MANY are eager to celebrate retirement in their 60s or earlier, but one teacher of Scottish county dancing has finally, reluctantly, announced retirement, in his 90th year!
For the Isle of Wight branch of the Caledonian Society, this is a time for celebrating the career of Ken Neale, an accomplished, dedicated, and enthusiastic teacher.
Ken has been dancing for more than 70 years and has completed 42 years of teaching, mainly at the Caledonian Society’s weekly classes.
After learning ballroom dancing in his teens, Ken was introduced to Scottish dancing whilst studying in Loughborough.
He is a life member of the Manchester branch of the Royal Scottish County Dance Society, and he and his wife Ann, a well-known teacher of Irish dancing, became members of the Island branch of the Caledonian Society when they moved here in 1965.
In 1981, Ken completed his first teachers’ certificate, and did the second certificate two years later, followed by other voluntary courses.
Ken was president of the Caledonian Society for two years during the 1980s.
Members of the IW Caledonian Society in action at Arreton Community Hall. Picture courtesy of Helen Danby.
From 1999 until 2019, he ran The Island Scottish Dancers, a group of dancers who did demonstrations at a wide range of venues, often raising money for charities such as the RNLI, Cruse Bereavement Care, and the air ambulance.
Ken was always fearsomely strict about getting every dance as perfect as possible for public performances.
Next year there will be further celebrations for Ken and Ann, as they will celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary.
Ken with his wife, Ann. Picture courtesy of Helen Danby.
The couple are proof that dancing is an effective way of keeping fit and healthy, and Ken feels that bowls, a recent hobby, and gardening, also help.
But like any good dancer, Ken is also musical, playing the piano by ear.
Ken and Ann are both devoted to animals. Their family has included dogs, cats, a lamb, guinea pigs, rabbits, goats, and hens, and they currently have a 35-year-old pony.
The Caledonian Society celebrated Ken’s retirement on November 27, at Arreton Community Hall. A presentation was made to Ken by society president, Judy Valvona.
Judy Valvona, IW Caledonian Society President, presents Ken Neale with tokens of appreciation. Picture courtesy of Helen Danby.
If you are interested in joining the IW Caledonian Society, visit www.sites.google.com/site/theiowcaledoniansociety or contact Eileen Hollinshed on 01983 752402, or email ronstanpocket@gmail.com.
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