Former Worthing dance teacher dies in Redcar

11:15am Monday 1st December 2008

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A top dance teacher who helped shape the lives and careers of thousands of children has died at the age of 94.

Ethel Pickard ran Picardo's School of Dancing in Worthing from the 1930s to the 1960s.

Some of her pupils went on to perform in the West End and Paris, or opened their own dance schools.

Despite moving to the north east, where she was born, about 25 years ago, Miss Pickard is still fondly remembered in Sussex.

Miss Pickard died in her sleep at Shoreline Nursing Home, Redcar. Her funeral takes place at Redcar Cemetery on Friday at 11.30am.

Family friend Billy Wells, from Redcar, said: “She was a very independent lady and was still driving at the age of 90.”

Now Martin Hayes, Worthing's local studies librarian, is trying to secure an archive of photographs, press cuttings and documents collected by Miss Pickard over the decades.

Mr Wells said: “You would have to sit down for months to go through it. There is so much history there it's unbelievable.”

Picardo floats, covered in thousands of crepe flowers, were regular features at the annual Rotary carnival procession during the post-war years.

Pay your tributes to Miss Pickard below.