East Calder dance group wins in Belgium

Oct 6 2011 by Allan Valente, West Lothian Courier

dancers

AN EAST Calder Highland Dance group have returned from a successful trip to the European Highland Games in Alden Biesen, Belgium.

A group of 14 girls from the Cathy Bird School of Dance travelled to the games and brought back more than 50 medals and seven trophies between them.

The girls faced a long journey to get to the event, but a delighted Cathy was extremely proud of their performance.

She said: “The girls had a fantastic time and they didn’t want to come home.

“We went over on the ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam and then travelled to Belgium by bus.

“It was the first time we have been over to compete, but it is definitely something we will look to do again in the future.”

The girls and parents raised more than £3000 through various fundraising activities to help finance the trip.

Cathy said: “We had different ways of raising money, including putting on Scottish nights and table sales.

“I also taught the parents a sponsored Highland dance.

“It was hilarious but they actually raised about £1000 so it was absolutely fantastic.”

Sarah Baldry won the overall beginners trophy and Erica Bartram took home the overall novice trophy.

Added to this, Sophie Morgan won the overall 10 years and under intermediate trophy and Natalie Weir won the overall 11 years and over intermediate trophy.

Caitlin Jensen, Gulsam Onal and Stephanie Morgan all took home runner-up trophies.

Even before their success in Europe, the dance school still had much to celebrate this year.

Rhea Kerr, Rachel Casey and Carys Nelson from the group represented Scotland at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in August, with Cathy describing it as a “remarkable achievement”.

The Cathy Bird School of Dance meets in the East Calder Community Centre on Tuesday evenings from 6.30 to 8.30pm. Classes are also held in Kirknewwton Village Hall on Friday evenings from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

For more information go to www.cathybirdhighlanddance.co.uk.