A BARROW dance troupe is marking 20 years since the passing of its founder.

The Nellie English School of Dance was started up by the much-loved ‘auntie Nell’ in 1953.

By the late 1970s Nellie had taught more than 3,000 people of all ages within different dance disciplines from ballet, tap and disco.

During the same decade, Nellie added a new venture, changing the name of her dance school to the Redtones and competing in troupe dancing competitions in the north-west. In 1995 she stopped teaching tap and focused on troupe dancing, changing the school’s name for the final time to Cumbria Cascades.

Nellie English sadly passed away on New Year’s Day 2000 at the age of 73. That is when current principal Elizabeth Simmons took over Nellie’s legacy.

The troupe, under the direction of Elizabeth, is now entering its 20th season without Nellie.

Training has just begun for next year’s competitions and they are dedicating all performances to the dancing legend.

The dance troupe is hoping to track down Nellie’s daughter’s Sandra, whose surname is unknown, and Sue Croft, so that they can attend the troupe’s open night and see how their mum’s love for dance has lived on.

Michael Booth, chairman of the Manchester and North-East Cheshire Carnival Organisation (MANECCO) where Cumbria Cascades compete said: “The Lyn Booth memorial trophy this year went to a team who are great sports, gracious in success and defeat and one of our longest serving MANECCO troupes. MANECCO wouldn’t be the same without them.”

He added: “Liz’s leadership is exemplary giving the children a great hobby and challenging their abilities.”