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Reception for
Dame Beryl Grey DBE
On Thursday
11th July a reception was held at ISTD Headquarters to celebrate the service
that Dame Beryl Grey DBE has given to the Society as both Chairman and
Honorary President.
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| (L-R)
Patricia Prime (ISTD Vice Chairman), Bill Irvine (ISTD President), Dame
Beryl Grey (ISTD Life President), Robert Grover (ISTD Chairman) |
Guests were
able to pass on their best wishes to Dame Beryl and, of course, it was
the perfect opportunity to meet with colleagues and friends.
ISTD Vice
Chairman, Patricia Prime, welcomed Dame Beryl, who then spent a few moments
sharing her thoughts and feelings with all those present.
Extracts
from Dame Beryl Grey's speech:
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| Dame
Beryl Grey |
"My association
with the ISTD goes back much further than my Presidential years, spanning
some four decades. The series '100 Years of Dance' in the magazine is already
making fascinating reading and is a valuable precursor for our 2004 centenary
year. Good luck to those concerned with preparations.
I was involved,
and became more and more so, with for example, London College of Dance
and Drama (as then named), and particularly recall the 25th Anniversary
Dinner at the Café Royal in 1968 (the year the college was absorbed
into the ISTD). Cyril Beaumont, a stalwart of the ISTD, spoke so amusingly
about essential works in transforming a boys school to the new Marylebone
premises for the college.
The dance
scenario is a vast servicing arena from whomsoever, whether that be Natural
Movement for the young ones or Ballroom dancing in an over fifty group;
from the would-be pros, to those who dance for sheer pleasure, happiness
and companionship it brings.
Were I an
acclaimed visionary, I would forecast even greater ISTD success - in particular
in the continuing training and qualifying of teachers of dance for, without
on-going qualitative teaching, there is stagnation and that cannot be condoned.
Exciting times surely await you.
You must
know that I wish you all well, from your President, Bill Irvine, to the
newest member. No one who has or has had links with the ISTD can underestimate
the value of this Society to teachers, students and pupils alike. That
you have my warm good wishes goes without saying.
Thank you."
In her speech
Dame Beryl also took the time to acknowledge and thank numerous people,
including former General Secretary, Peter Pearson, Joyce Percy, Murielle
Ashcroft, Robert Harrold, Daphne Peterson, Mary-Jane Duckworth, Peggy Spencer,
Irene Grandison Clark, Olive Ripman, Victor Leopold, Eileen Read, Helen
Wingrave, plus those not specifically from the world of dance but who have
brought academic and professional skills to governance of London College
and to Council.
The current
President of the Society, Bill Irvine MBE, thanked Dame Beryl for all she
had done for the Society.
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| Bill
Irvine |
The special
position of Life President was offered to Dame Beryl Grey by the ISTD Council
and we are delighted to announce that she accepted the position with immediate
effect.
To find out
more about the new Life President of the ISTD click
here.
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