Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. Start  5/4/14

IN MEMORY OF RITA BURNIP (formerly STONE)

IN AID OF THE BORN FREE FOUNDATION

To make a secure donation txt  FUCR72  £1 to 70070                              All donations will be forwarded to The Born Free Foundation via JustGiving. Thank you.

Formerly Rita Stone (Aqua Belle) for George Bains Water Follies. A Beloved Mum & The Cowes Cycle Center Lady.                                                            

Rita was an Aqua Belle in George Bains Water Follies in Bournemouth and Great Yarmouth in the late 50s and a good swimmer at Finchley swimming baths prior to her career in the aqua shows.  She was close friends with George's wife Vee .  George's daughter Jan carried on the aqua shows for many years and took the show to Germany. Rita was offered film roles with Ester Williams though chose to follow her career in the aqua shows later becoming choreographer for George Bains who she admired greatly. I am glad she did as she may not have met my dad Dennis Burnip who was a stunt diver. They were married in 1958 in West Cowes on the Isle of Wight and decided to do one more season and retire from the shows in 1959. They then settled on the Isle of Wight working together in the cycle business at Cowes Cycle Center which was successful for over 35 years.

Rita loved wildlife and hated any animal cruelty.  She adored her border collie Jenna who was adopted from a rescue home - only six weeks later the arrival of seven pups in the cupboard was a surprise but left very good happy memories for Rita and us all.  I also had one of the pups - I called him Laddie Blue and he was one in a million to me and a best friend.  He lived till the age of 14 and I still miss him today.

I feel very honoured setting up this just giving page for The Born Free Foundation in memory of a very special lady who would have helped anyone.  She was a very kind person and had a very loving heart - she was regarded a very special lady to us all and anyone who new her. Rita would be very happy for her name to be associated with the Born Free Foundation who were close to her heart.  She admired what they do for wildlife giving abused and mistreated animals another chance to live a life free in the wild and away from cruelty.  They are a voice for many animals helping them achieve freedom and peace.  Thank you to everyone at Born Free for everything you have done for animals and may you continue to be a voice for those animals in need.

Please view the video of Rita and her family in Great Yarmouth Aqua show 1959 including the great high board diver Perry Blake .To view please click on film image in photo section.

You Tube Video;  Water Follies Great Yarmouth 1953.

Another video with sound is on You Tube Great Yarmouth Water Follies 1953 showing Rita along with many Aqua Belles, to view log in Water Follies Great Yarmouth 1953. Rita is shown 4th in line diving, the last Aqua Belle in line black swimsuit, and adjusting swimsuit on swimming pool steps bringing amusement to the commentator.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity. You can also Text to donate on FUCR72  £1  to 70070   

Many thanks for your interest and support.

Daniel. 

I have many more aqua show photos mainly George Baines Water Follies of the 50s early 60s, at this time I can only up load eleven photos to this Just Giving page, if you would like to view more please email me at d.burnip@hotmail.com and I will gladly forward them to you. Please note all photos are copyright protected.

Many Thanks.

Daniel

I can only add eleven photos to my Just Giving page so I have recently posted some more George Bains Water Follies from Great Yarmouth from the late 50s including Rita Stone and the Great High Board Diver Perry Blake, and many Aqua Belles, also a very interesting press article interview with Perry Blake, to view these photo via Google at Great Yarmouth Bathing Pool, please visit Daniel Burnip page.

Many Thanks

Daniel