A Towering achievement

Apr 3 2008 by David Williams, Rhymney Valley Express

NEW Cottage Dance Centre is the toast of Welsh dancing after completing a prestigious double at the British Junior Formation Championships in Blackpool.

The centre, run by Philip and Carol Perry, finished with two first places and three runner-ups at the Latin-themed junior and juvenile competition held at Blackpool’s Tower Ballroom.

All eight of the centre’s teams reached their finals, with the remaining three all finishing sixth.

“It’s a one-off for eight teams to reach the finals,” said Mrs Perry, who has run the school for more than 35 years with her husband.

“We have had excellent performances before and last year all five of our teams made their finals, but we’ve never taken eight teams in the past.

“We had more than 100 children there as well as all their parents and grandparents, so it was like a pilgrimage for us.”

As the name suggests, formation dancing involves teams of couples performing in unison to set music.

In Blackpool, the centre’s couples danced to a soundtrack including Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey, with Latin costumes to match.

Carol has no doubt about the benefits the children get from dancing.

“They get a great deal out of it,” she said. “It teaches discipline, teamwork, gives them confidence and gets them socialising with other children. It also keeps them healthy and fit and gives them a good posture.”

The New Cottage Dance Centre’s results were as follows: Junior Formation Championship – first, Ystrad Fawr Junior team; second, Ystrad Fawr Seren team; sixth, Ystrad Fawr Fiesta team. Junior Championship for four-couple teams – first, Ystrad Fawr Alegria team; second, Ystrad Fawr Candy team; sixth, Ystrad Fawr Toms team.

The centre also came second in the Juvenile Championship and sixth in the Stars of Tomorrow event.

As well as Carol and Philip, the teams were coached by Sean and Kay Perry, the couple’s son and daughter-in-law, and Kristie Booth.