Widower takes up ballet to make friends because he’s lonely without his wife

Granddad doing ballet
OAP on pointe (Picture: Mercury Press)

When retired electrician Bernard Bibby lost his beloved wife four years ago, the OAP felt the true meaning of loneliness.

The 75-year-old, from Rochester, lost 69-year-old Celia to cancer and needed a new purpose in life.

So the dad-of-two decided to take up an unexpected hobby – ballet.

The widower began classes so he could make some friends but now he’s developed quite the knack for it.

This week, Bernard was thrilled to receive a bronze certificate in his Grade 1 exam.

Delighted at the result, Bernard said he’s never passed anything in his life until now.

He is also encouraging other older men to get into ballet to dismiss archaic assumptions it’s only for women.

‘I never expected to pass because I froze up during the exam with nerves and thought I’d flunked it,’ explained Bernard.

‘After losing Celia I decided I wanted to have as much fun in my life as possible.’

The first step for Bernard was getting rid of the television so he could save money from paying the license.

He knew that getting rid of it would force himself to get out to pass the time.

 Collect pic of Bernard and his late wife Celia dancing when they were young
Bernard and his wife Celia, who he was married to for 50 years, used to go dancing (Picture: Mercury Press)

‘I thought “I’m going to get rid of it and force myself to get out”,’ he said.

‘I never thought when I first went into this fours years ago that I’d be sitting here today with a Grade 1 certificate, it feels spectacular.’

Bernard, who was married to Celia for 50 years, has been taking ballet classes at the Bridge Academy of Performing Arts for the last four years.

Despite initially feeling intimidated in a class of 30 women, Bernard grew to appreciate the female company. He now believes his classmates helped him get over Celia’s death and learn to live without her.

 Bernard Bibby photographed in his ballet class.
He passed his latest test with flying colours (Picture: Mercury Press)

He added: ‘I think ladies are far better at dealing with things like grief and other emotions than men because of what they deal with all through their lives.

‘There’s no doubt that the women in the ballet class have helped me with the loss of Celia.

‘I never feel left out, that’s the most amazing thing, we can have a chat about anything.

‘We go down for a little bit of lunch at a local bistro after class and I’m still the only man but I don’t care, I barely even notice.’

 BERNARD WITH A FELLOW CLASS MATE AMY RAZZELL, PRACTICING AT XMAS
He’s a hit with other ballerinas (Picture: Mercury Press)

Just three marks short of a silver award in his latest exam, Bernard says he now has something to aim for in his Grade 2 which he will sit this November.

The unlikely ballerina is using his success to encourage other men to get into dancing and to disregard the stigma that the pastime is ‘feminine’.

He said: ‘Footballers wear tights, men wear tights in the gym and Reebok makes tights for men now too.

 Bernard Bibby photographed in his ballet class.
After each class, they go for a little meal (Picture: Mercury Press)

‘It takes an incredible deal of strength to lift ballet dancers and do it with poise and grace, rather than grunting through the pain.

‘You have to marvel at their ability, there are some fantastic male ballerinas out there.

‘One day I would like to get tickets to see the ballet on stage at Covent Garden, but I think it’s a bit of a push to hope I might end up on the stage there myself!’

Watch this space.

If you’ve fallen in love with an unusual hobby or lifestyle, please get in touch to tell us more by emailing metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk.

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source https://metro.co.uk/2020/01/26/widower-takes-up-ballet-to-make-friends-because-hes-lonely-without-his-wife-12125050/
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