THE first two weekends of November found Guiseley Theatre packed with theatre arts groups, dancers of all ages, parents, teachers and Federation of Festivals officials, all anxious to see who would be chosen by adjudicator Alison Seddon as winners in their field during Wharfedale Festival of Performing Arts’ Dance Championship.

This popular festival has grown from strength to strength and now occupies two complete weekends from an 8.30am start to a 9pm finish on four weekend days. It is a tribute to the organiser Ivy Wailes and her brilliant team of Joan Hall, Cynthia Carr and the amazing kitchen wizard Dorte Foster that so many performers arrive from all over the north of England to compete. Numbers have increased so much that schools have had to be taken on a first come first served basis this year.

Like the other sections of the Wharfedale Festival of Performing Arts, the Dance Championship offers opportunities to all ages of performers to show their talents individually, in pairs, groups and whole troupes. There is an amazing variety of dancing including Classical and Modern, Character, Cabaret, Tap and Greek, to name but a few: all require different dress codes and costumes, many of which are beautiful and intricate – the attention to detail, despite the expense, revealing the patient support which each dancer relies on when performing.

One of the major highlights of the Championship is the opportunity to enter the heat of the national ‘Miss Dance’ competition. A maximum of 40 girls could take part in this, though many more wanted to do so. The winner, Kate Tomlinson of Ossett, will now go forward to dance at the finals in Blackpool in the hope of furthering her dance career and winning an award of over £3,000.

Organiser Ivy Wailes said:“It was lovely to receive an email from the mum of one of our ‘Miss Dance’ competitors saying how much her daughter had enjoyed the experience, especially the friendly and welcoming reception at the festival. Other glowing comments came from parents and grandparents, some requesting recipes from Dorte’s kitchen!”

A prominent visitor this year was Marilynne T Davies, Chair of the Federation Fellows, who made a presentation to Mrs Blanche Woollin, Lifetime President of the WFPA, of one of the first ever Federation Fellowships, awarded to those who have given many years of service to the Festival movement . Along with the award Mrs Woollin received flowers from the committee who had nominated her for the honour.

The final evening concluded with a joyous group section of entertaining numbers, well received by an enthusiastic audience. Presenting the awards and trophies to close the festival, adjudicator Alison Seddon reiterated how much she had loved the enthusiasm and expertise of the performers and how much she had appreciated the warm welcome from everyone associated with the Dance Championship in Guiseley. She added that she hoped to be invited back in the future.

Thanks are due to everyone who gave their own time so freely to ensure the continued success of this Championship: it could not happen without you all and your hard work is much appreciated.

* Report by Pat Dibb, General Secretary, WFPA

SALVER AWARDS 2018

Kinder Class: Evie Leigh Smith

Class A: Alexis Agustin

Class B: Kessia- Rose Hadfield-Walker

Class C: Gabrielle Slinger

Class D: Emma West

Junior Novice: Georgia Dargue

Senior Novice: Emily Carter-Patrickson

Junior Impromptu: Lexie Mehan

Senior Impromptu: Abigail Calvert

Duet Winners: Kessia- Rose Hadfield-Walker; Olivia Leather

Trio Winners: Lucy Metcalfe; Edie Souter; Holly Hullah

TROPHY WINNERS 2018

Kinder Cup (most promising 5 yrs& under): Bobbi Allan

Horsforth Trophy (most outstanding Junior): Charlotte Murdoch

Nikki Ellen (highest mark in any solo section): Kessia-Rose Hadfield-Walker

Isadora Trophy (musicality-adjudicator’s choice): Chrystal Davis

Endeavour Trophy (chosen by adjudicator for hard work and effort): Ava Ferris

Horsforth Junior Group Trophy: Cornell School of Dance

Cynthia Carr Senior Group Trophy: Spotlight Stage School

Jack Sharp Trophy (most outstanding performer of the 2018 Championship): Emma West

Wharfedale Festival of Performing Arts Bursary for Junior Residential Summer School: Lexie Quinn

Anne Howells Bursary Award for £100 towards further dance training: Alice Forde

Denis Sharp Memorial Award towards Senior Residential Summer School: Abigail Calvert