UKA Inventive Competition Blackpool.

Sunday 20^th November 2005.

UKA Blackpool, our last competition of the season and the last closed competition for the UKA. Downstairs, in the Winter Gardens the British National and World Championships had been taking place all week and ran concurrently with the Sequence Festival in the Spanish Hall on Sunday, so there was lots’ going on.

Sue Burroughs was our compere for the day and she and Jean Robson on music make an impressive team. They soon had the show on the road with a great big pinch of wit and humour. Dancers were competing for the Ted Burrows Trophy and the winners were presented with beautiful crystal bowls.

There were 16 entries in the Classical Sequence Section: 5 Saunter’s,4 Tango’s, 4 Swing’s, 2 Blues and 1 Gavotte.  I understand the competitors remit was to produce a dance that could be danced by everyone on a normal ballroom floor. The winners of this section were Steven Shaw and Helen Blackburn with their Blueberry Swing. Helen explained there was no particular reason for the choice of name, it just sounded nice. Congratulations to you both.

The Latin Section followed, where there were 12 entries: 4 Mambo’s, 3 Jives, 2 Rumba’s, 2 Cha’s and a Calypso. This could not have been easy for the judges as all the entries were potential winners but, Ann Brown and Michael Stevenson’s Abi’s Jive won through. Like Ben’s Waltz, the dance was named after Ann’s dog. Congratulations to you both. It is so sad Michael that you have chosen to retire from competitive dancing; your enthusiasm for dancing comes through in every step you take. Michael you have given us all a great deal of pleasure and we hope that what ever you are doing in the future goes well. We look forward to seeing Ann at Temple Park in January.

The Fun Dance Completion was just that, fun. There were 3 dances entered. The winner "Strictly" Fun Dance, was danced to track 6, Dance above the Rainbow on Michael Flatley’s Feet of Flames album. Other dances entered were: Reindeer Rock, Danced by Ray Fenton-Storey and Lissia Giles, the music they used was Another Rock and Roll Christmas.  Last but no means least was Ian and Sue Webster’s Stroll. This was a new tempo to me, but like their Glide I was totally sold. The music they used was Strolling. Once again Congratulations to Helen and Steven.

A closed competition always restricts the number of people who can enter but, the numbers took nothing away from the competition or the enthusiasm of the competitors and spectators. There was plenty of Social Dancing and a good range of new ideas in music also emerged. Mockingbird Hill for a CCC, Bugle Boy and the Quartermasters Store also come to mind. Return to Sender and Abilene provided lively Jives.

Next year the UKA Inventive Competition will be an Open Competition, welcoming professionals from all Associations to compete. The official date was announced as Sunday 17^th September in the Spanish Hall. What about a great weekend in Blackpool and include the Sequence Comp and a days dancing?

Finally a bit of gossip, do you like gossip, I do. Steven and Helen won’t be at Blackpool next year because they are going off on Honeymoon. Sue asked if they were going to try the marriage out before they went off for the honeymoon, and brought the house down with laughter.

On a less flippant note, we learn that our poor Bridget is having problems with her feet again. Hope you are soon well Bridget we miss having you around.

It was a great day; we thoroughly enjoyed the dancing and meeting everyone and hope to see you next year.

Have a smashing Christmas and we wish everyone the very best for the 2006. If anyone wants any help to find there way to Temple Park in January my e-mail address can be found on the Open Forum and I will be happy to help if I can.

Mo