We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Ruth Till, MBE. Ruth was the Artistic Director of Yorkshire Dance in the early 90s and had a significant impact on the development of the charity. She oversaw the conversion of a disused textiles warehouse into the Yorkshire Dance studios we know today. Under her leadership, Yorkshire Dance gained National Dance Agency status and opened a new accessible building entrance. In 1993 Ruth left Yorkshire Dance to take on the role of Director at Rubicon Dance in Wales and has served on multiple Boards. In 2005 she was awarded an MBE in recognition of her dedication to the development of community dance.

Ahead of our 30th birthday in 2012 Ruth shared her reflections on her time at Yorkshire Dance:

“I do have many memories, converting that third studio, putting in showers and setting up the units for letting. That was a major building project and the sand blasting of all the brickwork cause an almighty mess. Putting in the lift with the new entrance came a bit later but another important moment.

I remember doing the massive application successfully and taking the organisation into NDA [National Dance Agency] status!

I remember writing and launching the first Dance Leaders in the Community Course (with Sue Harrison who was Dance Officer from Yorkshire Arts). It was funded by Sports Council and Arts Council working together! And that was an across the UK programme.

I remember the first Candoco residency and David Toole’s first appearance. He worked at the post office in Leeds and called me to ask if he could take part and that marked the launch of his dancing career. Funnily enough I just found a lovely thank you letter from him. Emilyn Claid organised that one.

I remember a programme in Wakefield prison and a lovely project with David Gann from Opera North at Wakefield Cathedral called Mythologies with loads of school groups taking part. I did the choreography with all the schools. I also used to teach a contemporary class on a Thursday evening and had a wonderful group of regulars.

Oh yes and Diane set up her Pilates studio. I think it was the first one outside London.

I also remember Phoenix moved in just about when I started, with Neville at the helm, and they did some great summer schools which the kids just loved.”

Ruth Till, October 2012

Image: Ruth Till, Artistic Director of Yorkshire Dance (left), Councillor Bernard Atha and Celeste Dandeker from CandoCo (far right) at the opening of the new fully accessible entrance, 1994 © John Houlihan/Guzelian