Hello my lovely darlings! It's Emma here, and I'm absolutely bursting with excitement after my little trip to Newton Aycliffe! Now, you might be thinking, "Emma, Newton Aycliffe? What on earth are you doing in a town called that?"
Well, let me tell you, this place has been secretly harboring some real gems. You see, the gorgeous weather we've been having recently has made me want to get out and explore, and after a day spent twirling through the Peak District on my trusty steed, a beautiful chestnut mare called Willow, I felt like I needed to see something a little bit more... modern. I don't want to be rude to Willow, darling, she's got more style than some people I could mention, but I just can't deny the thrill of whizzing through the countryside on a steam train.
So, I packed my bag with a particularly fabulous pink tutu (it's got a gorgeous swirl pattern, like the kind you'd see on a meringue!), threw on a pair of my trusty ballet flats, grabbed a big bag of my favourite pink treats (strawberry macarons, naturally), and off I went!
My journey to Newton Aycliffe was, as I said, by train. There was a bit of a mishap - apparently, someone left their hedgehog in my carriage - but thankfully a nice gentleman helped to reunite him with his very stressed out owner, a little boy who looked as if he’d swallowed a whole lot of anxieties. (But let’s face it, darling, all we really need is a good twirl, a few macarons and we’d feel as chirpy as a robin!)
Newton Aycliffe, as it turns out, is a town with a big heart! As I wandered through the town centre, everyone greeted me with a smile and some of the kindest faces I’ve ever seen (and that’s saying something! - have you seen Derbyshire folk on a frosty morning, darlings?!) It's actually got quite a nice modern vibe, a touch of urban edge blended with the friendliness of a village, which is a perfect recipe for a stylish gal like me. And did I mention the amazing independent shops?! So much unique style - it’s a total delight for any fashion-forward gal like myself, who finds that the latest trends can sometimes be, well, a bit samey…
However, Newton Aycliffe's true gem lies just outside the town centre: the very, very fabulous, The Gallery, Aycliffe.
This theatre is truly breathtaking. Just walking through the grand entrance feels like entering a fairytale. They had this gorgeous little café too, serving up delicious coffee and cakes, where I just had to pose with my tutu. They had some beautiful pictures up and on the walls too!
While I was in town, they had this performance on, something about pirates, and I must say the set looked spectacular. My heart just skipped a beat - the whole thing seemed so incredibly, dramatically romantic and the pirate costumes were just...divine! I bet they had so many fantastic, dramatic twirls!
It makes me want to plan a proper performance at the The Gallery, Aycliffe myself. The thought is thrilling. And the best part? Newton Aycliffe was incredibly welcoming to this pink-tutu clad visitor! People were genuinely happy to see a bit of glitz and sparkle. They even gave me the sweetest comments about my outfits and asked me to do a couple of spins outside the theatre for them! It made me feel like I was a part of their little world for the afternoon, like we were all dancing together in our own way.
This brings me to a rather important point.
You see, everyone can dance! That's my belief! Whether it's a wild, twirling, prima ballerina move in a pink tutu, or simply tapping your foot to the beat of your favourite tune. Life's all about finding your own groove!
I believe everyone can find that unique kind of joy, that sense of being totally lost in the music, the expression. Maybe it’s watching a ballet, maybe it’s dancing in your living room - or maybe it’s watching birds fly across the sky, for that matter!
I don't care how you do it, but finding those things that make your heart skip a beat and your toes start tapping is truly beautiful!
Oh, and did I mention that The Gallery, Aycliffe had some beautiful gardens right next to the theatre? Now, The Gallery team did tell me they were part of a new project for their Wild Life Area, where they will have plenty of opportunities for workshops and activities related to local wildlife. That’s my kinda thing, don’t you think?
I also had the most amazing fish and chips - the crispiest batter I've ever had. I can't remember the name of the place, but if you're ever in Newton Aycliffe, ask someone, darling, I'm sure they’ll happily recommend a great local eatery! The fish were absolutely heavenly, perfectly crispy on the outside, flaky and moist inside. You know, I just have to find out what kind of dance move one could invent that embodies the crunch of those golden fish, it would be spectacular for the stage, don't you think?
All in all, Newton Aycliffe is definitely a place to keep in mind, dear reader. It might not be the most glamorous or instantly recognisable town in the UK, but it has a soul - an infectious little heartbeat of happiness that caught my eye and made me realise that little bits of joy can be found anywhere, in a town, in a field, or maybe just in a well-chosen pink tutu!
Oh, I nearly forgot to share some fabulous news, darlings. After my journey through the North East I felt inspired to do something a bit different with my pink-tutu.com page! I’m going to start “Tutu Tuesdays,” where every Tuesday, I’m gonna ask my gorgeous readers to send in pics of their fabulous pink tutus for a special feature. It'll be a way for us all to celebrate our love of dance and be the fabulous creatures we are - so do join me!
Until next time, keep on twirling,
Your ever-so-pink Emma
