Sue Jenkinson has danced for most of her life, beginning ballet, tap and modern dance lessons before starting school and becoming an Associate of the British Association of Teachers of Dancing at 16 years of age.
After teacher training in Drama in Newcastle, she returned to Hull and began learning clog dancing in January 1974 from Sheilagh Illingworth ,a pupil of Johnson Ellwood, but was very lucky to be able to regularly visit Johnson himself to learn new steps and check on style. Sue was delighted to attend Johnson`s Gold Badge Presentation.
Through the years Sue has learned steps from Mary, Johnson`s daughter and many other traditional dancers including Sammy Bell, Doris Hawkes, Viona Marhoff, Sam Sherry and Pat Tracey.
Sue was a founder member of Green Ginger Clog Dancers, a nationally recognised team , dancing with them at events and festivals at home and abroad, including at The Royal Albert Hall and The Dominion Theatre for the E.F.D.S.S. and at The Royal Festival Hall.
Her previous dance and theatre experience proved useful when choreography for the team was needed, including ` novelty` tap and modern stage routines performed at major festivals.
Sue danced in the revival of The Four Northern Counties Competition in 1976 and was awarded 2nd place, missing first position by 1 mark! ( she`s not bitter ! )
Playing a small part in fulfilling Johnson`s dearest wish, Sue taught clog dance to her school pupils , having notable successes with 3 pupils who each won The North East Junior Championships.
In the 80s, Sue served on The District Committee of the E.F.D.S.S. and her name was placed on the Society`s register of approved dance teachers.
She has taught clog dance at clog weekends, festivals and workshops for many years and has judged at competitions in Lancashire, at The Holmfirth Festival , The Morpeth Gathering and in 2014 became a judge for The Four Northern Counties Competitions.
Green Ginger Clog Dancers re-formed in 2011 after an invitation to teach and dance at Whitby Folk Week.
Sue also dances with Duke`s Dandy a team based in Retford.