Suffolk's answer to Billy Elliott
MEET Shane Button – Suffolk's answer to Billy Elliott!At just 12, the Ipswich youngster, a Copleston High School pupil, has already proved himself as a talented ballet dancer.
By Judy Rimmer
MEET Shane Button – Suffolk's answer to Billy Elliott!
At just 12, the Ipswich youngster, a Copleston High School pupil, has already proved himself as a talented ballet dancer. Now he has won a £5,000 bursary to help develop his skills over the next five years.
"The money will mean I can carry on with dancing and go to summer school in Yorkshire where I'll be able to train with other boys," said Shane, whose ambition is to become a professional dancer.
He has been awarded the grant by Hadleigh-based company Curriculum Publishing, who wanted to support a gifted local youngster and asked schools to put in applications.
Around 50 names were put forward but the expert panel decided on Shane, and Suffolk's director of education, David Peachey, presented him with his award, "He has shown he has talent and commitment, and, with all the support he is already receiving from his parents, we know he will make the most of our money," said the firm's managing partner, Roger Cleeve.
Most Read
- 1 'Tit for tat' attacks driven by gang members vying for position, police say
- 2 Road near Ipswich flooded as drivers forced to find alternative routes
- 3 Thunderstorms warning upgraded in Suffolk ahead of rain
- 4 Pub with 'gorgeous views' named one of UK's best waterside drinking spots
- 5 Ipswich man and Cadillac films with The Only Way Is Essex
- 6 Four people charged as police find machete after brawl in Ipswich street
- 7 VW Golf stolen from Ipswich road after thieves take car keys from home
- 8 Window smashed at Ipswich home in spate of attempted burglaries
- 9 Severe delays on A12 as carriageway floods during extreme rainfall
- 10 Ex-Town loanee Bonne looks set to depart QPR
Shane's form teacher at Copleston, Mike Froud, was delighted with his success. "Shane puts his heart and soul into his love of ballet," he said.
"He has worked very hard to achieve his present success, has a strong ambition and knows where he would like to go with this."
He added that Shane was a lively lad who got on well with his classmates, and a keen football fan - although he supports Manchester United rather than Ipswich Town!
Shane goes to dance classes four times a week. He at tends classes run by the Angela Rowe Dance School at Alan Road Methodist Church and also trains at Northgate Arts Centre under the Suffolk Dance scholarship scheme.
"I've seen Billy Elliott - I thought it was quite true to life and I am looking forward to seeing the school which Billy goes to in the film," said Shane.
Shane has been dancing for eight years, since he was only four, and has already danced with the National Youth Ballet in London, where he met superstar Wayne Sleep.
The youngster also appeared at the famous Sadlers Wells theatre in their production of Toad, based on Kenneth Grahame's classic Wind in the Willows, and he has danced at theatres in Croydon and Manchester and at London's Royal Albert Hall.
He has also appeared on Blue Peter - and is the proud possessor of two of the show's famous badges!
