Vinyl fans can profit from academy closure

VINYL memories. Some of the records from the former Billingtons dance academy.

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GENERATIONS of Oldhamers have fond memories of the former Billingtons Dance Academy which closed in February after eight decades.

And now some of the music which thousands of people danced to over the years at the Ashcroft Street studio is up for grabs.

Approximately 1,000 vinyl singles from the 1960s to the late 1980s will be sold at an auction in Knutsford next week. Predominately pop and soul, they include artists such as Diana Ross, Four Tops, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Temptations, Martha and the Vandellas, The Three Degrees, The Motors, Bill Haley and His Comets, Blondie, David Bowie, and The Human League.

Most are missing original sleeves and the collection is estimated to sell for between £300 and £400.

People came from across Manchester to bid an emotional farewell to Billingtons at its last dance in February after 82 years.

Nora and Albert Billington put their names to the school in 1934 before handing over to much-loved Moorside couple Dennis and Brenda Massey who ran it for for nearly 46 years. As well as a dance school, it was also a popular social venue. The auction is at Marshall House, Church Hill, Knutsford, at 10am on May 10.