Tribute to this exponent of Ballroom and Latin Dance in the Guardian.<P> <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Two major changes swept through British ballroom dancing in the 20th century. The first was the codification of modern dances, like the waltz and foxtrot, to curb the impact of American ragtime styles. The second was the response, by the world champion Walter Laird, who has died aged 81, to the influx, before and after the second world war, of Latin dances and the jitterbug. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><A HREF="http://www.guardian.co.uk/obituaries/story/0,3604,768499,00.html" TARGET=_blank> <B> MORE </B> </A>

It's always sad to read an obituary but it shows you how good dance is for body and mind - normally the deceased has had a good innings!

Walter Laird has been very active in the ballroom branch of the IDTA almost to the end. He will be sadly missed.