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.

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!