Martin
Simmonds
We
thought the Sequence members would be interested to
read a profile on our former Sequence Faculty Chairman
Martin Simmonds.
Becoming
a ‘butcher’s boy’, taking on a paper
round and chopping fire wood all helped Martin to fund
his first dance classes at the age of fourteen.
Training
with Maisie Harrison and Michael Gwynn, he studied various
styles of dance, including Theatre work or ‘Stage’
as it was then known. As his interest in ‘together
dancing’ developed he became a regular Ballroom/Classical
Sequence competitor with his amateur partner Anne Loader.
Together, they won many titles including the South of
England, Southern Counties and Hampshire/South West
Championships.
Although
passionate about dancing, Martin initially started his
career within the hotel industry. Almost immediately
his communicative talents, along with his excellent
speaking voice, led the BBC to invite him to give a
6 minute live radio broadcast about his work in the
hotel for the programme ‘Hullo Children’
entitled ‘Life’s One Long Holiday’.
This, of course, he managed with considerable ease and
adept maturity, despite the fact that he was still only
sixteen years of age!
Upon turning professional, Martin teamed up with Sheila
Punchard, who also shared a diverse background in dance.
Together they competed extensively in Modern Ballroom,
Latin American and Classical Sequence events, regularly
being placed within the ‘top 6’ of many
Championships.
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Martin
& Sheila Simmonds (nee Punchard)
Photograph: Ken Young |
This
success ensured that they were always in great demand
to give demonstrations/shows - their work being considered
rather unique at the time, as they included many lifts
and elements from their ‘Stage’ background.
As
Martin and Sheila became more involved with teaching
they worked for Miss Maisie Harrison, who had already
helped them so much with their training. Subsequently,
they opened their own school in Bournemouth, The Lyndale
School of Dancing, catering for all levels; beginners,
medallists, competitors and professionals. During those
early teaching years Martin won the ISTD’s annual
Scholarship (presently known as the Phyllis Haylor Scholarship).
This obviously gave an additional boost to his quest
to succeed and in 1960 he became an examiner for the
Society, first in Classical Sequence, followed shortly
afterwards by Ballroom/Latin American and finally in
latter years, Disco Freestyle.
Always
having a very keen interest and deep understanding in
the ‘mechanics’ of dance, Martin became
widely known for his remarkable skill in training candidates
for professional qualifications, something he still
gets tremendous enjoyment from today. Many of the country’s
top teachers, competitors and examiners have benefited
enormously from his wealth of knowledge and excellent
guidance, not to mention his continued encouragement
for them to succeed.
In
1996 Martin was awarded one of the Society’s highest
accolades, The Imperial Award. This was for his dedicated
and valued contribution to the Ballroom Faculties Board
and the Sequence Faculty. In fact, Martin had served
on the Sequence Dance Committee for over 40 years, the
last nine of which, as it’s much loved Chairman.
In
bringing this short précis of Martin’s
career to a close, I can’t help wondering if he
had any inkling of his future achievements, when he
was turning the handle of the sausage machine all those
years ago!
Jill
Bush
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