Portchester dancer celebrates 50 years since putting on dancing shoes

Pauline, from Portchester, started dancing when she was 16 and has competed around the world in ballroom dance contests.

As well as taking part in professional competitions for four years, Pauline taught ballroom dancing to pass on her knowledge.

To mark her 50th anniversary, she and her husband Roger held an event with their group the PP Dance Club, which helped raise funds for the Portsmouth Hospitals Trust’s Rocky Appeal.

Started in 2003, the PP Dance club is for adults to learn social ballroom, Latin-American dance and sequence dancing.

Pauline said: ‘It was a wonderful evening. As well as marking the special anniversary, we also raised money for our charity cause, the Rocky Appeal.

‘So far we have raised £15,800 for the appeal and £6,250 for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance which I also like to support.’

At the event, held in Cosham earlier this month, there were demonstrations of sequence dances from members of the club, and waltz by Pauline and Fred Tibbles, followed by a show from the Tanguera Dance Company.

Pauline added: ‘All the dancers came on a voluntary basis and we managed to raise £650 for the two charities.’

Pauline was presented with a hand-made card signed by many of the club’s members, a bouquet of flowers and a cake.

For details on the club call Pauline on 07989 124089.