AN EVENT to remember a popular dancing teacher has raised £2,300 for Barnsley Hospice.

Rosalyn Wicks, of Mapplewell, died on October 18, 1994 at the age of 51 after a long illness. She was renowned for dedicating her life to the world of dance and was an examiner, lecturer and adjudicator for dance, as well as teaching both children and professionals at the Rosalyn Wicks Theatre School in studios at the Civic Hall. The school then moved to Doncaster Road.

A Life Remembered event was held to celebrate Rosalyn, with all funds going to Barnsley Hospice.

Her daughter Eleanor Hill, who followed in her mum’s footsteps and opened her own dance school called The Dance Depot, said her mum was very well-known in Barnsley and was ‘loved by many’.

“I am still in contact with people who were taught by her and they all remember her,” said Eleanor. “There are so many dance schools in Barnsley now and they all derived from my mum’s school and I run my own school in Shafton.”

The event, A Night of Dance Remembered, saw entertainment including live performances, and a buffet for all the guests.

“More than 150 people attended, my dad Denis Speight sang and made everyone cry,” said Eleanor. “He is 76 years old but still as good as when he played all the leading operatic shows 30 years ago, plus it was the first time his grandchildren had heard him sing.

“My daughter Melissa did a dance to Billy Elliot and dedicated it to her grandma and the real Billy Elliot - Philip Mosley - was there. Nova as Tina Turner was amazing, but what I enjoyed most of all was seeing people from all those years ago and the atmosphere was amazing.”

The event for Barnsley Hospice was held at the Bluebell Suite in Dodworth.