Derby Evening Telegraph journalist Lynwen Davison used to dream of running away to join the circus, so when a local circus skills club invited her along, she jumped at the chance.

She had long dreamed of donning a spangled leotard and flying effortlessly about in the heights of the big top on a trapeze - and although she didn't quite realise that ambition, she did have fun trying out some less complicated circus tricks.

As Lynwen entered the hall where Derby's Tomfoolery circus skills workshop and club were practising, she found members standing on balls, walking across a tightrope, juggling and stilt-walking.

They made it look easy so she was eager to start.

To begin with, her instructor, Andy Parry, began to teach her how to juggle.

Lynwen said: "Juggling with two balls was de rigueur when I was at school, but I was quickly put right about the notion that the technique could be adapted to juggle three."

Watching her two-ball technique, Andy was quick to tell her that she was cheating by passing the balls from hand to hand so that you always throw with your right hand. With three you have to throw and catch with both hands in turn.

She said: "First I concentrated on the right way to throw the balls - starting with two. Throwing was fine, the problems came when I tried to catch anything."

Next was the tightrope, and Lynwen was hopeful this was something she would be able to master.

She said: "I've always prided myself on my balance - I can stay upright on the highest of heels after an impressive number of gin and tonics."

Tomfoolery's organiser Andrew Vass helped her clamber up on to the tightrope, which for obvious safety reasons was only a foot off the ground.

She needed both him and Andy to steady her as she stood on the narrow wire, and when they let go she managed two seconds before swaying and crashing to the ground.

Not put off, Lynwen then decided to attempt the stilts.

Three-foot long stilts were strapped to her legs, and with help either side, she was able to get to her 'feet'.

Lynwen said: "Gradually, Andy let go of my hands and I was walking on my own. I was slow, I wobbled, but I was stilt-walking in minutes."

Finally, she decided to have a go at balancing on a ball, and enlisting Andrew's help she stood on the ball - only to fall straight off.

She said: "He told me that in order to stay on the ball you have to move your feet constantly. At that point though, my feet seemed glued to the ball - movement was impossible.

"Another attempt and another fall persuaded me to abandon the ball balancing."

However despite enjoying little success, Lynwen wasn't put off - acknowledging that it takes more than five minutes to learn each skill!

She said: "I could see the attraction of circus skills. Once you are good at something it must be a wonderful adrenaline rush."

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