Piccolo

A nice, company car on the motorway - I can imagine the temptation for some to let rip with the accelerator.My uncle in Australia was driving us down a big highway once in his company car and we had a blow out. I was 11 years old and terrified. He just completely lost control and we were veering all over the place. Luckily the road was otherwise empty at the time.

 

Unexpected situations like tyre blow outs are what worry me. How could anyone think they are in control of a car at 100mph, and with other people's nearest and dearest in the car too?

People who drive like idiots on bank holiday afternoons when they have other people's children in their car. Especially those who drive like maniacs round country lanes shouting and swearing at other drivers (and their passengers), and scaring the living daylights out of their own daughter and her friends, who were too terrified of his behaviour to ask him to slow down in case his road rage got worse.

 

               

 

My blood runs cold at the thought of what could have happened.

On holiday recently, I asked a taxi driver to slow down. Only mustered up the courage to pipe up because the kids were on the white knuckle ride too. Speed limit was 90kph and he was doing 125kph.

Afterwards my son asked why I was worrying... It then came to light that when his friends dad gave him (and 4 other 15 yr old boys!) a lift to a rugby match, driving at 100mph down the motorway, "they had all been fine!" Reckless way to drive and a terrible example to set to 5 adventurous teenage boys. Food for thought for the future...

The experimental hairdresser who persuaded me to "try something different ". All well and good until they get it wrong Into 101 you go! What's wrong with sticking with the tried and tested? At least its symmetrical though so I'll probably go back...

I'm a bit suspicious of supermarket meat and try to use a butcher but I have used the steak mince, whole free range chickens and normal and free range chicken breasts from Aldi and like them. Didn't like the sausages. Aldi free range chicken is very good value although I appreciate a luxury for many people....

I'll take your advice and try your suggestions from Aldi. Trouble is Aldi closes at 8pm and I get home from work at 8pm. Will have to get more organised!

...everything?!

Well, after reading this thread, I've revisited Lidl and made a great spag bol with the more expensive beef mince they have which I'd do again.

Not sure about the Lidl chicken though. It was all so pale looking and not very tasty. I successfully disguised it in a marinade which obviously defeated the whole purpose. It shrank a lot with cooking too. I've had a look at the frozen chicken as suggested here but it all looks to have added salt. Why does salt have to be added to

Joyofdance, I'm glad you started this thread So much has been highlighted. For me the summer schools 2016 feedback thread has been quite an intimidating read, although dd did do 1 SS. How can one possibly keep up? Financially, practically, designer T shirt in situ?

However, I still consider dd to be lucky to have had lots of great dancing opportunities, probably a world away from some people's expectations for their children.

Eg, small child, low income family (judging by the trolley of food) in the supermarket queue yesterday, singing along so beautifully IMHO to One Direction. I wanted to say, I hope you're in your school choir with that voice, wasn't my place to though. Potential yes, means to develop, possibly not...

All a bit random I know, but I sometimes wonder how on earth would a ballet school in for eg Gaza Strip or Allepo keep running? I suppose we're quite lucky, relatively speaking!

I find it unbelievable that in 2016 an annual DBS and a Safeguarding Children certificate are not compulsory for all adults who are involved with the running of organisations for children.

Even when, as a parent, acting as an occasional chaperone / parent coordinator for some ballet organisations, this is compulsory.

Drdance, do you know about Educare? Their online courses Child Protection in Education and The Prevent Duty would enhance any dance teachers skills and would be an informative course for any teacher looking to gain a more holistic insight into the children in their care. Also to learn about the nature of children at their different developmental stages.

Oh this is a common theme in our household, and in no way restricted to dance related issues. How many times have I heard at bedtime "Oh by the way mum, it's cookery at school tomorrow - I need ingredients for ocelot spleen risotto....."

So I'm possibly not the only one traipsing around supermarket isles with the cookery lesson list, when I should really be fast asleep in bed...!

Dd has just completed an amazing week at Dunsford, nr Exeter (Dpa, run by the amazing Layla Harrison.) A great range of genres and guest teachers including (dd's highlight) Anna Rose O'Sullivan and Elisha Willis. We had an amazing demo this afternoon with ballet, pas de deux, jazz, drama, street, commercial, tap, yoga, singing and drama. Saw more of dd than in recent voc school show. Dd's audition shots for next year fine too. Such a good week with amazing dedication from all who are part of the organising team. Maybe local, but definitely national in quality.

This looks like a little gem of a course. Just goes to show you don't have to sit on certain prestigious summer school wait lists (although we love to!) when there other courses that are, as you say Karen, national in quality.

Yes, I noticed that too AliKat. What a lovely rapport they have with the children, lots of lively interaction, and they achieved so much in a week!

I think that Bristol Russian Summer School deserves a mention after the lovely week dd has just spent there in the Intermediate class. She learnt 3 character dances, Russian, Hungarian and Italian, a Fairy solo from Sleeping Beauty and a group repertoire piece, amongst other useful things. Parents were warmly welcomed into a small performance at the end of the week. Yury and Chika explained what they had taught the children, which was quite nice when the only feedback I get from dd is 'stuff'. I think we'll be seeing more of this company.

Yep, I agree - brilliant!

All fingers crossed...

Well done Sparkle. You're on the right track... Don't look back, don't look down :-) !!

Tired dance mummy, the lack of opportunities in primary school productions is all to familiar... Took me years to recognise that leading roles went to children whose parents were school governors, busybodies or on TV - literally. One year, the Christmas concert was lead was a governors daughter who couldn't sing... So she mimed to a voiceover! Once they get to comp it's a Level playing field because no one knows who the parents are.

I think in terms of whether or not to audition for associates, even if you know nothing about ballet, but you can still be the best advocate for your child... Enjoy :-)

If you have Scottish ancestry, a grandmother, and Scotland leaves to join the EU, is it likely that it might be possible to get a Scottish passport? Does anyone know? Thanks!

Yep it was SO sad. Far to sad for a six year old. In fact I remember being in floods of tears because my granma gave me the single for Christmas. Why didn't she realise I loved David Essex and the Wombles?! (No wonder I wasn't her favourite grandchild!).

Boy George is probably one of the reasons my school days were a bit er... Unsuccessful! if only I had worked as hard at my work as I did at singing my heart out into my hairbrush or anything else to hand to to Karma Chameleon, etc... Pure bliss! He he!

...he might just be keeping up brotherly appearances! I know dd's brother would NEVER admit to her that the has enjoyed any of her ballet shows. He definitely enjoyed the last show but told me the other day that it had been a huge effort for him and that he MAY come to her watching class before the hols. I'm pretty sure he'll be there!

Well I never! Finally!

Ok - so it didn't that time!

?

...and the book is...on the shelf yet, PV? :-)

Hi Sparkle123, lots of associate classes are on a Saturday. If ballet is what your dd wants to pursue, maybe you should have a look around for another good school, just in case she gets offered YDA. Good luck!

Try to pick the least busy time though. You could ask them when this is. I waited til after the weekend with my broken toes...