British Sequence Championships
Encyclopedia
The British Sequence Dance Championships for adults are held annually as part of the Blackpool Sequence Dance Festival and have been running since 1949. This is held in the Empress Ballroom
, Winter Gardens, Blackpool
, England
. Dancers compete in up to five sequence dance
s determined by the organiser each year for the titles. The British Championship is seen as the highlight of the year, not only because it is "one of the countrys's most prestigious titles", but also the grandeur of the location.
The Blackpool Sequence Dance Festival incorporates a popular competition day for children on the Saturday, followed by inventive competitions for professionals and the British Sequence Championships for Professional, Amateur Classical Sequence (previously called Old Time), Amateur Modern Sequence, Senior Classical Sequence and Under 21s Classical Sequence. The championship events are granted by the British Dance Council
and are run under BDC rules. The festival reached its 60th year in 2009.
Entrants to the Championships predominatly come from Great Britain, although many Irish dance schools have attended the festival over the years. Entrants have also come from afar away as Japan and Australia.
The British Sequence Championships for children takes place as part of the Blackpool Junior Dance Festival, running since 1947. It starts on Easter Monday each year and runs for a week. Traditionally it has also been held at the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool Tower
, until 2010 where it moved to the Empress Ballroom
, in the Winter Gardens due to the increase in numbers. This events incorporates the Juvenile Classical Sequence Championship, the Junior Classical Sequence Championship and the Junior Modern Sequence Championship.
Famous entrants to the championships include a young Cheryl Cole
and former World Amateur Ballroom Champion; Jonathon Crossley (with partner Kylie Jones
).
Empress Ballroom
The Empress Ballroom is a 3,000 capacity entertainment venue, in Blackpool Lancashire, England. It is located within the Winter Gardens, a large entertainment complex in the town centre....
, Winter Gardens, Blackpool
Blackpool
Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Dancers compete in up to five sequence dance
Sequence dance
Sequence dancing is a form of dance in which a preset pattern of movements is followed, usually to music which is also predetermined. Sequence dancing may include dances of many different styles. The term may include ballroom dances which move round the floor as well as line, square and circle...
s determined by the organiser each year for the titles. The British Championship is seen as the highlight of the year, not only because it is "one of the countrys's most prestigious titles", but also the grandeur of the location.
The Blackpool Sequence Dance Festival incorporates a popular competition day for children on the Saturday, followed by inventive competitions for professionals and the British Sequence Championships for Professional, Amateur Classical Sequence (previously called Old Time), Amateur Modern Sequence, Senior Classical Sequence and Under 21s Classical Sequence. The championship events are granted by the British Dance Council
British Dance Council
The British Dance Council was formed in 1929 as the Official Board of Ballroom Dancing . The name was subsequently changed in 1985 to the British Council of Ballroom Dancing and in 1996, the name was changed to British Dance Council...
and are run under BDC rules. The festival reached its 60th year in 2009.
Entrants to the Championships predominatly come from Great Britain, although many Irish dance schools have attended the festival over the years. Entrants have also come from afar away as Japan and Australia.
The British Sequence Championships for children takes place as part of the Blackpool Junior Dance Festival, running since 1947. It starts on Easter Monday each year and runs for a week. Traditionally it has also been held at the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool Tower
Blackpool Tower
Blackpool Tower Eye is a tourist attraction in Blackpool, Lancashire in England which was opened to the public on 14 May 1894. . Inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris, it rises to 518 feet & 9 inches . The tower is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers...
, until 2010 where it moved to the Empress Ballroom
Empress Ballroom
The Empress Ballroom is a 3,000 capacity entertainment venue, in Blackpool Lancashire, England. It is located within the Winter Gardens, a large entertainment complex in the town centre....
, in the Winter Gardens due to the increase in numbers. This events incorporates the Juvenile Classical Sequence Championship, the Junior Classical Sequence Championship and the Junior Modern Sequence Championship.
Famous entrants to the championships include a young Cheryl Cole
Cheryl Cole
Cheryl Ann Cole is an English pop and R&B recording artist, songwriter, dancer, actress and model. She rose to fame in late 2002 when she auditioned for the reality television show Popstars: The Rivals on ITV. The programme announced that Cole had won a place as a member of the girl group, Girls...
and former World Amateur Ballroom Champion; Jonathon Crossley (with partner Kylie Jones
Kylie Jones
Kylie Jones is a professional ballroom dancer. She was the 2000 and 2001 World Ballroom Champion, the 2001 European Ballroom Champion, the 2000 and 2001 Open British Ballroom Champion, and the 2000 and 2001 United Kingdom Ballroom Champion....
).
British Amateur Sequence Champions
| Year | Classical Champions | Runner up | 3rd | Modern Champions | Runner up | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Luke Shepherd, Joanne Pearson | Philip Rawcliffe, Hannah Roberts | Andrew Davies, Jazzmyne Luke | Philip Rawcliffe, Hannah Roberts | Andrew Davies, Jazzmyne Luke | James Chew, Sophie Chilton |
| 2010 | Martin Bird, Sarah Ward Jones | Marcus Mitchell, Lily Plowman | Luke Shepherd, Joanne Pearson | Marcus Mitchell, Lily Plowman | Philip Rawcliffe, Hannah Roberts | James Chew, Sophie Chilton |
| 2009 | Callam Thomson, Sophie Thomson | Martin Bird, Sarah Ward Jones | Marcus Mitchell, Lily Plowman | Callam Thomson, Sophie Thomson | Marcus Mitchell, Lily Plowman | Martin Bird, Sarah Ward Jones |
| 2008 | Callam Thomson, Sophie Thomson | Martin Bird, Sarah Ward Jones | Scott Hanson, Vicky Lentle | Callam Thomson, Sophie Thomson | Martin Bird, Sarah Ward Jones | Scott Hanson, Vicky Lentle |
| 2007 | Martin Bird, Gemma Clunie | Scott Hanson, Vicky Lentle | Callam Thomson, Sophie Thomson | Martin Bird, Gemma Clunie | Callam Thomson, Sophie Thomson | Scott Hanson, Vicky Lentle |
| 2006 | Lee Godwin, Amy Turner | Martin Bird, Gemma Clunie | Adam Duffie, Joanne Pearson | Martin Bird, Gemma Clunie | Lee Godwin, Amy Turner | Callam Thomson, Hayley Telfer |
| 2005 | Lee Godwin, Amy Turner | Martin Bird, Gemma Clunie | Scott Hanson, Vicky Lentle | Lee Godwin, Amy Turner | Martin Bird, Gemma Clunie | Scott Hanson, Vicky Lentle |
| 2004 | Richard Finlow, Natalie Hill | Richard Finlow, Natalie Hill | ||||
| 2003 | Neil Bradfield, Tara Harrison | Neil Bradfield, Tara Harrison | ||||
| 2002 | Neil Bradfield, Tara Harrison | Neil Bradfield, Tara Harrison | ||||
| 2001 | Craig Bedwell, Angela Painting | Craig Bedwell, Angela Painting | ||||
| 2000 | Craig Bedwell, Angela Painting | Jonathan Luckcuck, Natalie Hill | Craig Bedwell, Angela Painting | Jonathan Luckcuck, Natalie Hill | ||
| 1999 | Craig Bedwell, Angela Painting | Craig Bedwell, Angela Painting | ||||
| 1998 | Mr P Jenkins, Miss E Williamson | Mr P Jenkins, Miss E Williamson | ||||
| 1997 | Mr P Maddison, Miss N Cope | Mr P Maddison, Miss N Cope | ||||
| 1996 | Mr R Finnegan, Miss J Lloyd | Mr A Billingham, Miss S Jeanne | ||||
| 1995 | Mr R Finnegan, Miss J Lloyd | Mr R Finnegan, Miss J Lloyd | ||||
| 1994 | Mr A Hibberd, Miss J Grew | Mr P Blackburn, Miss H Blackburn | ||||
| 1993 | Mr D Park, Miss A Kilgour | Mr A Hibberd, Miss J Grew | ||||
| 1992 | Mr M O'Callaghan, Miss E Dodds | Mr D Park, Miss A Kilgour | ||||
| 1991 | Mr M Habergham, Miss R Simpson | Mr R Paull, Miss L Smallman | ||||
| 1990 | Mr M Burke and Miss M Burke | Mr R Paull, Miss L Smallman | ||||
| 1989 | Mr and Mrs G Ryan | Mr M Luttinen, Miss C Jones | ||||
| 1988 | Mr R Heppenstall, Miss M Prigmore | Mr M Habergham, Miss R Simpson | ||||
| 1987 | Mr R Heppenstall, Miss M Prigmore | Mr M Burke, Miss M Burke | ||||
| 1986 | Mr and Mrs G Court | Mr G Ryan, Miss J Perry | ||||
| 1985 | Mr M Paton, Miss J Davies | Mr P Schrauwen, Miss T Thornton | ||||
| 1984 | Mr M Paton, Miss J Davies | Mr M Paton, Miss J Davies | ||||
| 1983 | Mr J Tebb, Miss J Harris | Mr G Tierney, Miss A Powell | ||||
| 1982 | Mr J Tebb, Miss J Harris | Mr and Mrs P Ainsley | ||||
| 1981 | Mr I Cairns, Miss T Shiner | Mr and Mrs P Ainsley | ||||
| 1980 | Mr G Thomson, Miss P Stokes | Mr M Habergham, Miss M Prigmore | ||||
| 1979 | Mr S Baish, Miss K Boote | Mr and Mrs M McLean | ||||
| 1978 | Mr S Baish, Miss K Boote | Mr and Mrs M McLean | ||||
| 1977 | Mr J M Hugh, Miss D Neilson | Mr and Mrs M McLean | ||||
| 1976 | Mr and Mrs T W Packard | Mr J Millar, Miss A Little (1st championship) | ||||
| 1975 | Mr and Mrs T W Packard | |||||
| 1974 | Mr and Mrs B Earnshaw | |||||
| 1973 | Mr G Waite, Miss K Pople | |||||
| 1972 | Mr G Waite, Miss K Pople | |||||
| 1971 | Mr and Mrs J Bignell | |||||
| 1970 | Mr N Monk, Miss C Richards | |||||
| 1969 | Mr R J Walford, Miss M Gane | |||||
| 1968 | Mr A P Harley, Miss C A Knott | |||||
| 1967 | Mr A P Harley, Miss C A Knott | |||||
| 1966 | Mr and Mrs G Watkins | |||||
| 1965 | Mr and Mrs G Watkins | |||||
| 1964 | Mr N R Boswell, Miss A M Parkinson | |||||
| 1963 | Mr L T Norton, Miss C Wightman | |||||
| 1962 | Mr L T Norton, Miss C Wightman | |||||
| 1961 | Mr D Tonks, Miss B Bates | |||||
| 1960 | Mr D Tonks, Miss B Bates | |||||
| 1959 | Mr and Mrs B Elsdon | |||||
| 1958 | Mr L Norton, Miss S V Billington | |||||
| 1957 | Mr D Young, Miss S Buckley | |||||
| 1956 | Mr D Young, Miss S Buckley | |||||
| 1955 | Mr and Mrs J R Briggs | |||||
| 1954 | Mr and Mrs Blanchard | |||||
| 1953 | Mr and Mrs E Bird | |||||
| 1952 | Mr and Mrs E Bird | |||||
| 1951 | Mr and Mrs A Wellings | |||||
| 1950 | Mr and Mrs A Wellings | |||||
| 1949 | Mr and Mrs J Stead | |||||
| 1948 | Mr and Mrs J Stead | |||||
| 1947 | Mr and Mrs J Stead | |||||
| 1946 | Mr and Mrs W Francis (1st championship) | |||||
British Under 21's, Professional and Senior Sequence Champions
| Year | Under 21's | Professional | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | James Chew, Sophie Chilton | Neil & Tara Bradfield | Stuart Rowley, Diane Palmer |
| 2010 | Philip Rawcliffe, Hannah Roberts | No competition | Stuart Rowley, Diane Palmer |
| 2009 | Marcus Mitchell, Lily Plowman | No competition | Stuart Rowley, Diane Palmer |
| 2008 | Callam Thomson, Sophie Thomson | Craig Bedwell, Angela Painting | Brian Marshall, Lynn Marshall |
| 2007 | Callam Thomson, Sophie Thomson | No competition | Brian Marshall, Lynn Marshall |
| 2006 | Scott Hanson, Vicky Lentle | Craig Bedwell, Angela Painting | Lee Ash, Linda Ash |
| 2005 | Scott Hanson, Vicky Lentle | Craig Bedwell, Angela Painting | Robert Hall, Diane Black |
| 2004 | Mr L Godwin, Miss A Turner | Mr C Bedwell, Miss A Painting | Mr and Mrs P Whithey-Tebby |
| 2003 | Mr L Godwin, Miss H Dobbins | No competition | Mr and Mrs D Fellows |
| 2002 | Mr A Mollart, Miss C Latter | No competition | Mr and Mrs D Fellows |
| 2001 | Mr A Mollart, Miss C Latter | Darren Park, Kelly Williams | Mr and Mrs D Fellows |
| 2000 | Mr L Penaluna, Miss V Carruthers (competition) | Mr M Habergham, Miss J Burnett | Mr and Mrs J Bruss |
| 1999 | No competition | No competition | Mr and Mrs J Bruss |
| 1998 | Mr C Park, Miss N Bloxham | Mr A Billingham, Miss Z Smith | Mr and Mrs J Bruss |
| 1997 | Mr N Bradfield, Miss T Harrison | Philip Blackburn, Helen Blackburn | Mr D Roberts, Miss G Ferns O'Conner |
| 1996 | Mr C Bedwell, Miss A Painting | Darren Park, Sharon McCann | Mr D Roberts, Miss G Ferns O'Conner |
| 1995 | Mr R Finlow, Miss E Smith | Darren Park, Andrea Kilgour | Mr D Roberts, Miss G Ferns O'Conner |
| 1994 | Mr A Billingham, Miss E Edwards | Darren Park, Andrea Kilgour | Mr and Mrs J Thorne |
| 1993 | Mr G Allen, Miss S Jephcote | Mr and Mrs R Heppenstall | Mr and Mrs J Thorne |
| 1992 | Mr R Finnigan, Miss J Lloyd | Mr R Heppenstall, Miss M Prigmore | Mr and Mrs T Dibble |
| 1991 | Mr D Park, Miss A Kilgour | Mr M Paton, Miss J Davies | Mr and Mrs T Dibble |
| 1990 | Mr R Paull, Miss L Smallman | Mr M Paton, Miss J Davies | Mr and Mrs T Dibble |
| 1989 | Mr P Blackburn, Miss S Ward | Mr B Jones, Miss E Starkey | Mr and Mrs T Dibble |
| 1988 | Mr M Herring, Miss D Crossley | Mr B Jones, Miss E Starkey | Mr and Mrs S Simner |
| 1987 | Mr P Keough, Miss K Farrelly (1st championship) | Mr B Jones, Miss E Starkey | Mr and Mrs S Simner |
| 1986 | Mr B Jones, Miss E Starkey | Mr and Mrs S Simner | |
| 1985 | Mr and Mrs W Packard | Mr and Mrs S Gregg | |
| 1984 | Mr and Mrs W Packard | Mr and Mrs T Kane | |
| 1983 | Mr and Mrs W Packard | Mr and Mrs J Lincoln | |
| 1982 | Mr and Mrs W Packard | Mr and Mrs J Lincoln | |
| 1981 | Mr and Mrs G Waite | Mr and Mrs S Stewart | |
| 1980 | Mr N Ashton and Miss D Cooper | Mr and Mrs G Waite | Mr and Mrs A Farrell |
| 1979 | Mr and Mrs B Earnshaw | Mr and Mrs A Farrell | |
| 1978 | Mr and Mrs B Earnshaw | Mr and Mrs K Baron | |
| 1977 | Mr G Waite, Miss J Pople | Mr and Mrs K Baron | |
| 1976 | Mr G Waite, Miss J Pople | Mr and Mrs R V Wilson | |
| 1975 | Mr and Mrs R Muldoon | Mr and Mrs R V Wilson | |
| 1974 | Mr J Hall, Miss D Mayo | Mr and Mrs R McInnes | |
| 1973 | Mr J Hall, Miss D Mayo | Mr and Mrs R McInnes | |
| 1972 | Mr and Mrs R Walford | Mr K Williams, Mrs E Edwards | |
| 1971 | Mr and Mrs R Walford | Mr K Williams, Mrs E Edwards | |
| 1970 | Mr and Mrs G Watkins | Mr S Wright, Miss K Keelan | |
| 1969 | Mr and Mrs G Watkins | Mr S Wright, Miss K Keelan | |
| 1968 | Mr and Mrs G Watkins | Mr S Wright, Miss K Keelan | |
| 1967 | Mr and Mrs D C Stead | Mr and Mrs F Westbrook | |
| 1966 | Mr D Young, Miss S Buckley | Mr and Mrs F Westbrook | |
| 1965 | Mr D Young, Miss S Buckley | Mr and Mrs E Holroyd (1st championship) | |
| 1964 | Mr D Young, Miss S Buckley | ||
| 1963 | Mr K Park, Miss M Whiteside | ||
| 1962 | Mr K Park, Miss M Whiteside | ||
| 1961 | Mr and Mrs J R Briggs | ||
| 1960 | Mr and Mrs J R Briggs | ||
| 1959 | Mr J Rigby, Mrs F Newbegin | ||
| 1958 | Mr J Rigby, Mrs F Newbegin | ||
| 1957 | Mr J Rigby, Mrs F Newbegin | ||
| 1956 | Mr M Fletcher, Miss M Burrows | ||
| 1955 | Mr A Halford, Miss M Robinson | ||
| 1954 | Tie: Mr A Halford, Miss M Robinson and Mr R Stanley, Miss J Keeler |
||
| 1953 | Mr R Stanley, Miss J Keeler | ||
| 1952 | Mr H Hulley, Miss D Edwards | ||
| 1951 | Mr H Hulley, Miss D Edwards (1st championship) | ||
Juvenile and Junior British Champions
| Year | Juvenile Classical Sequence | Junior Classical Sequence | Junior Modern Sequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Lewis Frobisher, Georgia Aspinall | Jordan-Marie Storey, Leah-Marie Hill | Jordan-Marie Storey, Leah-Marie Hill |
| 2010 | Georgia Wilkins, Leoni Maltby | Adam Bynert, Emily Howarth | Adam Bynert, Emily Howarth |
| 2009 | Georgia Wilkins, Leoni Maltby | James Chew, Georgia Carr | James Chew, Georgia Carr |
| 2008 | Jordan-Marie Storey, Leah-Marie Hill | Andrew Davies, Rachel Pipe | Kristopher Turner, Hannah Cartern |
| 2007 | Stephen Rodgers, Grace Warren | Chloe Vincent, Jade Ward | Emily Bynert, Sophie Thomson |
| 2006 | Laura Rapley, Laura Hollies | Josh Dobbins, Lauren Storey | Josh Dobbins, Lauren Storey |
| 2005 | Samantha McNally, Sophie Vincent | Callam Thomson, Christina Francotte | Callam Thomson, Christina Francotte |
| 2004 | Andrew Davies, Rachael Pipe | Adam Duffie, Joanne Pearson | Callam Thomson, Christina Francotte |
| 2003 | Emily Bynert, Sophie Thomson | Adam Duffie, Joanne Pearson | Adam Duffie, Joanne Pearson |
| 2002 | Hannah Leggett, Megan Tebb | Ashley Godfrey, Emily Dickerson | Ashley Godfrey, Emily Dickerson |
| 2001 | Jessica Bynert, Leigh-Anne Barrowclough | Adam Mollart, Clare Latter | Adam Mollart, Clare Latter |
| 2000 | Joanne Pearson, Rachael Gray | Adam Mollart, Clare Latter | Adam Mollart, Clare Latter |
| 1999 | Louise Lane, Melissa Ryland | Lee Penaluna, Samantha Dyde | Lee Penaluna, Samantha Dyde |
| 1998 | Samantha Markland, Georgina Day | Lee Penaluna, Susan Harris | Alan O’Brien, Lora Dolan |
| 1997 | Adam Mollart, Clare Latter | Christopher Park, Kelly Williams | Paul Latimer, Nicola Bloxham |
| 1996 | Helen Alexander, Lucy Palmer | Paul Penaluna, Ceri Parker | Lee Dudman, Rachel Turnball |
| 1995 | Paul Johnson, Louise Hurmson | Darren Clowes, Tara Harrison | Darren Clowes, Tara Harrison |
| 1994 | Alan O'Brien, Laura Dolan | Craig Bedwell, Angela Painting | Gary O'Brien, Joanne McKeown |
| 1993 | Stephanie Bailey, Gemma Bynert | Thomas Bowen, Anwen Paull | Thomas Bowen, Anwen Paull |
| 1992 | Paul McCann, Laura O'Brien | Thomas Bowen, Nicola Cope | Marc O'Conner, Linda McCann |
| 1991 | Paul McCann, Laura O'Brien | Ben Cork, Sharon Jephcote | Ben Cork, Sharon Jephcote (1st championship) |
| 1990 | Gary O'Brien, Joanne McKeown | Gary Allen, Sharon Jephcote | |
| 1989 | James Kershaw, Claire Telford (1st championship) | Richard Paull, Linda Smallman | |
| 1988 | Richard Gregory, Sara Martin | ||
| 1987 | Richard Gregory, Sara Martin | ||
| 1986 | Graham Clare, Kay Farrelly | ||
| 1985 | Sammy Cooper, Sharon Elson | ||
| 1984 | Timothy Brown, Jayne Peters | ||
| 1983 | Timothy Brown, Nicola Drake | ||
| 1982 | Mark and Michelle Burke | ||
| 1981 | Mark and Michelle Burke | ||
| 1980 | Warren Boote, Helena Tranter | ||
| 1979 | Mark Paton, Jaqueline Davis | ||
| 1978 | Barry Usher, Sharon Newman | ||
| 1977 | Neil Ashton, Lynn Brassington | ||
| 1976 | Martin Elly, Jayne Whitehead | ||
| 1975 | Stephen Baish, Shani Smith | ||
| 1974 | James Millar, Carol Pate | ||
| 1973 | James Millar, Carol Pate | ||
| 1972 | Kevin Marfleet, Joy Dance | ||
| 1971 | Raymond Walbancke, Patricia Cornley | ||
| 1970 | Paul Shaw, Joy Driver | ||
| 1969 | Alan Goode, Susan Hartland | ||
| 1968 | Bark Beese, Sylvia Melling | ||
| 1967 | Brian Marshall, Christine Harrington | ||
| 1966 | Brian Marshall, June Cross | ||
| 1965 | Geoffrey Fitt, Valerie Ralph | ||
| 1964 | Ian Hayward, Linda Hawkes | ||
| 1963 | Robert Ashton, Dorethy Froggatt | ||
| 1962 | Kenneth Walker, Marie Freestone | ||
| 1961 | Brian A Alcock, Christine A Cash | ||
| 1960 | Michael Belk, Anita Gent | ||
| 1959 | Geoffrey Donovan, Linda Walpole | ||
| 1958 | Alan Hancock, Margaret Batty | ||