suzysue

The talk of sports and ballet reminds me of dd's comment about the hurdles. She'd been reminded not to simply grand jete over them, "you have to stick your leg out like a dog having a wee " she explained. Being size 7 feet doesn't seem to have hindered her with pointe work. Although she's also 5 ft 8 so looks a bit similar to a lampost.

I've no actual information, but a tip if anyone is buying Science in Sport stuff. Dh cycles and uses this, much cheaper to buy from a cycle shop online called Ribble Cycles apparently ☺

Report it to your local Safeguarding children team. Or via the NSPCC.

I bought a dress for my dd's greek solo from Amazon, £7.99, bargain!

In terms of what treatment to give, a Physio will possibly use Ultrasound to reduce inflammation. That can be very effective. Wishing your dd a speedy recovery. :-) I definitely don't dance but ultrasound treatment really helped my achilles tendonitis (had 3 sessions, no change after 2, massive improvement after 3).

Boring nursey info alert! Immunisations are usually given on a PHD which is like a group prescription for anyone who fits the criteria. So if the PGD reads "date of birth between x and y" then those are the only patients the nurse can administer the vaccine to. It's not worth her career to do any different. The GP can prescribe and administer outside of this if she wants to. So see the doctor if your child is younger. Hth!

I hadn't noticed anything like that at the West final. Although i'm usually in my own little world ???? . Maybe a bit of self importance from certain groups but generally I thought everyone was getting on nicely.

My Dd had a similar injury, no specific injury just a painful and swollen foot. Had some time of dancing but carried on walking to school etc as had been advised. Swelled on and off for 3 months. Then we all has flu at Christmas and barely moved except bed to sofa, this cured it! They told us muscle damage caused by doing weird and unnatural things with her foot, sounds like it's the same thing if it's the pointing and stretching of her foot that causes problems. I think absolute rest is probably what she needs, then it should be ok for September xxx

Not dancing experience but when ds was 7 and broke his wrist they advised no contact sports for the safety of the others! He did football training (after checking no parents objected to their child potentially getting clobbered with a plaster cast) but wasn't allowed to play matches due to the insurance. I've seen a few arms in plaster at festivals.

The splits for West seem to be by age but can't see why this would be so difficult to do?

How does that work though Julie W? I thought the closing date was the end of March?

I am also hoping they will be out soon. Need to know what days to book off work! Are the times usually released onto the website?

Yes mimi'smom, I think we do ☺ I found their FB page and have messaged for more info.

What's Staffordshire Youth Ballet? I live in Stafford but never heard of it!

I'very just taken a trip to the hardware shop. 70 screws for £1.10, identical to the one that fell out ????

I've got a feeling that you have to apply via your teacher (who has to be a member of All England Dance). I could be wrong but Dd didn't do 2013 as she was the only one from her school wanting to enter so we saved her teacher the membership and didn't go. She didn't suggest entering ourselves. We'll be at Cheltenham this year.

My Dd has been doing festivals for years and has a very philosophical attitude. You win some, you lose some. As long as she's done her best and enjoyed herself. Adjudicators often seem to have favourite dancers and definitely favourite styles or choreography. Next time could be completely different.

What about going to watch a festival (that one of the alternative schools are entering) and see what you both think of it? Dd has danced in festivals since she was 4, I think she's learnt a lot of life skills from them - confidence, team work, being gracious in victory and defeat. She's also loved every minute.

Try New Look. My dd has a nude multi way bra in 30A from there. It was a 2 pack with a black one for about £12.

I like the idea of a magnetic strip for storage of hairpins, my work badge is magnetic and I find a quick sweep around the inside of my handbag is a very effective way to find stray pins. Dd has separate little pots for bobbles, pins, grips, nets. They are actually pots from individual ice cream sundaes (Aldi). The advantage is you have to eat ice cream first ;-)

We always say that dd did very well genetically, getting the best from us both. Dance wise she got flexibility from me, her slender frame from my mum (it bypassed me!) and her musicality from her dad.

Dtadmin I am wondering if you're at the same festival (and section) as we are. I think the adjudicator has very set ideas of what she wants. Dd has had no luck either but her reports have been fair and her marks reasonable. We have opted for an early night instead of the modern.

New to pointe shoes so no idea if this is helpful but I put the ribbons in dd's shoes and tied them and then marked where to sew them.

Dd's just finished a festival with Craig Bartley as adjudicator. He was fab (my 2nd favourite after Geoff Lucas), lots of constructive feedback and he was great with the kids. He was quite entertaining too.

Thanks Lildancer, I will pm you shortly :-D