Tamworth Pantomime Company Youth Academy

 

And the Winner Is
On Friday evening 26th February 2010, myself and Tina McBain attended the first annual awards evening for the Tamworth Pantomine Company Youth Academy. We had no idea what to expect and how the event would run. All of the hard work and planning is of course undertaken by the Youth Academy's own committee, headed by the very affable and efficient Eddie Dix. We think the whole idea of an evening that is dedicated to thanking and rewarding the children for thier efforts throughout a very busy year is one great idea and is welcomed.

When one realises that the Tamworth Panto Youth Academy is just over one year old, it is quite amazing what has been achieved in such a short time. It is also incredible that Wendy Doyle, the Artistic Director has kept her energy and enthusiasm for the project in what of course was a most devastating year for her, with the loss of her dear husband John, who was also a valued member of the Panto Company.

A VIP table had been set aside for Tina and myself, along with Deputy Mayor Lee Bates and arch villain Terry Batham from the main Panto committee. We were all in agreement that this event was carried off with great aplomb and it was obvious to anyone attending that a great deal of hard work had gone into making everything so lovely. The room was wonderfully decorated, everything was thought of, from the confetti on the tables to the kids having their own 'tuck shop'. I am pleased to report that the parents and grandparents of the students came out in force to support this great event.

After a very tasty meal, Eddie and Wendy took to the stage to start the awards proceedings. It was a delight for everyone in the room to see the kids so thrilled with their official pat on the back certificates and prizes. As Wendy quite rightly pointed out, there were really no winners or losers because every child is a star in his or her own right and they are all valued members of the organisation.

Cllr. Lee Bates who is of course one of our leading lights, did a magnificent job in presenting the awards. He was as always very willing to join in the celebrations and quite prepared to have a giggle with the rest of us. I for one think Tamworth's political arena will be a much brighter place with Lee in the role as Mayor from April 2010.

The awards presented were as follows:

Dedication and Achievement awards were presented to:

Jessica Bayliss, Alice Dix, Molly Dix, Charlotte Edwards, Thomas Edwards, Jaydeine Firkins, Kacy Firkins, Olivia Friend, Ashley Herbert, Talia Hurley, Thomas Jauncey, Elise Kane, Katie Littlefield, Tonisha Sippitts, Matilda Pratt, George Radcliffe, Jake Robinson, Daniel Shorrock, Molly Shorrock, Millie Southan, Heidi Southan and Leanne Steadman.

Achievement Awards were presented to:

Oliver Hurley, Maisie Bayliss, Callum Bayliss, Todd Radcliffe, Harvey Keeling, Brittany Allen, Katherine Morris, Niamh Morris, Sophie Mcguigan, Tonisha Sippitts and Dion timmins.

Special Awards were presented to:

Thomas Jauncey  - Drama King Award

Jaydeine Firkins  - Drama Queen Award

Alice Dix - Star Perfomer of the Year

Daniel Shorrock  - Personality of the Year

Olivia Friend - Most Imporved Student

Elise Kane - Most Promising Student

Alice Dix - Students Student of the Year

Charlotte Edwards - Runner Up Students Student of the Year

Thomas Edwards - Comedy Award

Chloe Dix - Special Achievement Award

Laura Ann Doyle & Megan Horton - Choreographers Awards

Alice Dix - Most Outstanding Award

I would like to give massive thanks to all of the parents, friends and committe of the TPCYA for all of their help, support and encouragement during this first year. You really have passed all expectations.

Anyone interested in joining the TPCYA, please contact Artistic Director, Wendy Doyle on 07842 588353 ot just come along to the classes on any Saturday at St. Editha's Church Hall in College Lane, Tamworth at 10.30am.

Ian Gibbons - Chairman Tamworth Pantomime Company

Skegness 

 

What a great day we had; everyone did their own thing but the general feedback suggests that you all had a good time. Most importantly, all the students were extremely well behaved throughout and were a credit to the Academy. WELL DONE EVERYONE! We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

 

We're looking forward to the next one!

 

UV Rehearsal 

 

In order to have a proper rehearsal for the UV number at the Royal Variety Show we need a dark room. Mel, the landlord of The Lounge in Atherstone, has very kindly offered this facility once more.

 

On Monday, 3rd August 2009 we will be holding an additional rehearsal at The Lounge from 6:30pm to approx. 8:00pm. For full directions, follow the interactive map shown below (please attend if you can, there is no additional fee, but Mel would appreciate the purchases of refreshments):

 

 

Polesworth Arts Festival

What a great evening it was, our thanks go out to all participants that braved the unseasonal weather. The highlight was performing in front of a live band that gave you all a new challenge, a challenge that you met head-on and you excelled at the task. WELL DONE!

Polesworth Arts Festival

We have been invited to perform at the Polesworth Arts Festival at the Abbey on Friday, 17th July 2009. Here are the arrangements:

Wednesday, 15th July

Rehearsal at the Church Hall at 6:30pm; it is expected that this will last 45 minutes at the most. Numbers to cover are Thriller and Colours of the Wind (from Pocahontas)

Friday, 17th July

Everyone to arrive at Polesworth Abbey at 7:00pm (TPC Youth Academy staff will be on hand to help with local instructions).

If you attend the morning class on a Saturday, please come in uniform (Polo shirt and black (school) trousers).

Everyone else to arrive in Thriller costume please! We will do make-up which is why we need everyone early...as ever, we are on last, so please expect a 10:00pm finish.

If you have any questions, contact Andy on 07968 436534 or Wendy on 07842 588353.

Skegness Trip

As you may, or may not, be aware we have arranged a group trip to Skegness for Sunday, 2nd August 2009. Students of the Academy travel free, but for Parents/Guardians and siblings there is a charge.

Adults:   £12.00

Siblings:  £10.00

Itinerary:

08:00am:   Depart from Tamworth Assembly Rooms for Skegness

18:00pm:  Depart Skegness for Tamworth Assembly Rooms

21:30pm:  Expected arrival at Assembly Rooms (traffic permitting!)

All students should wear their Academy Polo shirts for identification purposes, but those accompanied by parents/guardians will be responsible for their own charges. Needless to say, if the weather favours us, hats and sunscreen will be the order of the day.

This remains on a "first come, first served basis" so get your applications in ASAP!

Royal Variety Show, Nuneaton

Saturday, 12th September

We are still very short of students' documents for security clearance at our appearance at the show in September. Please, please, please...if you want to appear in the show, get copies of Birth Certificates and Proof of Address into Wendy ASAP (for those unsure, the best proof of address for a child is Child Benefit confirmation).

This is now becoming a high priority and we don't want anyone to be excluded because of paperwork! You have all worked so hard on this...we want you to be there.

Any queries, see the phone numbers above!

There is a mandatory Dress Rehearsal for this and you need to commit to this as well as the actual performance (Security and all that) on Tuesday, 8th September (time to be confirmed).

_________________________________________________________________________

Hot off the press, the following newsletter has been posted out to you all...

Can ALL students please meet at Louise Corser’s (Charlie & Emily's mum) on Saturday 4th July 2009 at EITHER 10am (if makeup access is needed) or 11am (if makeup done by parents)

Address;   2 Ankerside, Polesworth (off Pooley View) B78 1BS

All children to have plenty of fluids in named bottles (no fizzy drinks please) and have sun tan lotion applied (we are not allowed to do this for them by law). Hats to be worn if they suffer from sun exposure and very sensible shoes for the 3 mile route. Dance Trainers or shoes are not recommended as the hot tarmac on roads burns the soles and ruins the shoes and they are already expensive enough to purchase to be ruined in this way.

We shall have a vehicle either behind or in front of our kids in the procession to carry bottles of water and as a safe haven for those suffering from the sun. It is not a vehicle for all to jump into as the mood takes them to get out of walking the route, this is for safety only and to carry First Aid Kits, Water, Sponges and Ice. All children and adults are covered on our insurance providing they are in costume.  4 Adult marshals are required, 2 either side of our group with HiViz jackets on to comply with our insurance requirements, if you are willing to do this please see/contact Wendy/Ed or Andy straight away. We have the jackets already printed in large sizes to suit all.

In addition we shall be having a Fund Raising Stall on the Carnival Field to raise funds for our coach trip to Skegness and for much needed equipment. Can ALL parents please take their turn on the stall and not leave it to the staff, even if its just cover for toilet breaks.

We need to get all parents involved, after all its benefitting ALL the students.  We need everyone on Carnival Morning to bring with them bottles/tins/cans/cuddly toys or other suitable clean items, including bags of wrapped sweets and lollipops, for our stall and deliver them to our stall on the Carnival Field at 11am or go to Andy/Kim’s home at Yew Tree House, Spon Lane, Grendon CV9 3DN prior to Carnival Day (on appointment please – tel; 07968 436534). The kids are also to drop off their boxes by 11am with their “Blues Bros Costumes & Props” to the Changing Room/Tent on the field complete with a change of clothes for afterwards.(preferably their uniform as this will be advertising us all afternoon) Please do not leave valuables including any money in the changing room/tent or support vehicle as others will have access that do not belong to the Youth Academy so we cannot guarantee total security/safety.

After the children have paraded through the Polesworth Streets, they shall be doing a Parade around the arena (approx 2.30pm) They are to enter the field entrance from the Procession all together and in costume for free entry. Adults/Children not in costume will have to pay the entry fee (£1 per person). Andy and/or Ed, Megan, should then report to the Committee Control Tent(to Wendy) near to the PA system to check in and advise when all are ready, we shall then endeavour to get the children into the arena soon after this.  The kids are then to go to the changing area near to our stall to change into their "Blues Brothers Costumes"(Inters & Seniors Only) and remove clown make up, we shall then perform again for the public the same routine as we did for the Rotary Delegates on Monday. The time for this is yet to be confirmed but expect it to be approx 3.45pm/4pm. Steps Dance Studio will also be performing during the afternoon (Dancers please see Juli for details) The Babes are finished for the day after the Arena Parade and their parents have spent some time on the stall helping the staff.

After these performances you are then free for the remainder of the day to take in the Fun Fair, take your turn on the stall and everything else that is on offer. I should imagine by the time the kids get home they will be very tired and should enjoy a good night’s sleep. As will I, the Staff and supporters.
 

May I again express that all students are asked to donate items for the stall that would suit as prizes for our side attractions for either Adults or children.  We do not want to purchase items as this would eat into our takings/profits of the day, and Polesworth Carnival Committee have already allowed our stall free of charge as thanks for us taking part in the Procession and for Performing on stage during the afternoon.

Should you require any further information or you cannot make the Carnival please contact Wendy or Andy via the Academy website or by phone to Wendy on 07842 588353. Please do not send messages via Facebook or other Students.  Please make every effort to make this fantastic day out, as fun is guaranteed for all the family.

Thanks Wendy & Staff xxx

CARNIVAL ROUTE 

Pooley View, Station Road, Nethersole St, Coronation Avenue, High Street, Bridge St, Grendon Road, St Helena Road, Park Avenue(15 minute break).      Park Avenue, Potters Lane, Common Lane, Fairfields Hill, The Square, Bridge St, Station Road, Pooley View for dismount.

Control Vehicle(Youth Academy) will be the only vehicle allowed onto the field after the procession except for maximum of 2 cars per pitch for the stall, which will have to be on the field before 11am, then cannot be removed until after 5pm. Please see Wendy for Car Passes. No Pass No Entry!!!!

WE SHALL SEE YOU THERE AND HAVE A LOVELY DAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

13/05/2009		The Youth Academy are crowned winners of the Tamworth Rotary Club's "Search for a Star" competition and managed to cause the judges some headaches. In fact, our performance made them create a new "Group" category