1995-1999
Prime Minister - John Major
US President - Bill Clinton
Woking Dance Space started as Harmony Dance Studio founded by Janet Bland. The first trustees were Betsy Field, Pauline Barnes, Delva Robinson and Heather Smith..
To raise money for the vital first month’s rent and deposit, all the dancers were asked to buy ‘bricks’. £600 was raised and the new studio set up at the Mayford Centre and changed its name.
Woking Dance Space in its current format was born!
1st Class Stamp - 25p
Liter of Petrol - 51p
In 1999 WDS put on its first ever full length show: Generation Gap. Fundraising from this and other special events enabled the purchase of a proper Harlequin dance floor and music equipment for the studio.
amazon.com launched
The Studio offered nine adult classes per week, five of which were tap, and one was ballet (the ballet class had five dancers). We also offeredTai Chi and Womens Kick Boxing !
2000-2004
Prime Minister
Tony Blair
During the ‘naughties’ the studio continued to grow and develop, and Tina Morcom joined the trustees. We started a very popular Street Jazz class in the evenings and the dancers were also involved in a number of fund-raising activities.
In 2001 a number of the dancers and trustees completely redecorated the unit, brilliantly project managed by Catherine Ferris who subsequently was asked to join the trustees.
First iPod release 2001
Gill Barnes did stirling service as our wardrobe mistress – as by now the studio was starting to build a significant store of dancing costumes.
Our shows went from strength to strength, particularly with our new show director Gretchen Kiefer at the helm. We also performed at Pyrford Flower Show and the Woking Mayor’s Gala.
Big Brother, The Office,
The West Wing and X Factor
2005-2009
Petrol goes up to 85p a litre
The studio introduced lots of new classes including Daytime ones aimed at those not working, with reduced fees and family friendly scheduling.
The professionalism and standard of our productions continues to increase, and the range of ages and abilities attracted to the studio is huge.
Facebook is lanunched
After some more fundraising the studio was completely refurbished again putting in new stairs and a mezzanine costume wardrobe, and new kitchen and changing facilities. The studio itself has new mirrors, and the worn out dance floor is replaced at a cost of £1,600. The studio launched the first WDS Web Site.
We introduced a new concept, our Joining Forces shows. These enabled us to extend our community remit to other smaller dance groups, giving them the opportunity to dance on stage and take part in a full size production.
Dr Who restarts with
Christoper Eccleston
2010-2015
Prime Minister - David Cameron
US President - Barack Obama
The studio has grown to over 200 dancers, some of whom come three nights a week, some of whom come once or twice a term. The studio now holds seventeen classes per week, five of which are ballet (due to popular demand), and we have also added Zumba.
Full shows are held every second year, with the successful Joining Forces show being held in the intervening years, and are extended to run for four nights to accommodate audience demand.
London hosts Olympics
WDS helped raise funds for various charities, performed at Party in The Park in Woking, and performed in a number of other productions by Woking drama and operatic groups.
Zelda Whittern, Jackie Smith and most recently Gen Howgate have joined the trustees.
Claire Tabraham, who started as a dancer, then became a teacher and a trustee has also started our first franchise, Eastbourne Dance Space, and we wish her every success.
1st Class Stamp 62p