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CHRISTMAS 1995

Christmas is fast approaching, so we thought we'd send our good wishes to you and (due to us being such bad letter writers!) use this opportunity to tell you what we've been up to this past year.

Michelle had a big change at school this year when she started Senior School - she now attends Greendown Community School.   At first it was strange changing classrooms (and finding them first!), but she settled in very quickly and now wonders why she worried so much before.   On leaving Shaw Ridge Primary School she also left behind Orchestra, Choir and flute lessons (although she has since re-started flute lessons and Orchestra at Greendown).   On the last day of term we had a party to which all the girls in her class were invited!   We had 21 for the evening, with 16 staying the night; it was supposed to be a sleep-over, but as you can imagine, not much sleeping was done.   Mandy didn't even try going to bed that night and Michelle was sent home from a dancing lesson the following day because she couldn't stay awake!

Michelle as usual was kept busy with her dancing.   Throughout the year Michelle has taken examinations (set by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) for Classical Ballet at Grades III, IV and Standard IV, Silver Tap (Junior) and Grade III Tap, Grave IV Modern, Grade II National Dance, and Performance Award Grade IV, passing all with the highest grade.

In February Michelle entered the Cotswold Dance Festival, held in Cirencester.   She entered for Ballet, Tap (Bronze), Modern and National (Bronze) solos, and the Drum Boogie group (Bronze).   April saw the Bristol Dance Eisteddfod where she won a Bronze for a Classical Duet.   The end of May/start of June saw Michelle at the Bournemouth Music Competitions Festival.   Of the six classes she entered for she managed one first place (for the Drum Boogie Group), but she danced her personal best and was very pleased with herself (she gained three 4th places and two fifth places which still isn't bad considering the classes averaged 30 plus).

In July Michelle was presented with a Special Award for Ballet (and was given a term's free ballet lessons), the Musicality Shield and a Certificate for Modern Dance at the Judith Hockaday School of Dancing prizegiving ceremony.   Also in July Michelle participated in the National Summer School, where she studied three countries' traditions, dress, exports and dances, which culminated in an oral and dance examination in September.   In October Michelle danced a Polish Solo and Romanian Duet at the Grandison Clark Awards regional heats at Bristol; she was invited to the finals in London for both dances, but on the day was not placed (partly due to her having a terrible cold and asthma, partly due to some of her competitors being much older and therefore having more training, and partly because others were better than her!), although she did receive medals for her achievement of becoming a finalist.   Michelle has also been asked to dance on three occasions for services at Avebury Chapel and Central Church (this Christmas she will dance and play the part of Mary).   According to this last year's calendar, Michelle has had 321 dance lessons, plus all those extra lessons which were not written down!

In May Michelle celebrated her 11th birthday with a party for 16; we played lots of silly games, had loads of food and drink and finished off with disco dancing.   Michelle has also gained her Personal Survival levels One and Two swimming awards, Gold Swimming award and 1000 metres distance award.   In October Michelle gave up Central Sounds (music group) as she was finding the dancing, walking to school, walking around school and homework very tiring; when she is more used to the extra work she will be able to join again though.

Of course Mandy spends a lot of time driving Michelle around, as well as organising costumes, props, hairdressing and make-up.   Mandy still plays her guitar and sings with Central Sounds, this year playing at various churches besides Central Church.   The end of February saw a sad and emotional farewell to Mandy's sister Terri, who had been here for about 3 or 4 months, as she flew back to Australia via Hong Kong and China (obviously Mandy's fear of flying is not a family affair).   Mandy's role of Pastoral Secretary means she is kept busy at the computer keeping the various directories, lists and register up to date.   And to prove she works hard, she even sustained a Repetitive Strain Injury which infuriated her because it meant she couldn't type or play guitar for a few months.

Duncan is still working in Bristol and is definitely enjoying the much shorter commuting times than his previous job.   Duncan still helps out with readings, vestry stewarding and operating microphones at Church.   Duncan enjoys playing cricket, and this year captained the Central Church team that won the Swindon Churches Cup; he was presented with the cup by the Bishop of Swindon and even had his picture in the local newspaper.   The competition was held at United Churches ground at Sevenhampton (just outside Swindon).   Whilst he has enjoyed his cricket this past year, the same cannot be said for the football as he again saw Swindon relegated; however, this season has started much better and things don't seem so bad now.

This year our holiday was made up of day trips to London (we saw Starlight Express), Ogmore-by-Sea, the Forest of Dean, Birmingham, Evesham, Stow, Broadway, Newbury, and Hengistbury Head (which we liked so much we went back twice more!).   We have also welcomed two new members to our family - Rover and Poppy - who are dwarf Dutch rabbits; we hope to hear the patter of tiny paws in the spring, so if you would like a rabbit ...?!


As you can see, we've had a very busy year.   We send our thoughts and wishes to you as we wish you a very Happy Christmas, and a healthy and prosperous New Year.


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