Maureen Waddell and David Turnbull, c.1960-61

Maureen Waddell and David Turnbull receiving a prize for ballroom dancing, c.1960/61.

Maureen Waddell and David Turnbull receiving a prize for ballroom dancing, c.1960/61.

Bill Raine and Maureen Waddell (nee. Raine), Whitehouse Dance, c.1964.

My twin sister Margaret and I joined the Ballroom Dance School at The Whitehouse on Eden Lane. It must have been in 1960, because I recall we were about nine at the time. I’m sure it was our mother who encouraged us to go. I can’t remember the names of the couple who ran it. I think his name was John. He was tall and slim with a pencil moustache and was always immaculately dressed.  My first dance partner was David Turnbull. Margaret’s partner was Bill Raine, who later became my dance partner when we started courting when I was about eleven or twelve. When I first took notice of him, I remember saying to my friend that I was going to marry that boy, which I did. When I was 14 our parents moved us to Easington, which is when we stopped going to the dance school.

Maureen Waddell (nee. Raine)