Well, can it really be a year since we were last here?
The journey up proved to be a trial for some with the A50 closed near Stoke and consequently for some it took over five hours. Fortunately it was Friday night so it meant everyone was present and correct for an early start Saturday morning.
The juniors had a later start, which pleased them so we only had Alisha and Olivia dancing in the juvenile section, both at this event for the first time. It was clear from the start that it was going to be tough with several heats in the first round to navigate and some very good dancers. Latin was first and both danced well but unfortunately Alisha did not get a recall, however she is still very young and still has several more years in the under 6 years section. Olivia did really well and earned two recalls but sadly did not make it to the semi final. A positive start to get us going and next it was the turn of the juniors and today we had Kaitlyn, Brooke, Chloe, Megan, Sophie and Harvey. Again for some of these it was the first time at this type of event and once more any recalls were going to be well earned.
Brooke, Megan and Sophie all danced in the same event which began in three heats. Brooke and Megan both secured a recall and Brooke went on to reach the semi final.
Chloe also had to bring her ‘A’ game in order to secure a recall, which she did and also went on to reach the semi final.
Kaitlyn had a difficult dance in the Samba and sadly did not make the next round. Harvey didn’t have quite so many in his event since leaders and followers are split into separate categories but nevertheless danced very well and became our first finalist of the weekend, a fabulous achievement on his first time at this event.
We next had the couples events in which Chloe & Brooke and Harvey & Megan teamed up. The couples events are always strong here and Harvey & Megan managed to secure a recall for their Cha Cha Cha but sadly Chloe & Brooke were a little hard done by not receive any recalls.
It was now the adults turn to shine and, although we were missing some of our regular team who were sadly missed, everyone was keen to put all their hard work into practice. The adults were dancing their ballroom on day one and we had Fearn, Paige, Karly, Craig, Emily, Charlotte, Irina, Heather Chris, Paul, Karen, Kathryn, Alison, Rosalind, Lisa, Angela, Stephen and Hazel in action upholding the honour of the team.
Heather was delighted to reach her semi final along with Alison, Fearn and Rosalind who also made theirs. The first adult member of the team to be recalled to the final was Paige, soon to be followed by Kathryn, Lisa, Angela, and Emily. Also dancing in finals today were Karly, Craig, Charlotte, Chris, Hazel, Stephen, Paul and Karen although no one was on their own in any event. Craig, Chris and Paul all won their events, our first wins of the weekend but their were also some other excellent results: Third places for Paige, Charlotte, Karen, Lisa, fifth places for Karly, Stephen and Hazel, in sixth place came Kathryn and Emily and Angela came in with seventh but still a good result having been recalled to the final.
It was then onto the couples and like the children no one would have an easy ride. Paige & Karly and Hazel & Kathryn teamed up alongside regular couples Stephen & Angela, Charlotte & Emily, Chris & Lisa and Paul & Karen. All performed well in their respective events and Charlotte & Emily made one of their semi finals, whilst Stephen & Angela made both of theirs. Paul & Karen and Chris & Lisa went one better and made both their finals finishing third and second and fifth and sixth respectively.
So ended day one and we could come back the next day and repeat it all again.
We had barely got one leg in our pyjamas when the alarm was going off to start all over again. This morning the children were dancing Ballroom whilst the adults would have Latin. Alisha and Olivia were there bright and early once more ready to start, all set and raring to go. Both danced their best once more and this time Alisha managed to secure a recall to the semi final, a great result.
Following this the juniors took to the floor for their ballroom events and this morning we had Tabatha joining the team. Megan, Sophie and Brooke started in four heats and would have to dance four rounds to make the final. Megan got one recall and Brooke made the semi final but sadly didn’t make it any further. Chloe also had a recall and Tabatha reached her semi final. Everyone danced amazingly to achieve what they did and even those who didn’t quite manage a recall still danced well and will benefit from the experience.
In the junior couples we had Chloe & Brooke, Tabatha & Kaitlyn and Harvey & Megan and as was the case all weekend the events were busy, nevertheless all exceeded expectations, Tabatha & Kaitlyn were recalled in one of their events as were Chloe & Brooke. Chloe & Brooke then went all the way to the final in their other event and finished fourth to round off a super weekend for our young team.
Adults were next with their Latin and Paige, Kathryn, Alison, Stephen and Lisa were all recalled to their finals finishing sixth, third, fourth, third and second respectively. Craig won his event as did Chris, Karly was placed fifth and Charlotte claimed third place with a characterful Paso. Earning a recall and also worthy of mention were Emily, Rosalind and Angela.
We started at 8am on Saturday morning and we finally made it to the last section of the weekend, the Adult Latin couples, at about 9pm in which Karly & Paige, Charlotte & Emily, Hazel & Kathryn, Stephen & Angela and Chris & Lisa were all dancing. This was the most lively session with everyone determined just to enjoy themselves. Charlotte & Emily reached the semi final of their event, Stephen & Angela reached both their finals being placed third and sixth, likewise Chris & Lisa who were placed second and third.
Of course on hand to watch every step being danced was Boris and the team. The vocal support from our supporters was, as always, the best in the room and inspired all our dancers to perform to the best of their abilities. Thanks as always to Luke for help with partnering, Ruth for keeping us all in order with the clipboard and Julie for supplying us with tea.
A fab weekend then once again and everyone involved should be very proud of their achievements.
After a moment to catch our breath we have the ISTD exam session in a couple of weeks and then we take a break over the summer to fully recharge ready for the busy autumn season ahead.
Congratulations to everyone. A great set of results xx
This was a really lovely weekend. Thank you to Louise and Robert for getting us well prepared for what became a very exciting competition. Thanks to Louise and Lisa for dancing with me. Our couples work is definitely making good progress and that jive was magic even with the wardrobe malfunction! Do probably need to go to bed a bit earlier on the Sunday night though as school on Monday was a struggle.