Generation Dancers

It all started when…

Dougie Squires OBE MVO created and choreographed the dance groups of the golden age of variety on Television such groups as The Young Generation and then the Second Generation.
In his vast career we estimate Dougie has worked with over 5000 dancers ....not only with his Television shows but with Theatre productions, Cabarets, Cruise ships and Royal Events . 

This class started 4 years ago from all dancers wanting to celebrate Dougie’s award for his MVO AWARD for services to Her Majesty the Queen for all his work on Royal Events . 

So we came up with the idea of instead of drinks party ! that all the dancers met up for a warm up and rekindle and old routine ! The response was amazing thinking about 25 dancers would turn up 

165 dancers turned up to the class . It was amazing ageing from mid 30’s to 78 year olds ! 

It was a electric atmosphere ... everyone got the old leg warmers on and all went back in time Such a success was the class .. Since that first gathering we now meet every month at the Dance Attic and the family of dancers has grown and re met friends from 50/40/30 years ago 

We opened the class up to any Generation who loves to dance . We get around 40 dancers per month for a 2 hour class warm up then learn a routine ... 

Dancers come from all over the Uk to attend the class , and in fact dancers have travelled from Canada and Singapore to attend ! The benefits has been fabulous . 

Just the chance to dance again...Its been great catching up with everyone and the paths they took after their dancing careers is amazing .... from undertaker.Producers in Television, Dance Schools,The Church ,Artists, performers Rosemarie Ford ,Kate Rabbet Jackie Travers,to name a few  

The confidence it has regained in the dancers has been a huge benefit.. and how dance shaped their lives ... and the class gives this all back to them. 

In 2017 Dougie was producing the Dame Vera Lynne 100th Birthday celebration at the London Palladium and thought it would be great to have the Generation of dancers as a section as they used to perform on her Tv shows at the BBC . Thinking again 20 would be up for it .. so when Dougie put it out there .. the response we had was over 90  dancers wanting to perform.... and all the dancers had the most amazing time in rehearsals and performing and the crowning glory was Her Majesty the Queen attended the performance

The classes have grown and grown and highlight in everyones monthly calendar, Have raised money for RED NOSE DAY and Children in Need

Due to the corona virus and not being able to meet up, we have created a face group  page  where I gave classes every Sunday during Lockdown

A much need boast to everyones moral!  during this time one of the dancers Jackie Trevors wrote a song “It won’t be long until we are together “ and by the magic of technology  we recorded the track with the help of Nick Rye  who produced the song and video and have been able to raise funds for the Dame Vera Lynn’s children’s charity

As the classes were free Lucy Greaves got THE GENERATION family as we call them ,   Raised money for the Royal Theatrical fund during coronavirus .

Sadly Dougie passed away in May 2023, and in June we held a very emotional service for Dougie at Dance Attic before class … it was very touching and beautiful in honour of such a amazing man who everyone of the generation family had their love for him …

We will continue with the classes and know Dougie’s spirit will be us in the studio .