Royal Alexandra and Albert School: Founders’ Day May 9, 2010
Headmaster, madam chairman, distinguished guests, members of the school, ladies & gentlemen
Deirdre Lane-Cooper was my beloved wife; she died at home here in Gatton in July last year.
Universally known and loved as ‘D’ she was a devoted member of St. Andrew’s – and is buried in the churchyard just across the way.
She was also a good friend of the school; and we enjoyed attending Founders’ Days together since I arrived in Gatton.
D trained in classical ballet and performed professionally for several years. She was first taught by her mother – a ballet teacher – and she used to say that she learned to dance before she could walk. In fact, when she entered the Central School of Speech and Drama they had to teach her how to walk like a normal person and not like a dancer – in a sort of splayfoot, puddle-duck fashion… as she put it.
They obviously did a good job, because when I met D she didn’t so much walk as glide…
D was also a talented choreographer.
So it is in D’s memory that I am presenting for the first time this year the ‘D Lane-Cooper Prizes’ for Dance and for Choreography.
I congratulate the prizewinners and wish them every future success in following their talents – and their dreams.