A tribute to Ruth Till MBE
A tribute to Ruth Till MBE, Director of Rubicon Dance 1993-2009
Ruth made a significant contribution to the development of community dance in Wales, UK and Internationally. She was an exemplary leader for community dance with a vision that enabled as many people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to participate in dance sessions.
She was supportive to everyone, so well respected and loved by people from all walks of life. She set high standards that enabled people to be the best they could be. Her passion, integrity and an understanding of the depth of how dance could change people's life was impressive to witness.
She was passionate about training highly skilled community dance leaders so that as many people as possible could participate in a dance session that was relevant to them. She established the UK's first community dance apprentice training programme in 1994 at Rubicon Dance.
In 1997 she raised a quarter of a million pounds only four years after joining Rubicon so that our centre in Adamsdown could be extended. In 2008 under Ruth's leadership Rubicon was awarded Beacon Award status from Arts Council of Wales which was for excellence and innovation in our sector.
She could not have been more proud of the Rubicon to Romania story which ran from 1997 to 2009 where she led sessions with deaf and disabled children. This was her pride and joy which she spoke of so much even very recently re reading the story of the programme. Her aim was on getting as many people dancing from across Cardiff and Newport but she also led on international programmes for Rubicon including Australia, Belgium, USA, Denmark as well as Romania to name but a few.
In 2005 she was appointed MBE for her services to the dance sector.
Ruth you have left such a legacy - thank you.
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