A group of 44 Year 9 and 10 students from Aureus School in Didcot travelled to London’s Excel Centre to attend MOVE IT, a major annual dance convention packed with performances, workshops, and industry insights.

Amy King, head of performing arts at Aureus School, said: “MOVE IT is known for its electric atmosphere, and students felt the excitement the moment they stepped inside the venue.

“Surrounded by colourful stalls, industry professionals, and world-class performers, the Aureus dancers were able to see the breadth of opportunities within the dance world.”

Students took part in high-level masterclasses and observed performances from national dance schools, as well as West End productions including Matilda and Sweeney Todd.

Miss King said: “Some students in Years 9 and 10 took part in high-level workshops, dancing alongside older and more experienced performers.

“Despite the challenge, they rose to the occasion – a moment of pride for their teachers and a confidence boost for the students themselves.”

MOVE IT also showcased training paths and career routes in the dance and performing arts industries, with colleges and professional companies on hand to advise students.

The day offered valuable exposure to professional environments, helping students develop their skills and explore options for future study or employment.

Miss King described the trip as a ‘confidence boost’ and praised the group’s maturity and enthusiasm throughout.

Aureus School is part of the GLF Schools multi-academy trust.

The lorry overturned at the Baynard’s Green roundabout at the junction of the A43 and B4100 on Saturday at 5.15pm.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the driver suffered minor injuries and had to be released from the lorry.

The road was closed while the incident was dealt with, but has since reopened.

A photo from the scene shows the lorry on its side with multiple emergency services in attendance.

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A statement issued by Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service on Saturday evening said: “At 5.15pm today crews from Bicester Fire Station, Banbury Fire Station and Kidlington Fire Station were called to a lorry that had gone onto its side at Baynard’s Green roundabout at the junction of the A43 and B4100.

“The driver suffering from minor injuries was unable to leave the vehicle and was released by the fire service after a handover from South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust who were in attendance when we arrived.

“There was a road closure in place which has now been reopened whilst Thames Valley Police dealt with the rest of the incident supported by a local recovery firm to move the vehicle.

“This incident was a fantastic example of our blue light partners working together to achieve a successful outcome.”

The group from North Oxford are seen above in 1989 presenting their latest cheque – for £4,000 – to the children’s ward at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

That brought to £25,000 the amount they had raised for young patients in 10 years.

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We see in the picture above Janice Stewart, Jane Trinder, and Sandy Leuridan, with staff nurse Doreen Tiffany and unit sister Alison Young.

The money had been raised throughout the year at jumble sales, dances, discos, tombolas, pram races, medieval evenings, Arabian nights and fete stalls.

One member told the Oxford Mail: “In the past, we have bought ventilators, special beds which monitor babies’ blood pressure and specialist pieces that the hospital could not meet from its own funds. We always support the hospital’s children’s ward.”

This isn’t the first time the Waterabbits have featured in Memory Lane.

In 2009, we reported how they organised an annual rail trip to the seaside.

More than 600 people, including many children, would pack 10 coaches of a special train and head to the coast for a day out.

Former member Colin Smith, of George Moore Close, Donnington, wrote: “The train had a brake van in the centre so that people could walk from the front and rear to get beer, lager and soft drinks. There were many flavours of crisps and nuts.

“I can recall getting all the beer from the Co-op in Iffley Road on a sale-or-return basis and taking it to Oxford station the night before we went.

“The crisps would be delivered to my house in about 14 boxes by Smith’s. They would be put in pallets and stored by the railway platform staff who also helped to load them on the morning of departure.

“A lot of hard work was done by a few committee members, on the outward and return journeys, but nothing went back to the shop.

“Sixty-four tickets would be issued for every coach so that everyone knew when the train arrived where they were sitting. They were good days and good trips.”

Earlier, Pamela Tuckell, of Rosamund Road, Wolvercote, had revealed how the group was formed – over a Friday night drink in a local pub.

She wrote to Memory Lane: “Out of the conversation came talk of forming a group to have fun in and around Wolvercote and raise money for a good cause. We chose the children’s ward at the John Radclife Hospital

“We started in 1978 and the charity was dissolved in 1995 due to a lack of volunteers and an inability to recruit new blood.

“The final cheque we gave was for £1,297. We raised about £50,000 in total. The Oxford Mail printed many pictures of our events. To advertise them, we often had a member dressed as a large rabbit.

“My husband Gerald, who was chairman for many years, once grew a beard and moustache, had half his face shaved and walked around like that for a week, sponsored by our charity.”