Dancing has been paired with Blackpool in the collective
imagination for a long time. The beautiful Tower Ballroom is known the world
over as being the home of ballroom dancing, within the dancing community.
However in recent years it’s also been accepted as that by those who watch
Strictly Come Dancing. The origins of the connection actually stretch back
further than that.
The first public dances were held in Blackpool in 1837,
when Dr John Cocker set up the Assembly Rooms. Granted the dances performed were
probably not exactly like the ones you see on Strictly Come Dancing, but
something a lot more formalised.
1840 saw the introduction of the Polka, and the Mazurka
to English ballrooms, the Polka being particularly scandalous to the older
generations, and those of a sensitive disposition.
Blackpool hosted their first Dance Festival in 1920,
something that is credited to two men, Mr Harry Wood or Nelson Sharples,
nobody’s quite sure which one thought of it first. Either way, it was held that
year in the Empress Ballroom. It ran for seven years, before taking a break due
to a change of management in 1927. It restarted in 1929, adding different
styles of dance to the competition.
In 1931, the first British Professional and Amateur
Ballroom Championship was held, after people became more interested in the
‘English style’ of dancing.
The war years saw a break in the dance competition being
held, but by 1946 it was revived, although the stage dancing was no longer part
of the competition.
The modern era has seen ballroom dancing reach the
masses, thanks to the advent of Come Dancing and Strictly Come Dancing, on the
television. More and more people have been coming to Blackpool because of the
dancing connection, as well as all of the other attractions that the town has
to offer.
If this article has inspired you to come and stay in the
home of Ballroom, then come and stay at the Fossil Tree Hotel.
Hazel and Phil Stoker run a welcoming and friendly hotel,
catering specifically to adults who want a peaceful break. They have many
people who come for repeat stays, and would love to hear from you.
Contact: 01253 351599
Twitter is @fossiltree.
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