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In 1947, Joan Weston created the Broomfield YMCA Ballet Company in order to give the more senior students at her existing dance school the opportunity to learn and perform to the public. It was after their 1949 performance of ‘Coppelia’ at the Shire Hall that the then-mayor of Chelmsford suggested the name ‘The Chelmsford Ballet Company’, and with a small committee the Company was born. Following Joan Weston, there have been many notable patrons of the Company, including Dame Beryl Grey in 1954 and Dona Naruna Sutherland, later Lady Sutherland, in 1955. Dona Naruna instigated a move by the Company to approach the local Council to sponsor an Arts Festival, and from 1959 onwards the Festival became an annual event following its inaugural week of performances in the Regent Theatre.
The current Patron is The Marchioness of Londonderry, formerly Doreen Wells of the Royal Ballet. Today the Company is led by Artistic Director Annette Potter, who was herself a former dancing member. Annette danced many leading roles with the company before moving on to teaching and choreography. She continues to exhibit the high standards of dance and performance that the Company is recognised for.
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