Dance teacher celebrates 40-year career

World class dance teacher Jackie Sanderson is inviting generations of dancers, teachers and customers - past, present and future - to celebrate 40 years of Sanderson Dance and Fitness.
Jackie Sanderson - can you share your memories?Jackie Sanderson - can you share your memories?
Jackie Sanderson - can you share your memories?

The anniversary takes place on Bank Holiday Monday May 2nd from 12 noon until 4pm and Jackie is asking dancers, teachers, singers, fitness customers, proud parents and grandparents to dig out photos and cuttings from the last 40 years to send to her and she will make a wall of memories for the reunion.

Jackie began teaching dance aged 16 in 1976 and said: “I started from small beginnings, moving from building to building around Nelson and Brierfield.

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“I taught dance at the Conservative Club on Carr Road and Railway Workers’ Club in Nelson. Over several years I taught in a total of 15 rooms in Nelson and then made a studio above Brierfield Co-op.

“We then expanded to include Burnley’s Candy Club and the Royal Dance Club in Clayton-le-Moors.

“I was determined to keep dancing and teaching so we built purpose-built studios on Lomeshaye Estate 20 years ago in 1996.”

Thanks to an experienced team of teachers, including her four children who are all British dance champions, Sanderson is one of the largest dance schools in the UK with an international clientele and five centres in East Lancashire.

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Photos and cuttings can be dropped off at Sanderson Dance and Fitness from now until Wednesday 27th April or e mailed to Jackie’s daughter: [email protected].

All pictures and cuttings will be returned after the event. A wall display of dance, fitness and fame will spread as generations of dancers and fitness fanatics from cheerleaders to tango and tap dancers and hip hop enthusiasts add their pictures.

They will feature alongside stars such as Strictly finalist Natalie Gumede, Coronation Street’s Norris Cole played by Malcolm Hebden and Emmerdale’s Jarvis Skelton played by Richard Moore, who’ve all had lessons at Sanderson Dance.

“We’d love to see snaps and press cuttings from any of our old venues and from competitions at The Winter Gardens, Blackpool,” continued Jackie.

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“It would be great to get photos from showcase productions at Burnley Mechanics and our social dance weekends too.

“Our customers and teachers are a vital part of our history and all the pictures will make a great 40th anniversary display.

“I want to include people of all levels of ability because I believe dance and fitness is for everyone - it’s mood lifting and just brilliant.

“I teach every level of dance from world champions to complete beginners, school children, people with disabilities and now even babies.”

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Jackie added: “I still love every minute of my day and my aim is to carry on teaching until I’m 80.”

The reunion is at Sanderson Dance and Fitness on Churchill Way, Lomeshaye, off the M65 junction 12 near Brierfield and Nelson.

Everyone’s welcome to the free event which includes dance demonstrations, 15 minute taster sessions, refreshments and displays of each decade of the 40 years in the studios.

More details about the event are on their website: www.sandersondance.co.uk.