From Susan Sharp

Our March meeting began with Jill telling us of future dates to make a note of. The first being, 6th May, in the Small village hall when Valley Wives will be inviting Residents for tea and cake from 2.30pm – 4.30pm. Wednesday, 14th May is our evening ramble. Meeting at 7.0pm in the Village Hall car park. There was a reminder of Village Day on 19th July, when we will be taking part. A visit to Wycombe Magistrates’ Court has been arranged for 20th October, from 09.30 – 12.30pm. Please let Doreen know if you are interested, as numbers are limited.

Jill then switched on the music for our Speaker and Tina-Louise made her entrance giving us her “Belly Dancing Demo” in a beautiful peach and green Mermaid costume and veil and playing finger cymbals to her dance.

Tina-Louise told us a little of the history of belly dancing, it being around for thousands of years. It was used by women and children as a celebration of the female body in their own homes.

It was at College that Tina-Louise began belly dancing for a hobby and she found herself covering for the teacher when she was away. She had always loved Hawaiian Hula music that her father listened to. Tina-Louise studied Theatre Costume at College, making dresses for the Opera. After College she made wedding dresses, but found she needed to meet more people and decided to become an Avon lady. In talking to her customers she found there was an interest in starting a belly dancing group and so she
started a class of her own, showing the members how to make their own costumes.

We were shown pictures of her Troup in action and the stunning costumes they wear when performing for bookings for Cabarets etc. She also brought along her own costumes for us to see, In wonderful colours and textures with beading work.

Tina-Louise has been dancing for 19 years and runs classes in High Wycombe, Beaconsfield and Chesham. Information on http://www.tinalouisebellydance.co.uk for classes and booking of her Troupe The Bellyrinas.

Finally we were asked to participate, and rather reluctantly we got up and tried to move our shoulders, first one, then the other, until we got a rhythm and then brought our hips into action at the same time. Having tried it, we found it was much harder than it looks. We were told it is very good for helping women in childbirth and after, and for maintaining flexibility it is recommended for older people. Tina-Louise was thanked for a very interesting and entertaining evening.

Our next meeting is on May 2nd when John Tyler will be telling us about “The Changing Wildlife of the Chilterns”.