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A retired couple, Ron and Marilyn Hill, who once frequently visited Blackpool’s iconic Tower Ballroom, had the chance to dance there one final time following a heartfelt request from their granddaughter on social media. Olivia Watts reached out on TikTok to arrange this special moment before Ron, 82, who is living with Alzheimer’s disease, moves into a care home. Watching her grandparents dance together again brought Olivia to tears, especially as Ron was also given the opportunity to play the famous Wurlitzer organ.
The couple’s plea caught the attention of BBC Radio Lancashire, which connected with Blackpool Tourism. Kate Shane, managing director of Blackpool Tourism, responded by inviting Ron and Marilyn back to the ballroom and ensuring that the resident organist would accompany their dance. Olivia described the experience as “really incredible” and said, “My heart feels so full right now.” Marilyn, 80, expressed how wonderful it was to be back on the dancefloor with her husband, saying, “There are no words for it.”
Ron and Marilyn previously spent many years frequenting the Tower Ballroom while managing entertainment at the Empire Hotel in Blackpool, a role they fulfilled for two decades until 1986. Marilyn shared her delight at returning, commenting, “It’s exactly the same and it’s absolutely fabulous,” and praised the ballroom’s sprung floor as “just fabulous.” The couple, originally from Blackpool but now residing in Oxfordshire, reflected fondly on the venue. Ron, visibly moved, said he was “gobsmacked” to be back and jokingly mentioned encouraging Marilyn to dance despite her nerves.
After their dance, Ron was invited to try playing the Wurlitzer organ, an opportunity he eagerly embraced. Though he rarely plays the piano at home anymore due to his dementia, he said, “That really was something. I’m really honoured to sit at it, let alone play it.” The moment was particularly moving for Kate Shane, who noted how the music seemed to awaken memories in Ron. “As soon as the organ started to play, he started to dance,” she recounted. Shane emphasized the importance of cherishing moments with loved ones, saying, “We should think about that for our friends and relatives, we just need to be making moments and celebrating people while we still have them.”
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