In this weather, nothing makes me happier than busting out a few of my old eisteddfod videos and reminiscing about the groups that we used to perform in my childhood years. After all, its important that I educate Lucinda on the timeless jazz moves like the ‘running man’ and the ‘triples from the corner’ that filled my routines in the late 80’s early 90’s.

I know that I enjoy these trips down memory lane more than she does and lets face it she is a little too young to be able to comprehend that yes that little girl with the dark hair is mummy.

But as we are in full swing eisteddfod season, I wanted you to know first hand how much those old videos mean to me and my family and how much joy they have brought me over the years, having them in the cupboard to watch on a rainy day. I know the sacrifices that were made by my parents not only to afford me the luxury of dance classes but all of the performance opportunities that came with them. And whilst it would have been easy to skip the buying of the video once it was all over, I am so glad that my mum always persisted on me picking my favourite group and solo routine of the eisteddfod for us to purchase the VHS memory of.

So this eisteddfod if you have the opportunity to, make sure you capture at least one of those memories to take home. The years of joy that will come from you reminiscing like I do are priceless.

As a teacher its so good for me to look back on the performances that inspired me, the groups that brought me and my team members together and those special mishaps or costume malfunctions that always make a great story.

As a mother, I can’t wait for Lucinda to be able to comprehend that that little girl with the pigtails dancing to the teddy bears picnic is me and for her to tell me oh how uncool dancing to WHAM was in the purple and teal unitard.

The only thing is, I am lucky that these videos are in my personal collection to enjoy at home on a rainy day. Spare a thought for Ryan Gosling who has his eisteddfod performances and ‘running man’ technique spread across the internet. If you haven’t seen this already, enjoy this piece of late 80’s gold with the hollywood hunk himself. Oh those silver pants!!!