Ooh la la! It's been a while since I've had a chance to hop on the train and venture off on a little adventure. But this weekend, I finally found the time to get myself off to Letchworth. Now, I know what you're thinking: "Letchworth? Isn't that, like, just a place with a giant garden centre?" And, yes, it definitely does have that, but it also has something far more fabulous - a gorgeous ballet school tucked away in a little corner of town!
The journey up to Letchworth was actually the most delightful part of the whole adventure. I couldn't resist hopping on a vintage train carriage, just because it feels so glamorous, and even wore my best floral headband to fit the mood. The carriage windows were wide open, so I could soak up the countryside air, with the most incredible views of the rolling hills of Derbyshire. It's funny how you get so used to city life sometimes, that you almost forget how stunning the green countryside is.
I've always been obsessed with trains. Something about their steady rhythmic rumble, coupled with the ever-changing scenery outside, fills me with a sense of contentment and wanderlust. Plus, itâs the perfect opportunity to indulge in a spot of "trainspotting". You know what I'm talking about - people watching but with a touch more elegance and, of course, a mandatory "What's your favourite loco?" question slipped in. (Just kidding, guys, no one actually calls them "locos" except, maybe, my grandpa.) Anyway, train journeys truly are a wonderful way to clear your head and get in touch with your inner wanderlust.
Once I reached Letchworth, it was time to indulge in a spot of retail therapy, because who goes anywhere without buying something new, especially a girly girl like myself. The town itself had this quaint charm about it, which is something I totally love about a lot of places up North - it feels less frantic, and more laid-back than some of the more glamorous hotspots. I managed to snag myself the cutest pink cashmere cardigan that had my name written all over it, and wouldn't you know it - it perfectly matched my favourite pair of pink ballerinas!
It was then off to the Ballet school - The Letchworth School of Dance, if you're keen on paying a visit. I must confess, I did feel a teensy bit nervous at first - as a dance aficionado, itâs not often I step out of my own comfort zone to explore other schools, especially when I donât have my usual dancewear in hand! My outfit, while quite delightful, might not have met the schoolâs stringent uniform guidelines. Luckily, theyâve got a stash of fabulous, classic leotards available for anyone to borrow. (What a fab idea!) They had a little of everything â from the simple black and navy to the brightest cerise pinks and purples - something for every ballerinas.
You canât really walk into a ballet studio without being pulled into a dance or two, and Iâm certainly no exception. It's like it's written in some invisible ballet script - as soon as I stepped over the threshold, the rhythmic tunes started echoing from every corner, like a symphony of steps calling me to the floor. They were holding a free beginnerâs class that afternoon and even though I'm not quite a beginner - in fact, I'm on the path to becoming a seasoned pro (according to my personal dance diary, that is) - I couldnât resist getting in on the action. The instructor was incredible, her movements so fluid and elegant it looked effortless. But you could just see how passionate she was about the art of dance. You know those types of people who really breathe life into their profession - thatâs the kind of energy she radiated. The entire class felt like it was basking in her warm, creative aura.
One thing that always struck me about beginner classes - everyone comes in with a different energy. The seasoned dancers have that sort of calm focus, which comes from knowing the ropes. Then you have the curious novices - those timid individuals filled with anticipation about this new world. Itâs absolutely inspiring to watch, these individuals blossoming, with each turn, with every tendu. They were learning a whole new language through their bodies, which felt incredible. They had to translate music into their steps - this rhythmic flow was breathtaking. There was a palpable magic in the air, which you canât really explain - itâs just one of those things you have to experience.
And, even for me, the seasoned ballet veteran, it felt amazing. The way each dancer moves, how every turn makes your heart race - it never fails to captivate me, no matter how many times I've been lucky enough to experience this thrill. I definitely have to do that beginner class again - a little ballet refresher never hurts!
Later that day, after the blissful class, I wandered down to the picturesque Garden City of Letchworth, stopping by a gorgeous little vintage shop that I swear I will absolutely raid on my next visit. There, in a nook filled with faded, velvet curtains and mirrored tiles, I found myself completely immersed in a forgotten era of glamorous elegance - everything from Victorian teacups and 50s cocktail dresses to whimsical lace hats. And just like a whimsical dance piece, my shopping spree was as serendipitous as a final pose.
The vintage find of the day: a beautifully embroidered, pink ballet costume. And, naturally, I had to twirl! With its exquisite detail, this piece embodied the timeless beauty of dance. As the fabric swirled around me, it almost felt like I was a ballerina performing on stage, not in a tiny town centre! Itâs certainly not your typical âevery-day-wearâ outfit, but who needs those stuffy basics when youâve got the chance to be a little dramatic and dress up? (I really should buy this for my next performance!) My friend Lucy had once joked: "Your passion for the art form, itâs so genuine, but you look at a piece of clothing with a certain theatrical sparkle that the average person canât comprehend." I don't know how she did it, but I knew exactly what she meant. The world of dance has got a way of enchanting your senses - not only in a visual sense but in your mindset and your perspective too.
Speaking of whimsical beauty, letâs talk wildlife. I canât go anywhere without finding my animal fix, and letâs just say Letchworth delivered! A little squirrel scampering across the pathways in the park. A gaggle of geese serenading passers-by with their funny honks. I swear, I could even hear a fox giving me a little âhowdy-doâ from the hedges, which, to be honest, was more like a spooky howl but, hey, I was determined to see the romantic side. They say the creatures of the animal kingdom are inherently graceful, so I reckon they just saw my pink-tutu vibe.
But the highlight was a small group of deer, just chilling by the side of the river. So tranquil and poised. You know what - deer are incredibly elegant creatures, much like dancers, which got me thinking about their synchronised movements, so almost balletic, especially the fawns. If Iâd had my ballerina shoes with me, I might even have done a pirouette in front of them to try and show them how their graceful movements reminded me of my passion for dance!
Of course, you can't talk about Letchworth without mentioning its iconic garden centre! I have to confess, the temptation of that fragrant oasis is almost unbearable, and I would have probably been lost in its fragrant beauty for hours had my journey not already taken such a whimsical turn. It truly was a haven of plants and flowers, each one exuding an intoxicating blend of colours and textures, like a floral choreography. A symphony of fragrances filled the air - an invigorating mix of lavender and rosemary that calmed the soul, whilst the delicate hues of pink hydrangeas and the bold magenta roses captivated my eyes. I imagined them as ballerinaâs outfits, each delicate petal acting like tulle ruffles on a graceful ballerinaâs tutu. The entire garden centre was like a vibrant spectacle, just bursting with vibrant, life-affirming energy, perfectly capturing the charm and beauty of a blossoming English town.
By the time my adventures in Letchworth came to an end, I felt completely rejuvenated, and more determined than ever to keep sharing my passion for ballet, for vibrant, feminine fashion and the simple joys of exploring beautiful landscapes, from the wildness of nature to the cultural richness of historical towns. And yes, I may be totally biased, but wouldnât a touch of pink-tutu magic brighten up everyoneâs life, even if it's just for a day?
And, letâs be honest - with so many inspiring experiences happening in every corner of our planet - the perfect shade of pink-tutu inspiration awaits you at your doorstep. So get out there, find that spark of joy and unleash your inner ballerinas, even if it means rocking a pink tutu!
See you on the next dance floor, dear readers.
Until then, stay twirling!
xx,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
