We are saddened to hear and report about the death of two gentlemen both well known in dancing circles. We thought we could do no better than to relay the messages from those close to them.
Paul Beeton
It is with the greatest sadness that we record the passing of Paul Beeton, President Elect of The United Kingdom Alliance on the morning of Saturday 20th June. Paul passed away at The Craig-y-Don Hotel in Blackpool, which was referred to by Paul as his second home. He spent a very jovial last evening in the company of Kathy Gilmartin and her brother Owen and his family, and all the indicators are that he had a very peaceful end. I spoke with him on Friday evening and he was in very good spirit looking forward to the weekend of the Premier Medallist.
Paul had been fiercely loyal to the UKA for more than 40 years, and represented us on the British Dance Council and Theatre Dance Council. He represented us every where he went and we are very proud that his name and the UKA were irrevocably linked. His knowledge of every style of dance has proved invaluable to us. Although he has achieved world wide acclaim in Latin-American he was a British Champion in Showdance & Tap. Everyone who came into contact with Paul soon realised his genius, and his legacy of training and knowledge will live on for ever in the pupils that he made into champions and the countless non competitors that he led into the world of dance teaching. Paul was at his best as Chairman of Adjudicators and in my wide experience I have never come across anyone who was more in touch with every part of an event than he was.
The UKA are proud that we are a closely knit family, and we are all completely numbed by this sudden loss of one of our mainstays. The gap can never be filled. At the Premier Medallist event over 1800 UKA medallists and their teachers showed their love and thanks for the huge contribution that Paul has made. Almost every teacher present had a personal connection with Paul, and because of his involvement in the medallist event for decades hundreds of the pupils also knew him. The UKA does not do silence very well so we decided to make a beautiful noise. The three cheers for Paul’s life and the clapping and cheering that followed raised the roof of The Empress Ballroom. A fitting tribute to a great man in the greatest ballroom on earth.
David Roberts
C.E.0. United Kingdom Alliance of Professional Teachers of Dancing
The funeral of Paul Beeton will be held Tuesday 7th July 1PM at Leeds Parish Chirch Kirkgate. There will be a banquet afterwards at Elland Road Football Club. Funeral will be a family flowers only. Donations to British Heart Foundation or Cancer Research.
Scott Montague
This message is for all the people which had the opportunity and privilege to meet and share experiences with Scott Montague. This morning at 10:30 (London time), Scott passed away peacefully and gracefully with Michelle, his parents Derek and Brenda, his sister Lisa and husband Graham, his Grandmother Nell, his aunty Carol, Loraine and Myself all by his side.
We are all numb and lost for words, but all we can say is that Scott is now resting peacefully and without pain. He put up an amazing fight, we are so proud of him and we will all miss him terribly. Thank you all so much for the cards, letters, messages and telephone calls.
Luca Baricchi
Scott Montague was Blackpool Under 21 Champion with Kimberly Mitchell. He had, after his marriage to Michelle Barry, moved to the USA to become Managing Director of the Arthur Murray studio in South Tampa where he worked together with his wife and Luca and Lorraine Baricchi. He has been battling cancer for some time.
