Saturday, 24 April 2010

Slough Arts Festival

Totally stereotyping but doesn't that sound a contradiction in terms...!  (What on earth does that mean while we are at it??  In terms of what?)

Took part in a Scottish Country Dancing competition this morning with the university group. We took part in it 2 years ago and I was very excited by the whole thing and especially as we won it!  Given there was only one other team in our category...  but still!  We got a large trophy and a little medal each.  Had actually forgotten about the medals until today; no idea where mine is.  The competition didn't take place last year so we were still reigning champions.

I really only went to one practice for it last Wednesday and there seemed lots of moments where I might be able to forget the dance - eek!  I was first lady which I considered to be a great honour!  It was a good team of people doing it that I get on with so that was nice.  I drove myself there and got lost a couple of times around Slough but made it there in enough time to get a white dress on, sash on and we all had time for a run through of each dance - James Senior (of St Andrews?) and Woo'd and married and a' (or some such funny name - that was the set dance which was certainly a trickster - circle into to a promenade into a pousette into a petronella to the left!)

We weren't competing against one team this year - we weren't competing against any others!  So it all seemed a little bizarre but we still danced and still felt a little nervous but they were good nerves.  Almost burst into laughter when 3rd couple forgot to cross over on the second chord but at least it had me smiling for the dance!  Other than that we did admirably in my opinion.  My only concern was slack footwork (realise now I never once thought about pointing my toes which is my personal green for growth!) with maybe rather slapdash crossing and also moving the set in the room.  The judge was a scottish lady who was nice and smiley.

After we'd danced we watched the two teams in the veteran's category and then the 3 teams in the just for fun category - including the oxford children's class who just made me completely smile and I thought were fab!

Then it was results time and we were given some lovely comments - smiley and looking at each other and never once being spotted looking at the floor - if only Sam could have been there to hear that :-)  Even though I really knew it was coming I was still delighted to go up and collect our trophy and individual medals.  Proud times indeed!

Can't wait to tell my kids about it at school!

No comments:

Post a Comment