Skegness Magazine

The Lily Crane School of Dance was situated on South Parade in 1946, later moving to High Street in Skegness. The school was famous for it’s “Skegness Chicks” and produced a number of famous dancers, one of which is Janice Sutton who herself is now the proprietor of the successful theatre school in Skegness.

The following are articles about the Crane Dance School which appeared in local newspapers. We have more articles to add to this page so don’t forget to check back.

“I am proud that I was once a Skegness Chick, and I am confident I owe my present position to the early training received from you.”
This is an extract from a letter received by Mrs. Crane (Principal of the Skegness School of Dancing) from June Kennedy (June Ingoldby, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Ingoldby and grand-daughter of Mrs. E. Ingoldby, Grosvenor Road, Skegness).
June is now appearing at the Windmill Theatre, London the theatre which boasts that it never closed, even in the worst blitz period. She has two good entrances, principal in the ballet and a song and dance double.

Four other Skegness Chicks—Sylvia Giles, Valerie Fyson, Joan Cox and Janet Crane – had a wonderful reception for their song, tap, and musical comedy numbers when they appeared in company with Carroll Levis’s Discoveries at Arcadia recently. (1946)

The programme, arranged by Ann Wagstaff, principal of the Crane Dance School of Skegness, was an ambitious one and gave the crowd of patrons a galaxy of novelty and competitive dancing, which everyone entered into with gusto, and the event went with a swing throughout.

Music was furnished by Jan Ramsden and his Orchestra, whose popularity was amply maintained.
A short and pretty ballet, presented by Ann Wagstaff, and danced by pupils of the School’s ballet class, was received with great applause.
A delightful demonstration of modern ballroom dancing was given by a well-known professional couple, Len Colyer and Doris Brace. As an encore the couple danced their version of “Ballin’ the Jack,” of which they are the originators. After this the public were invited to “Have a Go” and this elicited a spirited response.
A fine home-made cake, presented to the School by Mrs. Shelton, and a pair of shoes for the “Cinderella” of the evening, formed the subject of popular competitions.
Thanks to all concerned were voiced by Miss Wagstaff, these embracing the “behind the scenes” workers, which included Messrs. Sewell, Robinson, Cooper, Wise and Atkinson The picture of the ballet dancers was taken by Hudson’s Snapshot Service, Skegness.

The picture shows (left to right): Janice Sutton, Mary Robinson, Corrine Stevenson, Ruby Humphrey, Greta Wright, Ann Mitchell and Susan Fitch.
PUPILS of the Lincolnshire School of Dancing provided one of two high-lights at the third annual ball of the school, held at the Embassy Ballroom, Skegness, the profit on which was handed to the local Old Age Pensioners’ Assembly Hall fund.

This advertisement for the Cranes School of Dance appeared in a 1949 local newspaper.

(1949)

With the kind help of Robert Curtis, a former pupil of Crane’s Dance School, we have located the actual building on High Street in which the school was held (see picture below). Robert tells us that the metal hoists at the top of the building were used to lift up goods when it was a warehouse.

More about Janice Sutton and the Crane Dance School

Photo of Lilian May Crane’s Grave in St Clement’s Churchyard, Skegness.

Do YOU remember the Lily Crane School of Dance in Skegness? Tell us in the comments box below.