We've Been On A Dancing Vacation...!
I am sure people all over the country will have enjoyed
a memorable Platinum Jubilee weekend, creating many happy memories of Her
Majesty’s 70-year reign - what an inspiration she has been, and continues to
be, to us all!
People will have been marking such a momentous Jubilee
in a myriad of different ways, but I thought you might like to know how we
celebrated this happy time. We are keen ballroom and Latin American dancers,
and enjoy lessons and practise sessions at a school in Essex, called Starlight
Dancing.
The school was founded nearly 40 years ago by Iris
and Laurie Felton; based in Hornchurch, they were very successful competitive
dancers and Commonwealth champions. Originally called Stardust Dancing Centre,
in 2003 its name was changed to Starlight Dancing School, and there are now
three generations of the family continuing to teach and encourage people to
dance: Iris and Laurie’s daughter, Lorraine, and grown-up grandchildren, Emma
and Chris, who are also champion Latin American and ballroom 10-dance
champions, ranked 24th in the world.
Apart from being talented and patient teachers, they also arrange wonderful dancing holidays; this latest trip was based at the Toorak Hotel in Torquay, which boasts a superb dance floor - nothing “postage stamp” size here! and Emma and Chris decorated the ballroom with red, white and blue balloons and Union flag bunting - a truly festive scene.
Every morning, we attended “workshops," where we
were taught different dances and routines. The highlight of the week, however,
was learning the steps of The Platinum Waltz. This dance has been specially
created for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, with choreography by Mo Stewart and
Jim Currie, and music composed by David Read. It is a beautifully elegant
waltz, perfectly suited to the occasion and our Queen’s long reign.
Each evening, the after-dinner dances had special themes: there was a fancy-dress night, with everyone present proving how imaginative and creative they are; a formal evening, and a sparkly dress and tie night.
We also took part in the quiz competition; there were heats each evening, with questions on songs, dance steps and royal themes. Our team was called “The Jubilations,” which proved highly appropriate, as it was a great thrill to learn we had won!
"The Jubilations Team"- winners of the Quiz!
Finally, there was the Farewell Ball, a great culmination of a
memorable week, which inspired me to write some "Starlight Stanzas” about
the holiday - A Platinum Poem - which I performed for all the guests at the
Ball. In it, I also mention the names of everyone from the Starlight Dancing
family, who worked so hard to ensure we all enjoyed a splendid holiday -
including, of course, Iris Felton, the doyenne of the Starlight school.
A Platinum Poem - Starlight Stanzas
We embarked on a dancing vacation
With starlight dreams in our eyes
We knew there’d be much to discover
With new dances and friends as the prize.
With fresh scenes and delights, we twisted and twirled
As choreography took us into different worlds
We learned new routines and sequences, too –
Each evening was different – and the days simply flew!
Our feet were fleet to a quickstep’s beat
And our hips fell prey to the rumba’s sway
We learned the Platinum Waltz, especially created
For the Queen’s Jubilee to be celebrated
With themed evenings of fun and imagination
Fancy dress sparking amazing creations
Black and white outfits, and formal attire
And ties and gowns sparkling with sequins of fire.
Thus Neil and Lorraine, Iris, LJ and Chris,
And Emma and Steve made these evenings pure bliss!
And so, tonight, toast the Farewell Ball –
And a marvellous holiday enjoyed by us all!
Alexandra Wilde
June 2022
In the foyer of the Hotel there was a book which all visitors could sign with messages of goodwill to the Queen; after the Jubilee weekend, this will be sent to Buckingham Palace. I am sure there could be no better record to prove how much we enjoyed celebrating this unique occasion.
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