Hello darlings!
It’s your favourite pink-tutu-clad adventurer, Emma, here! I'm currently in the lovely town of Chorley, and let me tell you, it's already stealing my heart!
Now, if you know me, you know that travelling by train is one of my favourite things - a cup of tea, a good book, and the ever-changing landscape rushing by outside the window – absolute bliss. This trip was no exception, but the thrill of travelling on the train was soon surpassed by something far more exciting - ballet!
Chorley's a bit of a hidden gem for ballet, you see. Today I stumbled upon a small but absolutely fabulous theatre called the Chorley Little Theatre, which, in a delightfully quaint and charming way, held an incredibly graceful and spirited performance of Swan Lake. The costumes were amazing – a delightful mix of traditional and modern designs with the most beautiful use of white and black and an incredible flourish of pink here and there – I was in my element. The performance itself was a tour de force; each graceful move was beautifully executed, each arabesque a breath-taking gesture, each pirouette a joyful spin of pure artistry.
As soon as the curtain fell, I knew I had to find out more about the local dance scene. And I wasn't disappointed! After a quick pit stop for a scrumptious cream tea with some local, friendly folk (yes, my love for all things English continues to flourish!), I met with a lovely young dancer called Millie. Millie told me about "Dancers in Chorley", a local dance group dedicated to sharing the beauty of ballet with everyone. Now, if that’s not a mission I can get behind, I don’t know what is! I love that there are dedicated and passionate people in all corners of the country, keeping ballet alive.
The day continued with a stroll through Chorley's enchanting countryside, and you won’t believe this, I even bumped into a gaggle of adorable pink flamingos! Apparently, there’s a mini flamingo farm here – and naturally, it's in Chorley's stunning green fields! Pink Flamingos in the Lancashire countryside – life is truly fabulous, my darlings! A tiny bit of magic amidst the peaceful green – and the absolute perfect metaphor for this vibrant little town, bursting with potential!
Speaking of potential – what I'd like to do in this gorgeous little town is bring everyone together! Now, I’m sure it doesn’t take a genius to realise that pink tutus are an integral part of this plan! Imagine it, darling: a sea of vibrant pink swirling across Chorley's charming streets! Picture it – a joyous spectacle of pirouettes and pliés amidst a field of dancing flamingos - this, my lovelies, is my dream! I’m sure everyone here, with their kind and generous spirits, will agree!
Now, I know what you're thinking – why tutus? Well, let’s just say the whole world should embrace the tutu! Not just for its inherent elegance, darling, but for its incredible ability to transform our lives. When you wear a tutu, you're telling the world that you embrace creativity, that you dare to be bold, that you celebrate your own inner joy. I truly believe that everyone can find that same sparkle and energy when they wear a tutu, just like they can when they experience ballet – and that's the magic we need to share!
And this leads us nicely onto the other important mission I’m going to try and achieve whilst I’m in Chorley – spreading the word of ballet! Yes, I know what you are thinking: “Emma, it’s 2026 - everyone loves ballet already”. However, darling, there’s still a great big world that needs a taste of ballet – the thrill of the grand jeté, the delicate beauty of an arabesque, the feeling of pure freedom in a fouetté.
My aim is for every single person to try out a ballet class. A chance to find inner grace and balance. To unlock their inner ballerina. Because even the simplest move – the way the body flows, a little arabesque, a perfectly executed chassé – these moments are powerful! You feel powerful! It's an explosion of creativity and physicality! And guess what? It doesn't matter if you've never danced before. Everyone's welcome – it's a welcoming and inspiring space.
So, darlings, watch this space – I will be back, pink-tutu clad and raring to go, to kickstart Chorley’s ballet revolution!
Until next time, Your trusty travel companion and ballerina,
Emma x
