Since 2009, I have had close links with the Norwich Time Travellers, who are a Dr Who and Sci-Fi fan club. Together we travel around Norfolk helping to raise money for charities.
Here I am with my daughter doing demonstrations at Caister, under the watchful eye of two Daleks. My husband and son built the gold Dalek.
This is how it all began.
In 2005 my family and I were living in Lossiemouth, Scotland when a friend told me that she had seen an advert for Belly Dancing classes, so we decided to go and see what it was like. At that time I was quite quiet and lacked confidence in myself and my body, and would never dream of showing my stomach after having two children.
We went to the class run by Tina Gordan at the Elgin Community Centre, unfortunately my friend found it was not for her. I was torn, I really enjoyed myself and everyone was so friendly, but I didn't know anyone, how could I walk into a room on my own, where I didn't know a soul.
I had to be brave, I took a deep breath and walked into the class, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. In six months I went from a size 16 to a size 12/14, grown in confidence, bought an outfit which showed my belly, performed several times in public and made lots of friends, but then it was about to end.
My husband is in the Armed Forces, which is why we were in Scotland, and his job was taking us back to Norfolk. I was devastated, I had found something that had made me grow as a person and now I was going to have to give it up, as there were no classes close to where we were going to live. Tina had said that I should start my own class, but I thought, no way, I couldn't do that.
So, we moved and I was happy, but six months on I desperately missed Belly Dancing and the weight was starting to pile on. Then I remembered what Tina had said, could I do it?
I put posters up around the town of Watton asking if there was anyone interested in attending my class. I couldn't believe it, there was. Watton is a growing town, but at the time, we only had Ballroom Dancing and Salsa Dancing (which had not long started), so there were a few women who were interested.
Now, I have an adult class,and a children's class. We have performed at various local fetes and charity events. I have also done one off classes at local schools and Brownies/Guides groups.
My family have recently joined a Doctor Who fan based club, and I have been asked to do demonstrations along side their stall, at charity events around Norfolk, which has proved very popular.
My Ambition
I feel that I have accomplished so much already, but most of the dances that I teach I have got from Tina, who does her own Choreography, which is great as she only teaches in Scotland, so the dances are quite unique to England. But I would like to be able to Choreograph my own dances, I am in the process of teaching myself to dance with Wings, my Troupe and I have adapted one of our dances to use canes, the classes have also choreographed a new dance of their own.
I would love to have my own premises that all my classes would benefit from, and become a qualified dance instructor, which would help me grow even more, and my classes and Troupe would definitely benefit.
Everyone kindly donate things for me to sell at car boot sales etc, to help raise money for our premises fund. Which has now enabled me to get a Savings account set up, it will be a long process but hopefully I will get my own premises.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my husband Steve, and my family. Without their help and constant support I know I would not have accomplished as much as I have.
I hope that this has caught your attention, please feel free to browse my site.
Hi my name is Jenny
Here I am with my daughter doing demonstrations at Caister, under the watchful eye of two Daleks. My husband and son built the gold Dalek.