Dick Hewitt made the first of his three appearances at the EFDSS festival at the Royal Albert Hall in 1959.
Dick Hewitt (1921-1994) was a very accomplished step dancer, from Norfolk. He was able to dance in virtually any time signature and the complexity of the rhythms which he created with such apparent ease made him mesmeric to watch.
We do not know how he came to the attention of the EFDSS, however he appeared as the only clog or step dancer on the bill in 1959, accompanied by EFDSS staff member Peter Kennedy on the melodeon (son of EFDSS Director Douglas Kenedy). The accompanying programme notes are singularly odd and do not mention Dick at all. pewrhaps the organisers did nnot really know what they were getting!
His appearance in 1963 was rather less conventional. He appeared as part of a “suite” of dances from the Midlands, arranged by Kenneth Clark, then the EFDSS Area Representative. The dances were accompanied by the Bidford Square Dance Band, who presumably played for Dick. Quite how Norfolk fitted into the Midlands is unclear!
Dick made his final appearance at the festival in 1981 when he again was the only clog or step dancer to appear. On this occasion his musician was Peter Clifton who had been involved in interviewing Dick on several occasions and had, with Ann-Marie Hulme, published an analysis of his stepping.
No press reports referring to Dick’s performances have been traced.
