Yesterday was show time for one of our very long standing customers. The Suella Dance Centre was launched 25 years ago with Angela Rippin as it’s patron. Since then Angela has supported the school every year and she was there last night to help Principal Sue Haddley celebrate.

Ian and I attended too and had a most enjoyable evening.

Congratulations Suella Dance Centre and well done to Angela for many years of support!   Thank you also for supporting IDS by buying costumes and uniform from us since the dance centre was launched

Here are Angela and Sue before the show.

We have a new addition to our range of Bloch shoes. The BL209 Arise is a soft leather full sole ballet shoe with cotton lining and pre-sewn elastic. It is outstanding value and a great introduction to the Bloch brand. It is available in pink only in girls and ladies sizes.

To celebrate Chris’s forthcoming BIG birthday as well as my MBE, we had a day off to go to Ladies Day at Royal Ascot. We had a fabulous time even if we didn’t back the winners. If you have never been and enjoy dressing up then you have to try it one year. It’s such a great people watching event.

If you were there too then email me a photo of your hat to annew@ids.co.uk

I am delighted to be able to share my very exciting news that, last Saturday I was awarded an MBE in the Queens Birthday Honours! I am so shocked, surprised and honoured!  However it is only due to the support that I have had from my husband and my team (current and previous) as well as the support of customers and suppliers over the years that I have been successful.

I had another surprise yesterday when all the team at IDS presented me with a card, flowers, balloon and celebration cakes!

Here I am with my goodies and Chris my PA and her assistant and Dance Associate Ami.

For the third time in a week I am back in London!

This time with my colleague Jillian who is our Systems Manager and who led one of the Round Table discussion groups at the Catalogue Exchange day.  She was joined by our web site developer and together they shared the success and pitfalls of our journey so far on to international markets.

We also attended some interesting talks given by inspirational enteprenurs in the multi chanel industry.

Ian and I and Andrew our Marketing Manager have had a wonderful day today at the BBO 80th Anniversary Celebrations. The sunny afternoon meant the many guests were able to enjoy the beautiful garden at the headquarters in Barnes and we were entertained by the Senior Scholars.

The guest of honour was Dame Beryl Grey who spoke of her early memories of the Espinosas.

Here is Dame Beryl with BBO Patron Wayne Sleep and Ian and myself.

Today I have been at the Royal Ballet Upper School in Covent Garden for a photoshoot.                

Three JAs were our lovely models who tirelessly tried on different outfits.   Here they are having a few minutes relaxation.