. Most are extremely modest and very straight forward.

Remember them both very well-- I virtually lived in the " Palais " in the late forties to mid fifties .

Dear Terence2,
I assume that you are refering to the Hammersmith Palais. If so I hope that you realise that they have now knocked it down much to my disgust. I have had many a happy hour at this venue and remember it well.

The one and only... I lived in that place ( on ballroom days/nites )late 40s early 50s..

I have the BBC recording of the last event in there, It goes thru its history, and Lyndon Wainwright does a small segment..

I guess you remember the " setup" of the Pros and Amat.

Top Right hand corner by bandstand Pros ( only ), respected by all.

My time at the 'Palais' was the 1953 to 1958 when Lou Preager and Phil Tate were in situ. The top right hand corner facing the bandstand was the place for all the senior pro's and leading amateurs. Mr. Strowbridge was the photographer and I still several photo's in action on the competetive floor.
I am currently trying to contact my old partner Beryl Davis but as yet I have not had any leads, so if you can provide any detail please E-Mail me on marshall.patten@ntlworld.com

I guess i preceded you by about 5 yrs ( less my 2yr service in Kor. war)and I had turned Pro. by then...a lowly Assoc. ! , and was moving to the States ..... ..

if memory serves me, the Pros, had the right hand corner at that time period ( this was the day time session )..by the way, I always believed that Phils band was one of the best, and he never really got the recog. he deserved .

My last visit was to the UK champ. in 83 ( on a short visit ,a little name drop here ) I was invited by Eliz. Romain and had the pleasure of her comments and company .

Dear sir, I was a great friend of Graham and Pat (nee Carder ) when this event happened and I have always wanted to contact him to talk over old times. This is the first stroke of luck I have had in trying to find him as I was a nearly always competing against him during the period 1950 to1959. National service got in the way of further development and after two years in the Air Force I did not continue to take up competetive dancing again. However I am currently researching the competitors of note in the period and if at all possible I would like to hear from him. My E-Mail address is as follows: marshall.patten@ntlworld.com Please Graham or Pat or Serendipidy reply as I am extremely interested to know how you are. Best regards, Marshall C.Patten

So interesting to read all these messages. I was Graham's partner for a while around that time. Was one of those dancers who used to sit right hand side of Lou's bandstand, and knew Phil Tate well. I often wonder how Graham's parents were, they were so kind to me. I danced with Len Armstrong before Graham. Happy happy times, many hours spent at Hammersmith Palais, and many lessons there also from the great Wally Fryer, lovely man. I met many lovely people in my ballroom dancing years, and have many happy memories. Ann