HAPPY days spent shuffling along with Mrs Shufflebottom are brought back into focus by old-timer Daniel Cunningham.

Mrs S and her hubby taught the basics of the waltz, foxtrot and tango to novice young dancers at the Primrose Rooms in Lacey Street, Thatto Heath, during between-the-wars years.

And Dan, from Kensington Avenue, Sherdley Park, still has fond memories of those simple Saturday afternoon pleasures.

He wonders how many of Mrs S's learners are still jigging around town.

It cost them a tanner a session (2p in new money) to be coached through their first faltering dance steps.

After being given a demonstration by the Shufflebottoms, the couple would each take a learner on to the floor while encouraging the rest of the novices to choose a partner of the opposite sex and swish round as best they could until they'd begun to master the Terpsichorean art.

"Then," says Dan, "Ravenhead St John's School was the proving ground on Saturday nights when the then vicar, Mr Goode, would attend and take part. Oh, happy days!"

YES, and without a single fist or boot flying in anger. A bit different, perhaps, from today's typical youth night out.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.