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Dance teacher Muriel Nifton plays the last waltz
MURIEL Nifton is an institution.
For more than 10 years she has kept alive the tradition of tea dances at Sewerby Hall , but on Monday she played her last waltz.
Her skills on the organ keyboard at the weekly Monday get-togethers for fans who came from Beverley, Hull and York to dance in the Orangery is what she is famous for together with her solo piano and organ recitals.
Muriel, now in her 90s, has made the weekly trip by train from her home near Hull to Bridlington where hall staff picked her up and took her back after her performance, rain or shine and her fans said thanks at her last performance with bouquets of flowers. Martin Foley, the hall keeper, and staff gave her a framed photograph of Sewerby Hall, chocolates and a card to wish her well.
"Muriel will be very much missed, but sadly falling numbers meant the tea dances were no longer viable," said Mr Foley who explained they began as an autumn only event but had to be increased to weekly throughout the year by public demand.
He believed part of the reason was the rising cost of petrol, making it expensive for the mainly elderly patrons to attend. Also, some have found tea dance alternatives nearer their own homes.
"We had to close the Orangery for three months last winter because of a leaking roof which needed repair. People sought other alternatives and discovered they could find alternatives on their own doorstep," said Mr Foley.
Muriel's final tea dance follows a career in music which began more than 60 years ago.
Aged 14 she taught others to play the organ and the piano, and turned professional when she was 17. Performances followed at dozens of venues and at one time she had her own dance band, The Metronomes, which played at the Devon Coast Country Club in Paignton.
In her time she has performed on stage with several stars, among them Joe Longthorne and David Whitfield. For 16 years she travelled round schools playing the piano for Hull education department. She also directed musicals for Hull City Hall and New Theatre, and played the piano or organ in the shows.
Muriel moved on to play at Filey holiday camps, including Butlins and Primrose Valley before entertaining passengers on North Sea Ferries.
More recently she played the organ at the Bridlington branch of the Royal British Legion.
In 2006 she received an East Riding of Yorkshire Council Chairman's Award in recognition of her services. It may not be the last time she will perform at Sewerby Hall as she is hoping to be able to continue with her solo piano and organ recitals.
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Weather for Bridlington
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South east
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Sunny
Temperature: -4 C to 2 C
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