Vonrothbart

I agree with a lot you say alison, maybe you should stop buying it. The problem is, a lot of people want half of the issue to be full of junk, for instance, the biggest selling newspaper in the UK has / or maybe had, a picture of a naked lady, and a crossword that a chimpanzee could complete. Unfortunately those two things alone, made it the success it is, maybe a sign of the times we live in.

I used to feed a blackbird by hand LinnMM, I've not seen it this year though, so maybe fear the worst. My favourite bird is the Kingfisher, I used to have two pairs nesting on the river bank at the bottom of the garden, within a hundred metres of each other. Unfortunately they've gone now due to the EA making the banks look like a scene off the moon.

It's 10:30 - 12:45 balletqueen.

There's usually one or two near me every year, but not heard them this year up to now.

Totally agree with everything you say angel.

Thank you angel, but like I mentioned, we would have swapped it for a place at WL for instance. There's plenty of time for things to happen of course, along with all the other DC who are on this fantastic journey. My granddaughter does seem to be on a bit of a run though, as she gained 88 points at the last festival in February, and won a scholarship for 2016, at a recent summer school at Tring. I'm sure like most parents, it's very nice to enjoy a little success from time to time, as you never really know when it might end.

I personally wouldn't get too carried away by RAD results whether good or mediocre. I reckon it's auditions that really matter, having the ability to impress the panel or the individual. On the other hand there's nothing wrong with being pleased when you do well in them too. The results came the other day, and she was well chuffed as a 12 year old, to find she had attained a distinction with 91 points in her Intermediate.

Absolutely not, but if you prefer my post to be removed then no problems.

Surely a finalist for WL would gain a place in MA's over a dancer who didn't make the finals. If not it wouldn't make sense.

I also did a lot of swimming to county level in my younger days, I suppose that wouldn't have helped. LinnMM, wearing a hearing aid or aids can actually reduce the problem, seems odd I know.

I have suffered from Tinitus for many years annaballerina, and have learnt to put up with the usual hissing, blowing steam sounds. Three years ago I started getting what's called pulsatile tinitus, which is like a Chinese torture. (Whatever that is) The specialist told me it's caused by the eustacean tube picking some sort of signal up and sending it to the ear, which results in a horrible throbbing. In my case it was probably caused by a severe head injury I had when I was younger, which included multiple fractures of the skull, and a severed facial nerve, which is very close to the ear system. It could also have been caused by noise damage, in the industry I worked in. I certainly know what you mean when you say you can't concentrate, and when in my case, this throbbing stops, it's the most wonderful feeling there is. There are some self help groups around that may help, but I'm pretty certain there are no medical cures for the problem. I was given three options by the specialist, 1 = use a nasal spray for the rest of my life. 2 = have a small plug fitted ( another specialist I saw disagreed with that one ) or 3 = do nothing and put up with it. I do find that if I wear the hearing aids they gave me, it relieves it slightly, but don't bother to be honest as I have issues with them. You might try logging when the problem is at it's worst, and maybe you will come up with a pattern. I find mine is worse when the pollen count starts climbing, hence the spray. I also think it's quite normal for almost everyone to have some of the symptoms, but as you will know it can be a horrible complaint at times.

I'd better not say too much Fonty for obvious reasons, but it is something that has built up over a few years. It could well turn out to be even more than that mentioned, the crazy thing is, it was a council rep who informed my daughter of the error. PS I love your username.

Too true thequays, the crazy thing is, it's going to cost them ( tax payers money) a lot more, due to the solicitors fees.

The local council owe my daughter at least 12 grand, probably more, that has taking so long to settle, her solicitor is now dealing with it, yet she got a nasty reminder for a lousy £8. It's a crazy world we live in at times.

Yes that's true Harwel.

The teacher at my grandaughters dance school has been really helpful, ever since she, along with her friend were first year JA's, and now Mids. When GDD was just falling short of a place at WL, she encouraged her to try other schools such as Elmhurst and Tring, not that she did mind. I too would have thought it would be good publicity, for one of the dancers taught at her school, to gain these places.

I think you are correct Pups-mum, I'm waiting for a reply from AE to see whether she can enter as an individual. but like I mentioned it won't matter, just thought it might have been fun.

Yes you're correct Loulabelle, her school doesn't take part. That's a shame if an individual wanted to enter, and wouldn't be allowed. It's maybe no big deal if she isn't, as she probably has enough on her plate as it is, but sometimes I think to go for it, as you never know when this journey might end for one reason or another. She would qualify for the ballet solo, the duet, and the trio in her age group, obviously if her partners were interested too.

Thank you Loulabelle and Julie, there's still plenty of time to enter I believe, so I will see if my GDD is interested as it may be enjoyable.

So sorry Loulabelle, only two pages opened at first, but now seen all the other nominated festivals. The most northerly regional final though, is Mansfield what I can see, hardly north really.

I'm sorry it might be me missing something, but the nearest regional final for us would be Mansfield what I can see. Just to clarify, if a dancer gains 89 points at a nominated festival, and enters the competition within the time scale, would that dancer go forward to the regional final?

There seems to be a massive bias towards dancers from the south of the country in this competition, there could well be a valid reason for this. I'm not sure, does anyone know?

So that's at least 13 in year 8 next year again, well done the yes's.

I absolutely agree with you invisiblecircus, particularly the last paragraph.

One thing as far as schools go is this "exceptional circumstances" rule that seems to translate into time off for ballet exam or performance license or audition being perceived as bad parent that deserves a fine for taking a child out of school on the odd occasion! Drives me nuts! I'm surprised at that annaliesey, my GDD gets all the backing possible from her school for the many days she misses, for auditions, exams etc etc.