A STRATFORD dance school celebrates its Silver Jubilee this year with a special show at the Civic Hall in Stratford.

The Hadland School of Dance and Drama was founded by Stratfordian Lesley Hadland in 1978.

Miss Hadland, who had trained at the Laine Theatre Arts School in Surrey, set up her school in the Baptist Church Hall in Payton Street, teaching ballet, tap, modern and national dance classes.

The school initially had 25 children on its roll but by 1984, it was sufficiently well established for Miss Hadland to buy the old Evangelical Church Hall, known to locals as the Tin Tabernacle, is New Broad Street.

The school added drama, singing and musical theatre to its curriculum and now has more than 200 pupils on its roll.

Past pupils have gone on to dance successfully in Europe and on cruise ships in the Med and US waters.

The school will be celebrating its 25 years in business at the Civic Hall on May 1,2 and 3, with a show called The Rhythm of Life, in which pupils will demonstrate their various dancing, drama and singing skills.

Tickets may be bought from the school or by calling 01295 780708.