It took twenty six (yes 26) hours of cometitions for it to happen and then it did, – we got our first winner of 
the weekend – Josh and Grace won the under 35 years silver/gold waltz. Huge congratulations.
It was an extremely long and very tough weekend. The Empress Ballroom was reopened just for our event. The ceiling and scaffolding towers are a feat of engineering, some may even call it art, the dance floor was relaid, chairs squeezed into every available space, Disney themed decorations and special lighting effects created to mask the towers and after much speculation, concern and hard work at 8.30am Saturday morning the competitions began. The next twelve hours were taken over by the children’s events. The team this year consisted of Kaitlyn, Luke, Ellie, Shanae, Chloe, Grace S, Isobel, Paige, Molly, Jack, Olivia and Leila. Everyone looked lovely – beautiful hair, makeup, shoes and clothes. There were a few nerves and a little over excitement at the start of the day, due to the scale of the event but everyone achieved at least one recall. 
Special achievements of note are Paige made the semi final of her waltz and rumba, Molly the semi final of her foxtrot, Luke the semi final of his rumba. Then in the couples Olivia & Molly made the semi final of their tango from 67 couples and Luke & Chloe the semi final of their rumba from 78 couples!
After all the hard work, Saturday evening was a time to relax and unwind at the social dance. This year’s fancy dress theme was Disney and a large group of our children, parents and adult dancers teamed up to recreate 101 Dalmations. Martin was a sight to behold as Cruella and whilst we might not have quite reached 101, the dogs certainly took over the parade. I was just a little worried about 
the future dance results of the person who tiddled up Nicky’s leg!!!!! but I’m very relieved to be able to report that she (clue) had a first class set of results on Sunday.
All too soon the 5.30am alarm was ringing Sunday morning and off we went again. The first round was 8.30am and I’m pleased to say everyone was ready, alert and raring to go. The first events of the day were the sequence where we had a very good set of results.
In the juvenile, Chloe reached the semi final. Isobel and Grace S then made it to the final, Isobel coming a highly delighted 6th and Grace an extremely proud 3rd.
In the junior section Jack and Olivia reached the semi 
final and Molly achieved a final placing, coming 6th. Very well done.
Then we had the under 35 years sequence, which is an especially tough category. Getting a recall were Emily, Alexander, Paul, Libbie and Charlotte B and making it through the semi final and then the final were Josh and Grace. They were placed 7th and 4th respectively. Well done.
In the over 35 years sequence Chris had a recall to the semi final and in the final were Neil, Karen and Serena. They were placed 6th, 5th and 3rd respectively. Well done again.
In the over 50 years section we had a wealth of dancers. Getting a recall was Geraldine. Then into the semi final were Sue and Christine and onto the final were Dawn, Carla, Dennis, Allison and Andy. They were placed 7th, 6th, 5th, 4th and 3rd.
The sequence is the genre we pride ourselves on excelling in and as you can see from the wealth of recalls, semi final and final placings this year was no exception.
It was then onto the rest of the day with individual ballroom and Latin events. Everyone got at least one recall in this section, with 17 semi final placings and 7 final spots. These were awarded to Charlotte B in both 
her quickstep & cha cha cha, both 5th places. Grace P achieved 2nd in her foxtrot, Sue 5th in her tango/quickstep, Serena 5th in her jive, Allison 6th in her 
samba/rumba and 
Geraldine 4th in her 
rumba / samba.
Eventually at 9.00pm (yes, thirteen hours after the first competition of the day), we reached the couples events. This is a lovely way to finish the weekend because the teachers and partners get a chance to sit down with a glass of wine, no no I mean because it lifts everyone’s energy levels back up for some super dancing to finish the day. This year’s pairings were Alexander & Libbie, Craig & Charlotte B, Karly & Emily, Josh & Grace, Tony & Hazel, Peter & Carol, Chris with both Serena and Allison, Neil & Carla, Dennis & Sue and Andy & Dawn. Everyone got at least one recall, with final placing going to Josh & Grace (1st & 3rd), Neil & Carla (2nd & 3rd), Chris & Serena (3rd), Dennis & Sue (4th & 7th) and Andy & Dawn (2nd & 5th), Craig & Charlotte (6th)
As I have said it was a very long weekend and just to be able to say you were there, either as a dancer, parent, friend, partner or supporter is a huge achievement and one which we are, and hope you are also, proud to have been part of. Weekends like these remain part of you forever and become one of those life experiences which you quote for years to come. New ‘character building’ moments were experienced, new friendships were made, there were lots of laughs and probably a few tears but overall we hope you all thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
The weekend would not be possible without the incredible time and effort given by those who partner. Luke, Liam, Alex and Ruth. Thank you so very much. Also to Emily & Josh who stepped in a couple of times. Both of which resulted in their partners reaching their finals.
We are exceedingly proud of you all – the effort everyone puts into not just their dancing but their hair, makeup, dresses, suits, timekeeping, organisation, behaviour and support for one other is something which cannot ever be underestimated.
For those of you interested in the history (and to show it is possible!) we have been attending ISTD Grand Finals for 10 years now and the elite list of previous winners reads as follows :
Andy 5.5 wins (sequence in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 & ballroom couples 2012)
Josh 2.5 wins (ballroom 2013, 2015 & ballroom couples 2017)
Geraldine 2 wins (ballroom and Latin 2016)
Elizabeth 2 wins (ballroom & Latin 2015)
Molly 1 win (ballroom 2015)
Craig 1 win (ballroom 2015)
Serena 1 win (ballroom 2014)
Karen H 1 win (sequence 2013)
Dennis 1 win (ballroom 2013)
Leila 1 win (Latin 2011)
Miriam 1 win (ballroom 2011)
Luke 1 win (sequence 2010)
Iris 1 win (ballroom 2009)
Grace P 0.5 win (ballroom couples 2017)
Dawn 0.5 win (ballroom couples 2012)
In the Under 35 years events Molly and Emily, dancing together for the first time, won both their ballroom and Latin events with Craig and Karly coming 2nd and 3rd in the same events. In the Over 35 years events Chris and Serena won the ballroom event with Andy and Dawn in 2nd place then in the Latin event Andy and Dawn were placed 2nd with Chris and Serena in 3rd place. In the open ballroom event Molly and Emily won with Craig and Karly 2nd, Andy and Dawn 3rd and Chris and Serena 4th. The Latin followed and again Molly and Emily won with Craig and Karly, Chris and Serena and Andy and Dawn being placed 3rd, 5th and 6th respectively.
