For eight decades, she taught hundreds of pupils to dance – now, a special memorial rose has been created in homage to one of Norwich’s most beloved teachers. 

Beryl Manthorp was a prominent ballet teacher in the city before she died aged 99. 

To commemorate her remarkable life, a Floribunda rose has been created and launched by Peter Beales Roses of Attleborough. 

Eastern Daily Press: Beryl Manthorp in 2016

Miss Manthorp’s love of dancing began at the age of four when her parents were encouraged to enroll her in ballet classes to correct a slight curvature of the spine.  

Aged 18, she began teaching dance full time at the Guildhall Gym before she founded The Guildhall School of Dancing in 1939. 

Interrupted by the Second World War when she was called up for National Service, she resumed her dance tuition in 1946 and officially reopened the school at the Arlington Rooms in 1948.  

Eastern Daily Press: Peter Beales Roses has unveiled the Beryl Felicia Manthorp rose

She also authored the book, Towards Ballet, which remains one of the definitive books on the subject used worldwide today. 

She continued to teach until 2018 and died in January 2021. 

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Close friend, Diana Worth, organised the creation of the Beryl Felicia Manthorp rose in her memory, and thanked everyone who made donations. 

She said: “Beryl enriched many people’s lives with her teaching skills, making her classes fun, with detailed technique and flawless choreography.” 

Eastern Daily Press: Beryl Manthorp teaching in her 70s

The rose has elegant, semi-double apricot blooms that emerge from a multitude of tight buds. The blooms will fade with age to a peachy-pink blend of petals which are held together by a rich golden coronet. 

Twenty plants of the rose will also be given to Norwich City Council to be grown in Heigham Park. 

The memorial rose can be pre-ordered directly from Peter Beales Roses via the website www.classicroses.co.uk.