TWINKLE-TOED Greenock schoolchildren took a step in the right direction when they claimed two awards at the Inverclyde Music Festival.

Two primary four/five teams from Ardgowan Primary waltzed away as Scottish Country Dancing champions after clinching the nod from adjudicators in their classes.

Head teacher Alison McLellan was thrilled to bits for the hard-working youngsters, who put in many hours of practice.

She told the Tele: “We’re absolutely delighted for them.

“They have worked really hard at the school country dancing club and have even been rehearsing at the weekends.

“We want to thank Mrs Cunningham, who gave up her free time to teach the children.”

The two teams which took part were the primary four/five mixed team and the primary four/five girls team.

Festival president Isabel Lind and the rest of the committee are on a mission to boost the profile of country dancing because of its historical importance in the area.

It has been prominent in this year’s festival programme alongside the popular singing, performing and speaking sections. 

Mrs Lind said: “We’re very keen to keep country dancing at the festival.

“Sadly it’s been dying away elsewhere but it’s very much part of our culture and we don’t want it to disappear.

“We are so lucky to have Scottish country dancing.”

FESTIVAL RESULTS

Thursday January 28
Woodwind Solo Primary School Pupils Class 236A: 1st Jonathan Mc Carthy 86; 2nd Millie Hotchkiss 85. Woodwind Solo 18 years and Under Class 237A: 1st Amy Logan 87; 2nd Alan Roxburgh 86. Woodwind Solo Primary School Pupils Class 236B: 1st Sasha Charter 87; 2nd Victoria Mc Vey 86 and Hannah Gorman 86.
Woodwind Solo 18 years and Under Class 237B: 1st Rosie Irvine and Sarah Wolfenden 86; 2nd Molly Galbraith 85. Woodwind Solo 18 years and Under Class 238A: 1st Tylea Freeman; 2nd Megan Cleary and Louise Mackay. 
Woodwind Solo 18 years and Under Class 237C: 1st Erin Quigg 86; 2nd Lana Hardie 85. Woodwind Solo 18 years and Under Class 238B: 1st Kathryn Mc Kenzie Smith; 2nd Melissa Kelly and Callum Laing. Woodwind Solo 18 years and Under Class 239: 1st Rachel Scott 87; 2nd Ana Magee, Hannah Findlator, Mhairi McCann.
Concert Band Schools Class 318: 1st 173 Notre Dame High School; 2nd 171 St Columba’s High School Gourock.
Vocal Solo Operatic All Voices Class 57 Isa Hamill Trophy: 1st Calum Mac Donald 86; 2nd Olivia Mc Nee, Frank Mc Camley 85. Vocal Solo 60 years and Over Class 53: 1st June Walls 83. Vocal Solo Songs from the Shows Class 48 Greenock Light Opera Club Trophy: 1st Valerie Forsyth 86; 2nd Elaine Graham , Greg Mc Gonigal 85.

Friday January 29
Class 223A String Solo 18 years and Under: 1st Anna Mc Gowan 87; 2nd Megan Quinn 86 and Lauren Mc Askill 86. Class 222A String Solo Primary School Pupils: 1st Ruaraidh McBain; 2nd Christy Campbell.
Class 224A String Solo 18 years and Under: 1st Euan McDonald 87; 2nd Zoe Renfrew, Domhnall Macgriogair, Amy Morrison 86.
Class 233 String and Piano Duet 15 years and Under: 1st Rory MacLean and Matthew McIlree 87.
Class 224 B String Solo 18 years and Under: 1st Jennifer Boyd; 2nd David Stevens, Jessica Gow, Annabel Lang MacDonald.
Class 222B String Solo Primary School Pupils: 1st Rebecca Maestri; 2nd Conner McGhee and Lucy Duffy. Class 223B String Solo 18 Years and Under: 1st Anna Brolly 87; 2nd Isla Thomas, Becky Deveney 86. Class 222C: 1st Poppy Pitts 88; 2nd Hilary Ewing- Mackie 86 and Cara Ewing-Mackie 86.
Class 320 Junior Orchestra 15 years and Under: 1st Notre Dame 170; 2nd Clydeview Academy 169.
Class 319 Junior Orchestra - (Non Competitive): Port Glasgow and Associated Primaries and Inverclyde Academy and Associated Primaries.
Class 321 Schools Bands: 1st Notre Dame High School and Associated Primary 173; 2nd Glasgow Gaelic School 169.
Class 322 String Orchestra: 1st Clydeview Academy 170; 2nd St Columba’s High School 169. Class 323: 1st Riverside Youth Band 175.