Press Officer Report
Our first four day event plus the prospect of Bank holiday traffic, would we survive?
Those members who travelled to the event on Good Friday did have delays to contend
with but most arrived in time to enjoy an afternoon of early spring sunshine. Unfortunately
those that drove from Cambridge had to endure a very long delay but everyone manage
to arrive in time for dinner and our first evening of dancing. Friday saw the Society
debut of Hilary and Nigel Carter taking the lead and what a splendid job they did
quickly settling in as if they had been doing it for years. Their lead was excellent
and Nigel proved very adept as our M.C. Hilary very elegant in a teal chiffon circle
skirt with matching teal and black top and Nigel very dapper in his evening suit.
Spot prizes were awarded during the progressive's all wrapped in brown paper bags
thus adding to the excitement of will the spinning bottle of fate choose me and what
will I win? The evening was a great success ending with rapturous applause and appreciation.
We awoke the next morning to very inclement weather. After an excellent breakfast
some members took advantage of the hotels excellent facilities whilst others braved
the elements to venture outdoors, one group visiting parts of Torquay never seen
before. That evening we all donned our finery ready to enjoy another fantastic evening
of dance led by the incomparable pairing of Joyce Hutchins and Richard Purcell. Joyce
very on trend in orange and Richard looking very smart in tails. So elegant on the
dance floor and with Richard as host we knew we were in for a good evening, he was
in excellent form with funny stories, one liners and quips somehow he had got wind
of the fact that several ladies had had an adventure in a well-known High Street
store earning Hazel the nickname of Tassels even suggesting there would be a pink
windmill tour at midnight to a local nightclub thus giving rise to a little plot
being hatched for Monday evening. Spot prizes were given and an Easter themed raffle
took place during the interval, raising £143.00. Thank you to area reps Dianne, Terry
and Sylvia along with Jean for selling the tickets and to everyone who bought them
and contributed to the prizes. A top notch evening of first class dancing ending
to thunderous applause.
Just to prove it was Easter, Sunday morning saw the arrival of a herd of bunnies
all taken into the warren of the hotel resident rabbit, who gave everyone an Easter
egg. As the weather was still wet and windy a dance practise session was put into
place featuring some of the dances chosen by our attendees that had not made it onto
Monday night’s programme very well attended by about fifty dancers.
Sunday night was in the hands of the Societies very own golden girls Wendy Cosh and
Joy Lewis dressed in matching outfits of black skirts with silvery white and black
tops, very smart. Although both new to leading a complete evening they were a joy
(no pun intended) to watch lovely precise footwork and beaming smiles ending to a
much deserved standing ovation.
Monday morning saw another practise session asked for by our members at which Richard
and Joyce taught the Venetian Foxtrot and Grahame and Bernice the Fredericka Blues
both the sessions were very well attended hosted by Grahame and the dances led by
the Committee and leaders.
The final evening was a collaboration of all the weekend leaders and the Committee
the dances being chosen by the attendees. As we led off most of the ladies donned
their Easter bonnets, very fetching. Our little plot was launched as Richard and
Joyce led their first dance. Christina and Linda from Bath had spent their spare
time making tassels, thank you, which the ladies and some of the men strategically
attached to their tops causing much hilarity. An Easter bonnet parade took place
during the interval judged by Joyce Parry our most senior member the winner being
Cindy from Bath who was very pleased to receive the remaining spot prize her favourite
Jelly babies, well done. A wonderful evening full of smiles laughter and a great
deal of fun.
Every Society event needs music and weren't we lucky to have David Last as our organist
he was in exceptional form playing some truly wonderful compositions that just made
you want to get up and dance, he even went above and beyond what could be expected
by playing at our morning sessions.
So we did survive our four day event and in spectacular fashion really good friendly
service at the hotel with plenty to eat and plenty to do. The overriding feeling
was wonderful company enjoying spectacular music and dancing and having fun together.
Sue Hamm (Press Officer)