NATD Medallist of the Year 2022

It had taken three years to get there but it finally happened, the NATD Medallist of the Year event was able to take place. After our first visit in 2019, where the event was held in the Tower Ballroom, there had been a two year hiatus due to covid. This time the event was held in the Winter Gardens again in Blackpool, which was a new experience for many. It became immediately apparent, that the standard had risen yet again, from our previous experience, with many new schools attending – it was not going to be an easy weekend.

Saturday commenced with the children’s Latin section. First on was Scarlett, who was attending this type of event for the very first time, with her Paso Doble. This was followed by Tabatha and Kaitlyn with their Rumba. They both got recalled to the quarter final and then semi final and Kaitlyn got a further recall to the final and came 2^nd. An amazing achievement in such a large category.

Fearn, Chloe and Brooke were next. Fearn with the Cha Cha Cha and the others with the Jive. All three had had new dresses especially made for them and they all looked amazing young ladies. The extra special part was that they had all designed the dresses themselves (with a little input from Linda, our resident dressmaker) and they were all so different to each other, reflecting the personalities of each. On top of looking amazing they all got a recall.

It was then time for the Adults and they started the weekend with their Ballroom section. At NATD events there are lots of different age and grade categories and everything has a separate male and female category, this meant that some dancers had a short journey to their final others had to battle through three rounds.

Nearly everyone who had to dance in a quarter final made it through to their semi-final, Paige, Emily, Irina, Kathyrn, Rosalind, Lisa and Alison T. All were great achievements but I feel special mention should go to Emily who danced a beautiful foxtrot to achieve this recall in the Gold Cross and Bar section.  Those of you who watch Strictly will know the word ‘journey’ is much used but I feel it is an appropriate time to mention Emily’s dance journey began in 2003 when at a very young age she started classes, which Charlotte attended, and the hours (&hours) we spent walking around the studio trying to master three walks & one point. It was a huge challenge for one so young but taking a look at her this weekend, to see how far she has come on her journey was very special. Some continued on with their own journey’s by making it through to the final. Those were Paige who came 5^th and Lisa and Rosalind who both won their respective categories. The sashes were starting to be collected.

At the other end of the spectrum where those dancers whose events were straight finals and they had to keep themselves physically and mentally motivated for many hours. They all put in creditable performances and had their own moments of collectable memories. The results were runners up places for Jack, Karly, Charlotte, Sian and Allison and a win for Emma. Chris and Craig were the only dancers in their category and they had the privilege of having the Empress Ballroom floor to themselves (with Louise of course!) a very rare opportunity.

So, onto the Ballroom couples. Today there was a win for Craig & Emma with their Quickstep, runner up spots to the pink ladies (Rosalind & Allison) with their Waltz and Chris & Lisa with their Foxtrot. Third place was achieved by Chris & Lisa in their Viennese waltz and 5^th for Craig & Emma in their Viennese Waltz. Finally, Charlotte & Emily achieved 6^th in the Above Gold Foxtrot after having to beat off many good dancers in the semi-final.

And so ended day one. The doors had opened at 8.00am and it was now 10.30pm. The traditional hunt for fish & chips began and a very short spell of games during digestion was all there was time for as we all needed our beauty sleep for Sunday, when we could do it all again………………

Sunday was the opposite genre for everyone so the children started the day with Ballroom. Scarlett had Quickstep and she achieved that all important recall, well done Scarlett. Tabatha and Kaitlyn had Tango and they had to secure four rounds to get to their final. Tabatha achieving 4^th and Kaitlyn 3^rd. Very well done, in a very high standard event.

Next up was Fearn for Waltz and Chloe and Brooke for Quickstep. Again, they all secured a recall. We then had ballroom couples and both Tabatha & Kaitlyn and Chloe & Brooke achieved a recall. I think it’s fair to say the standard of the couples events was extremely high and came as a bit of a shock to us all.

For the Adults it was Latin day. Again, some had to dance a semi-final to be recalled to the final. They were Paige, Sian, Irina, Kathryn, Rosalind, Lisa, Alison T and Hazel. Those continuing to their finals were Sian who secured 4^th, Alison T 5^th and Lisa 1^st =.  Straight final achievements were Craig 1^st and runners up places to Jack, Emma, Karly, Charlotte, Chris and Allison.

Finally, the Adults had their couples events, Paige & Evie secured a recall in their Samba. Craig & Emma and Jack & Karly were recalled to the semi final in the Paso Doble, a very exciting event where the crowd went wild, the bull would have been very scared! Recalled to the final were Charlotte & Emily who achieved 3^rd in the jive, Hazel & Kathryn 7^th in the Samba and Rosalind & Allison 4^th in their Samba. Finally, Chris & Lisa came 3^rd in their Paso Doble and Craig & Emma secured the last win of the day for their Rumba.

To conclude there are many people to thank who make all this possible. To Luke, who had to whizz up to Blackpool from Kos to partner. To Ruth for sitting for hours (& hours) ensuring everyone was on the floor at the correct time, in the correct heat and running to see if they’d got a recall. To all friends and family who came to support (physically, mentally and financially) you are crucial and finally to our team of dancers who all looked amazing, tried their hardest (and at times even harder) and looked amazing. We were proud of you all.

Finally, some responses from the our team when asked “ How was your Blackpool?”

‘Adrenaline filled’  

‘Very encouraging’

‘A tale of two  halves….that perked up again at the end!’

‘The most extraordinary birthday I’ve ever had’

‘Fun filled & emotional #deep’

‘More than I could ever have hoped for (but Daisy missed me!)’

‘Fantastic learning curve’

‘Enjoyable & proud’

‘Very tiring but great company’

‘Expensive!!!’

‘Hot & sweaty’

‘Dancing couples was the ‘highlight’

Boris commented on how disappointed he was that some of his chums didn’t make it to Blackpool this time and he will be taking the register at the next event!

Please comment on the blog whether you were there in person or not. Or perhaps guess who the comments are from.  Next we have ISTD exams on the weekend of 23^rd & 24^th July. Then we can start to wind down into the summer break.

Chesterfield opens the new term on Sunday 4^th September. Everyone is welcome either to enter the children’s or adult competitions, or come along to the social sequence dance in the early evening where we will have a mix of ballroom, Latin and easy sequence dances.