Blog Post #2179
Hello darlings! It’s your favourite pink tutu-wearing queen, Pink Tutu Sparkles, here! Ready for a trip back to my roots? Well, grab your glittery lipstick and a giant cup of tea, because we’re heading to Loughborough!
You know how I feel about tutus. I've even worn a pink tutu in the lab, it was a bit chaotic, my boss nearly choked on his lab coat! But Loughborough holds a special place in my tutu-clad heart because… well, it's my home county! Derbyshire, the land of rolling hills, charming villages, and oh, so many sheep!
It’s time to channel my inner queen and see what Loughborough has to offer in terms of tutus, tea, and theatre! I'm always looking for inspiration for my next big dance number and let me tell you, the locals here know how to strut their stuff!
The Journey of a Tutu Queen
My trusty steed, The Flying Scotsman (oh, how I love train travel, especially first class! ), carried me from my little cottage nestled in the heart of Derbyshire, straight to Loughborough station. I just had to throw on my fabulous fur coat and pearl necklace, I mean, a queen has to travel in style, right? The journey was surprisingly peaceful! I managed to write down about 5 fabulous ideas for my upcoming routine for "Swan Lake". My head's bursting with possibilities - think iridescent fabric, a feather headdress the size of a small bird… and of course, a fabulous pink tutu!
Loughborough itself, a university town, felt very much like a place where life was going at a slightly faster pace. It was full of energy. The hustle and bustle made me feel excited and I was definitely feeling ready to explore.
A Spot of Tea at a Darling Café
I felt it was imperative to grab some afternoon tea before diving into the local scene. After all, a queen needs fuel for a day of exploration!
Let me tell you, a quaint little cafe called "The Teapot" absolutely stole my heart! Oh my goodness, they had so many different types of tea! It was a veritable tea heaven! And don’t even get me started on the delicious cake selection – think Victoria sponge, lemon drizzle, and even a rather exquisite strawberry tartlet that would have made a princess proud.
While sipping my Earl Grey (just how every proper afternoon tea should start) I had a lovely chat with a couple of local girls, both dressed in such style – they'd have fitted right in at any high society garden party. One of them even mentioned seeing a beautiful ballet show downtown, a revival of "Sleeping Beauty" which was set in a gothic cathedral – I literally squealed with delight! It’s definitely going on my "must-see" list!
Loughborough: The Dance Capital of the Midlands?
After tea, I needed to move, you know, get those ballet-ready legs working! Loughborough’s got an impressive cultural centre and they have some amazing performance venues.
The Loughborough Town Hall has been playing host to some incredible ballet productions and I was so delighted to see that a company called "Loughborough Dance Collective" was actually hosting “The Nutcracker" – just what I needed to really get in the holiday mood!
And the best bit? Their performance space, “The Engine Shed”, is housed in a renovated industrial building - what’s not to love about a dramatic backdrop? The interior is truly gorgeous, exposed brick, a little bit gritty, but totally elegant! It's like a beautiful industrial playground with an emphasis on arts and theatre. The entire town has embraced art and dance. They’ve got everything - contemporary dance, ballet, and even circus skills. Loughborough is definitely the place to be if you’re looking to inspire your inner diva!
Fashion for the Fabulous: Loughborough Style
Of course, a trip wouldn’t be complete without a little retail therapy! Now, this town knows its fashion! The local shops were brimming with style and so many places to shop for beautiful fabric! If I was home, I'd have spent the whole day exploring. I did manage to grab a little something for myself – a pink feathered boa with some dazzling sequin trim that I think will look simply stunning with a long black gown. Oh my goodness! It is simply perfect for my upcoming “ Moulin Rouge ” performance at a vintage market next weekend!
A Bit of Loughborough Charm
While Loughborough has so many impressive dance spaces and amazing performance opportunities, the local people were absolutely charming! I met so many wonderful individuals, both in cafes and in performance venues. From university students to seasoned theatre-goers - everyone I spoke with had an air of kindness and artistic spirit.
There’s just something about a town full of culture and creative energy that makes the locals sparkle, especially when they wear pink tutus like mine, which they all seemed to love!
And a Pink Tutu Farewell!
Overall, my trip to Loughborough was an absolute dream! The energy of the town, the local artistic talent, the incredible venues and performance spaces – everything felt amazing. I am simply bursting with ideas for my next dance routine and it's no surprise – this place has definitely inspired me to embrace my inner ballerina!
Of course, I had to make the most of my trip. The evening was perfect for an outing, and a friend from the university invited me to a cabaret performance that featured a local talent called “Sparkle Kitty”. And let me tell you - they gave my tutu-clad self a run for its money! We even had a pink tutu-off which I totally won - the crowd went wild! We did an impromptu performance to "Pink Panther". Now I have an even more reason to return! We can have an even more extravagant tutu-off, just for you guys!
It's been such an adventure! And of course, every great adventure ends with a good night's sleep, with dreams of tutus dancing in my head!
Till next time darlings, remember to always sparkle and never forget - everyone can wear a pink tutu!
Love,
Pink Tutu Sparkles 💖
