Published by the LONDON BRANCH of the ROYAL SCOTTISH SOCIETY Formed 1930 www.rscdslondon.org.uk Registered Charity number 1067690 Scottish country dancing– For fun, fitness and Issue 306 £1.50 DECEMBER 2018 TO FEBRUARY 2019 friendship

London visitors, park goers and Branch members dancing the Gay Gordons at the Jerry Reinstein and Rachel Wilton dance down in Gramachie at London Branch Open Air Dancing in Kensington Gardens, (1 September 2018). the London Branch Autumn Wednesday Dance, (24 October 2018). Forthcoming Branch Dances Congratulations Andrew Andrew Kellett, who has taken over as RSCDS Christmas Dance Burns’ Ceilidh Dance chairman from Helen Russell, tells us about his role and his priorities (see p6) Saturday 15 December 2018 Saturday 12 January 2019 6.45 for 7.00 – 10.30pm Doors open at 6.30pm St Columba’s Church, Pont Street Winter Wednesday Dance SW1X 0BD David Hall and his SCD Band Wednesday 20 February 2019

The Hollin Buss ...... 8x32 J Also in this issue... Catch the Wind ...... 8x32 H Gramachie ...... 8x32 S The Starry Eyed Lassie ...... 8x32 J at Higham Hall The First of September ...... 4x32 R Maureen Haynes gives us a view of this popular Margaret Parker’s ...... 8x32 S event (see p8) Orpington Caledonians...... 8x32 R Culla Bay ...... Sq 4x32 S 50 years of RSCDS Oxford Cadgers in the Canongate ...... 8x48 R Dennis Tucker gives an insight into their history (see p9) Follow Me Home ...... 8x32 J The Glasgow Highlanders ...... 8x32 S Nothing quite like the The College ...... 8x32 H Over the Water to Charlie (New Way) . 8x32 J Singapore Ball Cape Town Wedding ...... 8x32 S Joan Blake reports on the annual St Andrew’s Glastonbury Tor ...... 8x32 R Night celebrations in Singapore (see p12) Fair Enough ...... 4x32 J Miss Eleanor ...... 3x32 S In My Opinion The of The Royal Scots ...... 8x32 R How important is a good warm-up? Eric Finley Admission includes a glass of wine and voices his opinion (see p13) while ‘The Dance Christmas fayre Corner’ gives us a new dance (see p14) RSCDS members £19, non-members £22, full time students (with card) Lives Remembered and spectators £10. We say goodbye to past chairman Owen Meyer, All children (under 16) free past chairman and Reel editor Wilson Nicol and All tickets to be purchased (cash only) his wife Jean and also to Wendy Henderson on the door (see p15-16) All dances will be recapped. Those with highland/evening dress are Letters to The Reel encouraged to wear it The St Andrew Society’s demise, Call for a Foss Crib available at www.rscdslondon.org.uk Andrew Kellett before the Saturday evening Workshop and Dance, Hard Floors (see p16) AGM Ball, (3 November 2018). Issue 307 will be with UK based members in the first week of March 2019 unless delayed in the post. Contributions for that issue should be sent to arrive by and preferably in advance of Sunday 20 January 2019 by email to [email protected] The opinions expressed by contributors in The Reel do not necessarily reflect the official position of the RSCDS, or of the Branch. Chairman’s Column by Margaret Catchick ROYAL SCOTTISH The dancing season is now well under way and I hope that you are all COUNTRY enjoying your dancing. DANCE It has been encouraging to see new dancers attending our classes and SOCIETY we hope this will continue. As you will see from the classes information Patron: H M The Queen on p5 we have classes to suit everyone at various locations so why not give them a try - you will receive excellent teaching and make many President: Jean Martin new friends. Chairman: Andrew Kellett Our Opening Season Dance HEADQUARTERS was, unfortunately, poorly 12 Coates Crescent, Edinburgh EH3 7AF attended not helped by the appalling weather on Tel: 0131 225 3854 the day. This was a real shame because we were [email protected] www.rscds.org fortunate to have had a four piece Craigellachie band entertaining us with some wonderful music. LONDON BRANCH Hon. President Our Day School, on the other hand, was a great Rachel Wilton success with 115 dancers and 18 musicians having applied. Numerous compliments have been Hon. Vice-Presidents received on the quality of teaching, refreshments Mary Barker, Jenny Greene, and lunch and the superb new venue which we Rosemary Tilden hope to be able to return to next year. Chairman: Our next main event, which will take place on Margaret Catchick 15 December, will be the Christmas Dance and we 251 Botley Road, Ley Hill, Chesham, are pleased to be welcoming back David Hall and Bucks HP5 1YD Tel: 01494 772305 his SCD Band. This will be an occasion not to be [email protected] missed so do come along and enjoy a great start Hon. Secretary: to the Christmas festivities. On 12 January 2019 The Newcomers and Improvers Class the Branch will be holding its Burns’ Ceilidh Joanne Lawrence at the London Branch Day School, 72 Hallowell Road, Northwood, Supper which has become one of the highlights of (20 October 2018). the year so again put this date in your diary. Middlesex HA6 1DS Tel: 07747 617953 Dancing will be to the music of Caledonian Reelers. [email protected] As you will see there is a lot to look forward to so do come along to one or all of our Hon. Treasurer: forthcoming events and to our classes. Simon Wales Flat 6, 86 Worcester Rd, Sutton, On the subject of dances, I feel there is no doubt that attendance at dances in London is Surrey SM2 6QQ Tel: 020 8643 0952 falling. This could be attributed to several factors including inclement weather, transport [email protected] difficulties and people not wishing to drive into central London. There is also the matter of competing events. In this respect I believe the SE Dance Diary, which was initially set up to be Committee used by clubs in planning events and avoiding clashes, is perhaps not being used for the Elaine Davies, Jenny Kendrick, purpose for which it was created, which is a great pity. George Potts, Jerry Reinstein, Thelma-Jane Robb, Margaret Shaw It is also a great shame that so many people leave dances early. There is nothing more disheartening for the band, and for the dancers remaining, than to see a room emptying out Sub-Committee co-ordinators long before the end of the evening and this seems to be a growing trend. I feel we all need to Classes ...... Jenny Kendrick consider the impact leaving early has both on the band and on the dancers remaining. Could it Day School ...... Margaret Catchick perhaps be that people leave early because dances end too late or are too long? Dances ...... Margaret Shaw Finally, and on a positive note, I would like to congratulate Andrew Kellett on becoming Publicity ...... Margaret Catchick Chairman of the RSCDS. We look forward to helping Andrew achieve his aims for the Society in ...... Joanne Lawrence promoting this wonderful pastime of ours. You can read Andrew’s thoughts on becoming RSCDS Youth ...... Elaine Davies Chairman on p6. Non-Executive roles I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the Christmas Dance and should like to Bookstall ...... Daniel Capron take this opportunity of wishing you all a very happy Christmas and great dancing in 2019! Hon. Archivist ...... Rachel Wilton Membership ...... Gaynor Curtis RSCDS AGM Report 2 - 4 November 2018 The Reel Editorial Team ...... Edward Bunting, Daniel Capron by Jim Cook and Margaret Catchick ...... Katy Sweetman, Ian Thomson ...... Meryl Thomson, Stephen Webb Participants from This was followed by a session regarding The Reel Business Editor .... Jeff Robertson around the world Membership - Branches, Affiliated Groups converged on Perth for and Independent Clubs. For the more Subscribers ...... Maggie Westley a weekend of dancing, energetic, Rachel Shankland taught a general Webmaster ...... Meryl Thomson class to music by Adam Brady. classes, forums and, of Objects of London Branch course, the 89th AGM of The AGM itself took place on the Saturday To advance the education of the public in the the RSCDS. afternoon where Scrolls of Honour were London area in traditional Scottish country At the same time as the Friday Evening awarded to: dancing, in particular by: Dance, which was to excellent music by the Deirdre MacCuish Bark (Toronto Branch), a) preserving and furthering the practice of David Oswald SCD Band, the Society once Maureen Haynes (NW Craven Branch), traditional Scottish country dances; again held a community based ceilidh to Sue Porter (Oban and Lorne Branch), b) providing or assisting in providing music by the John Carmichael Ceilidh Band. Di Rooney (Cheshire Branch) and instruction in the dancing of Scottish country dances; Saturday began with an Open Forum Gabor Turi (Vienna Branch). c) promoting the enjoyment and appreciation discussing membership success stories. …continued on p6 of Scottish country dancing and music by any suitable means. A closer look at the Contents of this Issue www.rscdslondon.org.uk

London Branch Matters ...... 3 Rosalind’s Poem & Singapore Ball ...... 12 www.facebook.com/RSCDSLondon London Branch Dances and Classes ...... 4-5 IoW Weekend School & “In My Opinion” ... 13 New Chairman Andrew Kellett & HQ News . 6 The Dance Corner & Can You Help? ...... 14 Music Matters ...... 7-8 Four Lives Remembered ...... 15-16 @LondonRSCDS Hogmanay at Higham ...... 8 Letters to The Reel ...... 16 The Oxfordshire Branch..The first 50 years . 9 Forthcoming Events ...... 17-19 YouTube.com/ The Dancing World in Pictures ...... 10-11 Other SCD Organisations, Credits ...... 19-20 RSCDSLondonBranch

Page 2 The Reel Issue 306 London Branch Matters Membership London Branch membership benefits include The current rates for RSCDS membership through the London Branch are as follows: reduced rates at Branch classes, dances and events, and quarterly receiving The Reel, Aged 12-17 Aged 18-24 25 and over Second Joint while RSCDS membership includes the branch (per biannual publication, Scottish Country member person) Dancer, and 10% discounts on items from the RSCDS shop. Membership may be purchased The Reel £14 £20 £24 £4 £20 via www.rscdslondon.org.uk using PayPal or electronically by cheque payable to RSCDS London Branch. The Reel by post (UK) £16 £22 £26 £6 £22 See full details on website. Membership enquiries and cheque payments should be The Reel by post £22 £28 £32 £12 £28 addressed to the Membership Secretary, (Europe) Gaynor Curtis, 60 Bishops Wood, Woking The Reel by post £25 £31 £35 £15 £31 GU21 3QB, 01483 721989, (Rest of the World) email: [email protected]

Branch Day School Reports

Mixed Ability Class Musicians’ Workshop Very Advanced Class by Judy Snook by Norman Yeaman by Ian Stewart

St Helen’s School is a On Saturday 20 October I would like to say I had very nice venue, clean, a musicians’ workshop a fantastic time – the smart and with several was held at St Helen’s teachers were super, halls suited to our School Northwood, the musicians were needs and good dining a new venue. Musicians great and the new facilities. The junior were led by Ian venue was quite superb school assembly hall was Robertson. Ian opened (albeit a slightly bumpy pleasant though a little the workshop by floor in one of the halls!). slippery. welcoming all and setting The classes were fun, Aileen Napper was our morning teacher. the objective, to work together thought-provoking and instructive. Would She was organised and soon had us warmed to form a band to play for the evening dance I come again? – quite definitely yes. Change up and dancing. She had chosen dances with whilst enjoying the experience. The anything? – not particularly. Disappointment? some challenges in the transition between musicians were a cross-section of player/ – only that it is 12 months to the next one. dancers and players. Instruments were one move and another. First came Both teachers included dances from previous accordion, fiddle, , concertina and Fair Enough (Bk 51/4) with transition from centuries. Pat Houghton started with skip-change to slip-step. Easy enough when . The workshop consisted of four hours of tuition split into morning and The Charmer (1719, Bk 29/6). Apparently going in the same direction but with a a very simple dance, but full of challenging change of direction not so easy to do neatly afternoon sessions to perfect the fourteen dances for the evening dance, a mixture of changes of feet and steps. She continued and smoothly. The other dances we did were with The Mill of Towie (Dunedin Dances Lady C Bruce’s Reel, and The Swan and the , reels and strathspeys. Bk 4), a new strathspey to most people. This Tay each with its transition challenges. Ian invited questions from the outset and was a lovely dance with a millwheel figure, Aileen also had us work on basics such as focused the group on settling in. He which I would very much like to dance again. footwork but reminded us that it is the upper encouraged listening to each other to half of the body that people notice most so improve playing together to create one Andrew Nolan taught Argyll’s Bowling Green posture, arms and eye contact are vital. sound. The morning session concentrated on (1710-1720, Bk 15/10) and The Falkland Barbara Manning played a grand piano, using principles of tempo, ensemble playing and Beauty (c1822-1831, Bk 4/11). Both were her wide repertoire of tunes, to suit the building energy into the music to encourage dances with technical challenges and tricky teacher’s requirements and help us to enjoy the dancers. The afternoon session addressed transitions. The Longwise Eightsome (c1841, the day. starting and stopping together, playing the Bk 18/7) reintroduced us to the poussette Our afternoon teacher was Emma Allsop who set tunes a number of times through and right round in quick time. used different dances but with similar aims. running order of tunes. What do I think We danced A Castle in the Air (Bk 43/9), Both sessions included of these The Maid of the Mill (Bk 21/11), Chasing the many tips and hints historical Eclipse with a promenade chain progression, which Ian dances? From and then The College Hornpipe (Bk 20/12). demonstrated. He also a skills The Maid of the Mill had a tricky start, first threw in some dance perspective, couple turn and cast two places then turn demo to illustrate his they are and cast back, all in eight bars needing some points. Of course, no interesting for nifty footwork and long steps. Scottish music workshop experienced We all enjoyed working hard to improve our would be complete dancers and dancing. without discussion of present the Scottish ‘snap’ and technical dotting the notes. After challenges. As the first set of the social dances, morning played by the perhaps they group Ian said, “ You are too good, I am are now not quite so successful. Why? going home”, which was a very encouraging I suggest that when they were originally comment for the group. danced there was probably less emphasis on precise footwork, which is what makes them My highlight of the day was when the band awkward for us. Do these dances still have played the strathspey Jean Martin of a place today? That is something we can Aberdeen acoustically at the evening dance; continue to discuss in the future. for me it drew together the principles we had covered. I looked up from my music and I would like to finish with a very big thank it was being danced and played beautifully, you to Margaret and her team for organising such a wonderful day. The Advanced Class rewarded by an encore. Special thanks to Ian and to my fellow musicians for a lovely day.

The Reel Issue 306 Page 3 London Branch Dances and Classes Burns’ Ceilidh Dance Winter Wednesday Dance Combined Societies’ Dance

Saturday 12 January 2019 Wednesday 20 February 2019 Hosted by RSCDS London Branch 7.00 – 10.45pm 7.00 – 10.00pm Saturday 30 March 2019 Doors open at 6.30pm Doors open at 6.30pm 7.00 – 10.30pm St Columba’s Church, Pont Street St Columba’s Church, Pont Street Doors open at 6.30pm SW1X 0BD SW1X 0BD St Columba’s Church, Pont Street Caledonian Reelers Sandra Smith and Christina Hood SW1X 0BD

with MC James Fairbairn Good Hearted Glasgow ...... 8x32 J Frank Reid and his SCD Band

A great opportunity to enjoy with your The Dashing White Sergeant ...... 32 R Hooper’s ...... 8x32 J friends and family a traditional Burns’ The Byron Strathspey ...... 3x32 S Festival Fling ...... 8x32 R Supper along with the fun of Scottish Follow Me Home ...... 8x32 J Argyll Strathspey ...... 8x32 S music and ceilidh dancing. Round Reel of Eight ...... Sq 1x88 R The Haar on Skye ...... 8x32 S Muirland Willie ...... 8x32 J The Montgomeries’ Rant ...... 8x32 R Glastonbury Tor ...... 8x32 R Dances will be a selection of all the usual Margaret Parker’s Strathspey ...... 8x32 S favourites such as: St Andrew’s Fair ...... 8x32 J Best Set in the Hall ...... 8x32 J Gay Gordons, Canadian , Fisherman’s Reel ...... Sq 5x32 R Miss Eleanor ...... 3x32 S The Dashing White Sergeant, Holyrood Strathspey ...... 8x32 S Mairi’s Wedding ...... 8x40 R The Eightsome Reel, Virginia Reel EH3 7AF ...... 8x32 J and Strip the Willow (Orcadian style) Jessie’s Hornpipe ...... 8x32 R Miss Mary Douglas ...... 8x48 J Jean Martin of Aberdeen ...... 3x32 S John of Bon Accord ...... 8x32 R All dances will be walked through Catch the Wind ...... 8x32 H The New Strathspey ...... 4x40 S Admission includes haggis supper Extra: The Wild Geese ...... 8x32 J (vegetarian option available) The Sailor ...... 8x32 H The Australian Ladies ...... 8x32 R

with a glass of wine Gang the Same Gate ...... 8x32 S RSCDS members £16, Non-members £20 Admission includes light refreshments Inchmickery ...... 5x32 J Full time students (with card) RSCDS members £11, non-members £13, City of Belfast ...... 3x32 S and spectators £8. full time students (with card) and The Reel of The Royal Scots ...... 8x32 R spectators £6. All children (under 16) free All children (under 16) free Tickets £13 on the door, All tickets to be purchased (cash only) All tickets to be purchased (cash only) including refreshments on the door. All dances will be recapped/ on the door Dances will be recapped on request. walked through

Crib available at www.rscdslondon.org.uk Crib available at www.rscdslondon.org.uk Forthcoming RSCDS London Branch events Dance Around the World 2018 by Rachel Wilton The following additional dance dates are confirmed for the remainder of the Can you really do this without leaving London – 2018-2019 season. Events take place at yes, you could have done had you been at Cecil St Columba’s Church, Pont Street, Sharp House, Camden, London, home of the

London SW1X 0BD. English Folk Song and Dance Society for the last

Wednesday 29 May Summer Wednesday weekend in October, and many people did. This Dance to music from annual community festival was celebrating its TBA 18th year, giving all attendees the opportunity to participate in traditional dance cultures from Saturday 8 June AGM Dance to music all parts of the world. In two exciting and from TBA energetic days performers and teachers provided For details of all our events please visit a non stop programme of extraordinary variety, Members of the team in the Kennedy www.rscdslondon.org.uk simultaneous activities in four locations, Hall before the DATW demonstration, workshops, continuous short demonstrations and (28 October 2018). other events. At least 43 groups were there including London Branch who performed a 20 minute demonstration in Kennedy Hall and then Announcing two new held a well attended one hour workshop to introduce people to the fun of Scottish country ceilidh sessions next year! dancing. The 19th ‘DATW’ festival will be on 26-27 October 2019. Put it in your diary NOW!

We are pleased to announce we are The Reel Christmas Quiz running two ceilidh sessions led by Simon Something to do after Christmas Dinner - Each question has Wales with music from Peter Jenkins on a number after it and that is the letter counted back from and including solo accordion. the last letter of the answer. These will take place in the Upper Hall of Put these letters in question order and this becomes an anagram for an old Scottish St Columba’s Church, Pont Street, country set dance, what is that dance? London SW1X 0BD from 7.00 - 9.00pm on Wednesday 30 January and The first person to email [email protected] with the correct answer will be Wednesday 13 February 2019. recognised in Reel 307 as Reel dancing egghead 2018 when the answers will also be given. All welcome, bring your friends! Questions: Tickets £10 per session on the door. 1. Name of London Branch magazine (4) 8. Scotland’s national mythical animal 2. First name of Scottish bard born in since late 1300s (5) 1759 (3) 9. Salmon leap here (6) South East Dance Diary 3. Scots for splashes (4) 10. Tune used for the dance, Bonnie Anne (7) The diary on the Branch website is 4. Who devised the reel Orpington regularly updated. For a hard copy please Caledonians? (5) 11. First name of Mrs Stewart of send a SAE to Caroline Hamilton. 5. Fife village where there is a Jimmy Fasnacloich (6) Shand statue (10) 12. Book 1, No.6 (8) All societies in the South East may submit their functions free for inclusion in the 6. Salmon leap here (6) 13. Which Scot first produced pneumatic diary. Email [email protected] or 7. In which churchyard is tyres commercially (2) by post to Caroline Hamilton, 31 Boundary Rob Roy MacGregor, who died 14. 16th century castle on Loch Ness (1) Road, Pinner, Middlesex HA5 1PW in 1734, buried? (6)

Page 4 The Reel Issue 306 The London Branch runs a large number of classes throughout the year. Some of these are regular classes during term-time; others are specialist classes in advanced technique and classes for young people.

Park Walk Primary School Richmond Representing the Branch

Park Walk, London SW10 0AY Oddfellows Hall, Parkshot, Richmond A monthly class on Tuesdays for advanced TW9 2RT dancers, taught by Mervyn Short, with music Wednesdays 7.00 - 9.00pm during term time provided by Neil Esslemont, to work on a Wednesdays 7.30 - 10.00pm during term 16 January – 27 March (half term repertoire of dances that can be used for time (beginners 7.30 - 9.00pm, improvers 27 February 2019) public displays. Classes are held from 8.00 - 10.00pm) 7.00 – 9.00pm in the Upper Hall at Joint Class Party - 3 April 2019 16 January – 27 March (half term St Columba’s Church, Pont Street, London 27 February 2019) SW1X 0BD. Beginners and Improvers If you have a sense of fun and the ability to with teacher Davinia Miln Class Party - 3 April 2019 reflect the joy of Scottish country dancing to An introduction to basic steps and formations Beginners and Improvers the general public, do come along and give for new dancers while supporting others to with teacher Judith Jones us a try. Anyone interested in joining is asked develop their technique and general dancing An introduction to basic steps and formations to have a good grasp of Scottish dance steps skills. for new dancers while supporting others to and formations. For further information develop their technique and general dancing please contact Elaine Davies at Technique class for Intermediate [email protected] and Advanced Dancers skills. Class fee: £6 per class to recorded music with teacher Jenny Kendrick (1st half term) Families in London and Pat Davoll (2nd half term) Underground/Train: Richmond. Buses: 65, 190, 371, 391, 419, 490, 493 A technique class for advanced and Dance Scottish intermediate dancers looking to develop The Family Scottish Dancing Class will their technique, confidence, performance, continue at: style and enjoyment of the dance. Coram’s Fields Fresh Ground Church of the Nazarene, Class fee: £7 per night for RSCDS members, Band Hall, 93 Guilford St, London WC1N 1DN 68 Battersea Rise, London SW11 1EQ £9 per night for non-members. Termly rates www.freshgroundlondon.com available. Sunday 10 March 2019 11.00am – 1.00pm Saturdays 10.30 - 11.45am Underground: South Kensington, Sloane Technique Class for Advanced Check Branch website for dates Square. and Very Advanced dancers Free on-street parking available after 6.30pm Café available on premises for refreshments with teacher Philippe Rousseau and (Chelsea match days 10.00pm) in nearby With teachers James Fairbairn and Jenny musician streets. Kendrick Ken Martlew Buses: 11, 22, 19, 49, 328, 319, 345 Class fee £5 each/£10 family A class aimed at advanced No entry into the school permitted before and very advanced dancers Railway station: Clapham Junction 6.40pm. No smoking or vaping on school who are able to perform and Please invite your friends and family to come premises. execute all steps and along and have a go. Contact: Jenny - [email protected] formations to a high standard For more information see the Branch website of dancing and assimilate or please follow our new Families in London Musicians Sandra Smith and Ian Cutts instructions quickly. Dance Scottish Facebook page. Class fee: £9 (RSCDS members) and St Columba’s Church £10 (non-members). For further information please contact Marjory at [email protected] Upper Hall, Pont St, London SW1X 0BD For details contact Margaret Catchick [email protected] or Family Afternoon Dance on Saturday Wednesdays 2.30 - 4.30pm during term time Jenny Kendrick [email protected] 8 June 2019 from 2.00 - 4.30pm in the Upper Hall, at St Columba’s Church of Spring term is 9 January - 3 April 2019 with Underground: Russell Square. Scotland, Pont Street, London SW1X 0BD half term 20 February 2019 Free on-street parking available. with musician Sandra Smith.

Mixed Ability with teacher Jeni Rutherford A social class suitable for dancers with at least some knowledge of basic steps and South East Classes Listing formations. Visitors welcome. We regularly update the classes listing on Class fee: £7 per class to recorded music www.rscdslondon.org.uk (under SE Events). For further information contact Jeni at Would you please check your group’s [email protected] information and send any amendments to Ceilidh Sessions Underground: Knightsbridge, Sloane Square. [email protected] or call Jan Collings on 07803 923036. See announcement on p4 for more details Buses: 19, 22, 137, 452, C1

The Reel Issue 306 Page 5 Andrew Kellett becomes RSCDS Chairman

It is a tremendous honour wherever people dance. The Society is you What that potted biography shows, I hope, is to have been elected and it is nourished by the spirit and jollity of that we enjoy Scottish dancing in many Chairman of the RSCDS. Scottish dance. It cannot be contained in a different ways. We might dance as a child, The post has been building or a minute book. Each branch and a young adult or elderly person (I am not occupied by some of each member is empowered to do whatever quite that yet). We can ceilidh, we can reel, the great names in the they can to maintain and develop Scottish we can demonstrate in the Younger Hall at Society and indeed country dancing as the wonderful, life- St Andrews. We can dance in a local church Scottish society. I affirming hobby that we know. hall, or a park or a castle. We can dance in pretty much every country of the world or at cannot boast that So, how did I get to wear the Chairman’s home with our family. We can dance every pedigree, but I do have chain (not chains, please note)? I learnt to years of experience dancing in London and night of the week, or just occasionally. We dance at a children’s class in Bradford, elsewhere that gives me a valuable can be energised by the thrilling sound of a Yorkshire. By my mid-teens I was out dancing perspective on the RSCDS. We all tend to live band or we can relax to some favourite most Saturday nights. The opportunities tunes played through our headphones. The look up to Coates Crescent, to Summer seemed boundless. So many events, great School and to the hierarchy of directors, challenge for us as a society is how to teaching and music, the chance to travel, convenors and examiners. While they are embrace the richness of the culture we have performances at some classy venues and important, what matters most to the inherited, and to help it adapt to a changing friendships to share. As part of the London world without compromising its essence. Society’s mission of promoting Scottish Branch demonstration team my wife, Wendy, country dancing is the week-by-week and I had a ball. Life changes, of course, and We have some immediate problems to commitment of branches, affiliated groups careers and parenthood meant we had to tackle. The continuing decline in the and individual members throughout the take a step back. For some years my dancing Society’s membership is a big concern. Even world who are keeping dancing alive, often experiences were mostly confined to ceilidh more worrying is the apparent decline in the in modest surroundings and sometimes calling and supporting family dances. I knew number of people Scottish country dancing in against the odds. that all the joy I had experienced through much of the ‘old’ dancing world of the UK, My first task as Chairman, therefore, is to Scottish dancing would not have been North America and Australasia. We need thank you for all that you do on the Society’s possible without the RSCDS, its teachers and more feet on the floor, otherwise the Society behalf. If you are teaching or playing for a its nurturing of the tradition, so I continued and the RSCDS way of dancing are under class, organising events or making the tea, to serve on the London Branch Committee threat. However, I would not have taken on performing in demonstrations or offering a and I edited the Society’s magazine for a this job if I was not optimistic about our helpful hand at a dance you are an time. Life continued to change and with future. We have a great product, we have a ambassador for the Society. Newcomers take retirement looming I started to dance more strong communal network and there is you. up Scottish country dancing and join the regularly once again. It was a bit of a shock, It is the dedication, enterprise and passion of Society because of what you do, not because frankly. Not only did my leg muscles our members that will see us through. I shall of me, or the Management Board or the staff complain, but my brain was taxed by the strive to make sure the Board, the office and at Headquarters, and that is the last time I very different repertoire from the one I had the entire Coates Crescent apparatus do will refer to RSCDS Headquarters. We have known twenty years before. I persevered and their best to help you. an excellent team working in the office at became Branch Chairman for a second time Coates Crescent, but they are not in charge and now Chairman of the Society. of the Society. The RSCDS is headquartered AGM Report continued from p2

News and Events from HQ by Daniel Capron Chairman Helen Russell gave her report, after which the Treasurer reported on the New website on the Executive Council. Her full profile is Society’s financial performance. The motion The new website and on the website, www.rscds.org along with to maintain subscriptions at the same level database will be all the latest news from HQ. was carried, William Cant was confirmed as Treasurer for a further three year term, and available by the end of Future RSCDS Events the year. Video new Committee members were announced. tutorials and written Winter School 2019 in Pitlochry Concluding her two years as Chairman, Helen walkthroughs will be 17-22 February. Contact Russell passed the baton onto Andrew created to help users get [email protected] for more details or Kellett, reminding the assembly of his calm, accustomed to the new book online at www.rscds.org/events logic, sense of proportion and strategic system. HQ plan to create material for the Spring Fling/Fringe 2019 in Paris sense; the Society was therefore in safe events system, shop, logging in and 19-21 April hands. Andrew thanked Helen, saying that highlighting new features on the website. Spring Fling is an annual event for those the Society owed her a great debt of During the first couple of months HQ staff aged 18-35. Spring Fringe is an international gratitude and presented her with a Past will be available to answer members' dance week-end for dancers over 35 with Chairman’s badge. queries. specific classes and joint evening dances. Andrew’s optimistic acceptance speech Staffing Details will be posted on the website thanked the Society for its trust in him and The post of Executive Officer www.springfling.rscdsparis.fr as soon as he looked forward to working with HQ, has been vacant since the available. Branches and Members in promoting SCD end of May. Sandra Parish, Summer School 2019 in St Andrews from worldwide. We at London Branch can be very Finance Officer, has taken 14 July to 11 August. proud of the elevation of our past Chairman on the role of interim Office Online booking now open. For more who I first met when I started SCD at Leeds Manager and assumed some information, and to book, go to University in 1968 and who was at that time of the responsibilities of the www.rscds.org/events dancing with Leeds Branch. Executive Officer (EO). The

Management Board at its meeting on Lorna Ogilvie (Perth and Perthshire Branch) 13 October decided to advertise for For any queries or now assumes the mantle of Chairman Elect. a permanent Office Manager, who would information on events, The AGM was followed by a superb evening take on most of the EO’s duties, and contact Events Manager dance to wonderful music from Jim Lindsay dispense with the EO post. Moira Thomson at HQ (see and his SCD band. For the less experienced above). New Chairman Elect a ‘Nice’n Easy’ Dance was, for the first time, Lorna Ogilvie of Perth and held in parallel with the Ball to music from Perthshire Branch is now Frank Thomson. Chairman Elect of the RSCDS The AGM Weekend finished on the Sunday and will be Chairman after If you wish to receive London Branch morning with Jimmie Hill, accompanied by Andrew Kellett, from 2020 information by email, whether a Branch Mo Rutherford, giving a talk on historic to 2022. She spent 20 years member or not, (not more than once a dances after which Peter Cass taught a as headmistress of girls' schools month), please send your email address to General Class to music by Bill Ewan. in Aberdeen and London. She was Chairman [email protected] and we will of RSCDS Croydon Branch and represented it Next year’s AGM weekend is 1-3 November add you to the list. 2019.

Page 6 The Reel Issue 306 Music Matters

Summer School Musicians’ Course 2018 Bands by Joan Desborough CALEDONIAN REELERS Well established three-piece SCD band, Week 2 at St Andrews this year was full not only of Scottish country consisting of accordionist, fiddler and dancers but also about 30 musicians from around the world. Ian Muir, drummer. Caller/piper can also be supplied. Music Director of the RSCDS and leader of the Craigellachie Band, Available for RSCDS dances, ceilidhs, organized and taught the musicians’ course ably assisted by Gillian weddings, reeling. Anywhere, anytime for Stevenson on fiddle and Bill Ewan on piano. The main aim of the course your function. Please contact Derek Chappell was to encourage musicians to understand and appreciate the unique style 01206 764232 / Mary Felgate 07866 757401 of Scottish country dance music (the course in Week 1 was aimed at those for further information, or who wished to learn more about playing for classes). Focused particularly on [email protected] reels, jigs and strathspeys it gave musicians the opportunity to ensure their music has the necessary drive and lift to inspire dancers. One of the main objectives was to have a working KAFOOZALUM COUNTRY DANCE BAND band to play for the week’s final dance in the Younger Hall on Saturday night. Music for Scottish country dancing anywhere, The course was primarily aimed at fiddlers, accordionists and keyboard players, but there was anytime. For further details and availability, also a cellist and a bass guitarist. Participants came from Russia, Canada, South Africa, please telephone Netherlands, France, Germany, Sweden and the UK. Each morning we gathered in the Old Peter Jenkins on 020 8581 0359, Dining Room of University Hall to work on the music for the Saturday evening. The afternoons [email protected] or our Ceilidh were equally busy as we looked at tempos not usually encountered in SCD music, such as website at www.kafoozalum.co.uk , two-step and march. We also split into groups for more specific instrument advice. In IAN ROBERTSON AND HIS SCOTTISH addition, class musicians, who had already spent the morning playing for dancing, came along COUNTRY DANCE BAND and explained their approach to creating a set of tunes for a dance; an opportunity for us to Solo, duo or trio available for Scottish play different tunes providing good sight-reading practice. country dances, classes, weddings, ceilidhs The sheet music for 65 different tunes, most arranged in sets for the 14 dances on the and reeling events. Saturday evening programme, arrived about six weeks before the course so gave us the Contact Ian Robertson on 01296 630682 or opportunity to become familiar with the music in advance of our trip to Scotland. Thirty [email protected] musicians can only play them together if they listen to each other - and that was probably the most important point Ian made early in the week. The more we listened to each other, the M Scottish S c N better the sound we produced! The week was definitely not about bashing through the tunes, B I but about working through all of them carefully; every note counts whether it is loud or quiet, Country A Dance B I accented or played more softly. There were at least four different playing orders for the tunes c Band N depending on the nature of the M S original, the key changes Contact: Mike McGuinness Tel: 020 8398 6799 required and even the position or Tel/Fax: 020 8546 0075 (business hours) of the dance in the programme. It was very important to take Soloist: PETER JENKINS notes to ensure the accuracy Solo accordion for workshops, classes, day that Ian encouraged. With so schools and ‘smaller functions’. many musicians this was also an 020 8581 0359 or [email protected] opportunity to make arrangements for some of the THE FRANK REID SCOTTISH DANCE BAND sets of tunes and we had great Broadcasting band for Scottish country fun mastering Ian’s creative dances, Reeling, Ceilidhs and Weddings. Any ideas hoping that dancers would size of band from one to seven with PA to realize that the sound from the match from 100 to 2000 watts. Particularly stage was not just uniform, but Joan’s view: group morning interested in any ideas for expansion of varied in texture. session in the Old Dining ceilidh market. The Granary, Park Lane, Finchampstead, Wokingham RG40 4QL. Tel/ In the evenings we could join Room led by Ian Muir, Fax: 0118 932 8983 or [email protected] the social dancing, after which (26 July 2018). several of us gathered in the ‘party room’ where, with a glass of wine in hand, we listened to many splendid musicians Subscribe to receive The Reel alone at the enjoying the opportunity to relax and continue playing. Of course this was often accompanied following annual rates: Electronic (PDF) by dancing. On Friday evening 30 musicians crammed into the common room and opened the format £4, By post: UK £6, Europe £12, Ceilidh with a waltz and a march. On Saturday evening we filled the stage of the Younger Hall Rest of World £15. and had a wonderful evening putting into practice everything we had learnt during the week. See www.rscdslondon.org.uk for details or Judging by the reaction of the dancers, they enjoyed the music too. contact Maggie Westley, 30 Stanley Road, This was an excellent course: thanks must go to everyone involved in its organization and to Carshalton, Surrey SM5 4LF or Ian in particular for guiding us so expertly. I am definitely a dancer at heart, but I have had [email protected] such pleasure from challenging myself to play the keyboard. Over the last few years I have also attended many one-day workshops that give an insight into how the musicians see the dancers and how they work hard to produce the music that we love to dance to. If one plays a Branch Bookstall suitable instrument and would like to try to play for Scottish dancing then these workshops are most enjoyable and help one understand how the music drives the dancing. Bursaries are The branch Bookstall sells Scottish country available to dancers and musicians, in particular young musicians, to attend courses. I have dancing books and CDs and also Branch now attended the Summer School Music Course for three successive years and each time I have badges. Recent publications in stock include had a fabulous week, returning home with even more enthusiasm for the music and the the new RSCDS book, Book 52, and its CD, dancing. and the latest (9th) Edition of Scottish Country Dances in Diagrams, better known as Pilling. The bookstall will be at the dance on The Thistle magazine on the Branch website 15 December and other Branch events. Books and CDs can also be sent out by post. Some London Branch have recently completed a London Branch was given a complete set of high-quality CDs by well-known bands and project of scanning all 55 copies of The The Thistle by the historian John W Mitchell early RSCDS Books are for sale at bargain Thistle magazine which was originally for our Branch archives. The information that prices. Current stock is listed on the Branch published between November 1961 and is in The Thistle is a great resource to all website, www.rscdslondon.org.uk February 1973 by The West Point Grey who are interested in SCD and associated Contact Daniel with any queries or orders at Scottish Country Dance Club of British matters. [email protected] Columbia based in Vancouver, Canada. Searchable PDF files can be found on at 74B Thurlow Park Road, London SE21 8HY Although there was an Editorial Committee, www.rscdslondon.org.uk under the Archives or on 020 8670 6918. most of the material was produced by Hugh section from 1 December 2018. Thurston. The Reel Issue 306 Page 7 Music Matters continued….CD Review by Jeremy Hill

RSCDS Book 52, with Gordon Smith on drums. All get their Graham features, in the manner of Jim music from Jim Lindsay moment in the spotlight, and play their part himself in his days as pianist for Bobby and his Scottish Dance to perfection, in the style of a real chamber Crowe, doubling the tune or providing a Band: CD available at group, so there is interest for the listener counter-melody. Elsewhere, the two £14.30 (10% discount throughout. accordions or two violins elaborate on tunes, available for Society I particularly and so the interest continues throughout. members) from the like the way I could list almost any track as evidence of Branch Bookstall (see that these the thoughtful approach taken to matching below) or www.rscds.org/ touches are tunes, with great build-up to transitions, shop, or to download from iTunes for £9.99 used to give leading back to original tunes that are or amazon.co.uk for £7.99. Also available to each track themselves highly effective and attractive. stream from spotify.com its own And with this line-up, I do not think I need to Dances: City Lights (8x32J), The Ullapool character. say anything about the rock-steady tempo Ferry (4x32R), Slytherin House, (8x32S), I have to and rhythmic drive – recognising that not all Forty and Counting (8x40R), The Scallywag highlight dancers are taking in all aspects of the music (8x40J), Ruby Wilkinson's Farewell to Slytherin while trying to negotiate the dances. Cranshaws (4x32S), Farewell to Balfour Road House, where The extra tracks may be useful for classes (96J), Ysobel Stewart of Fish Hoek (8x32S), Harry Potter looking for warm-up or cool-down music, and The Aviator (5x32J), Triple Happiness fans (a nod to the younger dancers here) will I am pleased to hear The Foula Reel at the (3x32S), The Bon Viveur (2x32S+2x32R), Trip revel in the creepy texture of the original, head of a great concluding set for the dance to Timber Ridge (8x32R), Warm-up Waltz with pizzicato strings supporting the tune. – time to brush up on that running step? (8+12x16W), Warm-up March (4+9x16M), I heard some Mendelssohn at a chamber There is so much to enjoy on this album that Warm-up Reel (4x32R), Stretching Slow recital just recently and the effect was simply listening end to end will bring a smile Waltz (4+4x126+4W), The Foula Reel uncannily similar. That note of danger is to the face, but it is as likely to make you (4x48J). carried through to what must surely be the feel you want to be up dancing, and my There are so many positive facets of his first listing of John Williams (the Hollywood experience of the dances in this book is that recording that it is difficult to know from composer, not the guitarist) on a Scottish they make a very strong set, and several will, which angle to approach it, since each is so dance recording, with the Hedwig’s Theme I am sure, prove popular. strong in its own way, yet contributes to an adapted for inclusion as an alternative. Whether you buy recordings as a dancer, overall picture that is greater even than the The strathspey written for Ruby Wilkinson’s listener or teacher, or are interested in a sum of its parts. I cannot think of a recording time as Director of Summer School has an first CD, I cannot recommend this highly I have enjoyed more for years. original tune by George Meikle. Graham enough. leads off the tune on the piano, and Jim The parts are taken by a dream team of takes the ‘blue’ note in the tune as a cue for players, led by Jim Lindsay, with the luxury Ed. Read Jeremy’s review of the latest Muriel of both Alison Smith and Gillian Ramsay on a jazz-inflected arrangement, in which he comes in to provide ‘cool as you like’ Johnstone CD Masters of the Tradition, violins, David Hume on second accordion, Volume 2 in Reel 307. Graham Berry on piano (and bass) and comment on the accordion. Elsewhere,

Hogmanay at Higham by Maureen Haynes

Higham Hall is situated on time, an enthusiastic Scot, not a the northern edge of the dancer but he enjoyed playing the Dancers at Hogmanay 2016 western Lake District, bagpipes and as a treat gave a rousing between Keswick and wake-up call each morning, much to Cockermouth and close the disgust of some of the residents! to Bassenthwaite Lake. Derek Haynes tutored this first course, The hall was built about accompanied by Nancy Dickson at the 1800, has four acres of piano. Derek continued to tutor the wonderful gardens and course up until 2005. He was followed spectacular views across the by Ann Dix and since December 2013 neighbouring fells. For over 30 years Higham Mervyn Short has been the tutor. I also Hall was the Lake District’s Residential assist all three tutors in the running of College for Continuing Education owned by the course. Cumbria County Council. In 2009 it became A variety of musicians have worked an independent educational trust and with the tutors, including Nancy Dickson, traditional way. Opportunity is given for bar continues to provide a wide range of courses, Jennifer Wilson, Pat Clark, Jack Judson, breaks and often ceilidh items have been including the Scottish dance course Gillian Cummins, Ian and Judith Muir and included during the evening programme. In ‘Hogmanay at Higham’ which starts annually currently George Meikle who is our regular in 2016 all course members were given the on 29 December, finishing after breakfast on -house musician, playing for classes and each opportunity to be involved in a competition New Year’s Day. evening’s social dancing. The course, which to devise a dance to mark the 25th Anniversary is aimed at dancers with at least three years of Hogmanay at Higham. This resulted in the dancing experience, starts on the first publication of the four dances (After Twenty evening with a welcoming reception, Five Years, The Higham Silver Celebration, followed by dinner and social dancing. Celebration at Higham and Higham Classes take place on the following two Hogmanay) in a booklet entitled ‘Higham Hall mornings with free time each afternoon Anniversary Booklet’. All proceeds from the giving opportunity to walk and explore the sale of this are donated to the Mountain local area, to visit Keswick or Cockermouth, Rescue Team of Cockermouth. or just to rest. Optional ‘walk through’ The course continues to be highly successful sessions or classes are held after tea and and is always eagerly anticipated by course then social dancing follows dinner each participants. In addition, to experiencing evening. Because of the size of the dance excellent tuition and wonderful music it is floor numbers of dancers are limited to seen as a good way to work off some of the approximately 40, but this in itself helps to over-indulgences of Christmas and to relax create a very friendly and happy atmosphere and enjoy the company of fellow dance both in the dancing and throughout the enthusiasts in beautiful surroundings. house over the three days. Ed. This weekend which is run by the Hall, is New Year’s Eve is made more special by very popular and is generally fully booked starting with a wine reception and a more well in advance. For a copy of the Hogmanay at Higham was initiated in 1992 formal celebratory dinner, followed by Anniversary booklet contact Pauline Beeson by Alasdair Galbraith, the manager at the dancing and seeing in the New Year in a [email protected]

Page 8 The Reel Issue 306 The Oxfordshire Branch - The first 50 years by Dennis Tucker

A Merger: The In the early days our range of activities was dwindled. Our Burns’ Suppers and Dances Oxfordshire Branch of not nearly as wide as it is now. We did hold started in 2003, moving in 2005 to Benson the RSCDS was formed an Annual Ball, often in the Morris Motors Parish Hall where we have enjoyed the very in 1968. At that time Social Club in Cowley, with good bands, such good facilities ever since. We started to hold two ladies were as McBain’s and Frank Reid’s. There was no a Summer Open Air Dance in the early 1990s, teaching Scottish summer social dancing. Classes ceased with using various locations until our then country dancing locally - our AGM in May and resumed in September. Chairman, Professor Michael Argyle, a Fellow Margaret Baker in Oxford Summer dancing was started experimentally of Wolfson College, gained permission for us and Margaret Gibbs in in response to popular request and has Banbury. These two groups merged to proved a lasting success. The present cycle become the Oxfordshire Branch. Both groups of Oxford Day Schools started in the early continued their own separate programmes eighties. The first in more recent years was under a common banner for some years but organised by the University SCD Club with gradually the Oxford-based group became the wonderful Alastair MacFadyen teaching a more readily identified as the Oxfordshire small class of some 20 dancers. For the next Branch - a recognition which has persisted. three years the Branch and the University There had been Scottish dance classes in Club alternated in running the event but Oxford for a number of years alongside the since 1986 the Branch has organised the day, Dennis MCs the Saturday summer University SCD Club. Margaret Baker had which has steadily grown to include classes open-air picnic dance on the taught for some time in St Columba’s Church at three different levels, requiring two Wolfson’s College’s riverside Hall in Alfred Street near Carfax and had visiting teachers, generally from Scotland, lawn, (21 August 2004). then moved on to the hall of St Giles’ and three musicians. It was not long before Church, Banbury Road, before finally settling an evening dance was added to the to dance on the college’s splendid riverside in Summertown Church hall where we have programme, making the day a considerable lawn. Latterly, we have moved to the danced for more than forty years. undertaking. A list of visiting teachers pleasant grounds of Headington School. Dancing Classes: During Margaret’s time the includes dozens of names familiar to those During the past 25 years the Branch has distinguished teacher and dance deviser, who attend Summer School at St Andrews produced two books of dances devised Jack McConachie, a prominent figure in the and it is pleasing to mention that no fewer mainly by its members: The Silver Jubilee Scottish dance branch of the Imperial Society than seven of these teachers have achieved Oxford Book of Dances, 1993 and, Oxford of Teachers of Dancing, used to pay weekly the high distinction of being elected Connections (2013) which was organised and visits to teach various classes in Oxford. The Chairman of the RSCDS. sponsored by Mick and Trisha Rawlings. The Branch still meets in Summertown every For several years we ran a children’s class latter contains eight superb tunes composed by Ian Muir, with whom the Branch has been Thursday all year round. In the early years on Saturday mornings but attendance was closely associated since the early 1980s, there were two teachers, Margaret Baker and never very regular and numbers eventually Roy Clarke. When Margaret retired in 1986, before the formation of the Craigellachie I took over from her and in the years that Band. Ian and the band have produced three followed no fewer than eight members of the noteworthy recordings for the Branch: Branch have qualified as teachers, Helen Craigellachie in Oxford, 1992, The Silver Houghton-Carr, Trisha Rawlings and Alice Jubilee Book, 1993, and Oxford Connections, Stainer now playing a major role in our 2013. various classes. In the early 1980s the main In the fifty years of our existence we have class rarely exceeded two sets and the total grown enormously, not only in mere numbers Branch membership was 20-30. Nowadays, but more especially in the huge expansion of the membership is regularly 70-80, our activities and the dancing opportunities occasionally higher, with five or six sets that we offer. It is gratifying that we are still regularly joining the general class, known as a welcoming branch, taking pains subdividing into Elementary, Improvers or to make newcomers and beginners feel Advanced. In Margaret’s time the only comfortable and willing to persevere. We musical equipment available was a portable have a reputation for organising successful gramophone which played 12” long-playing events and I believe that we have played a records, on which the needle would RSCDS Oxfordshire Branch 50th proper part in ‘maintaining the aims of occasionally jump, causing some confusion. Anniversary Ball at Headington School preserving the standards and traditions of From there we have progressed through first half demonstration dancing Dennis Scottish country dancing and encouraging in several stages to a powerful and Tucker’s The Champagne Reel arrayed others the knowledge and enjoyment of sophisticated machine with the essential with gold sashes and flashes, Scotland’s heritage in music and dance.’ speed control. (27 October 2018). www.rscdsoxfordshire.org.uk

SERTA Workshop Report by Hilary Maidstone

The SERTA Workshop on or jig music only. He found advance and with disabilities and another excellent 30 September 2018 was retire, rights and lefts, hands across work workshop. led by Malcolm Brown well but wheelchairs are not easy to turn in Our next workshop is on Sunday, 17 March with music from Ian a small area, so reels are difficult. 2019 with Muriel Johnstone. Further details and Meryl Thomson. It To imagine what it is like to be disabled, we at www.serta.org.uk covered three different then danced in pairs, one with their eyes areas; an update on the closed, the other guiding. Next, we changes to the RSCDS attempted Malcolm’s special dances in teaching qualifications and threes, two in promenade hold, so that we dances from Book 52. could imagine the space used by a However, Malcolm’s main presentation was wheelchair. There was much hilarity and I about dancing with disabilities. He had think we all learnt a lot from this exercise – taught Scottish dancing to wheelchair users I know I did. in Samara, Russia and we saw two videos Elizabeth Bennett, who has Parkinson’s, showing this, one of a ‘Legs and Wheels Ball’ kindly gave us some ideas on dancing with which was very impressive. Each wheelchair dancers with disabilities that may not be user had an able-bodied partner, all dressed immediately apparent. (She has difficulties up beautifully and it was most encouraging with balance). to see everyone enjoying dancing. We all saw that the benefits of dancing are Malcolm has devised specific dances for not just in social interaction but also in wheelchair users, sometimes with 16 bars encouraging people to do more. Thanks to all rather than eight for a formation, using reel who helped to give us an insight into dancing

The Reel Issue 306 Page 9 The Dancing World… ...in Pictures 7. Spectators and dancers 1. Andrew Nolan teaching the Very Advanced afternoon alike enjoy the music of class at the London Branch Day School, (20 October 2018). Kafoozalum playing for the dance The British Grenadiers at the London Branch Open Air Dancing in Kensington Gardens, (1 September 2018).

10. The class of 48 – Low Impact, technically challenged led by teacher - entertainer, William Williamson (right) and talented pianist Roger McAndrew at 86th St Andrews Summer School, (8 August 2018).

4. Chris Oxtoby playing for the Day School Newcomers and Improvers class, (20 October 2018).

8. MC, James Fairbairn guiding enthusiastic dancers at the London Branch Open Air Dancing, (18 August 2018).

11. Dancing Angels - Queensland Branch contingent dance the jig Crocodile Tears by Francis Walduck celebrating Steve Irwin at the Summer School ceilidh in the Common Room, (10 August 2018).

12. The Potten End Brownie Pack, who had fun learning three dances with Jane Rose (middle), president, Gerry Elliott and piper, Jonathan Mole from BSRC, (29 June 2018).

2. Emma Allsop teaching the 5. Fifty of the finest highland dancers from around the world, under the directorship of Newcomers and Improvers class at Aileen Robertson, represent the Tattoo Dance Company performing at the 69th Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, (13 August 2018). the Day School, (20 October 2018). View video on London Branch YouTube channel (see p2)

6. Ionkar Angulo, a member of the London Branch Beginners and Improvers Class, leads Joan Blake down in Gramachie at the Autumn Wednesday Dance, (24 October 2018).

9. Pat Davoll and Simon Wales dance advance and retire in 3. Well-deserved appreciation is Gramachie shown for the superb playing of at the The Craigellachie Band in anticipation Autumn 13. RSCDS BHS Border Branch Spring Ball with chairman Gordon of dancing the encore of the last dance Wednesday Anderson on the right welcoming overseas visitors from left,

The Irish Rover. RSCDS Oxfordshire Branch Dance, former SEHSCDS dancer, now living in Spain, Douglas Bone, 50th Anniversary Ball; see article on p9, (24 October Cadiz and Susana Page, Madrid and Francine Quastel from Kuala (27 October 2018). 2018) Lumpur, Malaysia, (19 May 2018)

Page 10 The Reel Issue 306 The Reel Issue 306 Page 11 How I Crossed the Great Green Ford by Rosalind Zuridis Former Branch Publicity How I crossed the Great Green Ford Member from 2006-8 Now I could Rest and Be Thankful and classics scholar, Rosalind recited this for the first time at a But knew not where to turn! Rosalind Zuridis’ club meeting on 11 April 2017. Below were countless plashing sounds: talents know no bounds It was the Polharrow Burn! and here we are Oft did they tell of the great green ford My green ford must so soon be found! pleased to publish her “Just cross it to find that place of zest account of a journey, in Where highland smiles and reels abound! T’was indeed the stuff of dreams! poetic light-hearted form, Where dancers cluster round their lord There stood my Major Ian Stewart! That noble doughty Gentleman!” depicted using the simile of dance names, That bonnie Scot all braw and strong! steps and formations, that she took, during And so I set forth, towards the west. “Oh Happy Meeting!” bellowed he her time as President of Greenford and Along The Winding Road! Come to the burn for which you long! District Caledonian Association from April 2015 - 2017. At first the path was soft and smooth “This must we do” said he to me If you like what you read then why not visit Like Butterscotch and Honey “We’ll cross that Swirl, with thrust so free, the Reel Archive and read Rosalind’s more Strathspey was the step I chose Skip, then Pass and Turn! esoteric and prolific contributions in the But I hated such S-locomotion Hurrah, we ’ ve crossed the great green ford following previous editions of The Reel So I copied The Dashing White Sergeant Lassie Come and Dance with Me!” dating back over 19 years: Skipping and pointing my toes! The Violin 302 p8, Prima Ballerina 294 p7, I glimpsed the kindly whirling throng Post-War Transformation 289 p7, I came upon The Highland Rambler Lit by the golden Peat Fire Flame Adamsons 260 p12, Rural Dancies 259 p6, Who hollered “Promenade with me!” There were the Merry Lads of Ayr Scott-Skinner 257 p7/8, Thomas Wilson 255 p6, I hollered back “Hello-Goodbye” And there all The Ladies of Dunse. Treasures 241 p1/2, Silver Screen 236 p10, Then fled behind The Hazel Tree And, hey! the doughty Gentleman! Ghent 235 p5, Choreography 232 p13/14, All hung in grey Scotch Mist That sparkling sight restored my youth! John Drewry 230 p1/2. Such, oh such, was my Moment of Truth! Nothing quite like the Singapore Ball by Joan Blake

The Singapore St Andrews Society (SSAS) has been only once a year can enjoy themselves: nothing trickier than celebrating St Andrew for some 182 years in Mairi’s Wedding or The Eightsome Reel/Johnnie Walker. Singapore and what better way to do so than The current High Commissioner to Singapore, Scott Wightman, is social dancing at the Tanglin Trust School on apparently the first ever Scot in the post. Thursday evenings 7.30 – 9.30pm mostly during He gave an epic tribute to a haggis at the term time. And staying on afterwards at the Col ball the year he arrived. Society members (Colonial) Bar – a basic tin hut in one of the few no longer need to lug 7kg tinned haggis remaining jungle parts of the Little Red Dot Capital each back in their luggage from Scotland to State (Singapore was named The Little Red Dot by ensure ample supplies for the ball (and neighbouring Indonesia as, on a world map, the whole country could Burns’ Supper - another great glamorous hide behind the traditional red dot which denoted the capital of any sold-out evening) as MacSweens is now country). There is free parking at the school or it is easily accessible by available in Singapore. Ball dance practices one of the cheap taxis or a 50p MRT (tube) ride and a ten minute walk start mid-October for six Thursdays (in from One North Station with a chance to listen to a cacophony of place of the usual class) with the Col Bar cicadas in the bushes. Visitors are made truly welcome to this RSCDS table stretching out into the balmy night. Affiliated Group. Those coming along can be anything from very new to As years have gone by, ball dances have the extremely expert, with people dropping in from Dubai, Hong Kong grown easier and last year the organisers and Australia when they are passing through. Contact Marion at moved towards ceilidh dancing. However, [email protected] also looking at the Singapore St Andrews’ the move this year was for the experienced YouTube dance videos on line, one will know there have been some Scottish country dancers dancing some excellent standards of display dancing. Most of the dem team have more challenging dances to the usual band. moved away (with the transient expat community, a ‘best’ friend is The Society has for the last six years in lost and another appears shortly afterwards) but the fabulous ball August given Singaporean students joining where the videos were filmed, lives on. Scottish universities a great send off by arranging ceilidh dancing at The St Andrew’s Ball takes place near to St Andrew’s Day at the their event. The Society provides a caller and regular dancers stunning Island Ballroom, at the Orchard Shangri-La Hotel. It is the disperse themselves around the sets. Readers are invited to check perfect use of jet lag as it starts at 7.00pm with the 390 guests out the Society website for events as they appear or join their enjoying cocktails and filling in dance cards, minces through Facebook page www.facebook.com/singstandrews. Current a sumptuous seven Chieftain, Stephen Fulton and his merry band of committee course dinner, glides members are always inventing new ways to celebrate all things through a haggis Scottish (no one needs to be a member of the Society but everyone tribute, blasts is welcome to all events). through speeches and Also, there is dancing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – two groups, one of Gurkha Police pipes them being with the Selangor St Andrew’s Society: and drums until Neil www.ssas-online.com; and at the Jakarta (Indonesia) charity ball Barron picks up www.javastandrewsociety.com. There is still nothing though, quite around 11.00pm with like the Singapore Ball! a full programme of Scottish dances and Ed. Further reading on dancing in the Far East can be found on p4 in a brief stop for soup Reel 170 and p14 in Reel 290. and rolls in the wee small hours. It is usual Two of a Kind to stay on after 3.30am for picnic food and fizz brought along for the wind down. Time Piping On! just flies! ‘If you haven’t been to this ball, you haven’t lived’. Tickets go on sale via Facebook and www.standrewssociety.org.sg and Michael Ormiston and George the date is always the Saturday in November nearest to St Andrew’s Bateson - two pipers with a Day. The dress code is highland dress/black tie/ long dresses. Neil single cause. George has Barron and his SCD Band has had the ball in their forward diary for over piped in a haggis at 20 years and in recent years Maggie Adamson has added her fabulous Berkhamsted each year since fiddle playing, which is truly the icing on the cake. Dances are listed 1952. He hung up his pipes in on the website as soon as they are decided and recapped/called on the 2016 in favour of Michael. night; they are the ones most people know so that dancers who dance Both seen here on 23 January 2018.

Page 12 The Reel Issue 306 Another Excellent Isle of Wight Weekend Beckons by Ian Muir “In My Opinion” by Eric Finley The Isle of Wight Weekend has been taking place during February for many years and has established a long tradition of dancing, excellent teaching, inspiring music and friendship which has put the Island on the SCD map. The event takes place at the Shanklin Hotel, Eric was born and brought up in Prestwick a 110 bed-roomed hotel superbly situated with views over Sandown using the hotel ballroom and started SCD at and from February 2019 a nearby church hall both with wooden floors. twelve, three years This February gone. later he was invited to The Friday night started join Margaret Anderson with a wine reception when of Ayr’s dem class and Catherine Packwood-Bluett, after a rest bite returned an event organiser, to it, joining a class at the welcomed class teachers age of 20 near to his work. As a member of Pat Houghton (Edinburgh) North West Ayr Branch under the tutelage of and Fred DeMarse (San Norah Dunn he passed the Prelim and Final Francisco) and class Teachers’ Certificates in 1982 and ’84 resp. musicians Robert Mackay, Eric was then the local Branch teacher which Edinburgh (who has been he carried on with for many years until he the resident musician for was first asked to teach at the Isle of Wight over 35 years), Judith Muir Weekend (see article by Ian Muir). Since and myself, and, of course, then, Eric has taught at St Andrews Summer the dancers who numbered School, in Australia, Canada, Germany, in excess of 80. After France and many other European countries supper there was an including all parts of the UK. Eric enjoys evening’s dancing to teaching by trying to inform, correct, and The Craigellachie Scottish instil his love and enjoyment of SCD Assembling in the Shanklin Hotel ballroom - from L to R: Dance Band in the ballroom. wherever he goes. teachers Pat Houghton and Fred DeMarse, Mickie Bluett, On Saturday morning the Sue Logan, Aileen Napper, Jenny Robertson, musicians: The Importance of a Good Warm Up dancers, who had been Robert Mackay, Graham Hamilton, Frankie Bluett, ‘Warm Up’ is one of the phrases that strike divided into two Judith Muir, Ian Muir, Catherine Packwood-Bluett, fear and trepidation in the hearts of most intermediate/advanced (17 February 2018). Italics - organising committee. Scottish country dancers. As a teacher, it groups by the organisers, becomes quite obvious that people do not went off to class, swapping rooms after the coffee break to be taught by the other teacher. want to do a warm up because of their Saturday afternoon was free, allowing time to discover some of the Islands many famous habitual late arrival at classes hoping to beauty spots including Queen Victoria’s Osborne House (open during the winter). After another avoid it. Why should this be? Over my years wine reception and, of course, supper, Saturday evening’s dance was again to Craigellachie. of teaching I have learned that people do not With classes on Sunday morning, the weekend rounded off with hotel lunch followed by enjoy a warm up or feel that it takes away farewells … until next year! See www.craigellachie-band.co.uk/isle_of_wight.html time from their dancing and yet it is one of the things that can be of benefit to a dancer Jean Milligan 1886 – 1978 by preventing injury. It is not only dancers who have hang ups about the warm up; some This year marks 40 years since Dr Jean eighties. In 1975 she had a five week trip to teachers also have a fear of those dreaded Callander Milligan passed on to teach SCD to North America experiencing frozen rivers and two words, mainly because they do not angels. The Reel marks this with a reprint of snow in Canada while visiting New understand the process but accept it is past editor Wilson Nicol’s tribute to her, Brunswick, Toronto, Vancouver then in the something that should be done. written in 2009 in The Reel 268. USA to Los Angeles, Washington and New What is the purpose of a warm up one may JEAN MILLIGAN the tireless champion of SCD. York where the temperatures were in excess ask? Well, the simple answer is that it is of 30°C. At one stage, after a class of 275 a way of preparing the body for a strenuous The co-founder of the RSCDS, Miss Jean dancers in Toronto she was driven for eight activity such as SCD. No self respecting Milligan was indeed a remarkable woman. hours in a car to New York for another class! athlete would consider performing without She was in her mid-thirties when the Society Returning to Glasgow, all in one week she a substantial warm up to prepare their body was founded in 1923 and was still directing examined teachers at Jordanhill on Monday for the stresses put upon it by their sport, the Annual St Andrews and Tuesday, then to yet dancers are quite prepared to launch into Summer School in 1977 at Craiglockhart College in SCD from cold and this can lead to all sorts the age of 91, just after she Edinburgh for the same of problems. had been granted honorary purpose on Wednesday and on Those people who know me will confirm that degree of Doctor of Laws Thursday to the Society from the University of I do quite a lengthy warm up because, offices to continue preparing through personal experience and going on Aberdeen. In 1973 she was for the Summer School. By Friday she was elected Scotswoman of the year on the what people who have been in my classes tell back home dealing with a mountain of me, it works. I have developed my warm up occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the correspondence following her American tour, Society. It was claimed that resulting from over many years and have adjusted and then back to Edinburgh for a finance meeting tweaked it where necessary. A good warm up her frequent international travels to visit her on Saturday - and all this at the age of 89! SCD ‘family’ she probably knew more people should start gently and gradually build up We have been able to contact Irene and should encompass a whole range of in the world than Her Majesty the Queen - Caithness (Grant), Miss Milligan’s ‘Strathspey and she had an incredible memory for movements, involve the whole body, use as Queen’ who has written on page 6 about her many muscle groups as possible and involve people’s names. Spreading the SCD gospel friendship with Auntie Jeannie as she was internationally was superb marketing by her - an element of stretching. Since muscles act known by her dancing ‘family’. in pairs, the exercises should work both and these visits continued until well into her The Editor muscles and not just one muscle of the pair. Warm ups can be fun as well as being beneficial - just ask people who have been in my classes. I am not saying that injuries will never occur because of the warm up but they can be greatly reduced and so in my opinion a good warm up is essential before beginning to do any SCD, which as we all know is a demanding form of exercise.

Ed. Eric is well-known for his vibrant, fun warm ups which can last 20 minutes; recently he was the compère at the Summer School ceilidh when he even began by warming up for that with a personal mini workout!

The Reel Issue 306 Page 13 The Dance Corner Katrina’s Kapers Devised by Andrew Osborne, May 2017 for his wife Katrina to celebrate her 50th birthday on 20 May and danced for the first time, as a surprise, at the birthday party on 10 June 2017 by friends and family comprising Andrew & Katrina Osborne, Henry Osborne & Katy Kendall, Bruce & Fiona McLaren, Peter Jordan & Natalie Maude and Matthew Goulden & Iris Ronayne. The dance depicts aspects that Katrina particularly likes in a dance namely, a challenge, elements that are ‘fast and furious’ and the possibility of having a birl; the patterns also reflect the number 50. Andrew takes this opportunity to thank Andrew Hudson, Fiona McLaren, Lindsey Rousseau and Katy Kendall and the dancers from Wimbledon Reels and Richmond Caledonian Society without whose help this dance would not have been possible. Dance diagram courtesy of Keith Rose Tune: Katrina, composed by Frank Reid. Suggested recorded music: We’ve NB Katrina’s Kapers will be added to Strathspey Server during Nae Electric by Colin Dewar and his Band from the album A’ the Best Fae December 2018. Banffshire. Katrina

© Frank Reid - reprinted with permission

Andrew and Katrina live in Wimbledon, London. 32 bar reel for five couples in a five-couple longwise set Bars Description 1 - 2 All taking hands on the side set. 1st and 2nd couples rotating by the right on bar 2. 3 – 4 1st and 2nd couples dance on one place clockwise as 3rd couple casts off one place and 4th couple step up. 5 - 8 1st and 2nd couples dance on another place clockwise to face partners across the set. 2nd couple giving right hands cross as 1st couple dance towards each other touch right hands and turn about to be back to back facing 1st corners (1st man may offer a helping right hand to his partner to turn under) as 3rd man dances right hands across with 5th couple and 3rd woman dances right hands across with 4th couple, 3rd couple also finishes facing their 1st corners. 9 - 12 1st and 3rd couple dance diagonal reel of four halfway with 1st corners passing right shoulders in the middle to face 2nd corners. 13 - 16 1st and 3rd couples turn 2nd corners right hand passing right shoulders, ending to face 3rd corners. 17 - 20 1st and 3rd couple dance diagonal reel of four halfway with 3rd corners to finish facing partners in the middle men facing down and women facing up. 21 - 24 1st and 3rd couples turn partners three quarter right hand and cast off one place to 3rd and 5th places respectively. 4th and 5th couples step up on bars 23-24. 25 - 32 1st couple in 3rd place turn right hand and then left hand (1st couple may alternatively birl right and left) as 2nd and 4th couples and 5th and 3rd couples dance four hands round and back ending 2 4 1 5 3. Repeat with a new couple. Readers are invited to try this new dance and write in to The Reel Editorial Team with their comments.

CAN YOU HELP? UPDATE The Missing MacNaberries plus Hugh Foss of Waltz Cotillion collected by Mary Isdale In Reel 305 we asked about the dance (maiden name) this is a different dance from Referring to Reel 304 p5 when readers were that published by John Mitchell in Reel 258. asked to identify three staff in the 1973 The Eight Men of Moidart described in RSCDS St Andrews Summer School photograph. In Bk 3/10 but from reference to Traditional Finally, at this stage, found within these Reel 305 we confirmed No.3 as Peg Rae and Dancing in Scotland 1964 by Joan and Tom documents was a copy of the 32 bar jig The we are grateful to Linda Gaul of Pitlochry Flett it is clear that there were several Banks of the Devon by Hugh Foss (this has and Margaret Church of Skelmorlie for dances by this name, none of which, been added to Strathspey Server) which had confirming that No.1 ie sitting next to including this RSCDS’s 1754 version, are been sent with Hugh’s compliments to Mary Margaret is Isobel Walker of Dalry, Ayrshire associated with Mary MacNab’s collection MacNab and which had originally formed part and indeed No.2 is Nancy Dickson. A minor although Mrs MacNab is known to have taught of Dances to Song Tunes 1966 (recently other amendment is that although there was one version (also see Reel 24 p3, the second republished by RSCDS) included in place of a Jackie Johnston (a dance teacher), the part of the Joan and Tom Flett’s worthwhile My Mither’s aye Glow’rin Owre Me. The John Johnston in the picture was not known article on both traditional dancing and Mary information which includes inter alia as Jackie - he came from Leicester/Belfast MacNab). Following on from an assembling of handwritten MacNab notes, early dance (see Reel 214 p6). In addition, bottom right historical papers by Chris Brady of Hayes and descriptions and historical letters are to be is Doris not Dorothy Kinghorn. This Fiona Grant, Bristol Branch further lodged with HQ Archives. In the light of this photograph can now be given to the RSCDS information has come to light from the late and other discoveries the promised complete HQ Archives. Elizabeth (Beth) Sutorius, niece of Mary updated list will now be published in a later MacNab. Within these documents was a copy edition of The Reel.

Today's Scots - In RSCDS Bk 3/5 the 24 bar strathspey Jenny’s Bawbee The man taken from A Companion to the Ballroom behind 1816 can be found. The Reel A bawbee is a copper alloy coin cartoons (billon) about 22mm diameter 1927-2015 issued by James V of Scotland (Taken on (1513-42) with a low value 10 August (equivalent to an English halfpenny). 2007) Photo taken in John Knox House, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh.

Page 14 The Reel Issue 306 Lives Remembered Conscientious as ever, he ensured he could time-poussette on the left foot which he A Gentle Man attend RSCDS AGMs and I was amazed to see considered quite incorrect! Wilson had the from Simon Wales how many people from all parts of the RSCDS position as one of the Honorary Vice knew him, and respected him. I was pleased Presidents bestowed upon him in 2013 as Owen Anthony Meyer to return the support he gave me when I was well as receiving a Branch Award for his 11 October 1937 - 18 July 2018 Chairman, by becoming Treasurer. He was contribution to the London Branch. Owen will be fondly always happy to speak to members at events Wilson moved south to the London area after remembered by the many and was always encouraging newer dancers. completing his PhD and the majority of his people who attended his Following the end of his term as Chairman, working career was with Tate & Lyle as beginners’ classes as a he was immediately elected as an Honorary Director of Research, leading the considerate, thoughtful Vice President, a post he held until his development of Sucralose. His specialist calm gentleman, with recent death. Sadly, his illness prevented knowledge in the food industry led him to a passion for doing him from making many appearances at serve on several industry committees things the right way – events in recent years, so many current providing Wilson with numerous industry but for having fun at the dancers will be unaware how much of a contacts proving invaluable when he started same time. For Owen, contribution Owen made to the Branch, but his own consultancy at the age of 60. He doing things the right his memory will live on in the pages of maintained a life long association with the Owen at age 67 way was doing them in The Reel, and in the memories of those University of St Andrews sitting on the the RSCDS way; he was fortunate and honoured to call him a friend. Business Committee for many years. a true RSCDS man and represented all that is He was a true gentleman - a gentle man who One of his greatest enjoyments was seeing good in the Society. Owen was brought, will be missed by his family and by many the success of his family including his eight rather unwillingly to the UK from his native friends in the RSCDS family too. grandchildren. Wilson was genuinely South Africa as a teenager, when his parents interested in helping other people succeed moved to the UK in the 1960’s but quickly and promoting their success. He even had found many opportunities to indulge his a brief foray into the film industry when the artistic leanings – it was not until recent The Dancing Couple London Branch was asked to provide dancers years that he returned to South Africa to from Andy Nicol for the Scottish wedding part of the film, visit. By then he had married Christine, Four Weddings and a Funeral. For relaxation, brought up a family of two daughters, Anne Dr Wilson Menzies Nicol Wilson enjoyed developing and tending well and Alexandra, and was an extremely proud 30 January 1931 - 15 August 2018 filled gardens to flower and hold interest and doting grandfather. throughout the year. His relaxation Wilson as a child, lived in continued indoors where he loved to play I first met Owen in 1985 when I joined the Friockheim, Angus, where demonstration team of London Branch and both the piano and the button accordion. He his father owned the regularly attended the annual music course had little idea then how much our dancing village butcher’s shop. lives would overlap. We were both at the at St Andrews contributing much as well as It was from his Dad and enjoying playing in a group with the other taller end of the team, and danced many the many bands who performances alongside each other, and musicians. He loved to travel and had an visited the village to amazing memory for place names he visited always with helpful, quiet words of play for dances, that encouragement from the senior pro to the as long ago as 65 years. Wilson travelled and Wilson developed his danced extensively in North America and as rookie which was much appreciated. Bill life-long passion for Ireland’s demonstration team classes were far away as New Zealand where he and Jean music. As a teenager enjoyed visiting family. He had a very sweet not the place for socialising, but this took Wilson at age 75 Wilson regularly played place in the pub after, or at the legendary tooth and on one birthday he seriously toyed piano in bands with local with the idea of only ordering three desserts. pancake parties in Joan Spencer’s flat – musicians, including his school friend, Owen did love a good gossip; never Lindsay Ross. Having been blessed with both malicious, but always caring and remarkably an academic and practical mind, Wilson Jean (née Butt) Nicol well informed. Serious about teaching and excelled at the local village school and then 31 October 1930 - 4 September 2018 performing, Owen was nevertheless not Arbroath Academy. His passion in scientific Jean was born in Croydon averse to joining in the fun side of things, and mathematical subjects led him to study taking part in ceilidh items (ending up face and developed an interest physics at the University of St Andrews, first in Scottish country down on top of his partner in one memorable as an undergraduate and then successfully dancing while at school, blindfold ceilidh item!) and dressing up, completing a PhD. Wilson’s delight in joining the Croydon always stylishly, at the Cairngorm Scottish dancing started at the early age of Hogmanays. five when he attended dancing classes at the Branch of the RSCDS as village hall taught by the itinerant dancing a founding member. Being a keen photographer and passionate Already being a PE about the royal family, imagine Owen’s master. On arriving at university, he quickly became involved in the dancing scene, school teacher, the delight to discover that Princess Anne was progression into teaching the guest of honour at the Prix de Diane race organizing weekly dances and producing the tickets on a typeset printing machine that he dancing was an easy meeting at Longchamp where the transition. Jean demonstration team performed on the acquired for the purpose. Wilson had great Jean at age 80 service and organizational skills and was attended the dancing racecourse. Time and again he went missing, school at St Andrews in 1956 to take her trying to get that elusive picture! elected the President of the St Andrews Celtic Society. He was keen to spread the preliminary teaching certificate and came to He had a spell teaching the demonstration enjoyment of dancing and successfully the attention of a young Wilson Nicol. He team, and the advanced class, but it was passed his full teaching certificate exam at asked her to one of the evening dances with beginners and intermediate level that the St Andrews Summer School in 1956. It where they must have enjoyed dancing he really excelled. Watching him manage was here that Wilson met Jean his wife to be together sufficiently for Wilson to show Jean a class of 40 beginners (yes really, and that and they married the following year. They around his favourite parts of the Angus and was not so long ago!) as I waited to start my both shared the passion for dancing and Fife areas, after the school had finished. intermediate class at Marlborough School, made a dynamic team, Jean teaching and They were engaged by the end of the year Sloane Avenue, was like a weekly master Wilson playing for classes. This year in July and married the following year in 1957. To class – he controlled without dominating; he they celebrated 61 years of happy marriage. demonstrate their commitment to dancing, taught without lecturing; and he made Both were members of the London Branch they honeymooned at the Summer School. everyone feel that they really could do what demonstration class, Wilson serving in the Jean decided that the children in Reading, he was asking! Apart from teaching, Owen team for 30 years and earning the nick name where they were then living, needed the also contributed vastly to the administration from Bill Ireland as ‘Auld Nick’. Wilson opportunity to learn SCD and started a of the Branch. I discovered he had been an contributed to the RSCDS on the General weekly class at her church. These classes early predecessor of mine as Branch Purposes Committee followed by proved to be very popular and Jean Treasurer, and he returned to the Committee Management Board from 1999-2004. He continued for many years, regularly as Vice Chairman from 1999–2002, combining served the London Branch as Vice Chairman/ organising a team of children to dance at the this role with Membership Secretary, and Membership Secretary from 1989–1993 then church Summer Fayre and competitions as sitting on the classes committee. In fact, he Chairman of the Branch from 1993-1996 (see well as making all the team dresses, such continued to be Membership Secretary up Reel 205 p3) and then as editor for The Reel was her commitment to children. Jean until 2007 despite not being on the (2005-2012). As editor he was keen to served the London Branch as Membership committee. In many ways this was the ideal generate discussion and welcomed Secretary from 1993–1999. In retirement job for him to combine his love of the RSCDS controversial letters to the magazine. He Jean & Wilson enjoyed many activities and interest in people! Owen was a very himself had strong opinions and supportive Vice Chairman to me as Chairman, together, including crosswords each day, interpretations on dancing. One of his listening to music, visiting gardens and of and a steady hand on the tiller as Chairman favourites was the man not starting the reel- from 2002-2005. course dancing whenever they could.

The Reel Issue 306 Page 15 way or another. This led Wilson to produce Central Scotland. Although Editor and Friend ‘house’ guidelines which I still use today as Wendy never held any the basis for consistency. I found him to be elected office she from Stephen Webb humorous in an academic way, warm in his supported Jim in his Working with Wilson (or Auld Nick as he often strength of character, friendly and likeable. various roles, being wrote as) could never be described as dull. We often joked, in a Hannibal Smith manner particularly known for He had an active, forensic and logical mind that we ‘loved it when a plan came together’ encouraging newer and was well suited to being the editor of because John Reeve, Wilson and I were, A dancers, often hosting The Reel, the third longest serving editor, Reel Team (see photo taken by Owen Meyer pre-dance gatherings at with 28 editions (see Reel 300 p3); despite in Reel 262 p20). I got on well with him and home for additional this, he have good memories at what we all achieved practice to bolster their often asked and very pleased that the Branch deservedly Wendy at age 65 confidence, and for the me to take made him an Award recipient in 2016. many practical tasks she over as I certainly saw Wilson as a friend and am undertook at Harrow dances. editor, for much saddened at his departure. Alongside their love of dance Wendy and which I have Jim’s other shared interests included over always five decades of boating on the river Thames appreciated Remembering Wendy and even longer as dog-owners, this being his faith and from Sheena Henderson the interest that brought them together confidence when, although both hailing from Scotland, Stephen with Wilson, he had in Wendy Downie (née Willison) Henderson they first met through dog training in (17 April 2010). me. Apart 22 April 1930 – 26 September 2018 Middlesex. from Wendy’s first steps into Scottish dance arose Although such an active person, Wendy was submitting many articles, letters and through encouraging her three children to so stoical throughout her illness, continuing photographs during his tenure I worked as join Harrow & District Caledonian Society’s her encouragement of others from the the proof reader so got to know Wilson well. highland and country dance class in the side-lines and greeting every enquiry as to And as one might imagine we sometimes 1960s but she and husband Jim moved from her health with a very emphatic, “I’m fine”. came into conflict but a sensible discussion encouragers to participants and through The family thank all their SCD friends for always saw matters resolved amicably one dancing made many friends in SE England and their support. Letters to The Reel

The Sad Demise After of. Earlier in the year I sent The Reel a photo reply were either apathetic or happy as at your request of ‘Glendarroch’ where my things stood. 108 Years father lived in retirement for about 25 years. Of the 12 questions which covered pace Dear Editors, Many of his dances are named after nearby of classes, level of dance difficulty locations, such as Irongray, while Miss danced, sufficiency of ball programme I write this letter with great sadness. The Fleming's Jig was named after my wife to be. St Andrew Society (London), one of the preparation I was particularly interested Unfortunately, father died before Bletchley in the one on venue where two thirds oldest Scottish Societies in London and Park became declassified so I knew nothing which celebrated its Centenary in March thought a sprung wooden floor very of that aspect of his work. I have now though important and the remaining third felt it 2010, voted at its AGM in June this year to quite a number of books on Bletchley Park cease its activities. to be somewhat important nobody ticked which refer to him. ‘Glendarroch’ was built the not important at all box. The Society was founded by members of for the local bank manager in the 1890’s and the Presbyterian (now Trinity United the Foss family are only the second family to Since February I have been suffering Reformed) Church in Mansel Road, occupy it. It was somewhat austere, then my from Achilles’ tendinopathy (the Wimbledon. Early activities included parents built on porches front and back rehabilitation from which being eccentric picnics on Wimbledon Common and talks which greatly improved matters. My wife has exercising) and it is a real nuisance as it on Scottish subjects, which were made the garden colourful while I try to is hampering my dancing. I see great advertised in the local newspaper. In 1913 make it fruitful. We hope that one of our events coming and going and my having one of these talks was given by Dr William children will follow on living here. to pass on getting a ticket. SCD is such that it has an addictive quality which is Speirs Bruce, leader of the Scottish Kind regards, National Antarctic Expedition, the only fully realised when the dancing is centenary of which is commemorated in Charles Foss, Dalry denied. The floor in question where this The Scotia Suite of Scottish Country injury (despite my warming up) occurred Dances. A ceremony was held at Foss Workshop and Dance? was a wood block on concrete base floor, ‘St Andrew’s Grove’, near Caesar’s Well, Dear Dancer, fine for school assemblies but questionably suitable for dancing. Wimbledon Common on 20 June 1914 to I have long been interested in Hugh Foss as a commemorate the 600th Anniversary of Certainly, the dancing that Scottish person and his many and varied dances and country dancers do with lifts, springs and the Battle of Bannockburn. In Reel 271 p5, was fascinated by the two articles by Adrian there is an article entitled ‘Around the beating where some ‘give’ in the floor Conrad in Reel 302 and Reel 303. It would be lessens the effect on the limb joints is of Birth of the Branch’. It describes how really good to have an opportunity to dance Mrs Elizabeth MacLachlan, President of the great help. Anyone that has danced at some of these less-known/challenging the Hitchin Town Hall, St Columba’s St Andrew Society from April 1926, was dances, perhaps mixed in with some simpler very active in organising Scottish country Lower Hall in London, St Andrews Foss dances. I would therefore like to Younger Hall, Cecil Sharp House, Ashlyns dancing in London and attended St propose that London Branch or another group Andrews Summer School. There is a follow- Hall in Berkhamsted, Hurlingham or even considers hosting a Foss workshop/dance say, the many village halls around the country up article about Mrs MacLachlan and the sometime next year. The event would be an Centenary Ball in Reel 272 pp8,16&20, with suspended floors will know instantly afternoon workshop and evening dance to the difference between a wooden with a newspaper photograph discovered live music, held at the weekend. by the then RSCDS Archivist, Marilyn Healy. ‘sprung’ floor and a floor with a concrete Mrs MacLachlan was appointed President To decide on the viability of this proposal slab. following the resignation of the Rt Hon would any dancers interested in coming along It is difficult to know from an Ramsay MacDonald MP because of his please contact me and I will act as advertisement for a dance what kind of parliamentary duties. coordinator with Adrian. When emailing floor one will be met with when one please state any preferences on location/ arrives and it is only from experience I am very sorry to see a society with such teacher/dances or any other aspect. distinguished precedents come to an end. that dancers, for self preservation, can Time catches up with us all, and Scottish Yours in anticipation, and should strike a line through that hard country dancing is less of a mainstream Murrough Landon, London floor event for the following year. I fully activity than it once was. [email protected] understand why a club will not advertise Elizabeth Bennett, that the event has a ‘hard’ floor (no one Dance Floors - would go) but perhaps clubs could look at Worcester Park, Surrey We Wooden Know this issue differently and include in their Hugh Foss and Glendarroch adverts when the floor is wooden and Dear Editorial Team, sprung/ suspended that much at least is Dear Editorial Team, In the spring of 2014 RSCDS New York Branch owed to the dancer to make an informed Thank you for the four complimentary conducted a survey of its members. Like decision. copies of The Reel (302-305) with articles most things requiring participation (unlike from L’homme qui danse, Home on my father’s work as a dance deviser and instigating participation) there was a limited Counties response with 25 results being returned. founder of your magazine in the 1950s, an Ed Readers can also refer to an earlier aspect of his life I was not too well aware Nevertheless, we can assume that it was representative because those that did not letter on this issue in Reel 265 p9.

Page 16 The Reel Issue 306 Forthcoming Events

Event Listing in date order CHISWICK SCOTTISH COUNTRY 2018 8/12 Chiswick K&PF p17, 15/12 Christmas Dance p1, 28/12 RSCDS BHS Christmas Social p17, DANCE CLUB 31/12 Thistle Hogmanay p17. & Posh Frocks 2019 4/1 Harrow 90th Anniversary NY Ball p17, 5/1 LHC NY Dance p18, 12/1 Burns’ Ceilidh Dance p4, Sunday 9 December 2018 12/1 RSCDS Cheltenham Annual Ball p18, 12/1 Maidenhead Highland Ball p17, 19/1 RSCDS Oxfordshire Burns’ Dance p18, 2/2 BSRC Highland Ball Practice p18, 2/2 LHC Annual Ball p18, 6.30 – 10.15pm 2/2 Reading Annual Ball p17, 9/2 BSRC Highland Ball p18, 16/2 RSCDS Oxfordshire D/S & Dance p18, St Michael’s & All Angels Hall W4 1TX 20/2 Winter Wednesday Dance p4, 23/2 Cheltenham Spring Dance p18, David Hall and his Scottish Dance Band 23/2 Oxford & Cambridge Highland Ball p17, 23/2 Wembley Annual Ball p18, 2/3 LHC Dance p18, MCs Danielle and Jerry Reinstein 9/3 RSCDS BHS D/S & Dance p17, 9/3 RSCDS Milton Keynes Ruby Anniversary Dance p18, Programme: The Chiswick Jig, Staircase in 10/3 Watford Ball Practice p19, 16/3 RSCDS Tunbridge Wells D/S p18, 16/3 Watford Centenary Ball p19, Styria, Kilts and Posh Frocks, The Surbiton 30/3 Combined Societies’ Dance p4, 6/4 Harrow Spring Dance p17, 27/4 Argyll D/S p17, Frolic, The Irish Rover, “Deer” Friends, 27/4 RSCDS Cheltenham D/S & Dance p18, 27/4 West Macs Ball p17, 18/5 RSCDS BHS Spring Ball p17, 22/6 RSCDS Cheltenham Summer Dance p18, 4-6/10 Argyll Dancers’ & Musicians’ W/S p17. Tempest in a Teacup, City Lights, Bauldy Bain’s Fiddle, The Aviator, Da Rain Dancin’, HARROW & DISTRICT THE OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE The Blue Mess Jacket, The Committee CALEDONIAN SOCIETY HIGHLAND BALL Meeting, Miss Johnstone of Ardrossan, 90th Anniversary New Year Ball Saturday 23 February 2019 Cherrybank Gardens, Ramadan-ce, Miss Allie Friday 4 January 2019 6.30 - 10.45pm Anderson, Mrs MacPherson of Inveran, 7.30 – 11.30pm Benson Village Hill OX10 6LZ Nottingham Lace, The Montgomeries’ Rant, Allum Hall, 2 Allum Lane, Luke Brady’s Scottish Dance Band Mairi’s Wedding Elstree WD6 3PJ Programme: The Machine without Horses, Tickets should be bought in advance The Frank Reid Scottish Dance Band Flowers of Edinburgh, Slytherin House, Members £15, Non-members £20 Programme: New Year Jig, The Lochalsh The Dundee City Police Jig, John of Bon Juniors/students/non-dancers £5 Reel, Auld Friends Meet, Equilibrium, Accord, The Robertson Rant, Muirland Willie, Bring-and-share buffet. Wine and soft drinks The Black Bear (BSRC), Sarona, The Queen’s Ezekiel’s Wheel, Autumn in Appin, Swiss will be provided View, City of Belfast, The Chequered Court, Lassie, Napier’s Index, Starlight, Alltshellach, [email protected] Mrs Stuart Linnell, Shiftin’ Bobbins, The Bon The Elephant’s Stampede, The Earl of www.chiswickscottish.org.uk Viveur, Quarries’ Jig, The Glenalmond Mansfield, Radcliffe Square, The Wild Geese, Gamekeeper, Broadway, James Gray, Polharrow Burn, The Flower of Glasgow, ARGYLL SCOTTISH DANCING The Black Mountain Reel, The Minister on the The Irish Rover GROUP Loch, Ian Powrie’s Farewell to Auchterader, Extras: Postie’s Jig, Scott Meikle Day School The Reel of The Royal Scots Tickets £20 (Students £15) including supper Saturday 27 April 2019 Tickets £20, Juniors and non-dancers £10, Contact Charlotte Evetts, 07507 262726 or Edgbarrow Sports Centre, including refreshments [email protected] Crowthorne, Berkshire RG45 7HZ Advance booking only, please Teachers: James Fairbairn and Contact Mick Madigan, 020 8863 5306 or Rachel Shankland MAIDENHEAD SCOTTISH Musicians: Christina Hood and [email protected] or DANCING CLUB Lorraine Kent, 07951 587456 or Robert Mackay Highland Ball Contact Gaynor Curtis, 60 Bishops Wood, [email protected] Saturday 12 January 2019 Woking, Surrey GU21 3QB, 01483 721989 or Spring Dance 6.30 – 10.30pm [email protected] Saturday 6 April 2019 Manor Green School, Ian Muir (Prestwick) & Bob Parsons Elizabeth Hawkes Way, Maidenhead SL6 3HF Dancers and Musicians Weekend School Ian Muir (Prestwick) Friday 4 - Sunday 6 October 2019 www.harrowscottish.org.uk and his Scottish Dance Band Dillington House, Ilminster, Programme: Maxwell’s Rant, Major Ian Somerset TA19 9DT Stewart, The Rose of the North, *The Teachers: David Queen (Dancers) and READING ST ANDREW’S SDS Recumbent Stone, Pelorus Jack, Miss Ian Muir (Musicians) Annual Ball Gibson’s Strathspey, Lothian Lads, *Friday’s Musicians: Robert Mackay and Judith Muir Saturday 2 February 2019 Child, The Byron Strathspey, *Trip to Timber For further information and brochure: 7.30 - 11.30pm Ridge, The Rutland Reel, *The Aviator, The [email protected] St Crispin’s School Dream Catcher, *Findlater Castle, Jennifer’s www.dillington.co.uk London Road, Wokingham RG40 1SS Jig, St Columba’s Strathspey, *Mrs Stewart of This course is not considered suitable The Craigellachie Band Fasnacloich, Old Nick’s Lumber Room, for beginners Programme: Welcome to Ayr, The Rutland MacDonald of the Isles, Mairi’s Wedding, www.argyllscottishdancinggroup.org.uk Reel, Gang the Same Gate, The Dancing Extras: Anniversary Reel, Postie’s Jig Master, The Falls of Rogie, The Duchess Tree, *These dances can be recapped/walked if Best Set in the Hall, Ray Milbourne, necessary RSCDS BERKS/HANTS/SURREY The Gentleman, The Laird of Milton’s Tickets £22 before Saturday 22 December BORDER BRANCH Daughter, The Hazel Tree, Miss Johnstone of and £25 after (Advance booking only) Christmas Social Ardrossan, Miss Milligan’s Strathspey, Price includes supper and a welcome drink Friday 28 December 2018 Miss Hadden’s Reel, All for Mary, Bring your own wine Mulled wine reception 7.00pm The Dream Catcher, The Chequered Court, Please notify us of any special dietary Dancing 7.30 – 10.45pm Swiss Lassie, The Byron Strathspey, requirements when ordering tickets St Paul’s Parish Rooms, Wokingham RG41 1EH The Reel of The Royal Scots Contact Jane Leach, 16 Brudenell, Windsor Dancing to recorded music Tickets £20 including SL4 4UR, 01753 869557 or Bring and share refreshments reception drink and supper with [email protected] Tickets on the door

a glass of wine www.maidenheadscottishdancing.org.uk Day School Contact Sara Ribbins, 157 Upper Woodcote Saturday 9 March 2019 Road, Caversham, Reading RG4 7JR, Calthorpe Park School, Hitches Lane, 0118 947 3207 or [email protected] THISTLE CLUB Fleet GU51 5JA Hogmanay Dance www.scottishdancingreading.org Teacher: Antoine Rousseau Monday 31 December 2018 Class Musician: Ken Martlew 8.00pm – 12.30am Musicians’ Day School: Muriel Johnstone Great Brickhill Parish Hall, Evening Dance with Day School musicians WEST MACS Milton Keynes, MK17 9BA Charity Ball Craigievar Band Branch Spring Ball Saturday 27 April 2019 Tickets £11 in advance/£12.50 Saturday 18 May 2019 7.30 – 11.30pm booked but paid on the door Emmbrook School, Emmbrook Road, Allum Hall, 2 Allum Lane, Elstree WD6 3PJ ‘Bring and share’ buffet Wokingham RG41 1JP Jim Lindsay and his Band Contact Jan Jones, 07877 153259 or The Craigellachie Band Tickets £20 [email protected] Contact Gordon Anderson, 01420 362530 or Full details in The Reel 307 Programme and further information [email protected] www.thistleclub.co.uk www.rscds-bhs.org.uk

The Reel Issue 306 Page 17 RSCDS CHELTENHAM BRANCH RSCDS MILTON KEYNES BRANCH LONDON HIGHLAND CLUB Annual Ball 40th Anniversary Dance Forthcoming dances to be Saturday 12 January 2019 Saturday 9 March 2019 held at St Columba’s Church 7.00 – 11.00pm 7.00 – 11.00pm Hall, Pont Street, London Pittville Pump Room, East Approach Drive, Old Stratford Community Hall, SW1 0BX Cheltenham GL52 3JE Deanshanger Road, Old Stratford MK19 6NL Nicol McLaren and the Glencraig Band (Hall is near the end of a no-through road) Saturdays: Lower Hall Tickets £22 including Light Buffet Nicol McLaren and Glencraig Band 7.00 - 10.30pm unless otherwise stated Contact Margaret Winterbourne, Programme: The Happy Meeting, Forty and Saturday 5 January: New Year Dance 01242 863238 or Counting, Staffin Harvest, The Pines of 7.00 – 11.00pm Craigievar Band [email protected] Pitlochry, The Code Breaker, Monymusk, Saturday 2 February: Annual Ball Mideltone Silver, JB Milne, Triple Happiness, Day School See below Saturday 27 April 2019 Ian Powrie’s Farewell to Auchterader, Saturday 2 March: Calum Mitchell 9.45am – 4.45pm Napier’s Index, The Ruby Rant, Autumn in Reddings Community Centre, North Road Appin, Staircase in Styria, Linton Ploughman, Annual Ball West, Cheltenham GL51 6RF The Silver Tassie, Bratach Bana, Macleod’s Saturday 2 February 2019 Teacher: William Williamson, Fancy, Mrs MacPherson of Inveran 7.00 – 11.00pm Advanced and General Classes Tickets £18 Ian Muir (Prestwick) Musician: Calum Mitchell, Supper provided and a licensed bar Programme: EH3 7AF, Polharrow Burn, John Advanced and General Classes Charges: £6 per class Contact Jan Jones, 07877 153259 or McAlpin, The Dancing Master, The Peat Fire Evening dance [email protected] Flame, The Gardeners’ Fantasia, Best Set in 7.00 - 10.00pm Recorded music www.rscdsmk.co.uk the Hall, Culla Bay, The Australian Ladies, Tickets £6 James Gray, Maxwell’s Rant, The Glengarry Contact Hilary Foulkes, 01285 851798 or BERKHAMSTED STRATHSPEY AND Homestead, Airie Bennan, Angus Macleod, [email protected] REEL CLUB Gang the Same Gate, Postie’s Jig, Duke of

Summer Dance 67th Highland Ball Perth, Alison Rose, Miss Hadden’s Reel, Saturday 22 June 2019 Saturday 9 February 2019 Mrs MacPherson of Inveran 7.30 – 11.00pm 7.00 for 7:30pm - Midnight Ball Tickets: Churchdown Community Centre, Parton Ashlyns School, Berkhamsted, Including finger buffet refreshments Road, Churchdown, Gloucester GL3 2JH Herts HP4 3AH * LHC Members in advance £21 Craigevar Band The Craigellachie Band * Non Members in advance £24 Tickets £12 American Supper Programme: Granville Market, A Highland All classes on the door £26 Contact Fiona Knee, 01242 525819 or Welcome, The Paisley Weavers, The Aviator, * Advance booking price is only available on [email protected] The Braes of Tulliemet, Inverneill House, orders received by midnight 30 January. More details at website: MacDonald of Keppoch, Angus MacLeod, For tickets contact Frank Bennett, www.cheltenhamrscds.btck.co.uk Major Ian Stewart, The Gardeners’ Fantasia, 020 8715 3564 or [email protected] The Highland Rambler, Grand March into If you have highland dress, you are Scott Meikle, The Minister on the Loch, invited to wear it Farewell to Balfour Road, Duke of Perth, RSCDS OXFORDSHIRE BRANCH Midsummer Madness, Miss Gibson’s Programmes & cribs are on our website: Burns’ Night Supper & Dance Strathspey, The Potten End Reel, Linton www.londonhighlandclub.co.uk Saturday 19 January 2019 Ploughman, Glastonbury Tor, Culla Bay, For further details contact Frank Bennett, 7.00 - 11.30pm The Deil amang the Tailors 020 8715 3564 or [email protected] Benson Parish Hall, Sunnyside, Benson, Tickets £25 Advance booking only Everyone is welcome at all our functions, so Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 6LZ Closing date for ticket sales is please come along and join us for an The Craigellachie Band Tuesday 5 February 2019 enjoyable evening Programme: to be published on our website Welcome drink and dinner included Tickets £15 No bar - BYO wine but soft drinks provided CHELTENHAM SCOTTISH SOCIETY including haggis supper Contact Dawn Dorman, Hill End Farm, Beech Annual Spring Dance Tree Lane, Gorhambury, St Albans AL3 6AR, Day School and Dance Saturday 23 February 2019 07710 460623 or Saturday 16 February 2019 7.00 – 11.00pm [email protected] Headington School, Oxford OX3 7TD Pittville School, Cheltenham GL52 3JD Ample free parking & on the London to www.berkhamstedreelclub.org Iain MacPhail and his Scottish Dance Band Oxford bus route Highland Ball Practice Programme: Grand March, Round Reel of Teachers: Rachel Shankland, David Queen, Saturday 2 February 2019 Eight, The Flying Spur, Far North Queensland, Alice Stainer 11.00am - 5.00pm The Rutland Reel, The Cooper’s Wife, Foxhill Musicians: Jeremy Hill, Ken Martlew, Potten End Village Hall HP4 2QG Court, Zytglogge, The Nurseryman, Barbara Manning £5 on the door The Robertson Rant, Postie’s Jig, The Dream Tickets: Whole day and evening £28, Bring a packed lunch, morning and afternoon Catcher, Fidget, Father Connelly’s Jig, Morning or Afternoon £10 each session, coffee and tea provided Bonnie Stronshiray, Staircase in Styria, Evening dance £15 Pelorus Jack, Shiftin’ Bobbins, Miss Eleanor, Evening dance WEMBLEY & DISTRICT Follow Me Home, The Reel of The Royal Scots 7.00 – 10.30pm SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION Tickets £20 from John Marshall, including finger-food buffet Annual Ball 17 Gratton Road, Cheltenham, Strathallan Scottish Dance Band Saturday 23 February 2019 Gloucestershire GL50 2BT Programme: Anderson’s Rant, 7.30 – 11.30pm [email protected] Cheques to “Cheltenham Scottish Society” The Wild Geese, The Birks of Invermay, Allum Hall, Elstree with SAE please The Montgomeries’ Rant, Tayport Beauty, Borehamwood, WD6 3PJ Radcliffe Square, The Starry Eyed Lassie, The Craigellachie Band RSCDS TUNBRIDGE WELLS BRANCH The Flower of Glasgow, The Highland MC Mrs Caroline Hamilton Day School Rambler, Mrs Stewart’s Jig, Miss Johnstone of Programme: Pelorus Jack, John of Bon Saturday 16 March 2019 Ardrossan, Margaret Parker’s Strathspey, Accord, Midsummer Common, A Capital Jig, 10.00am registration – 4.30pm tea and cake Macleod’s Fancy, Swiss Lassie,The Dream Trip to Timber Ridge, Butterscotch and Mascalls Academy, Maidstone Road, Catcher, Tribute to the Borders, The Reel of Honey, The Edinburgh Toy Shop, The Black Paddock Wood, Kent TN12 6LT the 51st Division Mountain Reel, Miss Eleanor, Ian Powrie’s Paddock Wood is on the main train line from Applications available from our website Farewell to Auchterader, The Rutland Reel, London to the Kent coast Contact Helen Houghton-Carr, 24b St John’s The Bon Viveur, Best Set in the Hall, and is easily accessed from A21 Road, Wallingford, Oxon OX10 9AQ The Reverend John MacFarlane, Teachers: Joan Desborough & Mervyn Short [email protected] 07531 469213 The Gentleman, John Cass, The Reel of The Musicians: Barbara Manning & Ken Martlew Royal Scots, The Dream Catcher, James Application forms are available from Gray, Mrs MacPherson of Inveran Pat Davoll, Cambridge Cottage, Crockham Tickets £19 including a buffet supper Hill, Nr Edenbridge TN8 6RD, 01732 866557 Contact Brenda Manbauhar, 020 8933 9169 or or [email protected] [email protected] www.wdsa.co.uk rscdstunbridgewells.org.uk Page 18 The Reel Issue 306 The Reel Advertising Rates

£6 per column cm in b/w, £8.50 per column cm in colour (three columns per page). A listing in the Other SCD Organisations section costs £30 per annum pro rata. SCD Organisations Listing All advertisers receive a complimentary copy of The Reel. To update your listing below contact [email protected] If you Send adverts for the Forthcoming Events pages to Meryl at require your information to also be changed in the SE Classes Listing on [email protected] our website please contact Jan Collings directly (see ad p5). Payment is Other adverts and enquiries on pricing to the Business Editor now due for Reels 304-307 and will then be due again for Reels 308-311. Jeff Robertson at [email protected] if you wish to stop your advert please contact [email protected] Other Scottish Country Dance Organisations ABINGDON SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB. Dancing most Mondays, CHELTENHAM BRANCH RSCDS Advanced Technique class Monday 7.30–9.30pm 7.45–10.00pm, Sept–June at Northcourt Centre, Abingdon, nr Oxford. All St Luke’s Hall, Cheltenham GL53 7HP. General class Thursday 7.15–9.15pm welcome. Details: Morag Brown, 38 The Holt, Abingdon, OX14 2DR, Bettridge School, Cheltenham GL51 3AT. Beginners’ class Monday [email protected] or www.abingdonscdc.wordpress.com 7.45-9.45pm Reddings Community Centre, Cheltenham GL51 6RF. Contact ADDLESTONE & DISTRICT SCOTTISH SOCIETY meets Wednesdays Margaret Winterbourne, 01242 863238 [email protected] 8.15–10.15pm Sept–May at St Mary’s Church Hall, Church Road, Byfleet CHELTENHAM SCOTTISH SOCIETY. Dancing most Friday nights 7.30–10.00pm KT14 7NF. Details: Val Clack, 01932 845869 or from October to end May, at St Andrew’s URC, Montpellier Street, www.addlestonescottish.org.uk Cheltenham. Details: Mrs Doreen Steele, 45 Dark Lane, Swindon Village, BERKHAMSTED STRATHSPEY & REEL CLUB meets in Potten End Village Hall, Cheltenham, GL51 9RN, 01242 528220 or [email protected] HP4 2QG. Social dancing: Tuesdays 8.15pm Sept–May, Sat. gardens June/ CHISWICK SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB meets on Sundays 6.00–9.15pm, July. Classes: Intermediate and Advanced Mondays 8.00pm, Beginners Sept–June, in the Upper Hall at St Michaels & All Angels Church, corner of Tuesdays 8.15pm. Details: Dawn Dorman, Hill End Farm, Gorhambury, Woodstock Road and Priory Avenue, London W4 1TX (turn right out of St Albans, Herts AL3 6AR, 07710 460623 or www.berkhamstedreelclub.org Turnham Green tube station, 70 yards). BERKS/HANTS/SURREY BORDER BRANCH RSCDS. Topic-led class (not suitable Check www.chiswickscottish.org.uk for details or for beginners), alternate Mondays Sept–April, 8.15–10.15pm St Sebastian’s Evelyn Norman, 0208 641 5877 or [email protected] Memorial Hall, Nine Mile Ride, Wokingham Without RG40 3BA. General CROYDON DISTRICT BRANCH. Branch classes in Coulsdon: General, incl class (intermediate and above), every Wednesday Sept–May, 8.00–10.00pm Beginners with technique (Fri); Advanced & Improvers (Wed) St Mary’s Church Hall, Park Road, Camberley, Surrey GU15 2SR 8.00–10.00pm St Andrew’s Church, Woodcote Grove Road, Coulsdon, Teacher: Mervyn Short CR5 2AJ. Details: Dorothy Pearson, 01737 551724 Contact: Alex Duncan, 01932 241615 or www.rscds-bhs.org.uk or [email protected] or www.rscdscroydon.org.uk BOURNEMOUTH BRANCH RSCDS meets every Friday at Kinson Community EPPING FOREST SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION. Club night Mondays (all year) Centre, Pelham’s Park, Millhams Rd., Kinson, Bournemouth, BH10 7LH 8.00–10.00pm at Christchurch Parish Hall, Wanstead Place, Wanstead, 7.30–9.30pm. Alternate Wednesday Technique class, by invitation. E11 2SW. Details: Angela Ross, 020 8504 3376 or Details: Margaret Robson, 24 Upper Golf Links Road, Broadstone, Dorset [email protected] or www.efsa.org.uk BH18 8BX, 01202 698138 or [email protected] EPSOM & DISTRICT CALEDONIAN ASSOCIATION General dancing Mondays, BRIGHTON BRANCH RSCDS. Classes for beginners, intermediate and 7.30–10.00pm, Tweddle Hall, St Andrew’s URC, Northey Avenue, Cheam, advanced, country and highland, adults and children. SM2 7HF. Teacher: Pauline Cashmore, 020 8686 9362 Details: Rod Burrows, 01903 783053 or [email protected] or Details: Dorothy Pearson, 01737 551724 www.rscds-brighton.org.uk FARNHAM SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING CLUB. Dancing every Tuesday at BRIGHTON & HOVE SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB meets Thursdays 8pm, Sept–end of April at Weydon School, Weydon Lane, Farnham, 7.45-10.15pm at Moulsecoomb Hall, Brighton. Details: Carol Catterall, GU9 8UG. Details: Pippa Peatman 01256 703909 or [email protected] 01273 564963 or www.bhscdc.org.uk or www.fscdc.co.uk CAMBERLEY REEL CLUB. Dancing every Tuesday 8.00pm at St Paul’s Church FLEET SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE SOCIETY dance in Church Crookham Hall, Church Hill, Camberley. Details: Jackie Cresswell, 01252 616289 or Memorial Hall in Hampshire on alternate Saturdays from 7.30–10.00pm, [email protected] Sept–May. Details: Shirley Ferguson 01276 501952 or CAMBRIDGE SCOTTISH SOCIETY Scottish country dancing and other events. [email protected] or fleet.rscds-bhs.org.uk Dance Circle meets every Thursday 8.00pm from Sept–June. Details: GERRARDS CROSS SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB meets at Memorial Rachel Schicker, 01223 364557 or www.camscotsoc.org.uk Centre, East Common Road, Gerrards Cross SL9 7AD on Tuesdays from Sept –June. 7.30-10.00pm Visitors and Beginners welcome. Details: Suzanne Todd, 01923 283730 or [email protected] or www.gxscottish.org

The Reel Issue 306 Page 19 Other Scottish Country Dance Organisations ...Continued from p19 GREENFORD AND DISTRICT CALEDONIAN ASSOC. Meet at the British Legion REIGATE SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB meets most Mondays 8.15– Hall, Oldfield Lane, Greenford. Visitors welcome. Tuesdays 8.00-10.00pm. 10.15pm, Sept–May at the Redhill Methodist Church Hall, Gloucester Road, Details: Kate Fraser 020 8998 0571 or [email protected] Redhill, Surrey RH1 1BP. Details: Wendy Mitton, 01737 766244 or GUILDFORD SCDC meets at Onslow Village Hall, Wilderness Rd, Guildford, [email protected] or www.reigatescottish.org.uk GU2 7QR most Mondays at 8.00pm from Sept–June. Details: 01483 456091 RICHMOND CALEDONIAN SOCIETY meets at the Oddfellows Hall, Parkshot, or www.gscdc.org.uk Richmond, every Wednesday evening at 8.00pm from mid-Sept. to mid- HARPENDEN SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING CLUB meets every Tuesday at June. Details: www.richmondcaledonian.co.uk or 020 8878 3445 8.00pm at Lourdes Hall, Southdown Road, Harpenden. Details: Val Owens, SANDERSTEAD URC SCOTTISH DANCE GROUP. Dancing Tues 8.00pm at 29 Palfrey Close, St Albans, Herts AL3 5RE, 01727 863870 or HSCDC.org.uk Sanderstead URC Hall, Sanderstead Hill, S. Croydon. HARROW & DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. Classes Wednesdays Details: Graeme Wood, 01883 627797 or [email protected] 8.15–10.15pm, St Albans Church Hall, Norwood Drive (off The Ridgeway), ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, Pont Street, London SW1X 0BD. North Harrow. Also a variety of other activities. St Columba’s Dancers meet most Mondays from Oct to May, 7.15–10.00pm. Details: Sheena Henderson, [email protected] or 07719 985025 Admission free except for Band Nights when a charge will be made. or www.harrowscottish.org.uk Details: Valerie Strachan, 020 8693 5355 or HAYES & DISTRICT SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION meets Fridays 8.00–10.00pm, [email protected] or www.stcolumbasdancers.org Sept–July in Hayes, Middx. Beginners and experienced dancers welcome. ST JOHN’S SDC, WOKINGHAM meet every Thurs 8.00–10.15pm Sept–June at Details: Margaret Wallace, 01895 633642 or www.hayesscottish.org.uk St Sebastian’s Hall, Nine Mile Ride, Wokingham. All standards welcome. HERTSMERE REEL CLUB. Monthly dances on third Saturday (exc. Aug & Sept) Details: Sue Davis 2 Larkswood Dr, Crowthorne, 01344 774344 or 7.30–11.00pm, Tilbury Hall (URC), Darkes Lane, Potters Bar EN6 1BZ. [email protected] Also Children’s Class Sats 9.30–11.00am at the Details: Margaret King, 0208 440 3236 or [email protected] Parish Hall, Crowthorne. Details: Deborah Draffin, 01344 776831 ISLE OF THANET SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCERS meet Wednesdays Sept–June SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION FOR WALLINGTON, CARSHALTON & DISTRICT hold at Holy Trinity & St John’s C. of E. Primary School, St John’s Road, weekly on Thursday evenings from 8.00–10.00pm at Margate. Beginners 7.00–8.00pm. General 8.00–10.00pm. Collingwood School, Springfield Road, Wallington SM6 OBD. Details: Details: Pat Gill, 01843 603391 Maggie Westley, 020 8647 9899 or 07956 937157, or JERSEY CALEDONIA SCD GROUP. Details: Joy Carry, Les Arbres, Rue des [email protected] Cateaux, Trinity, JE3 5HB, 01534 862205 or [email protected] SIDCUP & DISTRICT CALEDONIAN ASSOCIATION. Dancing on Wednesdays from Alan Nicolle, 01534 484375 or [email protected] or Brenda Gale, 8.00–10.15pm throughout the year at Hurst Community Centre, Hurst 01534 862357 or scottishcountrydancingchannelislands.blogspot.com Road, Bexley, Kent. Details: Jenny Gavin, 48 Eastbrook Road, Blackheath LONDON HIGHLAND CLUB meets regularly at St Columba’s, Pont Street, SE3 8BT, 020 8856 4522 London SW1X 0BD. Details: adverts in The Reel, Catriona Bennett, SOUTH EAST ESSEX SCOTTISH SOCIETY. Dancing Fridays, 7.30–10.15pm, St 33 Pains Close, Mitcham, Surrey CR4 1BY, [email protected] Peter’s Church Hall, Eastbourne Grove, Southend (near hospital). Tuition Frank Bennett on 020 8715 3564 or www.londonhighlandclub.co.uk 7.30–9.00pm. Details: Graham Easton, 01702 587808 or LUCY CLARK SCD CLUB meets Thursdays at the Oldham Hall, Great [email protected] or www.seess.org.uk Missenden HP16 0BA. Beginners class 7.00-8.00pm, Social Dancing SOUTH EAST HERTS SCDS. Classes for all standards, in Hertford, Tuesdays in 8.00-10.00pm. Details: Liz Mitchell, 07947 000368 or term time. Monthly dances Sept–June, in Ware, usually second Friday. [email protected] or www.lucyclark.org.uk Sunday afternoon Family Dances once a term. Details: Ian, 07842 034890 MAIDENHEAD SCOTTISH DANCING CLUB meets every Tuesday 8.00pm at or [email protected] or see www.sehscottishdance.org/news St Piran’s School, Gringer Hill, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 7LZ. First Tuesday SURBITON & DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. Dancing every Thursday at in the month is Social Dancing Evening. Details: Jane Courtier, 16 Ostler 8pm from Sept–June at St Mark’s Church Hall, Church Hill Road, Surbiton. Gate, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 6SG, 01628 628372 or Details: David Horwill, 32 Wolsey Road, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middx maidenheadscottishdancing.org.uk TW16 7TY or www.surbitoncaledonian.co.uk MAIDSTONE (COBTREE) SCD GROUP meets every Wednesday 7.30–10.00pm TUNBRIDGE WELLS BRANCH RSCDS. Beginners/intermediate classes on Tues at The Grove Green Community Hall, Maidstone. Details: Dick Barford, 8.00–10.00pm and advanced classes Thurs 8.00–10.00pm at St Augustine’s 55 Northumberland Road, Maidstone ME25 7JG, 01622 685984 School, Wilman Rd, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9AL, Details: George Daly, MEDWAY AND DISTRICT CALEDONIAN ASSOCIATION. Dancing Thursdays 1 Broadwater Rise, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5UE, 01892 534512 or 8.00–10.15pm at St Mary’s Island Community Centre, Chatham. Beginners www.rscdstunbridgewells.org.uk welcome. Many other activities. Details: Liz Bowden, Meadow Cottage, WATFORD & WEST HERTS SCOTTISH SOCIETY. Beginners/Improvers Class at Green Farm Lane, Lower Shorne, Gravesend, Kent DA12 3HL, Nascot Wood Recital Hall, Nascot Wood Road, Watford WD17 4YS Mondays 01474 822919 from 8.00-9.30pm and General Class at All Saints’ Church, The Green, MILTON KEYNES BRANCH RSCDS. Mixed ability class Mondays 8.00–10.00pm. Croxley Green, Rickmansworth WD3 3HJ Thursdays from 8.00–10.00pm. Bradwell Village Hall, Milton Keynes. Details: Jan Jones, 52 Aintree Close, Details: Stuart Kreloff, 60 Tunnel Wood Road, Watford WD17 4GE, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK3 5LP, 01908 378730 or [email protected] 01923 492475 or [email protected] NORTH KENT SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION. Dancing 7.45–10.00pm most WELWYN GARDEN CITY SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB meets Wednesdays Wednesdays at Barnehurst Golf Club. Beginners welcome. Details: David 8.00–10.00pm Sept–June at Lemsford Hall, Lemsford Village, Welwyn Reid, 22 Thamesbank Place, London SE28 8PR, 020 8311 7282 or Garden City. All welcome. Details: Douglas Wood, 01582 469928 or [email protected] [email protected] or www.sehscottishdance.org/Welwyn NORWICH RSCDS. Dancing on Mondays from Sept-May/June at the Dance & WEMBLEY & DISTRICT SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION. Dance Class Mondays 8.00pm. Drama Studio, Sewell Park College, Constitution Hill, Norwich NR3 4BX. The Church of the Ascension, The Avenue, Wembley, Middx. Details: Beginners from 7.00-8.15pm and general dancing 8.20-9.30pm. Details: Mrs Caroline Hamilton, 31 Boundary Road, Eastcote, Pinner, Middlesex Sue Petty on 01603 741639 or [email protected] HA5 1PW, 0208 866 2378 or [email protected] ORPINGTON & DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. Dancing every Thursday WEYMOUTH SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCERS (Formerly South Dorset 8.00–10.15pm at Petts Wood Memorial Hall. Beginners’/Improvers’ Class Caledonian Society). Dancing at St Edmund’s Church Hall, Lanehouse every Monday 8.00–10.15pm at St Pauls, Crofton Road, Orpington. Rocks Road, Weymouth, Dorset, Wednesday, 7.30–10.00pm. Details: Hadyn Davies, 020 8658 9188 or [email protected] or Details: Miss Valerie Scriven, 13 Fenway Close, Dorchester, www.orpingtonscottishdancing.com Dorset DT1 1PQ, 01305 265177 OXFORDSHIRE BRANCH RSCDS. Dancing on Thursdays throughout the year in WINCHESTER BRANCH RSCDS. Classes Tuesdays 8.00–10.00pm. Club nights Oxford. Details: Christine Jeffery 01844 278242 or 1st and 3rd Wednesdays 8.00–10.00pm. Both evenings at St Peter’s School, [email protected] or www.rscdsoxfordshire.org.uk Oliver’s Battery Rd North, Winchester. Details: Wendy Mumford (teacher), READING ST ANDREW’S SCOTTISH DANCING SOCIETY. Dancing at St Andrew’s 20 Blendon Drive, Andover SP10 3NQ, 01264 363293 or URC, London Road, Reading, RG1 5BD from 8.00–10.00pm, Sept–May, [email protected] Tuesdays (elementary), Wednesdays (general), 1st & 2nd Thursdays of WITHAM & DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. Dancing every Wednesday each month (advanced). Details: Duncan Barnet, Flat 4, 8 Western Elms 8.00–10.00pm. The Centre, UR Church, Witham, Essex. Avenue, Reading RG30 2AN 0118 956 9289 [email protected] or Details: Alex Daniel, 01621 855548 or [email protected] www.scottishdancingreading.org

Credits Many thanks to all who contributed to this issue of The Reel, including the following for providing photos: p1: Left - Stephen Webb (SJW); Right - Ian Thomson; Andrew - Margaret Catchick. p2: Margaret - Jerry Reinstein; Beginner’s Class - Margaret Catchick; Jim - SJW. p3: Judy and Ian - SJW; from Norman Yeaman; Class photos - Simon Wales. p4: DATW - Lena Robinson. p5: Philippe - SJW. p6: from Andrew Kellett; Daniel - SJW; Sandra, Lorna and Moira - RSCDS HQ. p7: Joan - SJW; Musicians’ Course - Mike Greenwood. p8: Jeremy - Simeon Jackson; Book 52 CD cover - from Meryl Thomson; Maureen - SJW; Higham - Susan Madigan. p9: Dennis and Oxford - SJW; SERTA - from Hilary Maidstone; Musicians and Teacher - Jane Rose. Centrefold: 1 & 4 - Simon Wales; 2 - Margaret Catchick; 3, 5, 7, 11, 13 - SJW; 6, 8, 9 - Ian Thomson; 10 - Mike Greenwood; 12 - from Jane Rose. p12: Rosalind - SJW; Greenford logo - used with permission of G&DCA; Joan - Camilla Morgan; Singapore - used with permission of SASS; Two of a Kind - SJW. p13: IoW - from Judith Muir; Jean Milligan signature - from SJW; Eric - SJW. p14: SJW; Music from Frank Reid; Cartoon - used with permission of Joan Miles. p15: Owen, Jean and Wilson - SJW; p18: Stephen with Wilson - John Laurie; Wendy - from Sheena Henderson. The Reel is printed by Kall Kwik Hemel Hempstead www.kallkwik.co.uk/hemel 01442 247777 [email protected]

Page 20 The Reel Issue 306