Alice SofieldNorth West, Blackpool Tower Ballroom
A retired couple who were once regulars at Blackpool’s Tower Ballroom have taken to the dancefloor one last time thanks to their granddaughter’s plea on TikTok.
Olivia Watts said she was “in tears” as she watched her grandparents Ron and Marilyn Hill take each other for a spin – before Mr Hill tinkered on the famous Wurlitzer organ.
She had asked for help on social media to help them have one last dance at the venue before Mr Hill, 82, who has Alzheimer’s disease, goes into a care home. Her plea was heard by BBC Radio Lancashire, which contacted Blackpool Tourism.
Ms Hill, 80, said taking to the floor again with her husband had been “just wonderful, there are no words for it”.
Managing director of Blackpool Tourism, Kate Shane, not only invited the pair to dance in the ballroom – but also promised the resident organist would accompany them.
After watching the couple dance, the couple’s granddaughter said: “My heart feels so full right now, it’s really incredible.”
Mr and Ms Hill would often enjoy a dance together at the famous ballroom during breaks from heading up the entertainment at the Empire Hotel in the resort – something they did for 20 years, until 1986.
Ms Hill said she “absolutely loved” being back in the ballroom.
“It’s exactly the same and it’s absolutely fabulous,” she said.
“It’s a beautiful, beautiful ballroom. And this sprung floor is just fabulous.”
“This is our place,” said Mr Hill, who was born in Blackpool but currently lives in Wantage, Oxfordshire, with his wife.
He said he felt “gobsmacked” to be back.
“My wife was a bit nervous to dance, but I pushed her around a bit,” he joked.
Mr Hill has a piano at home but does not really play it now because of his dementia, but after being given the chance to play the famous Wurlitzer organ after their dance he could not resist.
“That really was something,” he said after playing. “I’m really honoured to sit at it, let alone play it.”
Olivia WattsIt was also an “emotional” moment for Ms Shane, who said: “It was special, really special.
“They are a beautiful couple with a beautiful family.”
Ms Shane said Mr Hill “could obviously dance, he plays piano, but he’d forgotten”.
“As soon as the organ started to play, he started to dance.
“He took Marilyn to the floor and then he went and played [the organ].
“It was still there, and that moment in here it came back,” she said.
“We should think about that for our friends and relatives, we just need to be making moments and celebrating people while we still have them.”
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