Posted by admin at 12:04 pm
BLACKPOOL International Fitness Showcase
Hello to everyone we met at Blackpool! Friends both old and new. I had only been at the winter Gardens for 5 mins and met Gail and Lesley old friends and students of mine and we where only in the car park!
Into the winter Gardens we went with boxes of equipment etc etc. My little Fiat Punto breathed a sigh of relief when it was emptied. The contents of my car included a very old fold up table *(it’s a long story) my colleague Sal Russ thought it was hilarious and asked if I also had the kitchen sink with me!
Talking of Sal we left the hotel Friday morn in lots of time to get set up before our first session. I had arrived at the hotel early hours of the morning and didn’t hit the sack till 4am so I wasn’t firing on all cylinders. We went into the car park and after several mins I couldn’t find my car. Panic set in because everything I needed for the weekend and all my clothes, new jacket and four pairs of my best shoes (yes I know we only had two nights in Blackpool but what can a girl do) I had £60 in cash and about 200 CDs and DVDs but what upset me the most was all the session notes for me and the team where in the car with our Pure Energy music, 33 Chi Balls and 80 theraband for the sessions! Chris North phoned me on my mobile and I went into dramatic crying mode. Sal was convinced nobody would pinch my car, trying to be tactful she said ‘no offence Cherry but you have a little car that looks like you keep chickens in it (two of my daughters work with horses) there are loads of flashy cars in the car park (it was the Hilton) why take a Punto and off she went to scour the car park me shouting BUT I PARKED IT HERE under the camera so it was less likely to be pinched I must have left it un locked! Literally second s later heard a C-h-e-r-r-y Baker you blonde cow!
It was parked on the next level. Now I know I should have been very embarrassed but the relief was quite fantastic! I went from really knackered and crying to being on top of the world- so off we went to the event and I felt fab! By the time Sal saw the table *coming out of the car she was hysterical saying who the hell would nick your car and if they did they would be so disappointed when they looked at the contents, unless of course they were really into Pilates, wanted to borrow my leather jacket and could fit into a size 4 leopard print high heels! Oh and the sixty quid wouldn’t have got them far but that old table might have come in handy.
So Sal and Chris if your reading this I am sorry but at least it’s given you confirmation that I am really blonde and we had a right laugh!
Steve Waltham and Sheila Done and I delivered sessions on behalf of Modern Pilates and all went well. Sheila after missing last year came back with a vengeance and made the complicated make sense to all! Steve presented with his unique style and flair. We received good feedback and the class members were soooooo good. The general technique had really improved and a good atmosphere stayed with us throughout the event. I know Pilates is a bit more serious but try telling that to this lot, thanks if you were there – what a wicked weekend.
Many of you reading this know Sheila; she had breast cancer last year, which was a huge blow to her, family and everybody who knows her. Sheila really is so healthy, fit and strong so it was totally unexpected. She was due to present sessions at last year IFS but was obviously unable to do so. This year as Sheila was getting ready to go on stage I could feel myself getting a bit emotional and when I started to introduce her I got all choked up – poor Sheila she had to hold herself together, Sal slid under the desk in tears and Steve must have though he was in a room full of mad women who all had PMT. So if you were in the room I am sorry I was a big girls blouse but I hope you understand how special it was to have Sheila back and cured! All bait one boob now a lot younger looking than the other! Sheila is hoping to run workshops in the near future on working with clients having or recovering from breast cancer or reconstruction so watch this space. She has asked me to pass on thanks to Steve and Chris for being her models. (Funny that 80 people in the room and she had to get two young fit men to join her on stage. She had their tops off in seconds).
Saturday and Sunday sessions were amazing; Sal Russ, Sandie Keane and myself presenting sessions from wobble board and diagnostic exercised to Progressive Pilates, which was taught with such grace by Sandie. Sal’s session was hammered and had excellent feedback, those of you who did the wobble board sessions over the weekend – how’s your bum!!!!
(Don’t forget you can get wobble boards and wobble board DVD’s from www.inhouset.com. Or www.trainingontour.co.uk)
Thanks to Richey who made my diagnostic exercise come to life. Don’t forget the Clam exercise Richey! Are you really 42?
Stuart Harrop presented his Diva class last session on the Sat. This is normally my session for blonde aerobics but I felt this year I wanted to give somebody else a chance. Who best to fill the spot but my very camp slightly eccentric and extremely talented friend Stuart? His session was inspirational – not complex, just filled with fun and doubler entre’de. Don’t ever stand at the front in Stuart’s class unless of course you want to be made fun of. He did routines with Judy garland, Liza Manelli right through to his beloved Kylie, Shirley Bassey and the Spice Girls. Each routine had its own props and at times Stuart did come out in the wrong wig. Funny wasn’t in it. You could tell where Chris North was with the wet patch on the floor. Soooooo funny, congratulations Stu.
(Good to see Chrissy Evans and Glennis Rob in the crowd; love ya both, something’s never change and these two still look 29!)
Mentioning Stuart, I move onto the Award Ceremony on the Saturday night. I enjoy this event. My mates Kerri, Linx and Steve have put so much work, blood sweat and tears into this event I would not miss it fore the world. BUT lots of my ‘gang’ didn’t enjoy the award ceremony last year so they were a bit hesitant at attending. To make a long story short I told them Stuart was hosting the event for the first time and that we had to be there – end of! Phew I was so glad it was a huge success so they were glad I twisted their arms.
At the start of the ceremony you were greeted by showgirls wearing Kylie style feathers with fantastic figures, sensational high heels. Champagne on arrival and the room was packed with international presenters and almost every UK presenter you could mention.
The food was much much better than last year, the atmosphere was electric and Stuart WAS AWSOME. His first spot was good but his second rocked the room! He was extremely funny and anybody in the room who took offence – get a life! His aim was to entertain. All publicity is good publicity!!!
The poor bigwigs from JJB who were sat at the front table will never be the same!
I flatter myself that Stuart was my protégée. Many, many years ago I took him to the waters edge of presenting but it was he who jumped in and swam the whole lake. Recently we have worked together again and enjoyed it so much! Can you imagine, Stuart and me presenting in the same room – You would need a vallium!
Watching Stuart on stage both in his presentations and in his role as hostess with the mostess was very special to me. It was like watching my son. I cried with laughter then at the end cried with emotion I was so tremendously proud, proud and a bit chuffed that I was right all those years ago to see the star quality in the then young gangly puff. Yes he was a skinny rat in his youth. He is amazing. Thanks from everybody you are a star. YOU OLD PUFF!
After the Saturday awards ceremony we carried on partying and have to say Trish and Sarah we bow down in thanks for Sunday morning!!!!
Congratulations to my friend Martin who was runner up in the presenter search. In our eyes Martin you were the winner I am sure you will be inundated with offers to present! Well-done xxxx
Congratulations to Ceri and Lydia who are now 6 months pregnant. Lydia looks stunningly beautiful. Wish I lived nearer to them it would be great to work with Lydia throughout her pregnancy. Don’t forget our Saturday night conversation.
If you saw Steve Watson over the weekend you will have seen a much slimmer version from last year (bastard) it means I am now the fat presenter. He may be smaller but still gorgeous.
Linx and Gill are still as loved up as ever. Harvey didn’t make a show this year so I missed a quick cuddle. Linx is always so cool and collected and Gill you are such a foowkin yummy mummy love ya xx
To all the boys Kerri, Steve and Linx you have done an amazing job!!! To those behind the scenes: the beautiful and ever patient Billy, Steve the moneyman and all the team you are such heroes.
To Christine North from NFE, the guys on the stand, Michelle and Rebecca, Simmone and Janine, Lorna and Jay thanks for sharing the weekend and having a laugh. Many thanks To Anne Baine we couldn’t do it without you – you gotta present next year girl and get out from behind that desk.
Many thanks to the MP team Anne, Sandie, Steve, Sheila, Sal, Trish, Sarah, Chris and all the NFE team you are brilliant and I am blessed to work with you all THANK YOU.
MOST OF ALL to everybody who attending our sessions thank you for your time patience and energy the whole event literally would be nothing without you! To all the gang from Modern Pilates it was great to see you in session’s thank you for your support and great to see so many faces we know!
PS if you missed my Blonde Aerobics this year go to www.trainingontour.com I am touring this year from the end of May with enough high low aerobics to last you all year!
