Ballroom Dancing Festival

The Nelson Amateur Ballroom Dancing Association can begin their preparations for the next ballroom festival confident in the knowledge that it will be a tremendous success. Such was the case with the festival held in Nelson during Easter, when full houses of enthusiastic spectators acclaimed the 40-odd couples from all parts of New Zealand, as they competed in the various events.

Queen of the Ballroom, Mrs Dorothy Hodder, of Christchurch, is crowned by last year's Queen, Mrs Wendy Smith, Auckland, watched by Margaret Wilson (Christchurch), second, Suzane Mangos (Nelson), third, and Mrs Betty Eyre (patroness of the association).

The scene inside the Y.M.C.A. gymnasium during an afternoon session

The Nelson formation dancing team gives an exhibition during the evening.

The glitter of cups, trophies and ribbons on display added colour to the scene.

Jim Brough and Mrs E.Bishop competing in the maiden Latin-American championship.

Mr and Mrs J.Rodgers (Nelson) get with it during the maiden jive.

The pix on this page show several of the more successful couples in action. This, incidentally, was the first festival organised completely by the Nelson association, and we hear tell that contestants, especially, were lavish in their praise of the organisation and the manner in which they were looked after.

Judges produce a smile for us: Cliff Abrahams (Nelson), Ann and Jimmy James (Wellington) and Verna Burrows, of Nelson, who judged deportment in the Queen of the Ballroom contest.