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Ballet teacher making Sugar Plum Fairy dreams true

Aimee Dexterin Parson Drove
Aimee Dexter/BBC Barbara Wraith is standing in a hall. She has short blonde hair and is wearing pink lipstick and a black V-neck T-shirt.Aimee Dexter/BBC
Barbara Wraith teaches ballet classes across Cambridgeshire

A woman who has returned to teaching ballet in her 70s says it is "incredibly uplifting" to see people re-learn or try the dance form for their first time.

Barbara Wraith, 74, teaches ballet across Cambridgeshire, including a session in Parson Drove near Wisbech.

The sessions are part of the Silver Swans programme by the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), aimed at people over 50, which Wraith said had "opened the door" for many people.

"It's incredibly uplifting because of course people learn at different paces," she said.

"And let's face it, everybody would still like to be dancing the Sugar Plum Fairy at 70 odd plus wouldn't they."

Aimee Deter/BBC Women are forming two rows and are standing in a village hall which has light brown wooden floors. They are all doing ballet and looking towards the instructor.Aimee Deter/BBC
The classes are part of a programme by the Royal Academy of Dance

All people who teach the classes have to be trained and have a Silver Swans licence from the RAD.

Wraith said she stopped teaching ballet in her 40s but returned during the Covid-19 lockdowns, this time teaching adults.

"It's a complete escape for everybody, including me," she added.

"People join the classes for different reasons, their motivations might be to improve their balance, coordination, their memory, or their flexibility."

Aimee Dexter/BBC Audrey Cater is standing in a hall. She has shoulder length blonde hair and is wearing a black T-shirt and a silver necklace.Aimee Dexter/BBC
Audrey Cater started ballet for the first time during lockdown

Audrey Cater, 67, from Guyhirn, started ballet in her early 60s after a class was brought to her attention during lockdown.

"It's challenging as I think when you reach a certain age you know you need this sort of challenge," she said.

"We all get the wrong arms and legs and we all giggle and it's just good fun."

Aimee Dexter/BBC Carys Dale is standing in front of a wall. She has her hair in a ponytail and is wearing a purple and black T-shirt and a silver necklace.Aimee Dexter/BBC
Carys Dale returned to ballet three years ago

Carys Dale, 49, from Whittlesey near Peterborough, has attended the sessions for three years.

"I always enjoyed ballet when I was younger, and stopped when I went to university," she said.

"I think this is different to other exercise classes as we are a very welcoming group as it doesn't matter what level you are at."

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