Keen Steyning dancers mark 50th anniversary

The couple have lived in Bramber Road, Steyning, for the past 12 years and have taken an active part in the arts and crafts, sports, healthy living and dance classes.

They grew up in East Belfast and both worked for the Headline Steam Shipping Company.

Son Jonathan said: “My mother, then Sandra Capper, living in Ogilvie Street, off Woodstock Road. My father, John Hall, lived in Timbey Park, off the Ormeau Road.

“In the early days, their courting would take them to Bangor and Donaghadee, and one favourite haunt was the ice cream parlour, Cafolla’s, in Newtonards.

Mr Hall moved to work for British European Airways (BEA) at Nutts Corner Airport and when his job took him to British Airways in 1965, the couple moved to Camberley in Surrey. The couple were married on October 1, 1965, and had two children, Jonathan and David.

Jonathan went on to marry Catherine Loynes and David married Alison Daldy.

Jonathan said: “After many enjoyable years in aviation, Dad decided working for himself was the future and set up his own company in the building industry, running for nearly 20 years.

“In his hectic schedule, he still managed to represent the local area of Surrey Heath as a councillor for nine years, including a term as the mayor of Surrey Heath, raising more than £30,000 for the Guide Dogs for the Blind.

“In the early 1990s, they moved to Brighton, where Mum ran a hugely successful and popular fashion business right up until 2010, when they decided it was time to relax, and enjoy the grandchildren, Jack, 13, Sophie, 11, and Chloe, two.

“For the last 12 years, Mum and Dad have settled in and hugely enjoyed the Steyning lifestyle, making extended friendships, while being active participants in the local classes.”