A COUPLE are preparing to hang up their shoes and retire after running a dance school in Witham for nearly 50 years.

Janet and Bernard Philips will be calling time on their careers when they host one final social event at the British Legion Hall in Newland Street later this month.

The duo have run Philips Dance School in the town for several decades but admit time has finally caught up with them and has brought their illustrious careers to an end.

Janet, 87, said they have achieved so much.

She said: “Sadly, we just can’t dance and teach how we used to so we’ve decided to take this step and give it up.

“We’ve done a hell of a lot in the 50 years we have been doing this and are proud of what we have achieved.

“I love dancing and always have. It was a big part of my childhood but sadly my legs don’t quite enjoy it so much.”

She added: “When I met my husband 62 years ago I collared him to go dancing and he quickly got the bug for it. I did my exams and got qualifications for dances like Latin and Ballroom.

“We decided to set up a school in Witham but no one thought it would last. I was told not to come here because interest would die out after a year or so. Well, we certainly proved those people wrong.

“It started out as a once a week thing held in the Labour Party Hall but at it’s busiest, we were running lessons six days a week.”

Both Janet and Bernard, who live in Chelmsford, have helped teach more than 2,000 pupils while running the dance school, with many going on to enjoy success at a competitive level.

They are inviting all former students and anyone previously connected to the school to come along to their farewell, which will be held between 7.30pm and 10pm on Wednesday, November 27.

The couple’s retirements will likely mean the school is closed down but Janet remains hopeful volunteers will step forward to keep it running for social purposes.

She added: “We’ve tried to contact anyone who has been involved with the school before to get them to come to the social.

“If people say it is a shame and want to take it over we would be more than happy for them to do that.

“The school has been running very much as a social thing.

“People can come down and dance or watch and have a chat with people.”

Speaking about his impending retirement Bernard, who is 85, said: “It’s been a happy time for us both and we have been lucky to have made so many friends and acquaintances.

“It’s even got to the stage where people are stopping is in the street because they recognise us from years ago.

“I must admit we don’t always remember them because there have been so many people we have taught but its nice to know it was appreciated.

“It will be very sad to give it up but we have a lot of very good memories.”