THE FUNERAL of Farnham’s very own king of the ballroom, Sid Simner, took place on Tuesday after his death aged 79 on Christmas Eve.

Mr Simner, who was well known in Farnham, gained notoriety in the 1970s and 1980s by winning championships in old-time dancing all over the country and appearing in film and TV, including King Ralph, Poor Little Rich Girl and Poirot.

He also appeared in the Come Dancing final at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, representing ‘Home County South’ and winning the old-time section for his team.

From 1986 to 1988, Mr Simner reigned supreme as the three-times undefeated British senior old-time champion – later receiving an award from Angela Rippon at the Le Classique D Dance for the ‘most outstanding amateur old-time dancer’.

He also had the honour of receiving an award from Farnham Sports Council for his dancing.

After all this success, Mr Simner became a professional dance teacher in Farnham, and also fulfilled his dream of becoming a judge at the Blackpool Winter Gardens.

He taught old-time classes for adults and children at the Farnham Memorial Hall from late 1980s and went on to run tea dances for local dancers.

Mr Simner continued in this way until the Memorial Hall closed for refurbishment in 2016, at which point he retired.

He was also known for teaching line dance classes throughout Farnham, including at the Memorial Hall, Central Club and other local venues.

He even went to schools and clubs in the area teaching children line dancing.

Born in St Albans, Mr Simner moved to Farnham aged 17 when his parents bought The Brick Layers pub (now the Lucky Star restaurant) in Weydon Lane.

He met Brenda at a dance class at the Central Club, and they married at St Andrew’s Church on March 16, 1963.

They had two children, Dean and Deborah, born in 1969 and 1970, and initially lived in Mead Lane, moving to The Chantrys after Deborah was born.

Mr Simner had many jobs throughout his life, including working at Plastic Coatings in Farnham, delivering school dinners from South Farnham School and also a midday supervisor at Potter’s Gate School. He was also a steward at the Memorial Hall.

He died at home after suffering complications with his heart and is survived by Brenda, their two children, nine grandchildren – he retired early to bring up two of them when they were babies – and one great grandchild.

* Anyone with stories relating to Mr Simner’s life is invited to email his granddaughter Michelle at [email protected] or the Herald at [email protected]