A TOTAL of 13 dancers from the Galashiels & Edinburgh based Ward School of Irish Dancing, including several from Galashiels Academy, made the 850 mile round trip last weekend to Poole in Dorset to compete in the Celtic Association of Irish Dancing national championships. Joining over 300 other dancers from around England and Ireland, all the girls performed extremely well in the various age categories between 7 & under up to 15 & under.

Dancers included Galashiels Academy girls Katie Brown (S2), Rachel Brown (S3), Erin Turnbull (S3), Alysha Murray (S2), Rebecca Frankland (S5), Katy Millar (S5) and Stacey Moir (S5). The podium highlight was S3 pupil Rachel Brown from Galashiels (pictured) who lifted the 13 & under Mayo national title. Commenting on the event the Ward School’s founder and dance coach Joanne McGowan said. “All of our girls had a fantastic experience at the nationals and can be justly proud of their performances at this level of competition.”