Hawarden dance teacher Miss Shirley celebrating school's 70th year

Shirley Snowden has been running the Shirley School of Dancing, based in Hawarden, since she was aged 16. She started it in a wartime air raid shelter in 1953 - the year of Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation.

Down the years, Miss Shirley, as she is affectionately known, has taught thousands of people how to dance - and is a legendary figure in the dancing community. Dozens of her students have gone on to be professional dancers.

Now aged 86, she is showing no signs of hanging up her dancing shoes yet. She is taking part in the dancing school's Dancerama 2023 - The Platinum Celebration at the William Aston Hall in Wrexham. 

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It takes place next Friday and Saturday (June 30 and July 1) at 7pm, and will see classes perform songs and dance from the last 70 years. Tickets are available to buy at https://bit.ly/3phwawA. 

Miss Shirley said: "I started out in a wartime air raid shelter in Mancot with eight pupils. Little did I know then that I'd be going on to teach thousands of students over 70 years. 

"I've trained all my own teachers - the first to qualify being my sister, Gaynor. In 1958, a young man joined my ballroom class - in 2020 we celebrated our diamond wedding anniversary together!"

The Shirley School of Dancing (Image: User generated content)

She added: "Dancing has been my whole life, I've been in love with it since I was a little girl. I just love teaching it, especially to children - and I'm going to keep doing so for as long as I can!"

Shirley's niece, Nadine North, said: "She just has a huge passion for dance, and children. She loves helping people to achieve, and she makes you want to do well for her. 

"She is still dancing now, which is an incredible achievement and testament to the love she has for it. Miss Shirley is absolutely brilliant and such an inspiration.

"We are so proud and honoured to be performing at the William Aston Hall to celebrate her 70th anniversary."

Two of Shirley's three sons are dancers in the West End, and she has been supported every step of the way by her husband, Fred. 

Shirley Snowden with her husban, Fred. (Image: User generated content)