The newly established Bucks Dance Festival took place on Sunday 24th July 2011 at Chalfonts Community College which proved to be an excellent venue. Set in a semi rural area with good parking facilities, a sizeable stage and extremely helpful and  well organised stewards this looked a promising start.  Expecting a few hitches to occur on this one day festival, I am delighted to report there were none! Timing of classes was spot on, audience and dancers  behaviour was excellent and the overall atmosphere was enjoyment and pleasure.

The standard was varied, mostly good and some very outstanding work from several dancers. In the novice 9yrs & under Gwenllian Minton (Leanne Hughes) danced a very stylish Modern solo scoring unusually for novice an 85. Isabella Parsell (Jacqui Ison) performed beautifully gaining 1st place in Ballet, Song & Dance, National and Tap, for which she won highest mark of the festival with 88. Not to be outdone, her sister Inez won her Modern, National,Song & Dance and Tap. Other notable performances were from Hannah Panksztelo & Marie Beveridge (Pink Academy) in a convincing presentation of their duet – “A mother cares for her sick child”, Ballet solo from Alexandra Willcocks (Sue Coles), Hannah Walker & Eve Bennett (Sue Coles) Tap duet, Bethany Cave (Jacqui Ison) Modern solo,  Georgia Kemp & Alice Obergan (Pink Academy) Modern duet, Lily Hewitt & Gabriella Gee (Leanne Hughes), Lyrical duet.  Particularly promi sing and consistent work was presented by Marie Beveridge(Pink Academy) who won Lyrical, Modern, Character, Modern trio with Jordan West & Alice Oberidge and Modern Duet with Chloe Moss. Marie also won the prizewinners class, held at the end of the day with her Character solo. Runners up were Inez Parsell and Bethany Cave.  The Hayers Cup went to Eldeca Marczin-Bundy (Pink Academy) for most promising dancer.

It was a very pleasing day and I really must congratulate Rachel Kemp and Julia Ali for its successful first year.  Attention to detail was admirable and I wish them all the best for next year and hope that it continues to expand in entries. A pleasure to adjudicate.

Claire Jennings