Following on from the recent Irish Opens in Dublin, Julie Hynes and her dancers attended a Swansea CRN Irish Dance competition on November 18 along with seven other schools from Ireland, Wales and the Netherlands. Once again the Saundersfoot based dance school came away with top results.
In particular, eight-year-olds Molly Lewis and Martha O'Neil excelled, winning three and four firsts, respectively. Other first prize winners included Siobhan O'Sullivan, Katie Harries, Tess Burke, Rhiannon Tebbutt, Jennifer Hynes and Sam Davies.
Some of the classes had over 50 children competing.
The year 2001 has been a wonderful one for the school, with Jennifer Hynes winning both her regional and Irish open championship classes and Sam Davies winning his regional title.
To celebrate these, and other awards gained during the year, Julie is organising a Christmas Open Day on Saturday, December 22, 3-6 pm at the Regency Hall, Saundersfoot. All her dancers, from beginners to seniors, will be taking their turn on the stage to show off their skills in this difficult art.
"We have quite a following in the area," said Julie, "and will be pleased to welcome anyone who would like to call in to see the dancers perform."
Coffee, tea and refreshments will be served and medals and trophies will be on display. Special awards are to be presented to all the 2001 Irish Open qualifiers at 5 pm.
Thosse who gained placings, including several 1sts, 2nds and 3rds, at the Swansea Feile on November 18, were: Martha O'Neil. Molly Lewis, Tessa Burke, Siobhan O'Sullivan, Katie Harries, Rhiannon Tebbut, Jennifer Hynes, Sam Davies, Naomie Bowen, Kirsty Keane, Stephanie Brown, Kelly Russell, Tyler Kendall Day - plus two-hand with Rebecca Hobbs, Kieran Bolger and Kiera Hardy.
Highly commended were: Megan Hall, Danielle Turner, Elizabeth Collins, Emma Griffiths and Ceri Ashe.