Torquay 2008

Just back from this fun packed week of competition, social dancing and friendship and it was great to see old, and make, new friends. We met a large contingent from Ireland and another couple from Australia.

Philip Wylie and Pam Peters together with a large team did a great job with the organisation, their 26th year, how do they do it? The Torquay Leisure Hotels staff looked after us all very well, mindful of the dancers needs, especially the competitors, giving us dinner early with a wide menu choice, and what about that Aztec pool and Jacuzzi! Master classes were given by Lynette Boyce, Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace, Michael Stylianos and Lorna Lee, and Stephen and Jennifer Hillier.

Sunday at the Town Hall and the nightly Warwick ballroom competitions were well supported with the audience getting behind their favourites together with the good music of Denis Gascoigne and the friendly banter between the many smart and beautifully attired judges, all created a great atmosphere.

Tuesday night was the Senior Latin Championship and competitors danced to a packed Town Hall, this was an amazing evening when we were treated to a moving display by the WDSA-UK Wheelchair Formation team bringing tears to all eyes in the room with their finale, a moving signing song. And then, an electric performance was given to us by Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone who received a standing ovation from the audience at the end of their marvellous and varied
demonstration.

Senior Standard Championship on Thursday provided us with yet another wonderful evening of entertainment and general dancing at the Town Hall, having heard that Warren and Kristy Boyce would not be demonstrating due to Warren's injury we had no idea who would be performing, but never deterred, Philip Wylie conjured up three wonderful couples and we were treated to exciting demonstrations from Kyle Taylor and Jourdan Stone(STD), Luke Miller and Hanna Cresswell STD/LAT), Alejandro Hernandez and Kerri-Anne Donaldson(LAT), the audience loved this 'mix' and the six dancers were given a standing ovation whilst all performing a mixed partner Jive finale.

Well done to all the competitors, social dancers and the teachers for giving us a great dancing week and we went home on Friday to recover from the week's excesses and start preparation for next year's fun packed, party filled, Torquay dance week.

Pat & Mike Fortin.