I don’t know how it happens - Ray doesn’t enter many of these competitions but it seems that whenever he does, no matter what the weather has been like during previous days, THE day turns out to be bright and sunny. This was the case at Whitwick. A very good venue for competitions and praise to those organisers who are now, with wisdom, choosing this leisure centre. A very pleasant place to be in, it provides all the amenities we could hope for – including a large dance floor. Not a wooden floor as it is more a sports hall but it gave no problems; in fact, it danced very well indeed. Ray and I went to the pre-comp dance being held the night before and had a very good evening, hosted by Ian and Sue Webster. Organised mainly by Aubrey and Beverley (Murch-Fowkes), about 180 people were there and we can recommend going to this dance, should you be considering visiting next year. There is sequence dancing at the Hermitage Centre almost every Saturday night throughout the year, with a list of varying hosts which on a couple of dates will even include ourselves!

So, Sunday morning arrived. Doors were due to open at 9.15 am and we arrived at about 9.25 to find the car park almost full, indicating there was a good number attending. I believe there were approximately 500 present but there was no overcrowding or cramped seating. Space even allowed for clothes and shoes to be on sale.

Jean Johnson was compere for the day. Jean started by making the usual announcements and introduced the judges; those names are shown at the top of the Entries & Results listing which is posted separately. The competition began with the Latin section, with 17 entries. Some very lively music sometimes got our feet tapping in rhythm and, before we could say Peppercorn, we were going on to the semi-final. The semi- recalled 12 dances which, hurray, included Ray’s Cha Cha. I’m sure all the competitors feel just as we do – pens poised, ticking off the recalled numbers and hearts beating a little faster in the hope we will hear our own number announced. (Using author’s license, I’m saying ‘we’ even though Ray was dancing with Lissia). Once that round had been danced, as before, there was some general dancing giving everyone a chance to stretch their legs before the Final recalls were given.

Although realising I’ve said this before, at this juncture (ooh, posh word !) I must offer apologies for never giving much attention to exactly ‘what happens when’ – I am always either concentrating on what is happening in the competition itself or engrossed in chatting to people, so I really won’t have noticed just when there was general dancing, or what dances were done, or even at exactly what point the results were announced. I hope you will not think those details are overly important. Anyway, the Final round gave us 6 dances which, sadly, did not include Ray’s. Never mind, that’s the name of the game. After some more general dancing the winner was announced – a popular choice being JAYART JIVE from Stuart Perry, partnered by Jayne Harwood - a good club dance. During Stuart’s expert teaching I noticed two young children joining in. I didn’t know who they were but they were obviously accomplished dancers. Shortly afterwards I spoke to the little boy, while he was buying a drink. I asked him "Do you do lots of dancing?". "Oh yes" he replied. "Who are you here with?", I asked, and he told me his dad is David Harwood. No wonder the little lad was so at ease on the dance floor.

The next section in the competition was the Sequence Classical/Old Time (I do wish the Powers-That-Be would universally define this section with just one title). Comprising 19 dances, including a rather nice little Waltz, 11 were recalled to the semi-final. Interspersed once again with some more dancing time for the audience, we soon heard the list of numbers for the 5 dances that were back to the Final round. The winner was eventually known; there were resounding cheers when this result was announced as a victory for Harry & Barbara Howarth with their TINKER TANGO. I do know that Harry and Barbara had been feeling a bit low as it had been too long since their last win – but, seeing their reaction on hearing the result, it was clear that their morale was being instantly lifted.

Yes, there was a break for lunch. We went to the Cafeteria and had a very nice lunch chosen from the varied, simple menu. Back into the main hall for some general dancing - and then on to the last section, the (quote) "Sequence Standard (Ballroom)". There was a large number of entries, 25 in all, and 19 of those went forward to a second round. When it came to announcing the recalls to the semi-final we were all told the marking was so close that a decision had to be made over whether to recall 15 or 9 dances. I am sure quite a few competitors were disappointed to hear that only 9 were to have another showing. These 9 were demonstrated again after which, as with each of today’s sections, there was more dancing for the audience until the 6 dance numbers for the Final round were known. Sitting at the table next to us were John and Pauline Stringfellow. Pauline had confided to me on a previous occasion that she was very nervous and I tried to reassure her this was par for the course with all competitors, recounting my own first attempt at an Inventive comp. Ray and I had danced a Saunter that commenced in shadow position, with my right arm extended to side. I was so very nervous that the shaking of my outstretched arm was clearly visible to everyone nearby! So, with a rather more personal interest in John & Pauline’s results, Ray and I literally jumped out of our seats as we were so pleased to hear that their WOODLAND WALTZ had won the Modern section. The cheers from the audience were tremendous. On talking to John, I know they had been entering for about 5 years and until today had achieved just 2 semi-finals – this was their very first Final and their very first Win. John also told me a rather nice story behind the naming of their dance. Very recently there had been snow in their area (as with many others) and on driving home one morning, after shopping, they noticed the trees in the woods at the side of the road. The trees were covered in snow and looked so beautiful – "just like a picture postcard", to use John’s words. So, they decided on the name Woodland Waltz.

At this stage of the competition, all winners were known. They had been presented with their trophies and prizes. All the photographs had been taken. The teaching had been done. This was a very good day with, I feel, very fair judging.

There were a few hiccups because anyone can make mistakes: each time Ray went on to the floor, poor Jean Johnson wasn’t sure how to announce his name and it varied every time (no offence taken, Jean, it is a bit of a mouthful) – there were a few dances which managed an extra sequence due to glitches with the music but that is a very difficult job so, many thanks, Alan, for all your efforts. This really was a well run competition – there was a good atmosphere and thanks must go to the audience for their keen and valued responses.

I really must mention and extend thanks and appreciation to Aubrey & Beverley Murch-Fowkes, to Roy Hinchliffe and all other helpers who arrived at a very early hour and prepared the hall for the day’s event. Thank you, all.

Now, my own Worthy Mentions: Latin – a Cha Cha Cha by Kevin Page & Valerie Laws; Classical/OT: Edwin & Beverley’s Tango; Modern: the Tango from David Belshaw & Karen Kelly, also a Waltz by Stan & Yvonne Pitt.

I heard a lot of people say "it’s good to have different names winning". CONGRATULATIONS to the inventors of all the day’s winning dances.

Thanks, of course, to all the National’s officials and assistants for a really good day. Well done, everyone. I’m looking forward to the next NATD Inventive competition, same place next year.

In the meantime, Happy Dancing, everyone.