Member Article

Office Worker Turned Dancer In Rugby Themed Conversion…

A NORTH East office worker swapped properties for pirouettes when she took part in one of the largest dance performances ever seen in the region.

By day, Siobhaun McCartney works in the offices of Newcastle-based holiday letting agency Cottages in Northumberland.

But, on Saturday (10 October) as Samoa and Scotland lined up for their Rugby World Cup match at Newcastle’s St James’ Park, the 31-year-old was making a conversion of her own.

She and sister Chantal, 28, who owns Tyneside’s newest dance school The CMF Academy, Fenham, joined 148 other dancers, from community groups across the region, for the Conversion Festival; a two hour dance performance in the Fanzone.

Thousands, including Siobhaun’s Cottages in Northumberland workmates, gathered to watch the show, which was themed around rugby moves and backed by a full, live orchestra.

“It was just an incredible experience,” said Siobhaun. “There were 13 of us from the CMF Academy taking part and although we only had a few weeks to learn the routine, it all came together.

“Chantal’s an award-winning international dance teacher and a professional musical theatre chorographer so we were in very safe hands.”

“We were all incredibly proud of Siobhaun,” said Cottages in Northumberland’s Director of Operations, Angela Mazingham, who joined an estimated 84,000-strong crowd in the Fanzone to watch the performance.

“She’s a great dancer and, as we are all big rugby fans, we wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”

For further information visit www.cottagesinnorthumberland.co.uk, email enquiries@cottagesinnorthumberland.co.uk or call 0191 231 3020.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lauren Hillary .