Tutu Tuesday 973

Tutu Tuesday in Bishops Stortford #tututuesday This Tuesday was *the* day, ladies and gents! It was Tutu Tuesday, and Bishops Stortford was *rocking* with tutus of all shapes and sizes! Yes, you heard right. Our sleepy little town was suddenly awash with the finest ballet garb. I knew there had been some whispers of it online but I wasn't prepared for the level of passion that our town was about to showcase. It was seriously amazing, and as a ballet dancer (albeit an amateur one, mind you!), my inner *Tutusaurus Rex* was simply THRILLED! I arrived in town to be met with a colourful sea of tutu-wearing delights! I saw mums with prams all sporting their favourite tutus, which were definitely more "ballerina-casual" in style. But the *crème de la crème* had to be the older generation, who clearly embraced the concept with a fierce, 'no holds barred' energy. They'd opted for tutus that I could only describe as "bold and brilliant." You name a colour, a fabric, a sparkle, these lovely ladies had it. And they carried it off with aplomb! It made me smile from ear to ear. But it wasn't just the people who made this day special. The shops of Bishops Stortford were also in on the act. I even saw the local butchers donning tutus for their customers, all whilst serving up sausages and bacon. It was hilarious! You'd never catch my butcher wearing a tutu. Perhaps if he had to compete with another butcher across town, a tutu-wearing sausage slinger wouldn't be out of the question! I mean, who doesn't love a cheeky butcher in a tutu? But for my own local butchers? A definite no-go! But for Bishops Stortford - hats off to the butchers - their commitment to #Tututuesday made my day! However, no mention of this special day would be complete without mentioning the local coffee shops and bakeries, the true unsung heroes of Bishops Stortford. These fine purveyors of treats and caffeine were on-point, creating spectacular "tutu-inspired" delights for us to enjoy. One shop, called 'Sweet and Savory' was selling delicious tutu-shaped pastries in pink, white and red, which just about sent me over the edge. Oh, to be back in a time when I could enjoy such delightful pastries and not worry about the calories! My *tutusaurus rex* felt a tad disgruntled but ultimately decided, and rightly so, that these pastries were an experience not to be missed! And for £3.99 per pastry - the value! However, it was the local café, "The Daily Grind," that stole the show. They'd created a whole *tutu-themed menu*, complete with the *Tutu Latte* (a glorious combination of coffee and pink icing), the *Tutu Iced Tea* (which looked like something out of a Midsummer Night's Dream - not just for its ethereal beauty but for its subtle flavour of elderflower) and of course, the *Tutu Macaron*, (which was just a must have! Who doesn't love macarons!?) My ballet instincts kicked in when the menu arrived, telling me to indulge in all the *tutus*, but in a world that promotes 'responsible indulgences,' I limited myself to one 'Tutu Iced Tea' - as this drink was both refreshingly lovely and totally indulgent. Later in the evening, I popped by a dance school in the centre of town, thinking "What could possibly be happening here?", only to find the students having their own 'Tutu Tuesday' celebration, but this time, in the form of a 'tutu-themed' dance-off competition. This involved teams of ballerinas - in the finest and most impressive array of tutus you've ever seen - executing complicated moves, lifts and sequences while showcasing the best tutus of Bishops Stortford. It really was an extraordinary event and if you were a dancer, even if it was all just for fun - I mean who couldn't have fun watching this incredible dance-off in such incredible tutus? You couldn't help but be enthralled by the passion of these talented young people, and yes, some not-so-young people, as it became quite a multigenerational affair! Let's take a moment to highlight the impressive array of tutus that were showcased that day. There were, as I mentioned earlier, *tutus that were ballerina-casual*, the *tutus that were bold and brilliant*, the *tutus that were just plain dazzling*, the *tutus that had just enough sparkle for the special day* and *the tutus that, simply put, stole the show!*. From classical "romantic" tutus in delicate lace and tulle with *layers* of ruffles (just glorious - every single ballerina knows that there is nothing more special than layers of ruffles) to fun "modern" tutus in bright colours and fabrics that *really made a statement* (imagine bright red sequins and neon yellow feathers!) Bishops Stortford showed us what tutu styles could really deliver on. The event was a reminder of just how versatile the tutu can be, and of course, how *much fun it is to wear one!*. The whole event reminded me that the beauty of a tutu lies in the fact that it is a garment that can express a vast array of feelings. As you could see on Tuesday - some tutus said "Look at me, I am bold and brilliant!". Other tutus said "I am playful and sparkly". And the more classical style tutus - the *dream tutus* said "I am refined and classic!". It really did say something about what a truly unique and multi-faceted garment the tutu is! The evening drew to a close as I saw families, friends and strangers taking photographs of each other wearing their own personal take on the tutu - some in full-blown *Tutusaurus Rex* mode and some wearing the tutu with a hint of subtle nonchalance. I walked back home feeling a sense of joy and contentment as #Tututuesday's magical vibes still danced through my mind, along with the image of those amazing dancers. And the pastries, oh, how could I forget about the pastries! I just felt so glad that I had taken part in such a wonderful day, and that Bishops Stortford had embraced the magic of the tutu so fully. In many ways, #Tututuesday became the highlight of my week - my whole week! Bishops Stortford, you made this Tuesday so memorable, and it's something that I will treasure! Thank you for that!