Harrogate Grammar School students Lily Cowen and Willa Crowton have achieved success at the Open Platform Irish Dance Federation World Championships 2022 in London.
The year 7 students have been Irish dancing for less than two years. Both began when their dance teacher, who was also their teaching assistant at Harrogate’s Western Primary School, introduced them to the sport.
The girls tried an introductory session at school and immediately enjoyed it.
In a short space of time they started to compete.
Now Lily has been crowned world champion for one of her routines, primary – treble reel.
She said:
“I really did not expect that result, I was so shocked and happy.
“It means a lot to me, being crowned world champion will always be an amazing memory that stays with me.”
Willa achieved a 5th place, novice, solo championships – reel and light jig and 6th place, novice – treble reel.
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Their dance teacher, Una O’Connor, from St. Aelred’s Irish Dance School, in Harrogate said;
“It has been an honour to guide them on their journey, playing to individual strengths and leading them to such a high level of success at such a young age.”
Headteacher at Harrogate Grammar School, Neil Renton, said
“We are delighted for Lily and Willa, these are truly remarkable achievements. They have trained hard and it’s fantastic to see their talent recognised.”
Here’s what you can see and do at the Harrogate Carnival this weekend
A parade featuring music, dancers and colourful costumes is set to wind its way through Harrogate this weekend with the return of the Carnival.
The free event on Saturday will see flag-waving crowds line the streets for the procession, which will snake its way through the town centre and down to the Valley Gardens.
It will include performers from Leeds West Indian Carnival, who will be joined by Houriat Belly Dancing, Sweep of Swallows kite puppets, Chinese dragon dancers, the Bare Brass Band and more.
The party will then continue throughout the day and will feature street theatre, interactive workshops, international street food and two stages hosting music and dance performances.
The event, which was previously held in 2019, has been paid for by Harrogate Borough Council‘s tourism body, Destination Harrogate, and will be delivered by Harrogate International Festivals.
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Sharon Canavar, chief executive, Harrogate International Festivals, said:
“The Carnival is free for everyone to attend and celebrate the diversity, colours, costumes, sounds and flavours from the four quarters of the world, right here in Harrogate.
“With global music and dance stages, themed food zones, art and craft workshops and street theatre, this family-friendly day is a true party in every sense of the word.”
The Carnival Parade starts at 11am at St Peter’s Church, On Cambridge Road, it will head up Oxford Street, along Station Parade, down Cambridge Street, past the Cenotaph and along Montpellier Hill into Valley Gardens.
Within Valley Gardens there will be family-friendly craft workshops, which will include chalking art, spray art graffiti, environmental craft, bunting making, mask making with the Leeds West Indian Carnival, and a dance workshop.
There will be a Global Music Stage, featuring DJ Trev, the Leeds West Indian Carnival, Bare Brass Band, Ajay Karmic Blues, Buffo’s Wake and Fernando Brazil.
And a Global Dance Stage, will feature Annapurna Dance, Houriat Belly Dancing, St. Aelred’s Irish Dancers, and Anonymas Dance.
There will also be a food zone featuring food from around the world.