On Thursday 29th March 2012, a gloriously hot and sunny day, the HACAS Dance School performed for Her Majesty The Queen when Her Majesty and Prince Philip visited Harrow as part of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee tour. Krishna Avanti School in Edgware was host for the community event which proved to be a huge success.

All dressed up and ready to perform the children had to wait in their dance position, in silence, for about 5 minutes, when we knew that The Queen had arrived at the school. The 29 children were perfect despite it being a very hot day. Her Majesty watched and smiled throughout the HACAS performance. Her Majesty’s first comment was that they were “cute”.

Her majesty was then presented to Yvonne Chisholm, the HACAS Dance School Co-ordinator who remembered to curtsey and shook hands with Her Majesty who then asked, “Who are they?” Yvonne had the perfect opportunity to explain that we were the Harrow African-Caribbean Association and that we ran a Friday Club for the elderly; a Mentoring programme for boys and the Dance School. Her Majesty seemed very interested in who we were and what we did in the community and she was a really lovely lady. Yvonne was later interviewed for the royal Channel YouTube and gave a brief account of how the children were enjoying the day.

The day was a huge success and the children were superb. We took 29 children ages 4-11 and I think everyone would agree, we all had a fantastic time. The children were brilliant and behaviour was impeccable, a tribute to parents. They were five adults in all, supervising the children including The Dance Teacher who got the children into their positions did the rehearsals and helped to make the day the huge success it was. Well done to everyone!