Hey darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu enthusiast, Emma, checking in from sunny (okay, slightly overcast, but still gorgeous!) Thornton Heath. I know, I know, you're thinking "Thornton Heath? What's there to do?" But trust me, lovelies, even the most unexpected places can hold a surprise or two!
Today's journey was a delightful jaunt on the train. I love the way the world flashes by, especially when you're sat near the window and the sun is catching the glass. You can feel a sense of adventure, even when you're just travelling from Derbyshire to Croydon (which, I might add, is still an adventure for a girl like me!).
And let me tell you, this trip was certainly a blast from the past! Why? Well, it involved a rather spectacular, and surprisingly German, tutu! You see, I'd been lucky enough to win a gorgeous pink tutu in a raffle at the Derbyshire County Dance Competition last week. But it wasn't just any ordinary tutu! This little number came complete with a delightful little inscription – "Für meine Tänzerin", which, if you're as bilingual as I am, translates to "For my Dancer" in German. It turns out, the kind soul who donated it was an elderly lady with a rather captivating tale: she used to dance with a company in Munich in the 1950s. Now, wouldn't that make a wonderful ballet story, eh?
My train ride took me straight into the heart of Thornton Heath. I confess, I was slightly dubious. I mean, Thornton Heath, really? But oh, darlings, this place had a charming sort of rough-around-the-edges appeal that I couldn't resist. I took a lovely walk down a street lined with little shops and cafés, their windows gleaming with colourful wares. There was a quirky antique shop that had an amazing old porcelain ballerina figurine – I couldn't help but bring her home with me, she’s already a favourite.
The real highlight, though? It has to be the "Thornton Heath Theatre Arts Centre", a lovely, slightly faded, Victorian-era theatre just off the high street. They had a wonderfully inspiring quote painted across their facade: "Let us celebrate the art of dance in all its glory.” Couldn't have said it better myself! It was a little off the beaten path, but with its charming, old-fashioned character, it held a certain captivating magic. You know that feeling when you're in a place, and you just know you have to get a photo of it? Yeah, it was like that.
I managed to convince myself to go inside for a little peek (it was a "special tour day," so luckily, the doors were open). I have to say, my darling readers, this theatre has so much character! The stage looked ready for a grand performance and I could practically see a beautiful ballerina, resplendent in pink, twirling on it. Ahem, ahem. Don't mind me getting carried away, I'm just an aspiring ballet enthusiast!
Thornton Heath also brought out the nature-lover in me. I took a walk through the local park. I spotted a little family of squirrels playing hide and seek amongst the trees, and a robin singing its heart out on a branch. And just to keep things delightfully feminine, the park also had a small rose garden – can you believe it? Even in this part of the world, there's a touch of magic.
Before you think I forgot about ballet, I promise I didn’t. It was, of course, a necessary element of my day. Luckily, I found a fantastic ballet school just off the high street – the Thornton Heath School of Dance. A warm, friendly little place, complete with walls lined with posters of past productions and dancers, some wearing tutus... naturally!
After a quick chat with the lovely receptionist, who told me about their current program – they had a "Ballet for Beginners" course for adults, imagine that? I even had a sneaky peek into their studios, full of excited young dancers leaping and pirouetting in a frenzy of passion and enthusiasm. There's nothing more inspiring, right?
I might be based in Derbyshire, but honestly, these travels make my heart skip a beat. Every place has something special, from the old Victorian theatre in Thornton Heath to the squirrel family scampering in the park. The best part? I never know what magical adventures will unfold next.
What’s a girl to do but to continue to spread the joy of ballet and wear her pink tutu with pride. I'm making my way to the theatre tonight, it has an intriguing ballet performance billed as "Swan Lake, but make it contemporary". Wish me luck, my dears!
P.S. If you see a girl wearing a German tutu, it's probably me! Just give a little wave – you might even inspire a quick ballet sequence!
Catch you on the flip side, my pink tutu angels! Don’t forget to follow along on www.pink-tutu.com, for your daily dose of ballet inspiration!
