Jill Tookey (1937-2016). British founder and director of the National Youth Ballet of Great Britain

Born in Kent in 1937, Jill Tookey arrived at was to be her dancing destiny by an unusual route. She had enjoyed ballet as a child, but was swallowed up by the fashion industry of the 1960s, becoming fashion editor for both Woman and Beauty and Honey magazines. By the 1980s, and as mother of four children, she had begun writing childrens’ books. Pedro the Parrot, published by Thames and Hudson, was to be the springboard for an extraordinary adventure. To set Pedro dancing, music was found and also a choreographer. From there Jill Tookey never looked back. She was alert to the huge interest in dancing and performance in the young and how, with the right build up, they could channel their excitement into something truly worthwhile.

By 1988, Tookey had founded the National Youth Ballet of Great Britain (NYB) and she remained its artistic director until she died in 2016. She was always able to see the big picture as well as the detail, with many ballets specially created for NYB and many young choreographers and dancers encouraged. As a result of her inspired and energetic leadership, literally thousands of children gained the opportunity to participate in the world of the theatre, with a number going on to dance professionally. Jill Tookey was appointed a CBE in 2016, but she died that same year, and, sadly, was unable to collect the award. She was represented at the investiture by her ten-year-old granddaughter, who had danced with the NYB for four years.