NANCY CLARKE

THIS IS THE BLOG OF COLIN JONES, RHYL TOWN COUNCILLOR: BODFOR WARD
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The opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own and not the views of the town council.
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The photo above of Nancy Clarke was taken in the late 1950s or early 1960s when she was becoming a household name in Rhyl as a dancer and dance teacher. Nancy originated from Manchester and came to the Rhyl area when husband Clarence (Clarry) was posted to Kinmel Park Camp near Bodelwyddan during World War 2; they were both championship class dancers.

After the war Clarry managed the Queens Ballroom (now Queens Market) and he did some exhibition dancing and private tuition; he died in 1973. Nancy had her own studio which moved here and there and is best remembered as being upstairs at the back of the Alexandra pub in High Street (now Bar Blu).

As a teacher, Nancy was world class. She was one of the first judges on the TV programme ‘Come Dancing’. Later she was the first lady president of the International Dance Teachers’ Association and held the post for several years. Nancy's presence in Rhyl raised the town's profile considerably; she passed away on February 13th, 2008.

My thanks go to a lady universally known as Dutchy for the picture and information. Dutchy was a close friend of Nancy for more than half a century and fondly remembers her broad Lancashire humour and absolute professionalism.

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