The Baywood Belles
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History
"The Baywood Belles" was first formed in September 1996, by a group of middle-aged and mature ladies, for the purpose of taking ‘Live’ entertainment to nursing homes, hospitals, & and senior citizens clubs, and entertaining free of charge, people who were unable to access entertainment for themselves.
Most of the group had been to tap dancing lessons for several years, and had gained bronze, silver, and gold medals, (after taking their dancing exams,) .
After 8 months of planning, rehearsals, (every Sunday evening ), and making costumes, we were ready for our first ‘show’, which took place at Mumbles Senior Citizens Welfare Club. We were all very nervous at this first outing, but it was such a success, that it gave us all the confidence we needed!!
During that first year (1997) from May to December, we performed 17 concerts, many of them in nursing homes. The following year our performances numbered 41!
In 1999 our yearly total rose to 44! And each year since we have been in demand,
We began by performing Old Time Music Hall, but increased our repertoire to include songs from the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s & 50’s, also quite difficult dance routines that took weeks to get right! But nevertheless, we conquer them, and they were soon included in our shows.
Together we decided that some comedy should be included, So we took the very popular musical/film GREASE, condensed it to about 15mins, and put that into our show. It went down with the audience so well that we decided this was our forte, and we would continue more in this vein.
In 2000, (to celebrate the new millennium) we did our first ‘big’ show which was performed to an audience of nearly 200! We decided to do a ‘MUSICAL COMEDY, MURDER MYSTERY!’
It was greeted with lots of laughter and great applause.
Every year SWANSEA holds a dance festival for young singers and dancers, in which they perform in front of a professional adjudicator, Who awards them marks for the Dance/ Song, presentation, ability etc. and those with the highest marks are presented with a trophy at the end of the festival.
In 2000, the Belles approached the organisers, and asked if there was a category which would enable them to enter (just for a bit of fun!!!) and were told that a MOTHERS & OTHERS category could include anyone of indeterminate age! So we performed our rather unique ‘send up’ of GREASE. We were awarded 89 marks and the trophy! We were euphoric !!
The following 8 years have brought us 8 trophies, and marks that have reached the dizzy heights of 99 ½ points, During those years, we have (in our own inimitable way) performed The Sound Of Music, Sister Act, Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and many others. Each production reduced in time to about 15mins, (which is the allotted time for groups in the festival) Our performances are all presented with scenery, prop’s, costumes, all of which are made by ourselves.
Over the past few years, we have widened our horizons, and once a year we produce a full length show at THE DYLAN THOMAS THEATRE in SWANSEA. Inviting other amateur performers to join with us we raise money for local charities. This year the profits form our show in August went to THE FRIENDS of the YOUNG DISABLED, and we were able to present them with £1,000.
Last year we raised £800.00 which was divided between CEFN COED HOSPITAL, and the carers of people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Over the past 12years we have raised, or helped others to raise over £10,000, which has been passed on to charities like THE AIR AMBULANCE, THE CHRISTIAN LEWIS TRUST and many others.
Although we perform free, we do accept donations, which helps us to finance our costumes and prop’s.
We ourselves pay £2.50 each week subscriptions, and we have a savings club for members. All of the interest on these savings is given to the club, so on the whole we are self supporting.
When we began in 1996 we started with 13 members. Some of whom left after the first year, when they realized that it was going to take a lot of commitment and dedication. Others joined in their place and we were back to 13 once more. These stayed together for 10 years, and it was only in 2006 that four of our group decided enough was enough!
The rest of us were quite devastated to see the Belles break up after such success, especially as we had just lost our long term pianist who had past away after suffering from Alzheimer’s herself, and another pianist suffered from loss of eyesight! To lose our producer/director/choreographer in one foul swoop, came as quite a shock!
However, we reformed, and recruited new members, a new choreographer ( ELSA DAVEY) and a new Musical Director (SIMON DAVEY) and we now have a troupe of 14, who’s ages range between 43yrs and 77yrs!
SEVEN of the founder members still remain, they are:-
Others joined over the next few months including:-
These have been with the belles over 10years now!
Our newest members joined this year, and have been most welcome, they are:-
