We are excited to introduce our NEW senior fabric sponsored couple, Alan Valentine and Wendy Greenwood, to Chrisanne Clover. They began their dancing journey together in 2020, choosing to compete while they practiced with potatoes, batter, and curry sauce in the back of Wendy’s fish and chip shop during Covid :) During their visit to our showroom to explore fabrics for their upcoming costumes, we had a delightful chat with this lively couple and learned about how their successful partnership blossomed…
When did you start dancing?
W: I’ve always danced from a young age - not Ballroom and Latin but contemporary and Jazz. I got into Ballroom and Latin later in life, so I have been dancing Ballroom and Latin for 25 years. Me and Alan started dancing in together in September 2021
A: So, I have been dancing since I was 3.5 years old, I’m 44 now! I got involved because my grandma used to do pro-am and even though it wasn’t big over here then, it was an American franchise that came over to Manchester and London, so she used to dance there, and it got me into dancing. She used to have this little room in her house, and they used to do these showcases that got them travelling to places like Las Vegas.
She was practicing in the dance room in her house and one day she went out to make a drink – came back in and I was copying everything that she had done in the room! So, Gran was like - we have got to get him into a dance class!
Was it Ballroom and Latin dancing you started with?
A: yes, it was Ballroom and Latin
Have you done any other type of dancing?
A: through the dance school I did old time, sequence and disco (freestyle). My mum was a single mum, and she was like you are doing 5 things here can we cut them down a little bit. And at one point Ballroom was better for me than Latin, then people seemed more impressed with my Latin and then that overtook the Ballroom, it was a progression really.
And for you Wendy was it because your daughter was dancing formation?
W: Yeh I guess, we were literally in the formation world, and we were there like 6 times a week, and they ended up doing an adult class. So, I went along, and it was a matter of ‘ooh you’re alright you’ lol. When Sophie was dancing all the time it can get addictive even just watching and being a part of it and just going – I love the freedom of the dancing. I love the fact that you go and whatever is going on with life – you go dancing and all your worries/troubles/life just disappears. So, it’s that separation and sense of freedom that your body can just flow.
What started our partnership?
A: I stopped competition dancing when I was 25 and decided to turn professional. I danced for about 10 years just teaching and stuff like that. At 39 I think I had a mid-life crisis, and I had not taught for a long time. I got back with a partner who I had danced with 15 years before, things didn’t work out because of other commitments and children. It was then through COVID that I helped Wendy out at her fish and chip shop. I said to Wendy call me if you ever need help and so she did lol. It was then that we were in the back room with the potatoes, the batter and the curry sauce mix and we were like literally ‘let’s just give it a go’!
I didn’t really think it would evolve as it has, but we were in a bubble at the time, which was great, which meant that we could practice! We had a scout hall that we hired as the scouts weren’t scouting at the time.
But I said to Wendy about us maybe having a bit of an aim – a 5-year plan, become British champions in a couple of years, like National – UK champion, but then our second comp was the UK, and we won it! And I thought wow ok; something is probably going to come from this now! So, the 5-year plan happened in the first 12 months! My partner was like right well you have set out to do what you wanted to do and it’s all happened early so why don’t you stop? And I said no way I can’t stop now! And hence now we are coming up to our 4th year together this September!
W: And I love it!
Any change on the 5-year plan?
A: Last year I said about retiring in November, maybe this is the one as we had a car accident on our way to Blackpool – we got hit by a minibus and I thought that was a sign lol. But to be honest I am not ready yet, I don’t think I will be ready to retire for a long, long time. I think there are still things brewing in the pipeline.
W: Even now there is always another layer added on to what we are doing, that makes us feel and dance better and just makes us want to do more.
A: While things are evolving and things are continually changing, we just want to do more and more with it – which means the 5-year plan doesn’t become 5 years any more lol
W: We are getting booked for demos and stuff like that
A: Yes, we are getting asked to do so many shows. Last year we were asked to do a show a year and a half in advance and I was like wow you are organized! And then everyone else wanted us to book us for that same date! It’s amazing!
What are your highest achievements in dance?
A: 4 times UK closed champions, 3x British national champions, finalists in all the national championships like the internationals, UK open, British open, German open, Dutch open. The first open world champions in Blackpool when Paul Killick started The Open Worlds. So, we have had quite a lot of success.
Even though we weren’t the champions I think the British open was our proudest moment
W: I got on the floor and had goosebumps!
A: That was in 2023. We made the final in 2021 but we didn’t in 2022. Actually, I think the second time we won the British Nationals, we got 51 points out of 55 first places and we had won every dance, and I don’t think that has happened in 20 years.
What is your favourite competition?
A: There are so many favourites
W: I think there are different ones for different reasons. I think Blackpool, no matter what competition you do, you walk onto that iconic Ballroom floor, and it feels like home.
A: For me the British Open and British Nationals are my ultimate ones. We like dancing at nice venues.
What is your favourite dance?
W: Oooh that’s a hard one - I know what you’re going to say Alan!
A: You might not lol
W: I like the punchy ones, I would’ve said cha cha and rumba, but I am really enjoying the samba now. At this moment in time, I am loving the samba, but I would say overall probably the rumba
A: So, my all-time favourite without a shadow of a doubt is the Samba!
W: I knew you were going to say that lol!
A: My least favourite is the jive, but it is the one that we seem to get the best marks in!
Do you have a favourite Chrisanne Clover colour?
W: Oh I have to say I really like the fluorescent red
A: For me it would have to be peacock blue. I also really love tropic lime
Do yo have a favourite Chrisanne Clover fabric or trimming?
W: I love the stretch crepe. It just flows on your body and moves beautifully. I also love the lace motifs. I know motifs come in and out of fashion, but I feel they are coming back in more now
What are your hobbies outside of dancing?
A: I like travelling and going to the theatre a lot which I am getting Wendy into
W: Yes, I like going to the theatre
A: We’ve recently come to London to see Tina Turner the musical, Sister Act the musical, Hello Dolly was amazing. We have seen so many shows and when we come to London for dancing and we have a night free, we love to do something like that for a change of scenery. But with watching these shows you pick up things on their performance that’s dance related, or a track that is played that I think might be good for a demo. We found a Rumba version of Hello Dolly to use for a show! So, I guess dancing is still on our minds even when we have a break lol
Do you have any advice to dancers reading this?
W: Enjoy your journey and every moment that you have because tomorrow is not a promise. We have lost a lot of people close to us – friends and family. Dancing can be a relative short journey so enjoy every moment of it.
A: My advice would be to make it count. Not everybody can be a champion there is only one champion at a time. It is setting a goal for yourself that is not too high and being realistic in what you want. Find people who work well with you, find a good team and don’t cast the net too wide.
