It was a small but select group that made the trip to Whitby, equipped with dance shoes rather than buckets and spades. The ballroom, perched high on the cliffs gives a magnificent panorama of the beach and the bay and the weather was fine and calm, always a bonus when coming here so it was a pleasant drive over the moors.
The programme was different from normal with a mix of individual and couples events together with a number of Classical Sequence events which we were keen to support. Brooke, Craig, Dawn, Andrew, Chris and Lisa were our team representatives today which meant an early alarm call, earlier still for some.
The day began with the Classical Sequence section and there were some good entries in these events considering it was the first time they had been run and there was also a good standard of dancing. All the competitions today were split by age but not grade which means the dancers were competing against dancers of all levels. Everyone had some competition today and there were recalls for many. In the end, Brooke, Craig, Chris and Andrew all won their events and Andrew & Dawn won two of their couples events and were runners up in the open adult event where they were competing against adults across all age groups.
The ballroom section followed and still more competitors turned up for this meaning that competition in this and the Latin section would be even stronger. Again our dancers proved themselves up to the task and the successes continued with Brooke and Craig both winning their events and Lisa won both of her individual events. Chris & Lisa and Andrew & Dawn both won one of their couples events with Chris & Lisa taking the runner up slot in the open adult event. The Latin events saw wins again for Brooke, Craig and Lisa and whilst their were no couples wins, both Chris & Lisa and Andrew & Dawn reached the final of the open adult event.
Finally we came to the fun competition which was the Bossa Nova 23. This was open to couples of all ages so was the largest entry of the day. Andrew & Dawn, Chris & Lisa and Craig & Brooke all took to the floor and had recalls with both Craig & Brooke and Chris & Lisa making the final. Craig & Brooke took the top slot completing a clean sweep of all their events. Well done to everyone for taking part it was a great team effort with everyone helping out partnering each other and Brooke and Chris making their partnering debut.
Boris was of course on hand, the fish and chip supper afterwards means that it is one of his favourite events. He was very disappointed that Mr Benn had not made an appearance however and felt stern words needed to be had with his owner! Otherwise he was delighted with everyone’s performances and thought it was a fun day out.
Tradition dictates that we then adjourn to the Magpie Cafe to sample Whitby’s finest before returning home tired but pleased with our efforts.
Next week we have another NATD event and will look forward to seeing you then and Boris will be hoping to see Mr Benn!
Mr Benn has sacked his PA and assures us he will make full attendance in the future
He sends his sincere apologies to Boris.
Despite the longer drive and early start this is such a fun competition with so much dancing to enjoy during the day. Lots of great results and thanks to Louise and Lisa for dancing with me and also my first ever partnering experience crossed off the list! One to try if you’ve never done it as you also go for fish and chips afterwards. I got ten scampi which is high on the Haggett scampi scale!