The Terri Jayne School of Dance studios opened by Surrey Heath’s Mayor

Yesterday the Mayor of Surrey Heath – Cllr Bob Paton, performed the official opening of the new studios of the Terri Jayne School of Dance in Guildford Road, Lightwater. As the building was previously Lightwater’s Police Station, it was a nice touch to have Sgt Melanie Sefton, of Surrey Heath Neighbourhood Policing team, join the Mayor in the opening celebrations.

Unquestionably the new home of the Dance School is a superb facility, with two large air conditioned studios and associated facilities. It’s location offers safe drop off and pick-up for students. It’s also on the 34 and 35 bus routes. I think it’s a major addition to the village. For years I’ve been amazed at the popularity of youth dance in the borough, and the number of dance schools. This year the Terri Jayne School performed for three nights at Camberley Theatre, where the cast totalled 275. That’s what I call popularity.

Anyway, I took lots of photos of the official opening, and have combined some of them along with my [amateurish] video of the opening.

Lightwater’s Fayre in the Square a happy place to be on Saturday

All the visitors and shoppers to the Fayre in the Square ignored the police activity around Barclays Bank, with it’s damaged ATM machine. More importantly they were happy to enjoy the stalls, the sunny weather, the free food samples, and refreshments from George’s Café. From chatting to the stall holders, they all had a profitable day, with All Saints’ Church book stall selling many books.

As my dear wife was on the Windlesham Country Market stall, I was left to my owns devices for breakfast and lunch. And so it was that I hovered around the free food sampling stalls. Mike Duffy of Duffy’s Budgens always manages to gets some of his suppliers to attend the Fayre’s in the Square, this time it was Purbeck Ice Cream, Shemins Curry Paste, and Delect Homemade Cookie Dough. Chocolate ice cream before a chick pea curry, what’s not to love.

I didn’t spread my favours around – perhaps I should’ve – anyway, the joint Christopher’s Smile / Lakeview Care Home stall took all my money. I tried so hard, yet failed to win the large tin of Amaretto Biscuits, so with my last few hoopla’s I snagged a bottle of red wine.

Here’s my brief photo montage of the event,

Terri Jayne Dance School’s dancing cruise at Camberley Theatre

We were in the audience a week last Saturday for the Terri Jayne School of Dance show at Camberley Theatre, and what a show it was too.

It might be considered entertainingly limiting for an evening entirely of dance. Not so. It was thoroughly enjoyable. The choice of cruising at sea as the show’s theme allowed plenty of room for artistic interpretation.

What did we enjoy? Well, the costumes were sparkly and fun, the dance routines obviously, and the toe-tapping thumping music. Personally, I liked the routine to Rod Stewart’s ‘We are Sailing’, a fitting routine to end the show.  I like teamwork, preferring team sports to individual sports, so the ‘Can-Can routine with dancers linking arms pleased me.

There were some amazing statistics that I noted. There were 34 routines – yes, 34, and 278 dancers. Wow, I bet that took some managing back stage.

I only counted one male member of the cast, a small young boy. I also noticed that all the young girl dancers had long hair tied up in pony tails, meanwhile of the 30 odd adult lady dancers only a few had long hair. Must be an age thing.

Sunshine and showers for Lightwater’s Village Fête

Crowds gathered for Lightwater’s Village Fete last Saturday, enjoying the many attractions, though also experiencing the odd rain shower.

The heavy rain didn’t arrive until after the Fête ended, meaning that it was a mostly dry day for visitors. Here’s my photo blog of the event. I couldn’t resist a ‘selfie’ with Gordon’s School Bandmaster – Cecil McCready. The man is a legend, so why wouldn’t I want my picture taken with him.

Being a chatty soul, I had many an enjoyable conversation at the Fête, including an informative tour of the exhibits of Windlesham & Camberley Camera Club from club photography judge, Peter Walmsley.

Crowds gather

The children’s choir was much appreciated by visitors and parents

The lovely Fullers Dray horses

This year there’s a new battery powered race car from Status Racing

Gordon’s School Pipe Band assemble prior to their display

Yep, me and Bandmaster Cecil McCready

Compere Andrew Newman with audio expert Chris Williams close behind

Andrew Newman enjoying a ‘refresher’

The camera club in the Church Hall

Young dancers fro the Terri Jayne School of Dance entertain the crowds

A view of the Fete

The Morris Dancers educate invited youngsters

Camberley’s Fire Engine

Surrey Heath’s Mayor and Consort

Surrey Heath’s Mayor & Consort lap of honour in their vintage car