Memories are made of this...

OWNERS Brenda and Dennis Massey and friends at Billingtons’ last dance on Saturday

Anne Crompton (72), from Royton, has more reason than most to mourn the closure of Billingtons.

Not only did she meet her husband Neil there on a Christmas Eve night out in 1960, but her parents, who married in 1937, also met while dancing in the ballroom - which was then called Turners.

The couple were saddened by the closure of the popular dance school on Saturday — the day they celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary.

Anne, originally from Werneth, said: “There must be lots of couples in Oldham like us, who met at Billingtons. I used to go every Saturday night between 1959-62 with my best friend. We used to waltz, foxtrot, jive and quick step, but the barn dance was the most popular of the night because it was a circular dance involving everyone, so you were guaranteed at least one dance in an evening!”

Mrs Crompton said young people were taught to dance in church halls or by family members before heading to venues like Billingtons to socialise.

She said: “I started going when I was 15 and I’d been taught to dance by my parents and family.

“Mrs Billington paid my friend Josie and me half a crown (12.5p) and gave us a free Saturday evening ticket for helping out on Saturday mornings for six months.”

As Billingtons was a teetotal venue, girls used the ballroom milk bar while boys got a one hour pass for the pub next door.

Anne also remembers doorman Alf - who ensured couples “behaved themselves” on the dance floor.

She explained: “There was always low lighting and it was quite glamorous, but if you were dancing too close to your partner, Alf would come up and put an arm between you!”

Recalling the day she met her future husband Neil, Mrs Crompton said: “I was 16 and had turned up with another boy, but he left for the pub. Unknown to me, Neil had his eye on me for a few weeks and as soon as the other boy left, he came up to talk. We just hit it off - and he was a good dancer.”

Anne and Neil were upset to read the studio was closing: “The fact that it was on our wedding anniversary was quite moving,” said Anne.

“We’ve got Billingtons to thank for giving us so many happy memories.”