Dancer Anthea Bundy to lead Pope Benedict XVI parade
A teenage world champion from an Angus Highland Dancing school will take her proudest steps at the head of the Edinburgh parade to welcome Pope Benedict XVI to Scotland today.
Anthea Bundy with her cup.
- By Graham Brown
- Published in the Courier : 16.09.10
- Published online : 16.09.10 @ 06.08am
With the eyes of the world upon her, 15-year-old Anthea Bundy will lead the St Ninian's Day procession through the capital alongside another world champion, boxer Ricky Burns.
Anthea is poised to parade the Vatican flag in the city centre spectacle and in the lining of her dancing jacket will be carrying a saintly lucky charm that has accompanied her every step of the way to dancing success across the globe — and now the opportunity of a lifetime in front of the Pontiff.
A pupil of St Mungo's High School in Falkirk, Anthea travels from her Grangemouth home to weekly classes with the Delma Wilson School of Highland Dancing in Forfar.
She was one of several success stories for the school at the blue riband Cowal Highland Gathering where her juvenile World Championship win led to today's prestigious invitation.
"It is a real privilege to be asked to take part in the parade," said Anthea.
She said leading the event would rank as the highlight of a dancing career that has already taken her to Canada and Australia.
Talisman
Proud mum Selena has also ensured that sewn into the lining of her black velvet dancing jacket is the very special talisman her talented daughter never likes to be without.
Selena said, "Around 40 years ago when I was on a school trip I bought a medal and prayer of St Martin de Porres for my dad, and he carried it with him until he died in 2003.
"Anthea got that medal and she has always kept it in the lining of her jacket as a good luck charm. When she got a new jacket we took it out and forgot to put it in.
"She then wasn't doing so well and we sewed it back into the jacket and she won nine championships in a row.
"I know that when the World Championship results were being announced Anthea put her hand inside her jacket and gave the medal a wee rub, and I'm sure she'll do the same in the parade.
'On top of the world'
"She's absolutely ecstatic to have been invited to do this, on top of the world," added Selena.
The family's pride has been shared by dance teacher Delma, who has coached her pupils to 15 world titles.
"Highland dancing, like any sport, involves immense commitment and discipline if you are to reach the heights which Anthea has in her young life," she said.
"Such a level of dedication not only teaches kids to be good at their chosen pursuit, but how to be good ambassadors for their sport and their families.
"This is an awesome honour for Anthea and one she really deserves.
"To be there alongside another Scottish sporting world champion in this amazing event will be an experience she will remember for the rest of her life."
Pope Benedict XVI picture used under Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user roblisameehan.
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