The Reel; Published by the LONDON BRANCH of the ROYAL SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE SOCIETY www. rscdslondon.org.uk Registered Charity number 1067690 Dancing is FUN.’

No 254 DECEMBER 2005 TO FEBRUARY 2006

LONDON BRANCH [lllll DANCERS 0N SHOW AT THE HllYAl ALBERT HAll AWARD The London Branch Executive Committee is pleased to announce the bestowal of a Branch Award on Ian Anderson

Thrower Alan Anderson Iris Our President writes: This auspicious occasion was an exhibition of movement and dance celebrating 70 years of the Central Council of Recreation (CCPR). It was truly a kaleidoscope of colour and [an Anderson. a life member. first joined the Physical form. The Scottish dancers from the London Branch and from Society through the London Branch in 1951 Country dancing display by Branches in the South East of was with the audience. The sheer size since when he has been continuously in the England popular large of the arena at the Albert Hall is to of so the forefront of activities supporting Scottish daunting any group performers, Angela Young, SCD earned much deserved and appreciation for her expert use Country Dancing. His earliest association was as producer, congratulations of the space, and for her imaginative choreography. The Scottish Country Dancers were a member of the much sought after more than to the occasion and deserved their enthusiastic Demonstration Class from 1952 to 1962 during equal really reception. Stoker which time in 1957 he led a team ofdancers from Mary the Class to Holland on a hectic round of performances. He was a member of the Branch Read the full report Executive Committee from 1956 to 1976 and of the Albert Hall again from 1988 to 1996. In those earlier days after the war. the Branch Extravaganza ran highly popular monthly Members‘ Dances at the Royal Scottish Corporation Hall in Fetter on page 2. Lane. Ian ran those from 1956 to 1976. selling Also in this issue: tickets in those by post (obligatory days). P6. Dancing at Summer School refreshments with outside caterers. and arranging P6. Playing at Summer School the MC at dance but one that being every during P8 Obituaries: Brian Hamilton, He was involved in the from period. changeover Jo Wilson, Muriel Gibson, the RSC. Fetter Lane to St Columba‘s Hall in James Senior. Pont Street the Farewell to Fener Lane following P9. St. Columba's at 50. dance in 1973. In addition he ran Weekend P10 London Branch Day School Schools at Pulborough at Easter from 1965 to 2005. 1968 and a Hogmanay weekend in 1966. P10 Entente Cordiale Part 2. Latterly. lan has been promoting the Branch P11 Francis Peacock, dancing through sales in the Bookstall. which he has run master of Aberdeen. since 1988. It is not all mail order. for he P13 London members abroad. transports his ”shop” to dancing events P13 in Troon. throughout the year. Most ofthe work he does on Family dancing PM Robin Ellis' 50 of his own. but he is helped by his wife iris. who years for $00. takes some telephone calls: she also plays a playing major role in the Branch as Archivist. Thrower and much more! Our congratulations to Ian Alan

Issue No 255 will be with UK based members by 18th February 2006 unless delayed in the post. Contributions for that issue should be sent to the Editor. Wilson Nicol. 14 Great Woodcote Park. Purley. Surrey CR8 3QS, tel: 020 8763 4173. email: editorn} rscdslondonorguk. to arrive by (Issue No 256 will arrive by 13th May 2006). ROYAL SCOTTISH The Extravaganza EDITORIAL COUNTRY DANCE On Saturday 24th September the Central Council of our readers for Physical Recreation celebrated the 70th Many SOCIETY are familiar with the of its foundation with a mass anniversary display - modem dance The Patron H.M. The Queen by members of its Movement and Dance Division: @ Master a varied programme which lasted more than three Dancing hours and included 27 different items. written for Bill lreland on his retiral Prominent among these was a splendid display of HEADQUARTERS: l2 Coates EH3 7AF. Scottish Country Dancing. promoted by the South- from teaching the Crescent, Edinburgh, Tel: 0131 225 Fax: 0131 225 East Branches and performed by 52 dancers drawn L o n d o n 3854; 7783, e-mail: from those Branches and from other groups in the Demonstration [email protected]. area. Rehearsals were funded by a grant from the Class. It led me to www.rscds.org. Jean Milligan Fund and by generous contributions think about the earlier days of dancing. LONDON BRANCH from the Croydon, London, Oxfordshire and Dancing has been a general hobby of Scots Wells Branches. Lorna was the Hon. President Tunbridge Ogilvie (and others) since around 1700, first among the at the event. Simon Wales Stoker Society‘s representative gentry and subsequently extending to the rest Mary was the linkman between the CCPR Headquarters, of the population. How did they learn the Hon. Vice-Presidents: and the S.E. Branches Committee, Co—ordinating dances and how to dance in those days? The Mary Barker, Stella Booth, Ellen Garvie. and Angela Young was teacher and choreographer answer in most cases was from Dancing Jenny Greene. Marie Jamieson. for the display. Sandra Smith and Jean Harrison Masters! One of the first and most famous was John Laurie, Owen Meyer, Rosemary Tilden. provided music for rehearsals and Neil Esslemont Francis Peacock centred on Aberdeen in the piped for the actual display. Chairman: second half of the eighteenth century. He is the Rachel The dances performed were The Duke ofAtholl '5 Wilton, subject of our first article in the Dancing 31 London SE10 OLL. Reel, 12 Coates Cresceril, Fifiy Years On and Nice Kemsing Road, Master Series. In London at the of — beginning Tel: 020 8858 7729. to See You at first glance not a very showy group, the nineteenth we had Thomas Wilson but what was really impressive was the century e-mail: [email protected] who a wide range of dance types choreography which used these dances to fill the taught Vice-Chairman Scottish. that whole space of the arena (as few others did) and including Throughout century Jeff Robertson, there were around Scotland -— the Lowe changed orientation almost magically from couples many 57 Beaumont Road, Broadwater, Worthing, in Scott Skinner in dancing round the room, into a six-spoke wheel on family Perthshire, W Sussex, EN 14 8HE. — D G MacLennan in one axis, into another on a different axis with Aberdeenshire, Edinburgh, Tel: 01903 530750.

— changed partners and finally into three facing James Neill and Dancie Reid in Angus, the e—mail: [email protected] three for the last dance which finished with small Adamsons in Fife, George Maxwell in East Hon. circles melting into one large circle for the last Lothian, and the Muir family in Lanark to Secretary: Pamela Ellam, eight bars. A challenging routine, to which the mention but a few. They taught both gentry 10 The Drive, Acton, London W3 6AA. dancers responded confidently. holding the floor and folk but in classes. the ordinary separate Tel: 020 8992 8178. patterns well and covering excellently in their lines. fees for the former than for the being higher e-mail: Neil the London Branch was [email protected] Esslemont, piper latter. All taught etiquette of dancing and were in full dress and earned a Hon. Treasurer: resplendent Highland very strict that the rules were followed in their special cheer as he marched off. Simon Wales. classes and finishing balls. It appears that There was a rich variety of movement and dance Flat 6, 86 Worcester Rd, Sutton, figures and timing were more important than on display in the rest of the programme, with Surrey SM2 6QQ. Tel: 020 8643 0952. accuracy of footwork. Dance is a continually participants of all ages from 6 to 76. Outstanding e-mail: [email protected] developing art form and this was reflected in for me was an immensely moving performance by the teachers‘ repertoires, which covered a wide dancers in wheelchairs or carrying other often SUB-COMMITTEES range of dance type and moved with the times. severe handicaps. supported by a team of devoted Youth: ...... Andrew Malcolm Ferris Most of the teachers were musicians (fiddlers) Kellett, Lay, and inspiring helpers. At the other extreme was a and were to for their own classes Angela Young large team from the Bromley Valley Gymnastic expected play — Classes: ...... Lena Centre, performing breathtaking somersaults and dancing and playing simultaneously there Robinson, Malcolm Ferris Lay, Moira Strutt, feats of balance in tall pyramids to two fizzing was not the benefit of canned music in those Day School: Margaret Catchick, tunes from Chicago. Filling the whole floor were days! Most had bands, usually family Dances:...... Rachel Catchick, 40 to 50 ladies from the Fitness League, elegant, members. to play for local balls. Bands thought Wilton, Margaret Lindsay Merriman, Moira Strutt, Cherry West beautifully co-ordinated and with lines covered nothing of walking or cycling home ten miles Demonstrations: Jeff throughout, to a big-band recording of Tzcredo or so after the ball: few could afford wheeled Robertson, Angela Young, Joan James Fairbaim” Junction. horse transport. At the start of the twentieth Desborough“, On the whole I found the music disappointing. century Dancie Reid led Reid‘s Orchestra Publicity: ...... Jeff Robertson, Rita Marlow“, most of it was - no harm in Merriman, Wilson Nicol, Inevitably taped great which was the ‘Jimmy Shand’ of its day in Lindsay Moira Strutt, Thomson that, though it did mean that any live music made a Scotland. Meryl

for instance our a .. special impact, piper. strong Wilson Nicol Open-air Dances: Simon Wales, Jeff Robertson. fiddle band for a of Irish playing medley dances, Membership: ...... Owen Meyer” and an unusual four-piece band (accordion, drum, Bookstall: ...... Ian Anderson“ trumpet and tuba!) playing for three Serbian circle MEMBERSHIP Central Council of Recreation: ...... dances. On tape we occasionally heard real tunes Physical of the RSCDS and Marie Jamieson*, Simon Wales played on real instruments and these went down Membership one was see London Branch costs £14.00 well, but for of my generation it sad to per Hon. Archivist: ...... Iris Anderson” so many of these groups to annum for UK based members lively performing S E Branches: ...... Andrew Kellett, Simon Wales thumping. synthesised music. ls this really the only (£14.50 for Europe; £16.50 Combined Societies: ...... Rachel Wilton dance music of today? If so. aren’t we the lucky elsewhere). Current members of

Branch Website...... our our Meryl and Ian* Thomson ones. with stimulating tuneful music and other Branches can join London hundreds of real tunes both good, having melody Branch for £4.00 per annum if they *Indicates a non-Executive Committee member. and form. live in the UK (£4.50 in Europe and the was one Website Nevertheless, overriding impression £6.50 elsewhere). of and the of music and www.rscdslondon.org.uk vigour. energy. joy London Branch membership movement fused together. There were 850 brings benefits including The Reel, of London Branch performers of all types and ages who had attracted Objects while Society membership includes To advance the education of the in the an audience which filled practically every seat in public the annual dance The the Albert Hall. Dance of whatever form is life- publication, London area in traditional Scottish Country Scottish Dancer. enhancing, as we all know, and it was good to see Country Dancing, in particular by: and Scottish Country Dancing playing a significant part Membership applications a) preserving and furthering the practice of in the wider scene of this splendid pageant. enquiries should be sent to the traditional Scottish Country Dances; Dennis Tucker Membership Secretary, Owen b) providing or assisting in providing instruction Secretary to S.E. Branches Meyer, 50 Bunby Road, Stoke Poges, in the dancing of Scottish Country Dances; Co—ordinating Committee Bucks SL2 4BP. Tel: 01753 643461. c) promoting the enjoyment and appreciation of Scottish Country Dancing and Music by any suitable means.

Page 2 BRANCH MATTERS THE SOCIETY AGM IN PERTH 5th November 2005 Over 600 members from all over the world attended Chairman’s Website Message the Ball on Friday night dancing to the music of Colin It has been a 3 months — with a The Branch website is full of information busy starting packed Dewar and his Band with a programme compiled by dance to David Cunningham’s excellent music, for both the experienced and inexperienced the Japanese branches. On Saturday morning then the Royal Albert Hall performance, the dancer. It continues to give information on members joined in discussions on various topics or Entente Cordiale return visit, the Day School, the Branch activities as well as classes, dances and attended a class taken by Branch member David Hall, Family dance; a group of delegates enjoyed a Musicians’ workshops in the SE of England. Our accompanied by the excellent Gillian Cummins and weekend in Perth, representing the Branch at the links page provides a section with links to many Judith Smith. Society’s Annual General Meeting: read all about SCD groups worldwide as well as a section with Stewart Adam chaired the 76th AGM of the Society in were it in the following pages. useful links to all aspects of music and dance. the afternoon. Members saddened by the recent death of a Classes have got off to a good start, thanks New this year is the addition of cribsheets for Muriel Gibson, well loved and dedicated of the and one of partly to the very accessible information on our all Branch dances. You can visit the Branch Secretary Society latterly the Vice-Presidents. Seven members were awarded website maintained meticulously by Meryl Dances page and download a cribsheet in PDF the Scroll of Honour for work to Thomson, but there is always room for more format for each dance. Another new feature is the Society's outstanding Scottish over four from dancers at every level. “Forms and Fliers” page. Here you can view Country Dancing many years: overseas Branches, and the three from the UK, Bruce 1 hope you have all enjoyed reading your new application forms for Branch events and Frazer Jessie and magazine, The Scottish Country Dancer. The download publicity fliers for Branch classes and (Borders), Harper (South Argyll) Johan MacLean (Glasgow), received their Scrolls from next delivery, direct from Headquarters in dances. the Vice-President. Edinburgh, will be in January and the editorial Our aim is to provide a vibrant and informative The convenors on — reported progress, particularly board are very happy to receive contributions it site. Any feedback is welcome, just contact the introduction of the new twice a year magazine is YOUR magazine and it is delivered world Meryl at [email protected] with “Scotland Country Dancer', which has replaced the wide — if are a member and have not you suggestions. bulletin. received a copy please contact Owen Meyer (see The temporary staff shortage at HQ will soon be 2. page Committee Affairs resolved. Richard Turnbull presented a healthy set of You will all be ready to dance the evening The London Branch Committee next meets on Accounts but warned of complacency. to the excellent music of on away Craigellachie 8th December, 2005, then 30th January, 2006 A motion proposed by the Banffshire branch, to December 17th, and, once the festive season is For business reasons Roman Ryczkowycz has lower the age of candidates taking Units 1 and 2 (the over, come back to St. Columba's to our Burns old of the certificates from resigned from the Committee. We are sorry to Preliminary) part teaching and Ceilidh Dance — a wonderful 18-16 to a Night miss his professional contribution to the work of encourage young candidates generated to friends and opportunity bring non-dancing the Committee. lively discussion, but it was decided that the minimum family to join the fun of dancing. In March we age would remain at 18 as at present, in line with have a programme of dances to appeal to the less educational guidelines in Scotland. Constitution experienced, but with David Hall and his band Lawrence Boyd was elected the new Convenor of The London Branch Constitution will be playing the music will be so good dancers of all shortly the General Purposes and Finance committee, taking abilities will enjoy themselves. posted on the Branch Webpage, www. over from Richard Tumbull. The current London member who would 1 look forward to seeing you at the Christmas rscdslondon.org.uk Any members on the Management Board, having served to have a should contact the Dance. Enjoy the festive season and a Happy prefer paper copy their 3 years, retired but Jeff Robertson. our vice- New Year! Branch Secretary, Pamela Ellam. chairman was elected to serve for three years. Rachel Wilton The meeting closed with Stewart Adam thanking members of the various committees and reported that the Board is considering the problem of the declining NEWS FROM number of members. He said that we must be tolerant HEADQUARTERS of the different styles of dancing. The next AGM will be held in Aberdeen next November. The new magazine. ‘The Scottish Country losing members. The Membership Services The less formal Saturday evening dance had Dancer’, has been well received worldwide and Committee (MSC) at Headquarters is planning a excellent music provided by Marian Anderson and her the editorial board is collecting material for ‘Core Repertoire’ of 100 to 150 of the more Band and was hosted by the Newcastle Branch. future issues. universally popular dances which it is hoped Many thanks to the staff at HQ for organising the A ‘technical committee’ will be formed from would form a substantial proportion of all Branch weekend. the Education and Training and the Membership programmes. This would limit but not preclude Owen Meyer Services Committees for dealing with enquiries the number of local or abstruse dances. The MSC on dances and techniques. is seeking comments, and nominations from CDs of Books 6,15,16 and 28 are now members of dances for potential inclusion. BRANDED GARMENTS available and also of the Children‘s Medal Test Contact the Society secretary, preferably by UPDATE Dances. email to [email protected] The range of garments sporting the Branch John Wilkinson has been Schools It has been decided that the will not appointed Society anniversary logo is still available. Director he will work with Linda hold an official of Dance Designate: Day every year. Order forms are available from Jeff Robertson the for the the Conseil lntemational de la Gaul, present Director, year 2005/6, Notwithstanding, on tels: 01903 530750, 020 7730 9633 or and then succeed her. Danse will be a of Dance on holding Day [email protected]. or from the Branch Website www. The Summer School Committee is considering Saturday 29th April, 2006. Branches may decide rscdslondon.org.uk. ways of ensuring that every dancer is in a class to observe this day. More details on the Society These quality garments are modestly priced as that corresponds with their ability, after the website and on www.unesco.org/ngo/cid follows, postage and packing being charged at analysis of the Dancing Proficiency Assessment Rachel Wilton cost as appropriate:- questionnaires showed a large majority wanting Tee Shirts £ 8 Ladies Tees £10 some way to be found to grade classes. Polo Shirts £14 Sweatshirts £15 Members will be saddened to hear of the death BRANCH BADGES As of the Branch 75th The present range is offered in White, Black. of Miss Muriel Gibson, secretary of the Society part Anniversary celebrations it was decided to create a new Green and Navy and is available in the following for 13 years until 1988; she had a phenomenal sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL (smaller sizes knowledge of the Society from the largest Branch Badge. on This new is based on the may be available request). Branch to the smallest affiliated group and her badge rectangular are two a Reel masthead and is available in a smart There logo styles, discreet integrity, energy, efficiency, loyalty, enthusiasm logo embroidered on the left breast for and total commitment to all she had undertaken enamel and polished finish. These are modestly logo a at £3.50 and are available from Jeff Sweatshirts and Polo Shirts and larger version made an abiding impression upon Society priced Robertson on 01903 020 7730 9633 or incorporating our website address, for printing on members. A great memory when you dance 530750, the backs of Tee Shirts and Ladies Tees. ‘Miss Gibson’s Strathspey’. [email protected] or from Ian Anderson at the On the will be as above. With thousands of dances available worldwide, Branch Bookstall on 01420 84599 or light garments logo with a gold crown and silver lettering on the the less experienced dancer is faced with a bookstall@rscds|ondon.org.uk. darker — Please continue to Branch. garments. daunting repertoire even locally. This has been support your Jeff Robertson Please continue to support your Branch. cited as one of the reasons the Society may be Jeff Robertson

Page 3 BRANCH DANCES DEMONSTRATION YOUTH SECTION TEAM 2006 BURNS’ SUPPER AND The demonstration class started the season with its Spring Fling 3lst March - 2nd April usual programme of events the CEILIDH DANCE busy including A weekend of Scottish Dance for Caledonian Club Garden in

Epsom Party August — Saturday 14th January 2006 16 35 year olds in Newcastle and at Gardens and the - appearances Kensington 7.00pm 11.00pm. Business in *Organised by young people for young people St. Columba’s Church Hall, Pont St. SW1 Regent College September. The Team in the Branch School *Classes for and for The Invercauld Scottish Dance Band participated Day beginners experienced Ceilidh on 15th October to much acclaim, and dancers Come and enjoy a traditional Bums' Supper with in the World at Cecil appeared Dance Around * haggis (including a splash of whisky), neeps and Optional classes House the It was rather nice in in Sharp following day. tatties, piped and addressed the immortal *Social in the evenings to see Dave, Judy and Emily Hall at the Day dancing way. There will be ceilidh dancing with an School. At the time of writing we are looking More details on the website: www.rscds.org experienced caller and inspiring music from the forward to the Branch Children‘s Dance, Morley or contact Andrew Kellett (see above). band. This is a great chance to share with your College, the Branch Christmas Dance and a Young dancers in the London area may apply to friends and family the fun of Scottish music and plethora of Burns Suppers. the Branch for a subsidy to help meet the cost of dancing. and from the weekend. Admission: £9.50 for RSCDS members. Angela’s teaching choreography go to and she continues to us all £12.00 non-members. strength strength keep n...-..--...-....--.----.-..-. on our toes. Her enthusiasm and encouragement are xxxxxxxxxxrrrrxxrxrxrzxxx'xxxx including a glass of wine and supper. most welcome. Our thanks also to Sandra Smith. t Tickets in advance (send S.A.E.) from Rachel t the class musician. t Children's Corner Wilton. 31, Kemsing Road, London SE10 OLL. t it‘w I am that James Fairbaim has to t Tel. 020 8858 7729 delighted agreed V/LS'I'f by Pudsey Bear E ‘ an become the next Class Convener following Kafoozalum the music for our E mail [email protected] E provided interim where we will be in period working . first children‘s dance of the season on 29th (a pair oftickets would make a wonderful parallel. As part of the greater exercise, Gaynor is October. in Christmas present!) E Everyone joined stepping down and Joan Dcsborough has kindly E enthusiastically, encouraged by Angela offered to undertake some of the secretarial duties. E Young‘s helpful instructions for the dances. are our tireless Our sincere thanks due to Gaynor. was who thfifififirv‘ DANCE L Special guest Pudsey Bear, for her considerable efforts over the 25th March 2006 organiser, past accepted the proceeds from the raffle on Saturday ' few the files 1 can see - years. just behalf of the BBC’s Children in Need 7.00 p.m. 10.30 p.m. Reading through how much she has been in the St. Columba’s Church Hall, Pont St. SW1 doing background. Appeal and joined members of the Branch which few see and David Hall and his Band appreciate. demonstration team in leading the children Our best wishes go to Maureen and we “A for Bear“. Good Hearted Glasgow ...... Knapman Campbell through Jig Pudsey for a return to the class her The Reel of the 51“ Division ...... 13-10 hope speedy following knee Best wishes also to Heather Ban- Monymusk ...... 1 1-2 operation. Children’s Classes son who has moved to Scotland with her new job. Jessie’s Hornpipe . Saturdays 10th December 2005, 14th January, Publicity material for the class is available on the Mairi’s Wedding ..... 4th February and 1 1th March 2006. Branch website and we would be to hear delighted - Wind on Loch Fyne ...... Dunedin 10.30 11.30 am. from anyone who has recent pictures Hamilton House ...... 7-10 good quality hwfiwfiwfiwfiw‘ St Columba’s Church Hall, Pont Street, of the team in action. Rakes ofGlasgow 11-11 London SW1. We are keen to welcome dancers with a The Eightsome Reel ..... 2-12 always Teacher: ...... high standard of technique, a wide knowledge of Angela Young

. 5-8 2-3 Joe MacDiarmid’s Pianist: ...... Jean Harrison Jig dances. and an ability to respond quickly to The White Cockade 5-ll instructions, so anyone interested in joining the £2.00 per child (including drink) Candie ...... 26-9 r'rvfihrVrVI—vrvu—v‘ Sugar team please get in touch with me on tel: 01903 Adults welcome to stay r'rv‘ The Machine Without Horses... . 12-12 530750 or 020 7730 9633, [email protected]. ‘ The White .. . 3-2 Dashing Sergeant Jeff Robertson Children’s Medal Tests Fair Donald ...... 29-4 Saturday 4th March 2006 Strip the Willow .. 1-7 St Columba’s Church Hall, Pont Street,

The Robertson Rant . 39-8 London SW 1. BRANCH BOOKSTALL The Duke of Perth ...... 1-8 Teachers are most welcome to enter their Admission £7.50 members, for the RSCDS Medal Tests for At your service pupils £8.50 non members, children £2.00 Children. The day is organised by London Books and CDs Scottish Dancers but members” children admitted free. for Branch and we do our best to make it a L Mail order from Ian Anderson. relaxed and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. ‘ SUBSCRIBE TO THE REEL ' v 104 Whitedown Lane, Alton, If you would like more information, including t t If are not a member of the you Hants GU34 lQR. details of the syllabus, please get in touch ‘ London Branch order of with Andrew 22 Chestnut ‘ your copy Tel: 01420 84599 Kellett, Drive, t The Reel from Bexleyheath, Kent DA7 4EN. ‘ e-mail: Tel 020 8301 1403. Rita Marlow, 17 West Farm Close, [email protected] Ashtead, Surrey KT21 2LH, 10% reduction on RSCDS Children’s Day r-rvw—u-u—n tel: 01372 812821, publications and recordings bought by Saturday 25th March e-mail: [email protected]. members. wwn‘ivv St Columba’s Church Hall, Pont St, SW1. The annual cost for individual subscribers

- Please state Branch when Class: ...... 11.30 am. 1 p.m. is £4.50 if resident in the UK, £5.00 for your (Admission £2.00) residents and £7.00 if ordering. other European Lunch will be available (£1.00). resident elsewhere. There are special N.B.: The Bookstall Stocklist is 1

- Children ’5 Dance: ...... 2.00 4.30 p.m. ru—u-vwwv—vwru—ww‘ rates for bulk orders. Remittances in available on the Branch Website. David H811 and his Band. sterling please, payable to RSCDS (London Branch). Admission £2.50 (whole day ticket £5.00) Details, including programme, will appear in the next issue of The Reel. BOOK OF LONDON BRANCH DANCES Everyone is welcome for all or part of the ‘ day. Dances in the afiemoon will be talked wnwwwrvwwwrn—u To celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the London Branch, a collection of dances which had previously nnnwnwwwwwwwru—n—wv through. wru in The Reel has been The book £4.50 to members £5.00 to appeared separately published. costing (and ru non members) is now on sale. Get your copy from the Branch Bookstall, Tel 01420 84599. \

Page 4 CLASSES Join a class, make new friends, meet old friends, improve your dancing and enjoy yourself.

Class Day Time Location Teacher / Musician

ELEMENTARY Wednesday 6.30 - 800 Marlborough School, Sloane Avenue. SW3 Rachel Wilton / Jean Harrison POPULAR SC. DANCES Wednesday 8‘00 - 930 Marlborough School, Sloane Avenue, SW3 Lindsey Rousseau l Ian Cutts TECHNIQUE Wednesday 7.15 - 9.15 St. Coiumba’s Church Hall. Pont Street, SW1 Gaynor Curtis / Ken Martlew DEMONSTRATION Tuesday 715 - 9.15 For details contact Jeff Robertson, 01903 530750 Angela Young l Sandra Smith GENERAL (Central) Wednesday 2.30 - 4.30 St. Columba's Church Hall, Pont Street, SW1 Jeni Rutherford

Spring term commences in the week beginning 9th January and ends in the week beginning 20th March. The half term break is in the week beginning 13th February. All enquiries about classes to Lena Robinson 020 7584 2476.

STEP DANCING WHICH CLASS? TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION Joan Desborough is continuing Step Dancing For those wondering which dance to attend. Many thanks to those who have expressed an Classes in The Scout Hut. Kings Langley into the following guide may help: interest in this - there will be an inaugural 2006 to live fiddle music by Wendy meeting on 14th 2006 in the Elementary Saturday January Desborough. The dates are Sundays 22nd Library at St Columba‘s Church. Pont Street. Suitable for those with little or no experience January and 4th June. Please note change 0(' London SW1 starting at 2 p.m.. This meeting of Scottish Country Dancing, as basic steps dates. Classes will be 10.30-12.30 and 1.45- will decide the and remit of such an and formations plus simple dances will be scope 3.45 and will continue the theme of Jenny and start the taught. organisation development Greene’s ladies’ step dances. Joan will process. welcome anyone who wants to come and try Popular This meeting is open to all teachers who step dancing. Further details from Joan For those with a confident knowledge of steps would like to participate and who have ideas Desborough. telephone: 01442 826629. and fonnations such as Allemande, Poussette, on the many facets of teacher support and Set and Turn Comers. Reels of Three. Rights continuing development. and Lefts and Double Triangles. Other Please let Simon Wales know (by email formations will be introduced and a wide HIGHLAND CLASSES preferably, at simoniwalethtalkllcom) if selection ofdances taught. you will be attending, or altematively if you Thursdays 12th January 2006. 16th February would like to be kept informed and cannot and 16th March. Technique make this date 7.00 - 9.00 p.m. A reasonable standard of performance and a Essex Hall. 1-6 Essex Street, London WC2. good knowledge of all formations will be expected. This class will be devoted to Teacher: ...... Malcolm Ferris-Lay improving performance and understanding of Teaching Exam Pass Musician: ...... Sandra Smith alldances. James Fairbaim who lives in the Oxford Further details from Malcolm, area has passed his Teacher‘s Certificate at General Tel: 01279 42508] St Andrews Summer School this year. For dancers ofall and abilities. or email: malcolm@williamsonmagorcom ages Lena Robinson

Marnaug/Jtonr of Pit/orbry 2'5 delig/yteo’ to support, and to continue it; long emanation wit/9, the Royal 56017in Country Dance Sonny

Full Highland wear range and accessories Finest quality kilts from a huge selection of tartans Shawls, sashes, cummerbunds, scarves, ties Ladies made-to-measure skirts and kilted skirts in all tartans and tweeds Quality Scottish gifts and jewellery

Worldwide ordering and sales service available t Macnaughtons /\ {sort/.2 r1 t'z'sz't of J‘ illictlyx , Pitlochry ,,.‘“ Station Road, Pitlochry

air.www.macnaughtonsofpitlochry.com ' [email protected] 01796 472722

Page 5 SUMMER SCHOOL ‘TRUSTY FIERES AND GUDE-WILLIE WAUGHTS’

familiar routine somewhat hotly. not least because if you think whilst being assailed that you have learnt all there is to know about by this year’s fresh Scottish Dancing. you must surely be not only impressions. There is horribly arrogant. but also woefully ignorant. always an element of There is always something to learn, or at the continuity: the very least revise. in order to exorcise the bad recognisable regulars. ( Continued on page 7) the structure of day and week. the welcome breakfasts; but also of change: new personnel. new schemes to encourage beginners to dance over new ground. Webb coax a bit more effort out of weary limbs and facilitate the Stephen social aspect. Change Mens Highland Class — Argyll Broadswords and continuity: a bit like the tradition of is a truism ofattending the annual RSCDS Scottish Country Dancing itselfin fact. Summer School at St Andrews. especially Thus it was that as usual I approached this Itin your customary week. that each year you year‘s course with a mixture of excited fear it won‘t be the same and can't possibly be anticipation and just such apprehension. I Webb as good as last; and then ofcourse. it is. Totally didn‘t think that this year could match last. different. of course. but yet reassuringly the Because of course as ever. I loved ever} same. as you slip comfonably (on the first day. minute. I am often asked ifl still learn anything Stephen anyway. before the agony sets in...) into the at Summer School and 1 answer always Recitation from Elizabeth Bennett at the Ceilidh

THE MUSIC MAKARS

hose dancers who go to Summer School in St Andrews can‘t fail to have noticed that there are some people around who never turn up at dancing classes. They usually have name badges like everyone else but closer inspection reveals that they have added a stave of music or a few notes and the mention “Musician". Some years ago the RSCDS started to run a course specifically for musicians for one of the four Summer School weeks. Demand was such that it soon became two weeks (Weeks 1 and 3). Who are these "musicians" and what do they do? They come in various shapes. sizes. nationalities and degrees of competence. There are accordion players who can be dainty little American ladies. big sturdy Englishmen. delightful retired Scotsmen or women: fiddlers come packaged as a superbly competent. classically trained Japanese lady. at traditional Scottish fiddler. a “Geordie" grandmother who doesn't read music and plays by ear. or an Grant eamest ex-pat Scotswoman who took up the fiddle late in life and “tries very hard". Add to Linda these a sprinkling of pianists. Scots. English.

American. experienced at straight piano-playing 7 experienced the joy and sometimes the tutor took a group where points specific to that but fazed by the new challenge of 7 vamping. plus anguish of playing and learning under the instrument were discussed and pieces played a bass from New Zealand. dashing young player leadership of Angela Young. Gordon Simpson applying particular techniques. Unlike dancers. a Dutch flautist and an English saxophone- and George Meikle (although the tutors might musicians have no choice between activity and playing professor ~ and there you have the like to question who of the teachers and taught sloth after lunch. as it was back to the grindstone motley crew who virtually lived in the Party suffered more!) By 9.30 every day they were all (millstone?) in small ensembles (e.g. two fiddles. Room at University Hall for one week this there tuning up and trying out the music. The two accordions and one pianist) to work on summer. A cliquish lot. they often end up eating first part of the morning was given over to tunes (one each of reel. jig and strathspey) to be together too and if you near their eavesdrop practising the tunes the whole group had to play performed on Thursday in the Common Room. table you will hear discussions about such on the Saturday evening. After a very welcome From about 4 pm. freedom and relaxation were matters of importance as lead notes. break for coffee (or for frantic colouring in of allowed to beckon officially. but more than one transposing. slurping. C7 chords. that G ”mural notes for those not able to sight-read fast musician went off to his/her room to practise in the [as] bar enough. or for frenzied transposing of scores for some more. One swot was even heard to boast In Week 3 more than a dozen of these would those with awkward instruments), the class that she had woken early so had gone down to be dance band leaders and class musicians divided up according to instrument and each practise at 7 am. in the Music Room! Such is

Page 6 ST. ANDREWS 2005

habits that creep in gremlin-like. I tend to demonstration, about which we all felt pre-prandial drinks venue known as ‘the choose the New Book class precisely so that at particularly nervous as we were performing gathering-place’. I was asked by a slightly the very least I leam a totally new repertoire to Pat’s own composition, ‘The Way tae Fife’, incredulous colleague if I knew everybody at keep the brain stimulated; and the new dances and were anxious to do justice to it and her. Yet Summer School, and somewhat guiltily can sometimes be quite a challenge as any of somehow, although I appreciate and enjoy recalled how I had felt as a first-timer when you who have tried Preston Mill or the Ladies’ Step, it never compares in spectacle to confronted by people who said hello to Fairbridge Reel will be aware! But there is Highland. The aspiration of a professional somebody on every corridor we frequented. It always some new experience to be had. This dancer is of course to make something can sometimes seem like everyone in the world year for example, I had Jenny Greene as a horrendously difficult look blissfully easy, and is rushing off to a drinks party apart from you, Country teacher, when I have been accustomed the irritating thing about Ladies” Step is that it hence the introduction of the gathering place. to her Step classes, and a new Step teacher, Pat often looks unimpressively simple, but is There is, of course, much more to be said: of Clark, who taught some of her ovm dances, and actually terribly hard, and if you doubt this, the riotous (well, RSCDS—style!) evening whose class was beautifully accompanied by gentlemen, you are invited to go along to Joan conventions in the Younger Hall and Common Duncan Brown’s violin; another novel Desborough’s step workshops and find out for Room, in which you get to visit the little- experience, and one which afforded me a new yourselves! visited outer reaches of the dance books; of the and gratefully-received sensation of lightness One of the things that always strikes me splendid luxury of perpetual accompaniment by and grace as I clod-hopped through the dances! about the Friday evening Ceilidh (apart from talented live musicians; of the informative Such modifications of the status quo change the obvious ‘Thank God I don’t have to dance episodes of stooging for the Preliminary and your perspective and ensure you don’t get too tonight!’) is the global element. We all have Full Certificates, vitally important in nurturing comfortably complacent even or, heaven this much-loved hobby in common that brings the next generation of teachers; of the forbid, bored. us together, but during the Ceilidh we revel in impromptu chats over bacon and eggs with Being selected for the country demonstration our cultural differences through samples of dancers from Outer Mongolia. well, almost... of Napier's Index and The Saltire Strathspev native song and dance. In Week Four, for But I have not room to do all that justice here. I from Book 45 in the Younger Hall on Thursday example, we were treated to an Australian Bush would like to finish by registering my grateful night tutored by the inimitable Janet Johnston, Dance, reminiscent ofa wild and lusty Irish set thanks to London Branch for the generous brings a mixture of feelings. One realises it is a dance, as well as Russian and Ukranian solo award from the Bill Ireland Memorial Fund great honour, and mindful that the practices are dances. Simultaneously the occasion bears that enabled me to attend Summer School this always instructive and nearly always fun, but it witness to the extended appeal that Scottish year, and to meet and dance with so many does mean the regretful sacrifice of lazy culture possesses, Lena Okolovitch from ‘trusty fieres‘ once more, as well as partaking afternoons on the West Sands to the attainment Russia giving a spirited rendition of a Burns in the odd ‘gude—willie waught’ of course. ’Till of absolute precision in set-and-link and six-bar song. next year! reels. I was also in the Ladies. Step A new venture this year was the open-to-all Alice Stainer

THE MUSIC MAKARS

the obsession of those on the Musicians‘ Course 1234234l”. or “Good grief, they’ve kept the lead dance is had by all. that experiences were compared about inability note in” or “Oh. what a clever arrangement of Angela, Gordon and George are to be thanked to read a book in bed at night because there were Mendelssohn’s Wedding March") and forgets to for working us so hard but giving us so much no longer words on the page but five black lines dance when required. By Friday the more reticent fun also. It would be great if there were such with dots, or the fact that some rooms seem to are at last saying “Yes, I am enjoying myself'. demand that there was a Musicians’ Course all have been decorated with wallpaper covered in But the previous evening at a little drinks party in four weeks... Then more and more people notes. the Director’s sitting room they have been heard would be able to experience the Syndrome of St Why do they do it? Given the average age of to say that the atmosphere resembles the Andrews. the participants, there may be some truth in the Syndrome of Stockholm [in which hostages end Diane Sarran notion that old dancers neither die nor fade up siding with the hostage-takers] since they are away — they become musicians! Certainly there bonding together through shared suffering and at is real pleasure in playing all day and dancing the end of the week will probably finish up even SUMMER SCHOOL 2006 every evening as being both a dancer and a loving thejailers! Application forms for dancers and musicians In of the were indeed musician is enriching for both activities. spite everything. "jailers" will be available on the Society website www. lovable — so about Scottish Dance However, the danger is that one gets distracted knowledgeable rscds.org, or from the Secretary at the by the music (“Ah, they‘re not playing music and such wonderful musicians themselves. beginning of 2006 for the Annual St Andrews never—to-be moments: Gordon Among forgotten Summer School comprising four separate round the room from musician to .M‘J‘J‘J‘J‘J’JU‘J‘JU‘)$$.N‘JU‘J’J‘J’J‘ pacing weeks from l6th July to 13th August. musician first with the others while playing along Once you have read the two articles on the an ear to individuals, then his bow 75th ANNIVERSARY lending using 2005 Summer School you will want to keep a to conduct the to the with CELEBRATING group keep pace going week or two free in your diary to join around such energy and vitality, George’s tales of how 800 dancers and musicians from around the as bandleader he his instructions to the MUSICIANS conveys world. This is a unique event to enjoy the other musicians, and Angela on Friday afternoon social to Last February we had to postpone activities, the classes, and appreciate down on her knees in Victory Memorial Hall the best in dance music. There will our Musicians’ be creche ‘Celebrating to to trying tie the pianist‘s foot the piano-stool facilities or children‘s activities at and dance; this has now provided workshop to cure a over-use of the In persistent pedal. the Centre. There is a been arranged for University Sports range fairness to Angela, it’s probably best to draw a of scholarships available from the Jean 13th 2006 Saturday May veil over the interpretation the pianist put on this Milligan Memorial Fund. In addition, all behaviour! The workshop, led by David strange members under 21 and full time students up The hard work is rewarded when the moment Cunningham whose band played for to the age of25 attending the school on either comes to for social a room play dancing, and full a residential or are our September dance, will be held all non-residential basis of dancers (or, best of all, the Students’ Union day at Lady Margaret School, and entitled to a £50 discount. crammed full) moves to the sound of “our" our own then David, with all the musicians, We also have Bill Ireland music. But you really feel you‘ve made it when Memorial Fund which will be will travel to St. Columba’s to play Scholarships at the party later in the evening, someone shouts for between 16 and 25 for the dance. young people to attend evening Reel” and with the “Eightsome you play along the Society’s Schools and to help young Put the date in for a your diary others scattered around the room, five pianists at dancers in their certificates. wonderful taking teaching evening’s dancing. three in comers all their backs on pianos turning The Branch secretary can provide more

— ‘7.lU‘J‘JUtJtJ‘JXDJ‘JXDJ‘fiJthmw‘)» each other yet it all comes together and a great details. ‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7 ‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘75‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7'7‘7‘7‘7‘7‘7 Page 7 OBITUARIES

BRIAN HAMILTON JAMES SENIOR Brian Hamilton died in Dancing with Confidence on let hospital September Mr Senior was born in Pitlessie. "the other side 2005 at the age of 74. of Cupar". In those days. more than 80 years Brian’s interest in music ago. there was only one wireless in the village. and dance began in his Mrs Senior was very fond of the singing of youth. He was a keen John MacCormack. so every Monday she English country dancer would take the young James along to Sandy during which time he met C lark‘s cobbler’s shop to listen to Radio his wife. Patricia. leading Athlone. But James didn’t care very much for to their marriage in 1956. singing. he was much more interested in the Brian played accordion for various tools and equipment of the cobbler‘s English dancing in the late trade which he found all around him. That was 1950s. and in the early how a lifelong love affair with shoes began. 19605 began to play for So it came about that at 14 James was Scottish in Flora Argent’s to Mr for six Band. In 1964 he and apprenticed Faichney years. with the of 10/— Patricia founded the Brian starting princely wage a week. to 28/6 (28 Hamilton Band in which The Brian Hamilton Band with Graham on drums and Wulih (shillings) rising eventually and six — in they played literally side joined by fiddler Peter Macfarlane shillings pence £1.42p today‘s by side until they retired in money). Sluphem finished his arduous 2000. Having apprenticeship. _\Ir Senior became at Norwells of Brian was a perfectionist. manager Perth £3.5$.0d + commission. It was at He made great efforts to seek out. often obscure. originals for non-Society dances. One MC told me earning this time that he became involved with that the first time she was MC at a dance. Brian Hamilton was playing and was as always helpful and Scottish Miss supportive. Others will have their own memories ofthis fine gentleman. Country Dancing through said Miss “I can His funeral was held at Breakspear Crematorium in Ruislip on 3rd October. There was a very large Milligan. "Now." Milligan. attendance with the London Branch well represented. The esteem in which he was held by other help you. and you can help me.“ The musicians was evidenced by the number of musicians and bandleaders present. During the senice Ian requirement was to make dancing ‘pumps’. Muir played four of Brian‘s compositions on the accordion — a fitting tribute indeed. Brian‘s life apart “hy the name ‘pumps‘? Well. Mr Senior from his devotion to music was a full one. being a great sportsman. His activities included. fishing. e\plained that the shoes were all hand-made. cricket. tennis and golf. He was. above all. a family man who involved his two sons in his sporting no machines then. After they were finished on activities. Thus after the funeral. the family invited friends to join them at Northwood Golf Club of .1 Turned pump last‘ they had to be turned right which Brian was a member. side out. Our sympathies are extended to Patricia. Ian. Graham and their families. In 1944 Norwells sent him to St. Andrews. John Laurie Right after the war Country Dancing was all the rage and by 1960 he was able to set out on I would like to thank all those who were able to attend Brian’s funeral, and also the many people who his own leasing premises in Market Street, sent cards and letters. Brian would have been very gratified to know the high regard in which he was which he was soon able to buy, concentrating held. The warmth of feeling expressed has been a great comfort to the whole family at this difficult on the high quality. and made-to-measure time. Pat Hamilto- shoes. as well as dance shoes.

.\Ir Senior's contribution to the dance was recognised in 2002 by the RSCDS. which JOSEPHINE WILSON conferred their highest award on him. the Scroll of Honour. in led to a dance Jo as she preferred to be called. died from Pancreatic Cancer on 23rd February 2005 after many This. turn, de\ised for "The James Senior months of illness. She had been a member of the London Branch for many years. long before I met her specially him, in 1989. She had started Scottish Dancing in her home town of Beverley in East Yorkshire in her of St. Andrews Strathspey". and a song was teens. and this she continued through her career as a nurse; firstly at Birmingham where she did her also composed. entitled “Mr James Senior of training at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. then later at Aberdeen where she obtained her first nursing St. Andrews". appointment. later qualifying as a midwife. She went on a two-year exchange visit in the 19605 to the In 2001 Mr Senior decided he would retire. USA still dancing almost every week in New Jersey. Denver and Philadelphia. She later returned to He sold the dancing shoe side of his business the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. At this time she danced in the Birmingham Branch including his factory in Glenrothes. but demonstration team. On moving to London where she was at Hillingdon, Central Middlesex and at retained a retail shop in South Street St Queen Charlotte‘s Maternity Hospital where she was in charge of the Intensive Care Unit for babies. Andrews to help his daughter. In London she started dancing with The Ealing Scottish Country Dance Club run by Frances Stamp. Throughout the world, there must be literally and then the London Branch. With persuasion from Frances she gained her Teaching Certificate under hundreds of happy feet; thanks to Mr. James the guidance and instruction of Mary Stoker. This enabled her to help Frances with the teaching at Senior! until Frances died when she took over the and ofthe class. Ealing running teaching Adaptedfrom an earlier article in Ian Wilson St Andrews in Focus, Juli/August 2004

LIEUTENANT COLONEL MURIEL GIBSON Muriel Gibson of Miss Gibson '5 Stralhsper fame died in October at the age of 92. She had been in failing health for some time. We in the Society knew her as Secretary ofthe Royal Scottish Country Dance Society from 1975-1988 during which time she made an enormous contribution to the Society‘s development and expansion. Miss Gibson‘s knowledge of the Society from its largest Branch to its smallest affiliated group was quite phenomenal. Her professional advice was sought by office-bearers and members alike. She retired on the 75th Anniversary ofthe Society when John Drewry wrote a dance in her honour The Colonel is a Lady with music by Bill Clement. But it is Miss Gibson is Strathspey written by Derek Haynes that appears more frequently on dance programmes. During her tenure of office in the Society the RSCDS recognised and appreciated Miss Gibson’s many qualities. Her integrity. energy. efficiency. loyalty. enthusiasm and above all her total dedication and commitment to the work of the Society made a lasting impression. Her love of Scottish music and dancing was but one of her many interests. She had a distinguished career in the Women‘s Royal Army Corps serving in Africa. Italy and Germany during the war. Later. she was one time secretary of the Scottish National Party and of the Russian Ballet Group as well as being personnel director in Ferranti the electronics company. In brief. her life centred around promoting at home and abroad the study and celebration of all things Scottish.

Page 8 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ST. COLUMBA’S AT 50

It is true to that when Traditional Dances coming back into fashion! probably say thinking about Scottish in central Hove, Sussex Asking a lady for a dance is the beginning ofa Country Dancing London, one’s turn to St. Dear Wilson, delightful responsibility and a social thoughts immediately Columba’s Church of Scotland in Pont Street, Mervyn Short is correct in asking for all Clubs opportunity, which will last right up until she is home of the RSCDS London and Associations to include more of the easier escorted back to her seat. Is she confident to dancing Branch, The London Highland Club, The Scottish Clans dances in their programmes. This does not imply dance the dance, if not, she needs some guidance Association of London, The Chelsea Reelers exclusion of all difficult dances; there is room both before and possibly during the dance. and, of course, St. Columba’s Scottish for a mixture. Unfortunately many organisations Sometimes, the man will equally need that Country Dancers. ask members to suggest their favourite dances, guidance. Putting ones partner at case is The first to built on the site was — church be resulting in an unbalanced programme. At the important she is to enjoy. one hopes, the dance known as St. Andrew’s Scottish National other extreme on occasion programmes have with her partner. Thus, it is essential to be able Church, eventually changed to St. Columba’s proved to be too simple with the result that the to communicate with each other during the and the foundation stone was laid on 3rd May programme has been completed, including the execution of the dance and this, not to the 1883. That was destroyed by enemy extras, with an hour to spare. It is also essential detriment of other dancers in the set by say, building action on the of lO/llth May 1941. The to know your target audience. On several shouting directions, The use of eyes and hands night current beautiful building was designed by occasions each year I organise an evening for can be the most effective means of architect Edward Maufe, who also designed inexperienced dancers, with simple dances each communicating. However, a degree of flirtation Guildford Cathedral. Her The Queen of which has to be demonstrated and walked will inevitable creep in. Use eye contact Majesty laid the foundation stone of the new St. through. wherever possible, a smile at the right time and a Columba’s in 1950 and as Queen Elizabeth, the Elsewhere in the The Reel there is a plea to guiding hand have always been part of enjoying Queen Mother, the church on 4th use more ‘traditional’ dances. There is more the dancing. opened December 1955. (As Honorary Regimental than one way of interpreting ‘tradition‘. Dancing So gentlemen, when approaching a lady who Colonel, Her Majesty paid a further visit in 1956 is an art form that is continually evolving. is holding a folding fan to ask her for a dance do for the dedication of the London Scottish Country dancing commenced nearly 500 years be warned this could also be an act of flirtation Regiment Memorial Chapel). ago and has continually evolved. The recently as it could reveal much more than simply saying, Fifty years later to the day, and to mark this devised complicated dance is a continuation of isn‘t it hot! very special anniversary, there will be a this ‘tradition’. In that sense all Scottish country ln polite circles in the 18th and 19th Century, commemorative service on 4th December 2005 dances are traditional. speaking to a gentleman wasn’t as easy as it is at which the Rt. Rev. David Lacy, Moderator of Are traditional dances those that do not today and so the fan, when held by a lady, the General Assembly of the Church of incorporate new figures? Surely not. The ladies became the recognised way of telling a Scotland, will preach. The service will be chain and balance-in-line were not traditional gentleman how she felt about him! followed by a celebratory lunch in the lower country dance figures, they both originated in Some examples: hall, the area I think, with which most dancers the quadrilles. New country dances were devised at the on the fan: are familiar. Sheila Nicoll writes in the Church to Looking closely picture incorporate these non-traditional figures. " “I like you Magazine “The event will mark the launch of Or does ‘tradition’ mean going back to the Running her fingers through the fan‘s ribs: our special appeal — the Kirk Session has set the origins of country dancing and performing “1 want to talk to you” ambitious target of raising £250,000 to be spent dances in the manner intended by the original the fan rest on the cheek: on the fabric of the church so that we can died a Letting right pass dcvisors? Many of the early dances " “Yes. the of the beautiful we have natural death and if revived today would be legacy building and the fan: inherited to future It sound a to be variation on Quickly impetuously closing generations. may unlikely popular. Surely any " “1 ’mjealous lot of money but when the church was rebuilt, the original intention of a devisor is a break in the fan on her was raised in 90 — and that was tradition. it would be difficult to Resting lips: £90,000 days Unfortunately. " “I don ’t trustyou worth a lot more than £250,000 these days”. find any dance republished within the last 100 On Monday thh December St. Columba’s years which has been revived in its ‘traditional’ So be alert and miss not the language of the Scottish Dancers will hold a Ceilidh to — Country form. Many have been republished with fan it may be important! But seriously, I do celebrate both the 50th anniversary of the church different music, traditional figures have been wonder whether we shall really see ladies using and their own 651h as well. when all — anniversary replaced by new ones invented during the last the fan as a way of subtle conversation again are welcome. Dancing will be to David Hall’s century, the pattern of dances has been altered even for fun? perhaps just 7 Band and John Laurie will MC a double and dances have been truncated. The RSCDS is Stephen Webb guarantee for a fun packed evening. The responsible for most of these changes and (Discover more about the messages that fans programme will include Piping, Highland effectively created a completely new style of can impart by visiting The Fan Museum in Dancing, Singing and possibly a few surprises Scottish country dancing, better suited to the age Greenwich, London) too. All this for £6 including supper, a glass of in which we live. Long may this continue with See also the fan on the back page wine and a slice of birthday cake. our support; however, does the ‘tradition’ only Do us on 12th December and should date from 1923? join you wish to make a donation for the of what Excluding dances devised in the last eighty upkeep Dance Programmes is surely the spiritual home of Scottish Country years, is there any dance in the current repertoire Hampton Hill, Middlesex Dancing in London, send it to: The 50th which is now performed in accordance with its please Dear Wilson, St. Columba’s Church of original instructions? Anniversary Appeal, Choosing the last dance in a programme Scotland, Pont Street, London SWlX OBD. Yours sincerely, some to make it easier for Bob Harman John W. Mitchell requires thought everyone to be on the floor for the last dance. A Convener, St Columba’s Scottish dance requiring the participation of four or five Country Dancers Fan Mail couples could lead to three or four couples being Hemel Hempstead lefi out. Fortunately, this difficulty does not Dear Wilson, occur too frequently. Recently I was at a dance with with five at the end of a line for Mairi’s Some ball and dance programmes couples Chislehurst, Kent meant fifih had to encores and extras with little wedding. This that the couple proceed apace, Dear Wilson, for two before the dance time even to catch a this with the stand sequences joining breath, couple Having just received my copy of Book 45, warmth all this and and unless the fourth couple had cooperated being generated by dancing I was sorry to see that the original tune for not even have had a turn as first couple. it is easy to realise why we are seeing a might the dance The Dream Catcher has not been this is better than not resurgence of the fan. Although arrangement included. at all I wonder whether the MC it to fan oneself dancing For some, has been sufficient Should anyone require a copy of what I shouldn’t make three sets of three rather than a using the dance ticket and on occasions even suppose might now be called the original four and a five couple set. battery operated fans are to be seen. But, original, I shall be happy to send them one What do other dancers think? folding hand fans are also now being used by on receipt of a stamped addressed envelope. Yours sincerely, ladies (and sometimes gentlemen) to keep cool! Robin Ellis Bernard R. Bligh These original style fans, it would seem, are

Page 9 THE LONDON BRANCH DAY ENTENTE CORDIALE Part 2 SCHOOL 2005

On the morning 15th October. the sun shone. my shoes were in my bag. and l was doubting my sanity. Why had I signed up for the Full Day? The thoughts running through my head were. maybe I couldjust slip off early. or at any rate Idefinitely wouldn‘t be staying for the Ceilidh. How wrong I was.

' ., ~ The moment I arrived at Lady Margaret School I was reminded why I had signed up: the London Branch greet everyone with such a warm welcome and after a cup of coffee and a chat I was really looking forward to the day ahead. In the morning I attended the Green Class — Response to the Music ~ this turned out Webb to be an outstanding class. To spend a morning in the company of two such talented Stephen men as David Hall and young Rachel Wilton. Chairman London Branch. and Fanny Moureauxnery. James Gray. as they helped us Chairman Paris Branch. with David Hall and Band grasp an understanding of why the matching of the The return Entente Cordiale dance was held at Fourqueux just outside music to the dance. the Paris on 24th September. Rachel Wilton with a sizable British contingent phrase. and the step. are all so represented the London Branch. It was a happy affair with the occasion important. was a great certainly living up to its name. The hospitality shown to the visitors was Nolan privilege. Through the step unsurpassed — the hall was nicely decorated. the music was superb from and dances which practise David Hall and the food was so delicate it was a treat to just gaze upon let David we were able to course was ‘ taught. alone eat it. And of it served with copious quantities of vin 4 Michael - how the music experience rouge. With a coach laid on to and from the hall every detail was taken could hinder or ease the flow. Ceilidh item: “Two Irish Dancers". Andrew Nolan care of. Undoubtedly. a memory not to be forgotten in a hurry. and Elaine Davis, from the Dem Class David gave us some Stephen Webb particularly good examples using dances which had unusual or awkward phrasing. James. with apparent Was it chance that the Paris of the Entente Cordiale celebrations ease. played whatever tricks David demanded of him. The morning just flew leg by. slipped into 2005 when the British are celebrating the 200th anniversary of and the at Austerlitz'.’ National Lunchtime and the sun was still shining so we were able to enjoy not only Trafalgar. French. Napoleon‘s victory sensitivities. if there were. in the on 24th an excellent lunch in good company. but also a stroll in the garden and some any evaporated dancing Saturday retail therapy at the Branch Bookstall. September at Fourqueux in St-Germain—en-Laye.

A , David Hall with et mére and Judith Smith struck before more In the afternoon I attended the Blue Class Aim High and once again we pére up than a hundred dancers — French from all over France. British were so very fortunate as we had Margo Priestley as our teacher with James on expectant and a of others. Ann radiant as the the piano. Margo. with great aplomb. got the ‘after lunchers' moving and in no sprinkling Dix. ever. acknowledged time at all we were assembly‘s acclaim of Vive La Danse. the opening dance. and later the skipping up and down Strathspey. Montparnasse. There was a cross-Channel feel to the with Westminster the room trying our best programme Reel and Porchester Hall to improve our steps featuring alongside Seagreen (Brodie Book- using the hints and Carlyle-Robespierre) and another dance involving la guillotine. The latter a few brave souls onto the floor. Not 1 to example Margo put brought (Book 28/12). One has

— before us. draw a line somewhere and I draw it after la baratte and before In We danced Scotland guillotine. Ifa firm stance is not taken. the French will soon have taken over all the formations well as our and we will trying to maintain our (as utility companies) be improved footwork in left with footwork and warm—up routines! jig time and then In typical French style there were refreshments and chic canapes at the Stoorie Miller with our interval with not a teapot in sight. improved strathspey Dancing went on until the wee hours of the Sabbath when delighted into the some steps. The final dance dancers departed damp darkness. to participate in optional later that same of the afternoon was a Webb events morning. Drewry dance called Peter Fer The St Nicholas Boat. which despite being 48 Stephen bars long. we all really enjoyed. and we left the Mary Stoker. Branch President. BOSWELL DANCES class on a high note. with Margo Priestley and David Queen An extract from the Journal afa Tour to the Hebrides Although I did not by James Boswell. participate in the Highland Class I did watch and I know from my friends that Saturday 2nd October. 1773. they enjoyed David Queen's teaching and felt much more confident in their In the evening the company danced as usual. We performed. with Highland Steps after only one hour of his teaching. I did also peek in on much activity. a dance which. I suppose. the emigration from Sky has Angela teaching from the new London Book and that was also being very well occasioned. call it America. Each of the after the com- received. They couples mon involutions and evolutions, successively whirls round in a circle. But the true Stars of the Day were the Members of the London Branch till all are in motion: and the dance seems intended to shew how emi- Committee and their many helpers who organised and administered the day. gration catches. till a whole neighbourhood is set afloat. An enormous amount of effort is required to stage such an event and they did We danced to the musick of the bagpipe. which made us beat the it so well. The catering was of course. as usual. outstanding. ground with prodigious force. I thought it better to endeavour to con— Thank you and Congratulations ..... and then there was the Ceilidh. and yes. ciliate the kindness of the people of Sky. by joining heartily in their I was still there ..... but that‘s another story..... amusements. than to play the abstract scholar. Irene Edgar

Page 10 — FRANCIS PEACOCK Aberdeen Dancing Master c.1723 - 1807

The year 2005 marks the two hundredth derived from other writers anniversary of the publication in Aberdeen of the on the subject of dance. Sketches Relative to the History, Theory. but Locke Weaver and Gallini More Especially t0 the Practice ofDancing. The are quoted extensively. author was the Aberdeen dancing master, Francis Their views on the Peacock. b e n e f i t s o f Precise details of learning to dance h a r m o n i s e d perfectly with Peacock’s own. His principal aim as a teacher of SKETCHES dancing was to TI! in u!!-‘1“; 19 develop his pupils an ability AND THEORY’ HISTORY to move with TO ‘|'II Il‘l‘ I0“ II!ICIALl-' dignified and ‘I'I'LIDL‘III 5031'3l For My": and rlirury u't'i be .- And dam nil in 2:. hi. m m' c o n f i d e n t ; Am! "mi. .1 DANCING hultlu' quorum Th: mi of Tulloch‘uvum OF r. ”mu“ PRACTICE elegance. He _V."__‘: considered this W THE week. to the of the Y accomusmlmfl‘ to be an asset notjust in the ballroom. Owing growing popularity A snga: “ECWYOUTH 01' 301'“ but in life generally. “The graceful Country Dances in Scotland during the second vir- half of the Tool‘lll‘ and elegant case which it (dancing) eighteenth century. their inclusion in his gives to the generality of those who teaching repertoire was inevitable. The who did did not practice it with attention, are Kingswells pupil. share his teacher’s enthusiasm for the Minuets and left apparent to every one of true his classes after three still considered him to discernment". he says. months, The real significance of the be “an excellent master but stem and severe Sketches is that, unlike other similar when a dull pupil came under his hands”. The success which Francis Peacock as or 'I‘II contemporary treatises, it focuses enjoyed a teacher of is evident from the DANCING. additionally on aspects of dancing dancing very ART or number of who which are uniquely Scottish. For patrons subscribed to his book; their names are listed in the last few of the / example, Sketch V is devoted pages Sketches. The most entirely to the Highland Reels, eminent of them is Jane, rs 'fiEACOCK, “the national dances of Scotland", Duchess of Gordon. to whom Peacock dedicated FRANEHHHN. and provides the first recorded his book. Admired for her beauty, wit and she exercised considerable social a, descriptions of Scottish dance intelligence. and steps. In the Reels. danced by political influence in Edinburgh and London. When at Gordon three or four dancers, the reel home. Castle. her favourite figure is alternated with solo place to relax was under an old elm tree. the m1 stepping i.e.. the Threesome and Duchess Tree. which was the inspiration for PMWJ-th’ W; Scott Skinner’s fine air John Ina Buns", Foursome Reels. Peacock tells pastoral and for Sun. A. move, ]. and AIM: '9' can. London; 8016” an» “a _ us that he learned the Reels Drewry‘s popular strathspey. U Co. Hull: by observation of the Francis Peacock died on 26th June 1807 in his Longtizlrtggimrnuf. Highland then he was a e 1805- students attending the eighty-fourth year. By highly University of Aberdeen; be respected resident of Aberdeen where. during his admired their dancing ability. long life. he had not restricted his talents and He identifies ten Reel energies to the teaching of dancing; his many ”? steps. Francis names them (in anglicised Gaelic) and describes musical. artistic and charitable activities are all well recorded. Peacock’s place of origin and early life each one of them in detail, beginning with the At the time of his death, The are Aberdeen Journal not available. but it seems increasingly likely Kemshoole or Forward Step. summed up his that he was from England. Durham. York and In view of his personal philosophy of dance, accomplishments and achievements as follows: West Ham are possibilities, but all require more it’s not surprising that Francis Peacock’s In short, on every proper occasion, MrPeacock never to investigation. The record of his life in Scotland favourite dance was the Minuet because it failed shew himself a useful citizen, and on 17th a man. begins January 1747 when the required from its performers an elegant carriage good and Council Alastair Magistrates of Aberdeen appointed and a graceful management of the head. arms and MacFadyen him “to be sole dancing master within the burgh h a n d s . T h e during his good behaviour”. In fact. he proved to technical demands be a model citizen and for the next sixty years. he of the Minuet pursued a very successful career as a dancing probably explain its master in Aberdeen where Peacock’s Close. off d e c l i n i n g the Castlegate. remains today as a lasting popularity in the reminder of his and association with a r o o m long happy b l l , a his adopted town. circumstance Much of the content of Peacock‘s book is greatly regretted by the Aberdeen dancing master. HA VE YOU RECEIVED Although he makes no reference to the YOUR REEL? Country Dances in Sketches, it is If you ever fail to receive your issue confirmed by one of The Reel, please advise our of his pupils, Membership Secretary, Owen Meyer, Alexander Jaffray 50 Road, Stoke Bucks Bunby Poges, of Kingswells. that SL2 Tel: 01753 so 4BP, 643461, that M r. P e a c o c k the matter can be investigated and practised country rectified. Thanks. dancing once a Jane, Duchess of Gordon. meeting Robert Burns in Edinburgh

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Page 12 LONDON MEMBERS FAMILY DANCING THE INVERNESS ABROAD WEEKEND IN TROON HIGHLAND BALL I was to find out that this the first such Dancing in Provence (France) surprised Once again plans are well ahead for our formal WHEN WHY and HOW event! Scottish dancing being such a social and ball on Saturday. 22nd April 2006. inclusive it seems so Having danced for several years in Anglophone activity. natural for families to Those of you who ventured north in 2004 Africa as do it and have the kids in. well as in the Pacific, I wanted to together join While were, it seems from your correspondence. highly classes are often to continue dancing once I retired to Provence. regular hard fit into a busy delighted with the event. The cost of the ticket London child’s a The RSCDS Directory indicated groups in schedule, whole weekend is a was invested back into the evening ensuring that to them to Valence, Montpellier, Grenoble, etc.. but nothing great way get up speed. you received value for money. The proceeds near to The RSCDS weekend in was enough me for weekly visits. So some family Troon from the raffle and this year’s dance (same local brilliant in Great location — a friends (Nicole Guilloteau and Dian every way. charming programme as ball) raised £480, which was hotel welcomed our Breuleux) helped me set up a group in (which graciously dog and cat donated to the Highland Hospice. as located next to the Carpentras. near Avignon. We found very well), right beach (which the Having held our first ball in 1994, we decided suitable at most in the of premises the Maison des Jeunes e! de dog enjoyed). Plenty way activities at the outset that the programme would be made as and tourist la Culture’ (MJC), a building with a good (such golfl) attractions. We happened up of old and new favourites that did not need floor on the first Stewart castle in Dundonald but too dancing owned and maintained by the king’s much concentration. There are. however, there is so much more Carpentras municipality. both in the way of scenic three new dances, details of which will be sent and historic Advertisements were placed in the local press. beauty sights, Ayrshire being the out with tickets, all of them are fun to dance and of both Robert the the local Franco-British association was helpful, birthplace Bruce and Robert quite easy. were Burns! a weekend in a videos shown, meetings held; and voila we Admittedly, Scotland is bit In 2004 there were a number of first time had some of a trek from London with kids a a 30 people interested and I held the first (plus dog and dancers to the ball. It was great to see them and but it was — class in 1997. cat) well worth it dancing in Scotland we look forward to welcoming them again along made the event EVOLUTION that much more special for us. with their friends. We also look forward to The weekend was As in all clubs. people come and go. Nonetheless superbly organised and the seeing again dancers from Germany, America, there are important differences compared with programme flowed flawlessly. Andrew McConnell Canada and Ireland and from anywhere else. You who the classes on anglo-saxon clubs... taught Saturday and Sunday are all welcome. However. there has to be an When the was and most efficient in French arrive, they greet one another mornings charming exception, namely numbers. Last year we opened the method that a whole lot of by offizire [a bise. Down here we do achieving aimlessly wandering the doors to 374 dancers. This year we will be little feet it three times, in Paris only twice. And if you (starting age 3) eventually ended up more able to manage 400 but that has to be the limit. or less in the consider that each female must kiss every other right place at the right time. Kenny Tickets are available now from Mrs M. Ross, 60 female three times, and each male must do the Thompson provided lovely live music 7 always a Drummond Road. lnvemess. Tel: 01463 234680. same to each real treat for children’s female, and (luckily) men just dancing. As you were aware last year we were treated to shake hands with one another, but then there are Being busy and disorganised, we fell down on marvellous music from Colin Dewar. His careful the and none of the little chats... thus I have to plan for fifieen packing slightly, my children had selection of tunes and tempo was an experience dance shoes. minutes ofpoliresse before we can get started! So My boys solved this by dancing dancers still talk about. so why change it. Colin’s barefoot and we seldom start on time. their small sister in smart hard-soled back with a 5-piece band and also the possibility shoes. She these shoes to use at People like to talk during the teaching, so the put good her first of the evening being recorded for C D release. teacher has to exert the right amount of discipline pas-de-basque practice. propelling herself The Highland Scottish Country Dance Group in the air and on (the iron fist in the velvet glove). Finally it is enthusiastically up landing her welcomes London Branch of the RSCDS as it very social and congenial atmosphere and people brother’s shoeless foot. Despite being poorly does all other branches. enjoy it that way. equipped, the children were quickly swept up in the We are also pleased to mention that EasyJet excitement. Up to this summer we have 23 members are flying Luton-Invemess, Bristol-lnvemess, (Scots, English, Irish, German, Danish, American Ceilidhs were organised for Friday and Saturday Belfast-Invemess, BA-Gatwick, Heathrow- and of course the We missed the one as the from French). nights. Friday trip lnvemess. If booked early there are very very Next season London took but I‘m to Shellagh Whyte (also a London quite long, happy report cheap rates available. GNER also run a very that the ceilidh was Branch member) will be in charge. Saturday great fun. It took good service direct from King’s Cross calling at Dancers holidaying or passing through the midi place in a local hall and was open to local families Peterborough. York. Newcastle. Edinburgh, as well. are encouraged to contact us. The dances were walked and the children Falkirk, Stirling. Perth. departing King’s Cross DEMONSTRATIONS managed very well by then. It was a lovely 1200 hours arrives Invemess 2010. If booked — the small Once a certain level of competence was reached, evening only disappointment was due to early there are very very cheap rates available. we started giving demonstrations here and there. our slightly late arrival, the kids very sad to hear There are new Travelodges (2), Travel Inns (2) that These are ofien at weddings, generally involving they missed their favourite dance, A Reel for and a Holiday Inn Express along with plenty of Jeannie. a Scottish bride or bridegroom, or at charity B&Bs available in the City of lnvemess. The weekend is a functions and old peoples” homes. At a recent lovely memory for all of us, Rob Sargent wedding held in a large chateau we demonstrated including Bagel the beagle and Jennie the tabby. I Chairman the in front of guests from America, Ethiopia, hope event will be a regular feature in the Highland Scottish Country Dance Group RSCDS Scotland and France, since the bride was Franco— diary. and would certainly recommend it to Ecossaise, the bridegroom Ethiopian, both living families with children. Many thanks to Pam and the in Chicago. Some local French provencal organisers, Andrew and Kenny. and RSCDS Youth dancing was also demonstrated, and following Director Sue Porter. this contact we hope to have some new members Katalin Tischhauser next year. Even deep rural France is experiencing (helpfully assisted in writing this article by globalisation! Thomas. Marcus and Sabrina) SCHOOLS

Some local schools have asked us to teach their SCD. The pupils children then demonstrated A HEALTHY PASTIME their newly acquired skills at the end-of-year Miss Kathleen Ashworth of garden fétes. The RSCDS teaching pack “Dance Weymouth (right) recently celebrated her 90th at the South Dorset Caledonian Scottish" was very useful to me, and because the birthday Dance attended about classes went well some schools want to continue Society Group evening by 70 dancers: Kathleen herself danced dance on the She next year. every programme. has been an enthusiastic Scottish Dancer for A SCOTTISH DANCING PRE—REOUISITE? the past 40 years and still dances and teaches at our local class. She is A little French girl, 6-7 years old, asked me when regularly an inspiration to us all, three a week and I was explaining the various Scottish dancing usually dancing nights also — attending many dances in the area. We all dress traditions (kilt, sporran, shoes, etc all of Saturday evening wish Kathleen many returns of the and more which I was wearing). “Do you have to wear happy day many happy years to come. Scottish is a glasses to dance Scottish?” (I wear glasses). dancing Country Dancing for a and retirement! Jean-Claude Mellor proven therapy long happy Valerie Scriven Carpentras Scottish Country Dance Group

Page 13 “ARE ALL SETS READY?” RSCDS Book 16. Crowe and his Band 50 years of playing for Bobby (CD049) RSCDS Book 45. Meikle and the Lothian Band Scottish country dancing George (CD048) St Bemard‘s Waltz. Marian Anderson’s Band (HRMCD 102) It is difficult to believe it is 50 years since I first Early Days. Jim Berry and his Band (Thistle 104). played for Scottish dancing. In those days I was merely the class pianist. A couple of years earlier Bobby Crowe’s CD was issued as a cassette 1 had been introduced to Scottish dancing. Danelaw‘s fiddler, Roddy Matthews latest CD some He has made more years ago. recordings has a fine cast and 15 However I soon realised that I was just as (BM 004) supporting for the Society than any other band. This re-issue interested in the music as the dancing. Being by tracks of superb music mostly for listening rather is a very welcome addition to the growing then a young, impoverished university student. than dancing. number of RSCDS CDs now available. the extra income was most welcome. It was in Sailing for Pictou is the evocative title for The Book 45 CD is Meikle‘s first the late ”505 when on one of his regular visits to George Caerketton‘s latest CD (CAER 032). They are. for the and I it will not be London I had an unexpected opportunity to sit in recording Society hope perhaps. a folk band rather than a dance band the last! This was made on a Roland with Jimmy Shand and his band. That night I recording with guitars. mandolin, etc. but the fiddle is in electronic accordion tuned to mimic decided that playing for dancing was for me. completely the capable hands of Stewart Musk whose roots in own band. So I his acoustic box. playing the accordion my are in ‘our kind of music’. own to it. has her — bought an accordion and taught myself play Marian Anderson‘s CD very Scotland’s Tenors Caledon (RECD 549) for a few until in 1965 I met a I solo years individual sound. She — played bouncy plays goodly once again entertain with a dozen Scots songs with a drummer Tom a up, by chance. Furlong. number of lesser—known tunes which adds 7 clearly some old. some new with thrilling piano pianist Margaret Wall and a young accordionist to the of this The disc contains appeal recording. accompaniment by Michael Barnett Frank Reid, thus a band was born. As there were Joe MacDiarmid’s New Chanter. Jig, Sandy‘s Many readers over a certain age will remember very few musicians in the area and Scottish Flowers of 12 Edinburgh, Hooper‘s Jig plus with affection The White Heather Club on TV in was at its came dancing height. bookings very tracks of ceilich/old time dances. the late ”505 to mid ’605. Now the sound can be After a few moved quickly. years Margaret away Jim CD was issued in the Berry’s originally heard on two CDs 29 and 30 CD). a little later Frank went to form his own (Legacy They and and contains The Hollin Buss. early 1970s, a tear to the Artistes include Robert band. However were found and we bring eye. replacements Castle. Ellwyn’s Fairy Glen. Roxburgh Wilson. Stewart. Shand. Ian Powrie continued For the last 20 years Andy Jimmy uninterrupted. MacDonald of 8 various tracks. It ha Sleat, plus and more. there has been little change with John Stevens or many a nice tight sound, and it is interesting to note Catherine Lowe on second box. Eric Eunson on Many ‘solo‘ albums which we hear are not that the 8x32 and Reel sets and end Jig begin solo as often a keyboards. Some five years ago Tom Furlong. really because there is rhythm with 64 bars of the original tunes. This format is — my drummer for 35 years, retired due to ill health section. Muriel Johnstone's latest CD The was now out of fashion with most bands but the — and his place was taken by John Rayfield. We Masters of the Tradition (SSCD 18) is a real norm for McBains, Shand and Jim have managed to find fiddlers and even bass Jimmy solo album. Muriel plays a Steinway B piano. 13 MacLeod. players when the budget allows. The great tracks of Scottish tunes. mainly from the great As for Christmas majority of our playing is in the southeast promised your Listening fiddlers of the 1700 and 18005, are played with a for some two decades we made Another CD first issued in 1973 is although many Early Days by tremendous passion and energy that is difficult to abroad. As most of us are what is the Stratheam Dance Band with Hamish Reid on trips put into words. Many of the tunes will be called ‘senior citizens~ we now accordion and his brother Stewart on fiddle euphemistically familiar to dancers but. again. some started life restrict ourselves to about 25 miles from home. is still and is on (Thistle 105). (Stewart playing unconnected to the dance and are presented in Fortunately there are plenty of local societies the CD for Book 45 mentioned above.) In 1973 I their original form. Buy this one and you will not our services. Almost all our playing is wrote in Reel No 122 “...This is a requiring really superb be disappointed. Love it; enjoy it! for Scottish as it is this that we country dancing. record....another of my Desert Island Discs." As further details of Catherine and I do always anyone wishing like best, although Over 30 on and I it years say again. track listings. etc can call me on 020 7286 1923. occasionally play for classes. Many years ago we An Evening with Friends Volume 5 (NOR CD John Laurie made some and I have also tried my recordings 0105) is by the ever popular Danelaw Band led hand at To date I have some 120 composing. by Robert Whitehead with 20 tracks including The Editor apologises for a misprint in John's tunes in my collection about 15% of which have Postie’s Jig + Encore and two very useful 8x32 article in the previous issue on Her Grace the been published. reel sets. Duchess of Atholl. She died in 1960. We often get asked what was our most memorable occasion. Was it the two—week tour of USA. 15 gigs in 14 days or was it playing on BANDS our Caribbean cruise? Actually. no. As far as l SOLOISTS THE INVERCAULD SCOTTISH was concerned it was one cold snowy February day when we all thought that we were to enjoy an PETER JENKINS DANCE BAND evening at home in front of the fire. At about Scottish Dance Band (3 or 4 piece) for Dances. Solo accordion for workshops. classes, day schools 9.00 that the it was John Ceilidhs. Reels. & Parties. Contact morning phone rang. and ‘smaller functions’. Tel: 020 8581 0359. Weddings Laurie in a bit ofa it was the RSCDS ball Lilian Linden: Tel: 01252 629178. Mobile: panic- e—mail [email protected]. that night and the scheduled band was 07879 633766. e-mail: [email protected]. snowbound somewhere in Scotland — could I KEN MARTLEW CDs £12 each (+ £1.00 UK p&p) an and after help? About hour later many phone Solo pianist for Dances, Day Schools, etc. “ww.invercauldband.com. calls I had a band together and reassured John. A Have piano/amplification if needed. — BARBARA MANNING (Violin/Piano) quick check of the programme. all straight Tel: 01442 261525. e—mail: [email protected]. forward! About 2.30 the phone rang again: it was KEN MARTLEW (Piano) FIONA MCGEE Owen Meyer. "I hear you are playing for the Ball Two—piece band for Scottish Country Dancing. for etc. 07814 135281. tonight. Did you know we have a Harpist functions, weddings Have piano/amplification. Tel: 01442 261525, demonstration?” I know the RSCDS dems of old. e-mail: [email protected]. from the days when I was their class pianist. Continuous from start to finish and with many just leg-pullingl] changes of tempo and usually some odd length The band’s 40th anniversary was celebrated a band this one was sequences: nightmare. Well. earlier this year (2005) when we held a dance to no exception. Knowing that many bands more which we invited representatives from all the us a halt in famous than had ground to hopeless groups for whom we still play and some of the confusion in previous years. what hope had we? musicians who had been members of the band in

we without a hitch I — Well, got through although years gone by. 120 dancers and a 10 piece band don’t know who was more relieved. the band or an occasion to remember! the dancers. [Editor.‘ Yes. I know, I was Have I enjoyed the last 50 years? Most Chairman then. telling the assembled dancers definitely. “Yes!“ I wouldn‘t have missed it for that their favourite band from north of the Border anything. One of the nicest feelings I know is was snowbound. Robin and his band did us playing at a Scottish dance. be it large or small it

— were so dancers — proud they good, many doesn't matter so long as it is good! The band in 1970 (above)... it was the Scottish band and that I was thought Robin Ellis ...and in 2005 (right, page 15)

Page 14 MORE BANDS DANCE EVENTS (more on pages 16, 17 and 18)

SCOTCH MIST CEILIDH BAND ‘ l REICATE SCOTTISH COUVTRY lntemationally acclaimed 5-piece Scottish Ceilidh SOMERSET BRANCH RSCDS DANCE CLUB 1 Band with a suitable for Scottish Ceilidhs, Day School for Dancers and Musicians line—up Formal Dance Reeling and Highland Balls for Clubs. M.C./caller Saturday March 11th 2006 Saturday 1 1th March 2006 available if required. See us. hear us and contact Dance teacher: - Dave Hall 7.30 11.00 pm. us on our website WW“ .scotclimistuk.co.uk or Musician ...... Neil Rei School, Pendleton Road, Copland gate ' telephone Bandleader Chris Ransom on 01843 Musicians leader: ...... Maureen Rutherford 821446 for further details. Woodhatch, Reigate Green Ginger Forms from Sheila Barnes, tel: 01458 223 596. r \ MC to be announced M Scottish S Programme: Nice to see you, The Sailor. Rakes Saturday 10th Jtitle 2006 c N B l of Glasgow. C lutha, The Nurseryman, The Blue Summer Ball in Wells Town Hall Country A Dance I Mess Jacket. The Falls of Rogie. Macleod's 1 David Cunningham Band N - C Band Fancy, Catch the Wind, Wind on Loch Old 7.30 M S Fyne. Midnight Nick’s Lumber Room, The Meeting of the £16 including supper and wine Contact: Mike McGuinness Tel: 020 8398 6799 reception. Waters, The Silver Tassie. The Dancing Master. Tickets from Sheila Barnes, tel: 01458 223 596. or Tel/Fax: 020 8546 0075 (business hours) The De’il amang the Tailors, Scotch Mist, Posties Jig, The Reel of the Slst Division. THE HIGHLANDERS Extras: Bratach Bana, Sugar C andie, Seton's READING ST ANDREW’S SCOTTISH Scottish Ceilidh and Reeling band consisting of Ceilidh Band. DANCING SOCIETY professional musicians; includes PA sound system Tickets £10 including buffet. Further information with Annual Ball monitors, etc. Musical line—ups: From 3-piece from Alister Reid, tel: 020 8393 6732. to 8-piece. with MC/Caller available whenever “ Saturday 4th February 2006 required. Recommended for Reeling, Balls and Elvian School, Southcote Lane, Reading CAMBERLEY REEL CLUB Ceilidh Events such as weddings, private and Ian Muir and the Craigellachie Band SPRING BALL corporate parties. etc. Excellent client references. iProgramme: EH3 7AF. The Reel of the Slst 18th March 2006 Please contact Bandleader: Donald Ross. Saturday Division, The Gentleman, The Bees of 7.30 - 11.45 Tel: 020 8203 0626 or 020 8203 5076. e-mail: pm, Maggieknockater, Minard Castle, Wind 0n Loch Manor infofgzlawsonRosscouk, wuwthehighlanderscouk Yateley School, Reading Fyne. Tribute to the Borders, The Westminster Road. Yateley, The Dream .KAFOOZALUM COUNTRY Reel. Catcher, Mrs Stewart's Jig. The DANCE GU46 Camberley, 7UQ. Royal Deeside Railway, The New Rigged Ship, BAND The Frank Reid Scottish Dance Band Balmoral Strathspey, Pelorus Jack, Plantation Music for Scottish Country Dancing anywhere, The Reel of the Scots, Old Programme: Royal 1 Reel, Argyll Strathspey, Joie de Vivre. The Earl anytime. For further details and availability. please Nick’s Lumber Room, Cherrybank Gardens, of Mansfield, Margaret Parker’s Strathspey, The telephone Peter Jenkins Phone/fax: 020 8581 0359. Blooms of Bon Alan J. Silver Accord, Smith, Duke of Perth. Extras: General Stuart’s Reel, e-mail: [email protected] or visit our Tassie, J. B. Milne, Quarries’ Jig, Winding Road, West’s Ceilidh website at Hompipe www.kafoozalum.co.uk The MacLeod’s The Grand March Sailor, Fancy, Tickets: £14 including sherry reception and THE FRANK REID SCOTTISH & Ian Powrie’s Farewell to Auchterarder, supper with a glass of wine, from Jenny Stoddart, l in the DANCE BAND Cadgers Canongate, Neidpath Castle, Sintra. 37A Bath Road, Reading RG1 6HL. None So in Full The Broadcasting band for Scottish Country Dances. Pretty, Ship Sail, Tel: 0118 957 6726. General Reeling, Ceilidhs and Weddings. Any size of band Gentleman. Stuart’s Reel, White www.scottishdancingreadingorg. from one to seven with PA to match from 100 to Heather Jig, MacDonald of the Isles, Major Ian Mairi’s Extras: Cuckoo 2000 watts. Particularly interested in any ideas for Stewart, Wedding. expansion of ceilidh market. The Granary, Park Clock, Duke of Perth. Lane, Finchampstead, Wokingham. RG40 4QL, Tickets (including supper) £14.50. e-mail: [email protected]. Tel/Fax: 0118 932 Please order vegetarian option before 14th March. House of Tartans 8983.. Dress Formal. Tickets from Maureen Lazenby, 25 Fairmile, Kiltmaking Specialists Fleet, Hants, GU52 7UT. tel: 01252 629785. Please make to Reel PETRONELLA cheques payable Camberley m and Outfits Quickly Club. Please note that Yateley Manor School is a All woven tartans Mail order only from No Smoking Area. including place names available. Hand 181, Bourn View Road, Netherton, Camberley Reel Club dances at 8.0 pm. every sewn Charlie and Huddersfield HD4 7JS. Tuesday from September to May at St Paul‘s kilts, Argyle Church Hall, Church Hill, Camberley, Surrey. jackets, sporrans, buckle/belts, Telephone 01484 661196 Ball dances will be practised during the ghillies, hose, sgian dubhs, preceding month. Visit us on the web at www. dirks, shirts, etc. Kilts, Blouses, Skirts camberleyreelclub.org.uk. made to measure. Good discounts Pins, brooches, sashes, RSCDS TUNBRIDGE WELLS Repairs and Alterations dancing shoes. Saturday 18th March 2006 Records, cassettes, books. Day School Pipers and Highland Dancers Walthamstow Hall School, Sevenoaks. available Price list on request Teachers: ...... Jimmie Hill, Joan Desborough, Come and meet the Helen Russell experts Visits Musicians: ...... Robert Mackay, by appointment please Green Ginger, Robin Ellis Evening social dance with Green Ginger Kiltmakers & Highland Contact: Pat Davoll, tel: 01732 866557 Outfitters email: [email protected]. Stan & Pat Wallace-Pope A.B.A.T.D. Highland Branch Saturday 8th April 2006 89 Alexandra Road 30th Anniversary Ball Peterborough PE1 3DG Tonbridge School. Tonbridge. Tel: 01733 310628 Scottish Measure Contact: Sandra Ranson. tel: 01892 524022 [email protected]. email: [email protected].

Page 15 DANCE EVENTS (continued)

LONDON HIGHLAND RSCDS BERKS, HANTS, WATFORD & WEST HERTS SCOTTISH CLUB e SURREY BORDER BRANCH SOCIETY Forthcoming attractions to be Christmas Social Caledonian Ball held at St. Columba’s Church Wednesday 28th December 2005 Saturday, 25th March 2006 " ~® - - Hall, Pont Street, London SW1. 7.45 11.45 pm 7.30 11.30 pm. Finchampstead Memorial Hall Panniter’s School, Watford, Herts WD25 OUU.

- Fridays: Upper Hall ...... 7.30 10.30 pm. Bring and share refreshments, (hiring to tapes. The Karl Sandeman Band

— 125. Dr. Saturdays Lower Hall ...... 7.00 10.30 pm. Contact: Jan Douglas, tel: 01 18 9781 Details fi'om John Crowder, Unless otherwise stated tel. 01923 225522 School and Music School Day [email protected]. Friday 16th December ...... Frank Reid Saturday 11th March, 2W6 Christmas Dance 7.30 - 11.00 p.m. Courtrnoor School. Fleet. WEMBLEY & DISTRICT Saturday 7th January ...... Craigievar Teachers: ...... Janet Jm (Stirling)

- ASSOCIATION 1st Burns Night of 2006 7.00 11.00 pm. “WEE: Fihy (Ayr) SCOTTISH Annual Ball ...... Ah- Davis (Berks) Friday 13th JanuaryAGM Followed by dancing Pianists: Robert Machy and Ken Mullen Saturday 25th February 2006

- 4th ...... Nixon 7.30 11.30 Saturday February Sandy Music Workshop: ...... Nu Melan- pm. pm. Annual Ball 7.00 - 11.30 pm. Eastman’s Hall, Kodak, Harrow View, Contacts: Harrow HA2 6QQ. Friday 17th February ...... St. Valentine’s Night Dancer’s Workshop: Diane Hoskins 01628 639 699 The Craigellachie Band Live and recorded music Musician’s Workshop: May Sloan 01428 604 868 Programme: Hooper’s Jig, The Blooms of Bon Saturday 4th March ...... Music Makars Day School Social Accord, The Gentleman, The Immigrant Lass, School Music“ The Full details of our Summer Ball on 3rd June will Music provided by Day Lochalsh Reel, Culla Bay, Cooper’s Wife, Tickets in advance be included with our next Reel advert. only. The Dream Catcher, Pelorus Jack, Gavin’s Reel, Contact: John tel: 0118 978 1175. Swithland All dances will be talked or walked through on Douglas, Queen’s View, Woods, Quarries’ Jig, Festival Fling, Foxhill Court, The Dancing request Saturday 20th May. I“ Master, Miss Johnstone of Ardrossan, New For further details contact: Frank Bennett on 020 May Ball Scotland Strathspey, The Diamond Jubilee, The 8715 e-mail or Ian Mulr and the l-d 3564. [email protected], Cram Duke of Perth. Waterson on 020 8660 5017. You can also At Emmbrook School. W Roger Contact: Mrs Patricia Hamilton, 7 Boldmere 978 1175. our service on Contact: John Douglas, tel: 0118 telephone “Dial-a—Programme” Road, Eastcote, Pinner, Middlesex 020 8763 8096 to hear our or leave a programme, Saturday 17th June 2“ HA5 1P], tel: 020 8866 2841, email: at all our message. Everyone is welcome Summer Open Air Dance [email protected]. functions, so please come along and join us for South Hill Park. Brachidl an evening. Please visit our website at Contacts: Fiona tel: 0118 9789181. enjoyable Allison. GUILDFORD SCOTTISH COUNTRY for the latest or Sheila tel: 01344 773371. www.londonhighlandclub.co.uk Jupp, DANCE CLUB news and of our dances. programmes Spring Dance 6th 2006 London Highland Club ARGYLL SCOTTISH DANCING GROUP Saturday May Annual Ball Day School 7.30 - 11.30 pm. Hall Saturday 4th February 2006 The Holt School, Wokinglnm Normandy Village St Columba’s Church. Pont Street Saturday 22nd April 2006 Ian Muir and the Craigellachie Band in next issue. 19.00 to 23.30 Programme and details Teachers: ...... A.W, Enquiries: Catherine Smith, tel: 01483 502422 Sandy Nixon Maureen Haynes, Joh St-I'otk The Last of the Lairds, email: [email protected]. Programme: Garry Musicians: ...... Rolled ”lily. Strathspey, Gates of Edinburgh, The Dancing Chris Oxtohy, Cal-*9 Slo- Master, Summer in Assynt, Scotch Circle. For further details and application fans ulna: Hamilton House, MacDonald of the Isles, The SUSSEX ASSOCIATION OF Gaynor Curtis, 60 Bishops Wood, St John. SCOTTISH SOCIETIES Sailor, Ian Powrie’s Farewell to Auchterarder, St Woking Surrey, GU21 303. Ball Columba’s Strathspey, Peat Fire Flame, Grand Charity Telephone: 01483 721989. 11th March 2006 March and Buchan Eightsome Reel, Ship 0’ Saturday 7.30 - 11.30 Grace, The A to Bavaria, pm. Nurseryman, Trip Weekend School Dalkeith’ Strathspey, The Weathercock, Miss Lewes Town Hall, Lewes, East Sussex 29th September - lst October 2115 Band Johnstone of Ardrossan, Schiehallion, New Ian Muir & the Craigellachie Dillington House, Somersa Cramond Rigged Ship, Round Reel of Eight, Drumelzier, Programme: Grand March; Bridge;

...... The Mairi's Wedding. Teacher: I-fle BI Quarries‘ Jig; Rose of the North; Starry ’ The ...... St Columba’s Dances will not be walked through at this dance Musician. Robert Madly Eyed Lassie; Strathspey; Immigrant Lass; The Cuckoo Clock; The Tickets: (including finger buffet refreshments) For booking contact: Dillington House, llrninstcr, Gentleman; Roselath Cross; The Kelpie of Loch LHC Members in advance £11.00. Non Members Somerset, TA19 9DT Telephone 01460 158613 Coruisk; Anniversary Reel; The Dream Catcher; in advance £13.00. All classes on door £14.00. email. [email protected] Oil; The Montgomeries’ Rant; The Highland or evening dress preferred. website: www.dillington.co.uk Midnight Belle of Bon Bratach Sea All enquiries to Frank Bennett 020 8715 3564, Accord; Bana; Spiffin’; Green; The Recumbent Stone; Seton’s Ceilidh email: [email protected] or Band. Roger Waterson 020 8660 5017. MAIDENHEAD SCOTTISH DANCING CLUB Tickets: £1 1.00 in advance only Ball plus bring refreshments for yourself RSCDS SOUTH WALES BRANCH Highland 25th March 2006 Contact Mrs Carol Catterall, tel: 01273 564963 Annual Ball Saturday 7.00 - 11.00 pm. Website: www.ids.unet.com/sass. Saturday 25th February 2006 School, Shoppenhangers Road, - Desborough 7.30 11.30 pm. Maidenhead SL6 203. The Recreation Centre, SOCIETY Bridgend. The Frank Reid Scottish Dance Band CHELTENHAM SCOTTISH Scottish Measure Dance Please note change of date and time Spring Tickets, including buffet supper: lst 2006 Programme to be announced. Saturday April £16 RSCDS members, £17 non-members, Tickets from Alan Pfeiffer. 64 Wavell Road, 7.30-11.00 p.m. £9 juniors and spectators. Pates Grammar School Main Hall Maidenhead, Berks SL6 SAD. Further details from: Irene Williams, Waverley, Alan Ross and His Band Tel/fax: 01628 633928, Mob: 07956 233 536. (Scotland) Maes Emin, Mathry, SA62 5HF. to be issued December. An SAE would be appreciated. Programme Tel 01348 837532 Contact tel: 01242 528220 Visit our website at www. Barry Steele, email: [email protected]. for further information. maidenheadscottishdancing.org.uk

Page 16 DANCE EVENTS (continued)

BERKHAMSTED RSCDS OXFORDSI-IIRE BRANCH WEST MACS STRATHSPEY & REEL CLUB Day School and Dance Charity Ball Highland Ball Saturday 18th February, 2006 Saturday 22nd April 2006 Saturday 14th January 2006 Headington School. Oxford, OX3 OBL North London Collegiate School, Edgware. 7.30 p.m. * midnight Craigellachie Band Teachers: ...... Janet Johnston (Stirling) Berkhamsted. and other details in the next issue. Ashlyn‘s School, Jim Stott (Aberdeen) Programme to Snook 01923 774789. The Frank Reid Scottish Dance Band Dennis Tucker (Oxford) Enquiries Judy

Programme: The Luckenbooth Brooch, J.B. Musicians: ...... Ian Muir, Jeremy Hill, ' Milne, Moment of Truth, The Aird of Coigach. Judith Robertson. CHELSEA REEL CLUB Genfinnan The Gathering. Glasgow Highlanders, Tickets for the whole day £20. Morning or — 70th Anniversary Ball Seton’s Ceilidh Band. Polharrow Burn, The afiernoon session £7.50. Evening dance £10.50. -‘ Friday 17th March 2006

Farewell to - Silver Tassie, Ian Powrie’s Music for the evening dance provided by 7.00 for 7.15 ll p.m. Auchterarder, Old Bonnie Anne, Tyme Medley, Ian Muir and the Craigellachie Band. St. Columba‘s Church Hall, Pont St, London SW1 Capetown Wedding, Pelorus Jack, Miss Details: Gordon 47 Lloyd, Begbroke Crescent, Ken Martlew and Barbara Manning Johnstone of Ardrossan, Swithland Woods, The Oxford OX5 tel: 01865 375799. Begbroke, IRW, Piper: Michael McGlashan; MC: Jim Cook Peat Fire Flame, C ”Est L‘Amour, Rest and be Programme: Joie de Vivre, The Sailor. John The Duke of Thankful, Cherrybank Gardens, The Music BATH BRANCH McAlpin, Seton’s Ceilidh Band, Perth. - RSCDS Makars, Wind On Loch Fyne. The Starry-Eyed Admission — £18.00, inc. dinner. New Year Informal Dance by Programme Lassie, The Irish Rover, Grand March, Ian

— 7th 2006 No bar BYO drinks (sofi drinks provided). Saturday January Hall Powrie’s Farewell To Auchterarder, The Details and tickets from: Mrs Linda Godbold, Camerton Village with Coleman. Clansman, The Gentleman, Muirland Willie, ‘Alize’, Shootersway Lane. Berkhamsted, Peter & Edna Russell Jimmy Floor Polharrow Burn, The Robertson Rant, Quarries” HP4 3NP, tel: 01442 866651, Tickets £8.50 from June Hall, Top Flat, Jig, Duke Of Perth. Extras: A Trip To Bavaria, email: [email protected]. 141 Wells Road, Bath, BA2 3AL. Neidpath Castle. White Heather Jig. Tickets Highland Ball Practice: Potten End Village Hall, Annual Ball (including reception drink, supper. wine) £25 from Jim tel: 020 8948 5637 or Saturday 7th January 2006 Friday 24th February, 2006 Cook, 2.00 - 5.00 p.m. £3 on the door. Guildhall. Bath. Ruth Hewlett. tel: 020 8749 5471, email: The Frank Reid Scottish Dance Band [email protected]. Advance Notice for your Dian: State if Tickets £20 from June Hall, Top Floor Flat, vegetarian. Saturday 3rd February 2007 dress 14] Wells Road, Bath, BA2 3AL. Highland evening preferred. Highland Ball Ashlyn’s School, 7.30 - midnight 2nd March 2006 End of Season Informal Dance Practice Night, Thursday Sandy Nixon and his Scottish Dance Band 7.30 St. Columba‘s. Saturday, 29th April, 2006 p.m.-10.30 p.m., For more details see our website: Wine & Cheese Live Music. Conygre Hall, Timsbury. Supper, www.berkhamstedreelclub.org. MC: Jim Cook. Hugh Ferguson Trio Tickets from June Hall, Top Floor Flat, 141 Wells BA2 3AL. HIGHLAND SCOTTISH COUNTRY Road, Bath, ABINGDON SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE GROUP DANCE CLUB The Highland Ball JERSEY SCOTTISH DANCE WEEKEND . Annual Ball Saturday 22nd April 2006 Bank Holiday Weekend 27th and 28th 2006 Saturday 25th March 2006 Starts 7.30 p.m. prompt Saturday May Sunday May Abingdon, near Oxford. Sports Centre, Bught Park, lnvemess. Jersey College for Girls Hall, Ken Martlew and Barabara Manning Colin Dewar and his S-piece Le Mont Millais, St.Helier. Programme and details. see February Reel. or in Scottish Country Dance Band Sound Company early December on www.geocities.com/abscdc Programme: Gay Gordons, St Bemard’s Waltz, £25.00 for two nights. It is advisable to book Anne Barnes: tel: 01235 204 155. Mrs MacLeod, Hooper’s Jig, Mrs Milne of travel and accommodation early. Brochures from Kinneff, The Reel of the Slst Division, White Jersey Tourism Tel.01534 500700 or visit their St Columba’s The web page. Heather Jig, Strathspey, Piper HARROW & DISTRICT and the The Kelloholm ContactszHelen McGugan. La Pelotte, La Rue a Penguin, Jig, CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Butterscotch & Robbie Over the Don, Grouville, JE3 9GB Tel/Fax 01534 Honey, Waves, Jersey 58th Annual Ball The lnvemess Ball. The Bees of 854459 or Alan Nicolle Tel.01534 484375 or Highland Friday 6th January 2006 The Duchess The email: alan Tree, Sailor, [email protected] - Maggieknockater, 7.30 11.30 p.m. in the Ian Cadgers Canongate, Highland Ladies, Allum Hall, 2 Allum Lane, Elstree, WD6 3PJ Powrie’s Farewell to Auchterarder, A Trip to HARPENDEN SCOTTISH COUNTRY The Craigellachie Band Bavaria, Gardens. The Cherrybank DANCING CLUB Programme: Lady Sophia Lindsay, The Hazel Rant. Shifiin‘ Bobbins. Extra: Montgomeries’ Annual Ball Tree, Mrs Milne of Kinneff, The Earl of Pelorus Jack Saturday 4th March 2006 Mansfield, Junnifer’s Jig, The Rose of the North, £21.50 Dinner. Dress Formal. Tickets including The and the S- 7.30 to 11.30 p.m. Piper Pengiin, Hooper’s Jig, Please send stamped addressed envelope to: Mrs Harpenden Public Hall, Harpenden, Herts. Locomotion, Miss Johnstone of Ardrossan, Ross, 60 Drummond Road, lnvemess. Mary Frank Reid Scottish Dance Band Father Connolly’s Jig, Anniversary Reel, Pelorus Tel: 01463 234680. Tickets limited to 400. Programme: The Reel of the Royal Scots, Jack, St. Columba‘s Strathspey, The Lochalsh Last day of availability: Saturday 8th April 2006. Jennifer’s Jig, Kilkenny Castle, The Rothsay Reel. Aird of Coigach, The Dream Catcher, The Mike cheques payable to: Rant, Polharrow Burn, MacDonald of the Isles, Irish Rover, The White Heather Jig. The HIGHLAND SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE GROUP Swiss Lassie, Old Nick’s Lumber Room, Mrs Gentleman, Ray Milboume. Fisherman’s Reel. A11 dances will be called with encores for Milne of Kinnei‘f, Maxwell’s Rant, Meeting of Tickets £15 including refreshments popular ones the Waters, The Moray Rant, Pelorus Jack, (juniors and non-dancers £7.50) available from There will be no bar this year. If required please Johnnie Walker, Goodhind Reel, St. Columba’s Jim Henderson, tel: 020 8954 2586. bring your own refreshments. Strathspey, The Nurseryman, Miss Johnstone of email: [email protected] Ardrossan, James Gray, The Dream Catcher, The of Loch The THE TARTAN JIGSAW BALL Kelpie Coruisk, Montgomeries’ ADVERTISING YOUR DANCE? Rant. the Trinity School, Shirley Park, Croydon, Surrey Send details of forthcoming events to Tickets £13 Tickets and Saturday. 15th July 2006 including Supper. Editor. Val Owens, tel: 01727 863870, After will be invoiced at £10 7.30 -I 1.30 p.m. enquiries: publication you email: Robert Whitehead and the Danelaw Band [email protected]. per inch column (fractions pro rata), website: Details later. www.HSCDC.org.uk perhaps the cost of one ticket!

Page 17 Even more From the Archives of The Reel, December 1955 DANCE EVENTS THE TARTAN SASH RSCDS CHELTENHAM BRANCH Weekend School Thee was considerable discussion some time ago founded on ignorance of the concept of the clan

— Sat/Sun 4th 5th February 2006 in the Press and elsewhere about the correct as a family, and a unit. And if one has no claim Richard Pate Cheltenham School, method for ladies to wear the tartan sash, and the by either surname or following? Then Scots extracts from letters to various should wear the or Teacher: ...... Rachel Wilton following people Caledonia, Jacobite, of the Government tartan of the Black Watch Musician: ...... Ken Martlew from the Lord Lyon King Arms, authority (one on all matters of ancient customs, will perhaps setts); and for others than Scots, Childers Details: Margaret Winterbourne, clear some Extracts in inverted Universal is available. This is a “tartan” invented tel: 01242 863238. up points. commas are exact quotations, but wherever by an English Secretary of State for War for possible the Lord Lyon‘s wording is used. regimental use; although spurned by Scottish RSCDS CROYDON & DISTRICT BRANCH In the first place the wearing of a tartan sash is regiments it is employed by some overseas ANNUAL BALL not ancient, but probably arose in the nineteenth regiments. Saturday 14th January 2006 century in order to express the wearer’s Scottish Four years ago the Lord Lyon recommended to Croydon High School for Girls association when wearing dress not otherwise the Aboyne Games Committee what he Robin Ellis and his Band distinctively Scottish. Most old prints, however, considered the most suitable of the ancient forms MC George Ferrier / tbc show the sash worn over or brooched up to the of dress for women to wear at Highland Programme: Grand March, Cramond Bridge. right shoulder, not the left; the exceptions are the Gatherings. This is now compulsory at Aboyne The Laird of Milton’s Daughter, The Martram, cases of Lady-Chiefs, wives of chiefs and and some other Games, and consists of a tartan The Montgomeries’ Rant, The Nurseryman, Mrs colonel’s wives, who wear it on or over the left skirt, laced front corsage over it white under- Milne of Kinneff, The Royal Deeside Railway, shoulder. Other ladies should not wear the sash gown with elbow sleeves and a detached plaid Tribute to the Borders, Flowers of Edinburgh, in this manner. belted at the waist. It falls into line with the dress Major Ian Stewart, The Corian Strathspey, Considerable variety is noted in the exact of agricultural women of western Europe; quite Maxwell’s Rant, The Happy Weekend, Miss method of fixing the sash over the shoulder and naturally since agricultural and crofiing life is the Gibson’s Strathspey, Pelorus Jack, The Irish bow-tied on the hip, or brooched up to the very basis of highland civilization. Highland Rover. Extras: Swiss Lassie, The Byron shoulder as the man’s plaid is to his left shoulder. versions, however, have their own marked Strathspey. The Lord Lyon is aware of a wish to have one of distinctions from those of other countries; even Tickets £13.50 Branch members, £14.50 these distinctions made applicable to followers in the highlands there are different versions with non-members, from: Pauline Cashmore. (Sencliath) of a clan, as distinct from those who special significance attached. As with the sash, 17 Sylverdale Rd. Croydon CR0 4LD. are members by right of their surname. He the significance is now obscure, but the reasons considers this a reasonable subject for further for the variations should, if possible, be found Come and a weekend of Dancing at the enjoy consideration, but is unable to give a definite and laid down. “It is not in a single uniformity Cumberland Hotel, Eastboume. decision at present. It is comparable with the but in the... special significance of certain Friday 11th to Sunday 13th November 2005 variety of ways of wearing the man’s separated variations" that larger interest, variety and We welcome back Dennis Tucker from Oxford plaid in the eighteenth century—over either beauty can be preserved in a manner perpetuating as our teacher. shoulder and buckled there or over the shoulder the national, provincial and social heritage Price: £94 branch members, £97 others (+£4 and tied with a bow or buckled at the hip. It is involved in the dress, as well as in the dances room supplement if required). single known that some significance was attached to the themselves? forms: Pauline Cashmore, Application various methods but it is very difficult now, On traditional grounds the Society discourages l7 Sylverdale Rd, Croydon CRO 4LD. particularly on account of the proscription of the use of non-traditional costume; it would be highland garb in 1746, to determine what forms meaningless to strive to find the exact details of a RCHMOND CALEDONIAN SOCIETY of wear have which significance. traditional Scottish dance and then perform it in, Bums‘ Supper and Dance The authority for wearing the sash on the left say. Austrian costume. These notes may help Saturday 21st January, 2006 shoulder, which is quite modem, may have been dancers to know what is considered the correct

- traditional. and to reverse the 6.15 11.00 pm. derived from those few existing prints of ladies costume, help St Mary’s Parish Hall, Langham Road, entitled to wear it in this way. More probably. situation where, in the Lord Lyon’s words “girl Teddington. however, it is “simply a derivation from the dancers masquerade in men‘s highland dress, Finlay Forbes bagpipe playing and kilted women monstrosities complete with sporrans and skean dhus, and the Tickets £22.50 to include wines. of the past thirty years, who of course wore public gets the idea that this is what women Details from Mrs Jean Jacob, tel: 020 8977 4155. plaids in man’s fashion, as they did the rest of the wore, which is a complete error; and also the man’s highland attire.” result is the disuse of the kilt by men, as young lads are to wear it.” Another DANCE FOR RUTH ? Related questions are also discussed in the declining be Those who so the “Dance for Ruth" held Lord Lyon’s letters. Should there any enjoyed NOTE: The Edinburgh Branch of the Society has over the 2005 New Year have asked if there is to difference in the mode of wearing the sash for demonstration wear the manner of between married and unmarried women? No. no adopted be a repeat. There will indeed be one, again at wearing the sash described as “brooched up to Weston Nr on the afternoon more than there is a distinction between Turville, Aylesbury, — the shoulder” the right shoulder, of course. of Monday 2nd January 2006 bachelors and married men, at least in the matter Without claim or comment we give the following of the plaid or arisaid. There were distinctions in Please register your interest with Linda Dorman, descriptions of what they have done. It attempts regard to the headdress, but that is a different tel: 01296 660265 so that full details can be sent. to follow the manner of the sash matter. wearing depicted in old prints, and may be described as Is there any distinctive form of wear for a akin to the man’s of the woman “who wears her husband’s tartan?” wearing plaid. two This is a issue of The Reel The sash used is about twenty-inches by special Again, no; the comprehensive rule about right yards. This is perhaps double the width and half a with more colour and more articles. shoulders, except in certain cases, still applies. yard shorter than the average sash as worn round The Lord Lyon is dogmatic with regard to the the body today. One end is pinned or buttoned Please let us know what tartan one wears: “One wears the tartan of the you centrally across the back of the waistband, the clan to which one belongs, which is primarily think about its contents. Have we fringe and perhaps a few inches only hanging indicated by the name one bears, and that tartan down below this The fi'ee end is taken a balance between level. up got good only." Similarly for a follower of a clan, the to the right shoulder, gathered there and information and interest? Is it an tartan of that clan only. In the case of a follower broached with the usual type of shoulder brooch, and for members of septs of a clan, the hunting advantage to have pages in colour? and the remainder hangs fieely back over the tartan should be worn, where this exists; and the shoulder. It is not tight between waist and shoul-

— dress tartan should be worn those Please write to the Editor this is only by der, in fact a good guide is to pull it tight to the actually bearing the name of the clan by birth or and we need your top of the head when fitting, and then lower this your magazine marriage. Even if many clans are represented by point to the shoulder. The free end hangs below feedback. one’s forbears there is only one clan to which the waist again, but is of course able to flow out one belongs now and, therefore, one tartan to behind the dancer when she is in motion. which one is entitled; any other notions are

Page 18 OTHER SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE ORGANISATIONS

ABINGDON SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB Dancing GREENFORD AND DISTRICT CALEDONIAN ASSOC. meet SANDERST'EAD SCOTTISH DANCERS. Dancing Tuesdays most Mondays, 8.00 p.m. to 10.15 p.m., Sept to June at at the British Legion Hall, Oldfield Lane, Greenford. Visitors 8.00pm Sanderstead URC Hall, Sanderstead Hill, S. Croydon. welcome. 8.00 Northcourt Cenn'e, Abingdon, nr Oxford. All welcome. Details/ Tuesdays p.m. to 10.30 p.m. Details fi'orn Mrs Details: Graeme Wood, tel: 01883 627797 or [email protected]. or tel: 01235 204155. N. Men’ick, 2 Hillbeck Greenford, Middlesex UB6 8LT. map: www.geocities.com/abscdc Anne, Way, ST. ALBANS & MID I-[ERTS CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. GUILDFORD SCDC meets at Onslow Wilderness ADDLESTONE & DISTRICT SCOTTISH SOCIETY meets Village Hall, Dancing most Fridays from October to March Group meets at - Guildford most at 8.15 from to Wednesdays 8.15 10.15 p.m. September to May at Abraham Road, Mondays September Homewood Road U.R. Church Hall Sandpit Lane, St. Albans Teacher Paul contact on 01483 236946. Cowley Unit Hall. St. Peter’s Hospital, Chcrtsey. Details from April. Plummer, at 800 p m. Details fiom Mrs I. Smallwood, 26 Gresford Cl, Jane Warner, Tel: 01483 763606. HAMPSTEAD & DISTRICT SCOTS‘ ASSOCIATION Dancing St. Albans, AL4 OUB. Tel: 01727 760878. ALDRINGTON (HOVE) SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE on Tuesdays Se t. — June from 8.00 - 10.00 p.m. in Elderkin ST. ANDREW SOCIETY (LONDON). The Wimbledon and Hall, C Methodist and United 90 GROUP meet every Tuesday 8.15 p.m. to 10.30 p.m., Trinity urch, Reformed, District Scots’ Association. Dancing Tuesdays 8.00 pm. at Hodford Golders London NW11 in September to June. Details from John Steer, 57 Hangleton Road, Green, (Entrance Wimbledon Community Centre, St. Georges Road, Rodborou All welcome Details: Miss Joan Road, Hove, E. Sussex BN3 7GH. Tel: 01273 416893. Road). Burgess Wimbledon, SW19. Details: Miss Alison Raffan, 2 Enidge 503A Yo SW18 Road London ITF Tel. 020 8870 6131. Merton SW19 3JB. Tel: 020 8540 1755. BERKHAMSTED STRATHSPEY & REEL CLUB meets Road, Park, London, HARPENDEN SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING CLUB Tuesday evenings, September to May. Garden dances June ST. COLUMBA‘S CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, Punt Street. meets every Tuesday at 8.00 p.m. at Lourdes Hall, Southdown and July. Contact: Linda Godbold, Alize, Shootersway Lane, Scottish Country Dancing most Mondays from Sept to May, Road, Harpenden. Classes on Thursdays fi'om 8.00 p.m. Berkhamsted HP4 3NP. Tel: 01442 866651. www. 7.15 to 10 p.m. Admission fi-ee except for six ‘Band Nights‘ Details from Phil Bray, 25 St. Olams Close, Luton, Beds LU3 when tickets cost £6 inc. supper. welcome and there berkhamstedreelclub.org. ZLD. Tel: 01582 617734. Beginners is step practice usually on the third Monday of the month. BOURNEMOUTH BRANCH R.S.C.D.S. meets every Friday at HARROW & DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. Classes Further details fi'om Bob Harman, tel: 020 7630 1639 or St. Mark's New Church Hall, Wallisdown Road, Talbot (day) Wednesdays 8.00 to 10.00 p.m.. Orley Farm School. South 020 8642 7192 (evgs), e-mail [email protected]. Village, Bournemouth. Newcomers and Beginners 7.15 to Hill Ave, Harrow. Details of these and other activities from ST. JOHN S‘s SDC WOKINGHAM: meet Thurs 8 - 8.45 p.m. Improves/Advanced 9.00 to 10.30 p.m. Weekly Sheena Henderson, 92a Kenton Road, Kenton HA3 8AE. Tel: every — to June at St. Sebastian‘s Hall, Nine Mile Ride. children’s classes. Technique class by invitation alternate 020 8907 6581. 10.15pm Sept All standards welcome. Tel: Sue Davis 01344 Details from M aret Robson, 24 U r Golf Wokingham. Wednesdays. HAYES & DISTRICT SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION meets Links Rd. Broadstone, Dorset BH [8 88X. Tel: 01202 698138. 774344, 2 Larkswood Dr, Crowthome. Also Childrens‘ Class Fridays 8-10 September to July in Hayes, Middx. Sats. 9.30 - 11.003m at the Parish Hall. Crowthome. tel: BRIGHTON BRANCH RSCDS. Classes for beginners, Beginners anc|p.m.,experienced dancers welcome. Details: Deborah DrafTIn 01344 776831. intermediate and advanced, country and highland. adults and Margaret Wallace, Tel: 020 8560 6160. ST. NINIAN‘S SCOTTISH DANCERS, Luton meet children. Details from Ray on 01273 684417 or Bill on 01273 every HERTSMERE REEL CLUB. Monthly dances on third Saturday to 8.00 - 10.00 at St. Ninian‘s 731927. Website: www.mcds-brightonorguk Wednesday, September July pm (exc. Aug & Sept) 7.30 to II. 00 pm. Tilbury Hall (URC), UR Church, Villa RoadLuton, Beds. Contact: Pat Hamilton, BRIGHTON & HOVE SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB Darkes Potters Bar. Details: I71 lane, Mary Fouracre. tel. 01462 671156 or Sheila Harris, tel. 01525 875060. meets Thursdays 7.30 - 10 pm. at Balfour Junior School. Dunraven Drive, Enfield, EN2 8LN. Tel. 020 8367 4201 SEVENOAKS REEL CLUB meets every Tuesday from Balfour Road, Brighton. Details Item Carol Catterall, tel: HESTON 8L DISTRICT SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION. September to May. 8.00 to 10.00 p.m. at Kippington Church 01273 564963. 8.00 to 10.00 to tuition Thursdays p.m. September July, Centre, Kippington Rd, Sevenoaks. Details: Penelope Fisk, followed social Also dances and CAMBERLEY REEL CLUB. Dancing every Tuesday 8 p.m. at by dancing. monthly Saturday Sunnybank Cottages, 15 Maidstone Road, Riverhead, ceilidhs. All at Heston Methodist Church Hall. Details from St. Paul‘s Church Hall. Church Hill, Camberley. Details from Sevenoaks. Kent TN13 3BY. Tel: 01732 457327. Rhoda Finch, 20 Redcrest Gardens. Camberley. Surrey GU15 Mrs Rosemary Mitchell, Tel: 01784 254401. SHENE SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE GROUP meets every 2DU. Tel: 01276 681820. JERSEY CALEDONIA SCD GROUP. Contacts: Helen McGugan, Wednesday from September to May 800 to 10.00 pm, at the La La Rue a JE3 9GB Tel/Fax CAMBRIDGE & DISTRICT BRANCH R.S.C.D.S. Classes for Pelotte, Don, Groutille, Jersey Sheen Lane Centre. SW14. Details: Donald Miller, 39 01534 854459; Alan Nicolle Tel.0|534 484375 or e-mail alan. all grades. Details from Alison Gundy, 92, Devonshire Mews, Lauderdale Drive, Richmond, TWIO 7B5. Tel: 020 8940 8573. or Mrs.Brenda Gale Tel.0|534 862357. Devonshire CB] tel 01223 303603. [email protected]: Road, Cambridge, 233; SIDCUP & DISTRICT CALEDONIAN ASSOCIATION. ISLE OF THANET SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCERS meet CHELSEA REEL CLUB meets twice a month from October to Dancing on Wednesdays fi'om 8.00 to 10.15 p.m. throughout Wednesdays September to June at Holy Trinity & St. John‘s March in St. Columba’s Church (Upper Hall), Pont Street, the year at Hurst Centre. Hurst Road. C. of E. Primary School, St. John‘s Road, Community Sidcup, SW1. welcome. Instruction to live Margatc. Beginners Kent. Details from Boonnan, 15 Old Farm Road West. Beginners given. Dancing 7.00 to 8.00 General 8.00 to 10.00 Details From Mrs Terry music. Details from Ruth Hewlett, Tel: 020 8749 5471. p.m. p.m. Sidcup, DA15 8AG. Tel: 020 8302 2974. Linda McRitchie, 60 Bradstow Way, Broadstairs, Kent. Tel: CHELTENHAM BRANCH RSCDS Advanced class Mondays 01843 869284. SOMERSET BRANCH RSCDS Beginners and General Class at 7.30 - 9.30 General class 7.30 - 9.30 Keinton Mandeville School Mon. 7.30-9,30 pm. Thursdays pm. LONDON HIGHLAND CLUB meets regularly at St. Columba's. pm. Experienced School, Cheltenham. Also a class. Thurs. at Monteclefe Somerton 7.45-9.45 Bettn'dge Beginners Pom Street. SW1. Some major functions held at other bondon School, pm Details: Winterboume Tel: 01242 863238. Children's Class Charlton Mackrell Room 2.30-4.00 Margaret venues. Details: adverts in The Reel or contact Frank Bennett, Reading pm Sats. class Hall 2.00-4.00 Suns. CHELTENHAM SCOTTISH SOCIETY. Dancing most Friday 12 Lingfield Road, Worcester Park, Surrey KT4 8TG. Tel: 020 Highland Kingsdon Village pm nights 7.30 to 10.30 p.m. from October to end May, at St 8715 3564. Dial-a-programme service: 020 8763 8096. SOUTH DORSET CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. Dancing at St. Andrew‘s Church Hall, Cheltenham. Details: Mrs Doreen MAIDENHEAD SCOTTISH DANCING CLUB meets eve Edmund's Church Hall, Lanehouse Rocks Road, Weymouth, Steele, 45 Dark Lane, Swindon Village. Cheltenham, GL51 Tuesday 8.00 at St. RC. School, Cookham Roa, Dorset. Wednesday, 7.30 to 10.00 p.m. Details from Miss p.m. Mary‘s Valerie l3 9RN. Tel: 01242 528220, e-mail [email protected]. Maidenhead. First Tuesday In the month is Social Dancin Scriven, Fenway Close, Dorchesrer Dorset DT1 Tel: 01305 265177. CHISWICK SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING in the Upper Evening. Details. Jane Courtier, l6 Ostler Gate, Maidenhea IPQ. Berks SL6 tel. 01628 628372. www. Hall at St Michael & All Angels Church comer of The 6SG. SOUTH EAST ESSEX SCOTTISH SOCIETY. Dancing Fridays, Avenue and Bath Rd. W4 (nr Tumham Green tube), Sundays maidenheadscottishdancing.org.uk. 7.30 to 10.30 p.m. St. Peter‘s Church Hall. Eastboume Grove. 7.30-9.30 pm. Beginners and experienced dancers welcome. MAIDSTONE (COBTREE) SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE Southend (near the hospital). Tuition 7.30 to 9.00 p.m. Details fi'om Details Tel: 020 8743 9385 (aflemoons). GROUP meets every Wednesday 7.30 to 10 p.m. at The Grove Mrs Anne Chandler. Tel: 01702 294645. Green Maidstone. Details from Jane CRAWLEY SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING CLUB meets Community Hall, SOUTH EAST HERTS SCDS. Classes in Hertford, Sept to May. Maters, 251 Robin Hood Lane, Blue Bell Hill, Chatham, Demonstration 8.00 to 10.00 p.m. to June at Milton (alternate) Mon 8 pm. St Johns Hall. Inter/Adv Thursdays September Kent ME5 Tel. 01634 864007. Mount Community Hall, Milton Mount Avenue, Pound Hill, 9QU Tues 7:45 pm, Bengeo School. Beginners Thurs 7.45pm. Mill- Crawley. Details: Mrs Pip Graham, 57 Milton Mount Ave, MARKET HARBOROUGH SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE mead School. Dances 2nd Friday each month 7.45 - 10.45pm. Pound Hill. Crawley. W. Sussex RH10 3DP, tel: 01293 882173. SOCIETY. Dancin at Fairfield Road School. Fairfield Road, Sele School. Details: Mrs Maureen Ainsworth, tel: 01279 434342.

Market Harbom . 7.30-10.00 Details: Mrs CROYDON 8L DISTRICT BRANCH. Branch classes — Tuesday p.m. SOUTHWICK SCD CLUB meets Thursdays 8.15 to 10.15 p.m. general, Connie Elphick, “Lazonby”, 9 Little Lunnon, Dunton Bassett, incl. beginners, with technique: Purley (Fri). Advanced/very at Southwick Community Cenn'e. Southwick, W. Sussex. Lutterworth, Leics LE] 7 5JR. Tel: 01455 209446. Details fi'om Brenda Tel: 01273 595017. advanced (Wed) Coulsdon. Other classes in the area: Hinton, MEDWAY AND DISTRICT CALEDONIAN ASSOCIATION. Beginners: Reigate & Selsdon (Tues), Gen: Reigate (Mon), SURBITON & DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. Dancing 8.00 to 10.15 at St. Island Purley (Alt. Tues), West Wickham (Fri), Advanced: Dancing Thursdays p.m. Mary's every at 8 p.m. to mid June at St. Mark's Reigate Chatham. welcome. Thursday September (Thurs). Further details: Tel: 01737 551724. Community Centre, Beginners Many Church Hall, Church Hill Road, Surbiton. Details from David other activities. Details. Miss Kate 133 Broom Hill Penny. Horwill, 32 Road, -Thames, Middx TW16 EALTNG SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB meets Thurs. Kent ME2 Tel: 01634 716644 Wolsey Sunbury-on- Road. Strood, Rochester 3LQ. 7TY. Tel: 01932 - 784866. 8 10 p.nt September to May at St Andrew‘s Church Centre, MID SUSSEX CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. Events throughout Mount Park Road, Ealing, W5. Details from Rena Stewan, 56 THE SCOTTISH CLANS ASSOCIATION OF LONDON meets the year at various venues. Members of SASS. Classes held Meadvale Road, Ealing, W5 INR, tel: 020 8998 6419. at St. Columba's Church, Pont Street, London SW1, every before St. Andrews/Bums. Contact David Anderson, 8 Tindal Tuesday fi'om October to end of May for Scottish Country EPPING FOREST SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION meets every Close, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 OLB. Tel:01444 Dancing, 7.00 to 10.00 p.m. Details from Tom Wednesday. 8.00 pm at Warren HalL Wanstead, London E1 1, Symington. 244854, [email protected] Tel: 020 7834 7151 or 020 7828 6792. fi’om to Details from John Tel: 020 September May. Tanner. MILTON KEYNES BRANCH RSCDS. Mixed class 8504 1632. ability TUNBRIDGE WELLS BRANCH RSCDS. General www.efsa.org,uk, e-mail:[email protected]. 8.00 to 10.00 BI-adwell Milton Beginners, Mondays p.m. Hall, - Village and Advanced classes on Mon, Tues, Thurs, 8.00 10.00 EPSOM & DISTRICT CALEDONIAN ASSOCIATION. Dance Keynes, Details Born Jan Jones, 52 Aintree Close, Bletchley. p.m.. at St. Augustine's School, Wilman Road. Wells. classes. including beginners, to March). Milton MKS 5LP. Tel: 01908 378730, e-mail: Tunbridge (September Many Keynes. Details fl'om Colin 21 Culverden Avenue, other activities including informal dances. Details Simpson, Tunbridge liequent [email protected]. Wells TN4 9RE Tel: 01892 532712(eve) 01732 377407(work). from Brian Burgess, 72 Seymour Avenue, Ewell. Epsom, NORTH HERTS REEL CLUB. Dancing most Wednesdays 8.00 KT17 2RR. Tel: 020 8786 7452. WALLINGTON, CARSHALTON & DISTRICT SCOTTISH Surrey to 10.00 p.m. from September to May at Roecrolt School, ASSOCIATION hold adult Classes for. Intermediate FARNHAM SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING CLUB. Stotfold. Informal Saturday Dances. Details: Mrs Jennifer weekly and Advanced levels on Monday evenings. Details from Mrs Dancing every Tuesday at 8.00 p.m.. to at the Warbunon. 17 Victoria Road, ShelTord, Beds. 5017 5AL, Tel: September May Maggie Westley, 56 Mount Park. Carshalton, Surrey SM5 4PS. Memorial Hall, West Sn'eet, Famham, Details fi-om 01462 812691, Surrey. Tel/Fax: 020 8647 9899, e—mail: [email protected]. Mrs Annette Owen, 47 Beauclerk Green, Winchfield. Hook, NORTH KENT SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION. Dancing 7.45 - WATFORD & WEST HERTS SCOTTISH SOCIETY. Hams R627 SBF. Tel: 01252 845187. 10.00 p.m. most Wednesdays at Methodist Church Hall, Dancing 26 Class at Bushey Community Centre. High Street: Bushey FELTHAM & DISTRICT SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION meets Crayford. Beginners welcome. Details: Bill MacFarlane, WD23 IBJ. Thursdays from 8.00 to 10.00 p.m., Details from 8.00 Lewis Road, [stead Rise, Northt‘leet, Kent DA13 91D. Tel: Tuesdays p.m. September to mid July at the White Stuart Kreloffi 60, Tunnel Wood Road, Watford, Hens WDI7 House The 01474 832801. Community Centre, Avenue, Hampton. 4GE. Tel: 01923 492475, email [email protected]. Instruction by Mrs Margaret Henderson. Details from Pam ORPTNGTON & DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. WAVERLEY SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB meets at Black, Tel:0208 894 9399. c-mail: Dancing every Thursday 7.45-10.15 p.m. at Petts Wood [email protected] Church from Memorial Hall. Classes Mon evgs at St. Pauls, Crofton Road, Holy Trinity Hall, Winchester, every Thursday FLEET SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE SOCIETY dance on Orpington. Details Mrs. P. J. French, 20 Beaumont Road, Petts September to the end of June, 8.00 to 10.00 p.m. Details: Mrs alternate at various venues in the Fleet, Satttrdays Hampshire Wood, Orpington, Kent, BR5 lJN. Tel. 01689 873511. Pat Mumford, tel: 02380 252570. area, fiom 7,30 to 11.00 to Full p.m. p.m. September May. WEMBLEY & DISTRICT SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION details from Julia Anderson, 54 Little Green Lane, Famham, OXFORDSHIRE BRANCH RSCDS. Dancing on Thursdays the in Oxford. Details: Gordon 47 Mondays 8.00 p.m. Dance Class. The Church of the Ascension. Surrey GU9 8TB. Tel: 01252 726138. throughout year Lloyd, Begbrokc Cresc, Begbroke, Oxford OX5 IRW. Tel: 01865 375799. The Avenue, Wembley. Middx. Details fi-om Mrs Pam Crisp. GERRARDS CROSS SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB l9 Watford. WDI9 SHF. Tel: 020 8421 0470. READING ST. ANDREW’S SCOTTISH DANCING Compton Place, meets at Memorial Centre, East Common Road, Gerrards SOCIETY. at St. Andrew’s URC. London Road. WINCHESTER BRANCH RSCDS Classes Tuesdays 8.00 - Cross on 8-10 end of to Dancing Tuesdays pm September May. - from 8.00 to 10.00 to 10.00 p.m., Club night (all abilities) Wednesday 8.00 Details: Mrs B MacKenzie Ross, Blythe Muse, Misboume Reading p.m. September May, Tuesdays and Details: Rita Cane, 10.00 p.m., Both evenings take at St. Peter’s School, Avenue, Chalfont St Peter SL9 OPD. Tel 01494 874604. (elementary) Wednesdays (general). place 45 Beech Lane, Earley, Reading RG6 5PT. Tel: 0118 975 Oliver’s Battery Rd Nonh, Winchester. Details from Wendy GREAT MISSENDEN: THE LUCY CLARK SCOTTISH 7507, www.scottishdancingreading.org. Mumford (teacher), 20 Blendon Drive, Andover, SPIO 3NQ. COUNTRY DANCE CLUB meets 8.00 Tel: 01264 e-mail Thursdays p.m. RICHVIOND CALEDONIAN SOCIETY meets at the 363293, [email protected]. Oldhams Hall1 Church Road, Great Missenden. Details: Dick Oddfellows Hall, Parkshot, Richmond, every Wednesday WITHAM & DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. Dancing Field, Stonefield House, Clappins Lane, Bucks HPl4 Naphill. evening at 8.00 .m. from mid September to end of May. All every Wednesday 8.00 to 10.00 p.m., The Cenne, UR Church, 45L Tel: 01494 562231. welcome. For in ormation contact 020 8977 4304. Witham, Essex. Details from Mrs Rita Gorrie, l4 Coleridge Road, Maldon. Essex CM9 6DH. Tel: 01621 854006.

Page 19 AND MORE PICTURES

Webb Stephen

Above: Taking the lead, dancing Ladies Fancy at St Andrews

Right: More excitement at the CCPR “On Show" demonstration at the Royal Albert Hall, 2005 Thrower Near left: Alan Sir Joshua at Polesden Lacey following in his father's footsteps

Far/eff: Sir Jeremy, aged 5, on Hadrian‘s Wall set to conquer. Webb Citizen Ste-hen Andrews St The of Right: London Branch members at permission St Andrews kind Summer School By

Left and Below: Young French dancers from the Carpentras Scottish Country Dance Group [see page 13]

Right: Janice Jones. secretary of the RSCDS Milton Keynes Branch, holds the fan to good effect at the RSCDS AGM Ball

‘ [see “Fan Mail" letter on page 9] Webb Stephen

Published by the RSCDS (Lam/0n Branch) Printed by Cassia Graphic-s. tel: ()1 923 23 7088