Month: November 2021

Today was another day on the journey back to reality. It was only about a month ago we received notice that the North Midland Area were going to run this qualifying competition for the 2022 Medallist of the Year which is due to take place in July in Blackpool. We had lots of thoughts around; there not being much time to prepare, the event coming very close after one, or for some, two trips to Blackpool, could the team be ready was the question. But, we decided it was too good an opportunity to miss as it was a local event and managing to fit these events into our already busy calendar in previous years had proved rather a challenge. So we put the notice up and the response from everyone was amazing. We were a few short due to prior commitments or concerns about the current situation but, overall the response was amazing.

When we arrived we saw that the response from other dance schools was also amazing, with at least six other dance schools in attendance and a standard which meant we needed to bring our ‘A game’.

This was the first competition back for several people but they were soon put at ease as the atmosphere was really friendly both from within our team and across all dance schools. For some it was their first competition since March 2020, which is a long time for anyone but for the children it must seem an age and many had changed age groups and grown out of shoes and dresses but as always you all rallied around to make sure everyone was beautifully turned out.

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One of the features of the NATD Medallist of the Year programme is that they have many age and grade divisions and also Boys and Girls are split, regardless of the number of entries. This led to a few solo performances today. I know dancers go to these events to compete against other dancers but to find you are the only one in your event and required to give a solo demonstration can be equally, if not more nerve racking. Therefore, congratulations to all of you who had to face this challenge today and I believe your trophy is just as well deserved, possibly even more so.

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For the record the results were as follows :-

Scarlett came 5^th in her Quickstep and was recalled to the final of her Paso Doble, coming 5^th again. Not an easy dance for a little person

In the Juvenile sections, Tabatha achieved two 1^st places, along with two 2^nd places for Kaitlyn and a 4^th and a 3rd for Sophie.

In the Junior sections Fearn delivered two 3^rd places and new to the Junior ranks were Brooke and Chloe who each achieved a 2^nd and 3^rd place.

In the Adult sections we had solo demonstrations from Craig, Emily, Karly, Charlotte, Chris, Paul, Karen, Serena, Stephen, Allison K and Andrew. You were a credit to yourselves and the Dance School. I personally thoroughly enjoyed dancing with those of you who I was lucky enough to partner.

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In other Adult events Paige won her Waltz and was 2^nd in her Cha Cha Cha, Evie achieved two 3^rd places, Emma a 1^st and a 2^nd, Irina a 3^rd and a 4^th, Sian two 2^nd places, Kathryn two 2^nd places, Rosalind two 1^st places, Alison T a 2^nd and a 3^rd, Angela a 3^rd and a 4^th and finally (new to the team) Lisa a 4^th and a 2^nd.

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Thanks, as always must go to those who loaned clothes, helped with hair and make-up, chauffeured, clappped and cheered. Thanks also to Craig, Josh and Grace who assisted with the partnering, Craig for photography, Ruth who kept us all in order on the control sheet and finally a huge thank you to Luke. As I’m sure you noticed, Robert wasn’t with us today, he had received an invitation to adjudicate at Blackpool and at very short notice Luke very kindly gave up his weekend to be with us for practising on Saturday and dancing on Sunday.

We are very proud of you all and it was lovely to have such a large turnout today. Onwards now to medals in a couple of weeks and I hope you all have Sunday 6^th March 2022 in your diary for our Dancesteps competition.

It finally happened. Two years and a few lockdowns later we made it to Grand Finals at last. In some ways it seemed like a long time since we were last there and in others it was no time at all. We had a few of the team who decided not to make the trip this time for various reasons but most of our regulars were there.

Numbers were appreciably down this time, especially on the adult day, but the Winter Gardens was comfortable, rather than packed as normal. This of course meant that numbers competing were down and so a number of events were straight finals. Whilst lacking quantity however, the quality was still in evidence and those who did well still had to prove themselves against some stiff opposition. Regardless of results however everyone did fabulously well to have made it there with all that has been going on and as always there was a tremendous team spirit. Everyone expressed how lovely it was to have the opportunity to catch up with others they had not seen for ages and to be dancing again in the wonderful ballroom. It was also noticeable that there was a genuine appreciation from all attendees and good support for all competitors throughout the ballroom, especially those who were the only ones in their particular events.

We began on Saturday and only had Kaitlyn, Chloe and Paige dancing this time but they set the tone for the weekend. Chloe was competing in her last juvenile event and Paige, her last junior so it was an important moment for them both. All had a great day and Kaitlyn came away with a second in her ballroom event fourth in Latin and fifth in sequence. Chloe was placed sixth in her ballroom event and third in the sequence whilst Paige was placed sixth in both her ballroom and Latin events but was also our first winner of the weekend in her sequence event. A great way to kickstart the weekend and well done to all of you.

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There was no evening function this year so we were able to have a more leisurely dinner than usual and a little more relaxed evening.

Sunday saw an early start as usual and the adults began their day with the sequence events. Only the Under 35 year section had a recall but making this final were Grace P, Jack, Emma and Craig with Grace sucessfully defending the title she won last time. Serena won her event with Neil second and Chris fourth and in the Over 50 years section Carla also sucessfully defended her title with Allison and Rosalind filling the next two places and Hazel finishing sixth.

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The ballroom events followed and in this section there were wins for Jack, Rosalind, Chris, Serena, Hazel and Neil with creditable second places for Carla and Grace P. Next came the Latin events and this time there were wins for Grace P, Allison, Chris, Hazel and Neil.

After a long day we reached the last two sections which were the couples events which have proved to be highly successful for the school over the years. This year they were a little earlier than usual but, as always, were an enjoyable finale to the weekend. Craig & Emma, Jack & Karly and Chris & Serena had two of the largest events of the day with several recalls before their finals with all three couples achieving this in both their ballroom and Latin events. Craig & Emma won the balloom with Jack & Karly third in the same event whilst Chris & Serena were a close second in their ballroom event and fourth in their Latin. Jack & Karly won their Latin event giving Karly something to smile about on her birthday with Craig & Emma fourth. Charlotte & Emily were our only other couple competing and they were placed a highly respectable fifth in their ballroom event and third in the Latin although they could have been placed higher in the Latin in my opinion.

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Of course, as always, we were supported by a fantastic team but special thanks for their contibutions go to: Luke, Liam & Grace P for partnering, Ruth for keeping us in order & transporting luggage and Anita & Debbie for creating many hairstyles. The most appealing feature of our team is how you all turnout to help and support each other even though at times you compete against one another.

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Boris was of course very excited to be back and meet all his old chums again. He said he had really missed seeing everyone and thought you all did magnificently. He can’t wait for the next event.

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