hfbrew

No point in having the volume up as I still can't follow programmes without subtitles anyway. And they have vastly improved over the years. My stepfather has the TV so loud, I have to take my hearing aids out when it's on. So silly not to benefit from the wonderful technology we have available. Now I actually don't wear my aids all the time and taking them out is bliss but it would be stupid not to use them when it's necessary. I cannot understand those who think that there is shame in being in need of them, especially if it's down to vanity. On the subject of subtitles I am sure that they are partly why my son could read before he went to school!

Hearing aids only make a noise if they are fitted incorrectly, i.e. part of the mould not in the ear or a bit of loose tubing.They whistle if switched on but not in the ear.Sometimes other audio equipment interferes with them such as speakers and early mobile phones were a nightmare. It seems to me that the hearing aid affecting the concert, if indeed it was the culprit, may well have been left switched on in a bag. It's very painful wearing one making a noise which then renders it useless anyway. Really object to the inference that they are antisocial, I do not enjoy needing to wear them but would not be able to attend social events without them. Although I am now middle aged, I have worn them through out my youth so also object to "hearing aid generation." Don't spend thousands on private hearing aids, the NHS ones just the same. Do wear them if necessary. My mum's dementia is so much worse due to the fact she refused to wear hers. My hearing aids were adjusted to reflect my needs, one being that I am in close proximity to audio equipment and a piano most days(I am a Ballet teacher.) Some theatres, venues supposedly have a loop system to help hearing aid users focus on the stage but the only one I've ever found that worked for me was at Slimbridge WWC! Background noise is a nightmare if you wear hearing aids, think rustly sweet wrappers etc. Everything gets magnified if that makes sense but modern aids are thankfully better at cutting out unwanted background noise. Hope this helps and good luck getting one sorted.

You are quite right, I was 6 months out but I've no doubt that Anna Rose was always on course for the company whoever was in charge!

Yasmine Naghdi and Francesca Haywood were actually taken into the company before Mr O'Hare became director as was Anna Rose O Sullivan. However I totally agree that its wonderful that Mr O Hare is developing the talents of the younger members of the company, many of them British trained. And its not just BRB who also have British trained talent, there are many at Northern too as well other companies.

It was a nostalgic trip for me as we saw so many dancers who were students with ds. It certainly brought back memories and the icing on the cake for me was seeing ds and friends in the school photo! But to get Anna Rose's name wrong was sloppy. I was also annoyed that the camera kept cutting to watching dancers instead of concentrating on the actual dancing. However I did enjoy it and felt that it was something that I hoped my young students and their parents were watching.

Good luck to your daughter. My ds and his lovely girlfriend were still performing with BTUK last Christmas so it warms my heart to know that they reinstalled the magic of Ballet for your dd!

Not sure that this will help as it's some years since ds trained and graduated. But he always had plan b in mind which is why he chose Tring where he got 3 good A levels on top of the excellent GCSEs gained from WL. He also got his level 6 diploma.So now he has retired from dancing he was pleasantly surprised to find himself well qualified for his current job without having to fund more education. I do of course realise that ds was very lucky as he was offered all sorts of funding from several establishments, most people don't get the choices he had. At the time it wasn't clear whether his choice was right for him but now he is extremely glad that he thought so far ahead. For the here and now, when looking at costs, for girls you must factor in Pointe shoes and Tutus depending on where you are training. And yes for all students there will be trips, insurances and competition/ exam costs. Again varies from one establishment to another.

Several of my keenest students do a class a Grade above the one that they are officially in. Its good for them to get as much variety as possible rather than only work on one set of exercises. If a teacher is only working on syllabus it can be restrictive.

The hairstyle sounds lovely. Take both pairs of shoes then go with gut feeling on day. But maybe not one split sole and one full sole... edited to add shoes!

I just stand and glare.... usually does the trick!

Yay! Let's all have a drink together!

Let's put it in 101 Janet!

Bravo, Aileen!

Well as others have pointed out it's the annual membership fee which my son pays anyway so I don't think of it as a fee for the ARAD letters. Sorry if I've been misleading!

Well my son certainly doesn't have to pay a fee!

I remember when ds first got his job. Conversation in staff room. Me; he has a contract! He is now a Professional Ballet Dancer! Staff. What? Professional? You mean he gets paid?

I really miss ds not dancing although hopefully it's temporary. Had a real pang the other day when his "going home" was back on the train to his lovely girlfriend and not home to dinner with me.Really missed the chat we would normally have had! I found his White Lodge tie the other day. Such an amazing achievement for ds to have trained there I still can hardly believe it actually happened.

Don't know about ISTD but the RAD offers several options, one of which doesn't cost anything in that the teacher can enquire. It's the written reports and clerical checks that cost a lot. If a whole group of candidates results really are not in keeping with a schools normal record then I think that it doesn't do any harm to to report back to HQ. After all the results are supposed to be moderated to ensure fairness for all should some examiners mark more harshly than some. Ds was offered a retake when he was with a whole group of candidates who were marked low with a particular examiner. He turned it down as he already had a contract anyway.

It depends on whether teachers have their own premises or not. In my area halls are very expensive and have to be hired hence private hour long sessions are £40. I personally am also incredibly busy so time is at a premium too!

Well if you are ever down Hertfordshire way my lone adult gent would be glad of the company and the ladies are lovely too! Good luck and keep going.

Don't blame yourself Lisa. I'm really upset for you and the kitten though. But I am convinced that that kitten knew you loved her, please take comfort in that. Big hugs.

It's petty. I've sent certificates at my own expense. Having said that it is a nuisance having to find a secure enough envelope because certificates are easily damaged in the post. But send the 96p with a very sweet thank you, it might make her reflect a bit. And you could send the 96p by cheque!!

It's really good.I'd like to put it on my school Facebook page with your permission. I've actually been in possession of two safeguarding policies since early this year but it's been time consuming reading everything and trying to draw up one relevant to my particular school which is very much an all inclusive one. And I attended a very interesting safe dance practice lecture last year but drdances Safe Dance Practice guideline is I think one of the best things I've seen that may help parents awareness.

The RAD remind me every three years to renew my DBS!