Major James Dance MP

James Dance purchased Moreton Hall and the tennis court from Colonel Ogilby in 1949 and introduced a series of matches with other clubs. He sold the court to the Moreton Morrell Tennis Court Company in 1963 when the Moreton Morrell Tennis Court Club was formed.

James Cyril George Dance was born on 5th May 1907 to the songwriter and dramatist Sir George Dance and Grace Spong. He was educated at Eton and became an insurance underwriter at Lloyd's of London. During the Second World War he served with the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays).

After standing unsuccessfully for Rugby at the general elections of 1950 and 1951, he was elected Conservative Member of Parliament for Bromsgrove in 1955, a seat he held until his death on 16th March 1971. He was Parliamentary Private Secretary to George Ward, first while Ward was Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty and then, from 1957 to 1960, while he was Secretary of State for Air. He was a member of MCC and of White's.

The photograph is the only one we have of Major Dance. He is playing at the service end on the right.