06/04/2026
THE BIG DANCE COMPANY PENZANCE CROWNED
"BATTLE OF BRITAIN" CHAMPIONS
Blackpool Winter Gardens, UK
125 members of The Big Dance Company Penzance—including 60 company dancers and 10 teachers—embarked on an 11- hour journey to the world-famous Winter Gardens in Blackpool to compete at the British Dance Championships. In a historic victory for Cornwall, the team emerged as the top-scoring group of the entire weekend, officially being crowned the Battle of Britain Champions.
The prestigious competition brought together the best of the best from across the British Isles to compete for titles and prizes.
This year's event also served as a critical qualifier for the major UDO European and UDO World Championships in 2027.
The competition was exceptionally fierce, with some heats featuring over 95 individual dancers.
Despite the high level of talent, the Penzance-based team, SOUTH WEST MOVEMENT, outperformed 108 other teams competing across categories including commercial, contemporary, musical theatre, and jazz with their piece choreographed by Fiona Richardson The highest scoring team of the whole weekend "Everybody supports women” that was just recently performed at the International Women's day at the Cornishman and the Women's Aid Vigil .
The staff commented that the scores were potentially the highest ever given in Encore History.
The dancers all worked exceptionally hard and many of the judges commented on their exceptional etiquette, discipline, team spirit and work ethic attending all the workshops provided. These are the biggest wins for us thanks to our amazing dance teachers, Fiona Richardson, Abigail Williams, Millie Mead, Alainey Henderson, Kyle Richardson, Megan Barkham, Maizie Jenkin, Charley Williamson, Shanna Richardson & Becci Gowers.
British Championship Titles Won:
South West Movement - Battle of Britain Champions 016 Advanced Contemporary.
Alainey Henderson, Abigail Williams, Elsie Bayton, Isla Mulholland, Sanou Diop, Jasmine Hitchman, Lexie Franklin, Amber Ward
South West Movement - British Champions 016 Advanced Jazz
Alainey Henderson, Abigail Williams, Elsie Bayton, Isla Mulholland, Sanou Diop, Jasmine Hitchman, Lexie Franklin, Amber Ward, Ella Doyle
Animate - British Champions U16 Advanced Contemporary
Annie Mae Fearn, Rio Richardson, Evie Strike, Erin Thirlby, Lubella Luck, Bibi Clemens, Ella Doyle, Nyla Michael, Skye Hollow
Solo British Champions
Lexie Franklin U16 Commercial British Champion Elsie Bayton O16 Contemporary British Champion
Both competed in the Battle of Britain against all solo champions.
Lubella Luck U16 Contemporary Intermediate British Champion
Isla Swann U12 Contemporary British Champion
Duos British Champions
Rio Richardson and Lubella Luck U16 Contemporary Duo Champions
Else Bayton and Lexie Franklin 016 Contemporary Duo Champions
Bibi Clemens and Nyla Micheal U16 Intermediate Contemporary Duo Champions
Isla Swann & Mia Roberts U12 Intermediate Contemporary Duo Champions
Lily Douglas Award - Lubella Luck
Lily Douglas aged 14 and a dancer from Scotland sadly passed away in 2022 and this award in her honour is Awarded to the dancer reflecting Lily's spirit and dedication to dance
The achievement represents a truly proud moment for the dancers' families and the entire Cornish community.
In addition to the main UDO British and UDO Encore competitions, the attendees participated in various workshops and masterclasses, while enjoying performances on the Exhibition Arena and Performance Stage.
The dancers all worked exceptionally hard and many of the judges commented on their exceptional etiquette, discipline, team spirit and work ethic attending all the workshops provided. These are the biggest wins for us thanks to our amazing dance teachers:
Fiona Richardson, Abigail Williams, Millie Mead, Alainey Henderson, Kyle Richardson, Megan Barkham, Maizie Jenkin, Charley Williamson, Shanna Richardson & Becci Gowers.
WHATS NEXT?
The Big Dance Company will be holding their next showcase at the HFC on 21st june where you can watch these award winning pieces. Tickets available from the Hall for Cornwall. This show is for all the family.
The next exciting announcement for the company is that they are launching their own college, RED, in September next year. This full-time, fully funded performing arts course is specifically designed for 16–18-year-olds who aspire to STAND out in a competitive industry. Students will have the unparalleled opportunity to be mentored by the biggest names in the country, receiving the signature nurturing training from the BIG DANCE COMPANY that prepares young people for the BIG world of professional dance.This initiative represents a significant breakthrough for Cornish talent, allowing gifted performers to access world-class vocational training without having to leave their hometown during their crucial teenage years. The college is proud to boast world-famous patrons Lukas McFarlane and Kane Silver, ensuring that the curriculum remains at the forefront of the industry. This expansion builds upon the company’s 26-year legacy of providing BIG dreams and opportunities to the community. Watch this space for the official announcement.
In June 9 of our dancers will be flying all the way to the Philippines to train with the best teachers in Asia and perform at World Famous Resorts World Manila.
RESULTS FROM OUR INCREDIBLE DANCERS
ASPIRE TEAM
Darcy Strike ,Orna Pickles , Georgie Francis Moskal, Lily Round
Noa Roberts ,Clay Richardson, Poppie Jones, Maggie May Dowker, Skylar Diegan, Rose Cambeul, Ivy Smart, Lola Baker, Piper Keary, Ruby Harden.
Hands up Contemporary - 2nd place
Its Time commercial 7th Place
U12 Beginner Contemporary Solos
Orna Pickles — 9th Place
Poppie Jones — 8th Place
Ruby Harden — 6th Place
Darcy Strike — 5th Place
U12 Beginner Lyrical Duos
Darcy Strike & Orna Pickles — 5th Place.
Georgie Francis Moskal & Lily Round — 4th Place
Noa Roberts & Clay Richardson — 3rd Place
Poppie Jones & Maggie May Dowker — 2nd Place
Parent and Child - Steph and ~Georgie 7th
SOUTH WEST MOVEMENT (SWM)
Alainey Henderson, Abigail Williams, Elsie Bayton, Isla Mulholland, Sanou Diop, Jasmine Hitchman, Lexie Franklin, Amber Ward, Ella Doyle
Everybody support women contemporary - 1st Place
What the hell just happened Jazz - 1st Place
XO - Commercial 2nd place
O16 Advanced Contemporary Solos
Elsie Bayton — O16 Contemporary British Champion
Alainey Henderson — 2nd Place
Sanou Diop — 5th Place
Jasmine Hitchman — 7th Place
Acrotrix - Acrobatc skills winner - Sanou Diop
O16 Advanced Commercial Duos
Alainey Henderson & Lexie Franklin — 3rd Place
Sanou Diop & Elsie Bayton — 5th Place
O16 Beginner Commercial Duos
Isla Mulholland & Briar — 5th Place
U16 Advanced Commercial Solos
Lexie Franklin — U16 Commercial British Champions
O16 Advanced Contemporary Duos
Elsie Bayton & Lexie Franklin Contemporary British Champions
ANIMATE TEAM
Annie Mae Fearn, Rio Richardson, Evie Strike, Erin Thirlby, Lubella Luck, Bibi Clemens, Ella Doyle, Nyla Michael, Skye Hollow
swings : Elsie Bratu, Amy Rose Dowker
Tip Toe Contemporary - 1st Place
One more time Commercial - 2nd Place
U16 Advanced Contemporary Duos
Rio Richardson & Lubella Luck — British Champions 1st Place
Annie Mae Fearn & Skye Hollow — 4th Place
U16 Intermediate Contemporary Duos
Bibi Clemens & Nyla Michael — U16 Intermediate Contemporary Duo Champions
U16 Advanced Commercial Duos
Rio Richardson & Skye Hollow — 3rd Place
U16 Intermediate Contemporary Solos
Lubella Luck — U16 Contemporary Intermediate British Champion Evie Strike — 5th Place
U16 Advanced Contemporary Solos
Rio Richardson — 3rd place
Ella Doyle — 7th Place
Erin Rose Thirlby — 8th Place
U16 Advanced Commercial Solos
Nyla Michael — 5th Place
U16 Street Solos Skye Hollow — 6th Place
GENESIS TEAM
Isla Swann, Amy Rose Dowker, Mia Bua Roberts, Jenny Brand, Ophelia Kidd, Maise Healey, Lela-mae Mcleod, Poppy Foreman, Sophia Simpson, Talulah Songoro, Elsie Bratu, Delilah Keating
Funky Stuff - Jazz 2nd Place
Rule the world Contemporary - 3rd Place
MIB - Commercial 4th Place
U16 Intermediate Contemporary Solos
Jenny Brand — 7th Place
Delilah Keating — 6th Place
Elsie Bratu — 2nd Place
U12 Intermediate Contemporary Solos
Isla Swann — U12 Contemporary British Champion
Mia Roberts — 3rd Place
Sophia Simpson — 2nd Place
U16 Intermediate Contemporary Duos
Elsie Bratu & Amy Rose Dowker — 2nd Place
Delilah Keating & Tallulah Songoro — 3rd Place
U12 Intermediate Contemporary Duos
Isla Swann & Mia Roberts — U12 Intermediate Contemporary Duo Champions
U16 Advanced Musical Theatre DuosDelilah & Tallulah — 3rd Place
PHOENIX TEAM
Millie Hicks, Alfie Western, Bryher Merrill, Dylan Forde, Cerys Isted, Kiki Fox, Bella Harvey, Lily Tesdale, Grace Hawker
Till it happens to you contemporary - 3rd place
Where have you been commercial - 3rd Place
O16 Intermediate Contemporary Duos
Alfie Western & Millie Hicks — 3rd Place
U16 Intermediate Contemporary Duos
Bella Harvey & Lily Tesdale — 5th Place
