A woman who has dedicated her life to the world of Ballroom Dancing has been presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Paula Goodyear, under the banner of The Bath Dancentre, has taught classes at Paulton Rovers Social Club and The Scala in Bath for many years to both beginners and professionals.

But teaching local people how to dance is just one of her many achievements. Paula was presented with The BDF Sonny Binick Lifetime Achievement Award for 2019 at The Night of 100 Stars, a recent ceremony, with the award being presented to a person who has made a significant and unique contribution to Ballroom Dancing.

At the age of thirteen, Paula visited a new dance school that had opened in her area, and was completely hooked. She made her way through the medal system, and became a student teacher, joining the school full-time when she left education at seventeen. Paula later went on to marry the man who ran the school.

Alongside her late husband, she was a prolific competitor, which saw her reach the Grand Finals of both the Ballroom and Latin British Professional Championships in Blackpool. She is a 10 Dance Champion and member of the famous British Team match.

Paula has adjudicated all the major championships, including The British Open, International, and United Kingdom. She still serves on the Ballroom faculty of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing and is a highly respected senior examiner with them.

Paula is pictured receiving her award from Richard Gleave, eight times World Professional Ballroom Champion.