Published by the LONDON BRANCH of the ROYAL SCOTTISH SOCIETY www. rscdslondon.org.uk Registered Charity number 1067690

No 271 FEBRUARY to APRIL 2010

THE LONDON BRANCH 80th ANNIVERSARY BALL Saturday 30 October 2010 Hammersmith Town Hall with its fine sprung floor and superb wood panelled interior. Drinks at 7.30 for 8pm dancing. Carriages 1.00am The Craigellachie Band Tickets:£40.00 per person, includes champagne and dinner. Come and join everyone attired in their finery celebrating a special anniversary in this magnificent London Hall. Look out for further details in future Reels, Ticket details on the Branch webpage. Enquiries to Rachel Wilton 020 8858 7729.

Where to find: Page 2 AGM 4, 20 Classes 5 Early Days 8 Music page 9 Craigellachie in NZ 12 Jim Cook in Hungary Stephen Webb 14 Letters Lindsay Jenkins and Michael Nolan dance up in The Virginia at the Burns’ Supper and Ceilidh Dance 16 -18 Events LONDON BRANCH 80th ANNIVERSARY 80th ANNIVERSARY COMBINED SOCIETIES TEA PARTY WEEKEND SCHOOL By the time you receive this copy of The Reel we DANCE FOR DANCERS AND will have held the first of our 80th Anniversary A joint event with The Clans, events and hope you have enjoyed Burns’ Night, The Little Ship Club, London Highland Club MUSICIANS and the Winter Wednesday to warm everyone up and Winter Mondays hosted this year by the 7-9 May 2010 in the cold start to 2010. London Branch. Swanwick, Derbyshire Looking ahead we really hope as many Branch Saturday 27 March 2010 Teacher: ...... Graham Donald members as possible will join us to celebrate 7.00 - 10.30pm Musician: ...... Andrew Lyon with Afternoon Tea on Saturday 17 April from St Columba’s Church Hall, Pont St, SW1 0BD Musicians Workshop Leader: ..... Nicol McLaren 2.00 to 5.00pm at St Columba’s Church, Pont Green Ginger RSCDS London Branch invites you to join us at Street. St Andrew’s Fair ...... 5 for 82 Sparkling wine, tea, light refreshments, our Weekend School to celebrate 80 years of All for Mary .... London 75th Anniversary Bk birthday cake, entertainment as well as music Scottish Country Dancing and music. Up in the Air ...... 20/2 Our Weekend Away is different from other provided by Green Ginger – everything to make Postie’s ...... Ormskirk 5/1 for a great afternoon. All we need is you! dance weekends – in addition to the Workshop Polharrow Burn ...... 3 for 2007 for dancers to be taken by the excellent teacher There is no charge – just apply for a ticket The Minister on the Loch ...... 4 for 2008 Graham Donald and highly regarded musician so we can guarantee to cater for all those who The Laird of Milton’s Daughter ...... 22/10 Andrew Lyon, we are holding a Musicians’ attend. Contact Stewart Murray by Saturday Miss Gibson’s ...... Leaflet Workshop to be led by the superb musician and 27 March, and your ticket will be on its way to Mrs MacLeod ...... 6/11 band leader Nicol McLaren. The music for the you in the post. Arrangements are well underway for the Pelorus Jack ...... 41/1 Saturday night dance will be provided by Nicol weekend school in May, and we also hope to see The Reel of the Royal Scots ...... Leaflet and the Weekend School musicians. The Belle of Bon Accord ...... Drewry The cost of the Weekend (from Friday evening you to “Dance through the Decades” in June. Make sure you have the Anniversary Ball date in Hooper’s Jig ...... MMM2 to and including Sunday lunch) is £195.00 per your diary for October as we really want to Catch the Wind ...... 45/5 person to include full board in en-suite Gang the Same Gate ...... 36/4 accommodation and mid-morning and afternoon celebrate in style. Finally watch out in the next issue of The Reel for details of the Summer Mrs Stewart’s Jig ...... 35/1 refreshments. Picnic Dance. Jean Martin of Aberdeen ...... 3 for 2006 Spaces are limited so please apply early to Duke of Perth ...... 1/8 secure your place. For details of any of the anniversary events please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me. Admission £7.00 For further details and an application form Enquiries: Angela Young [email protected] please contact Margaret Catchick, 01494 772305 Angela Young or email: [email protected]. Convenor, 80th Anniversary Sub-Committee

Issue No 272 will be with UK based members by 1 May 2010 unless delayed in the post. Contributions for that issue should be sent preferably by email to [email protected]. Postal contributions should be sent to Wilson Nicol, 14 Great Woodcote Park, Purley, Surrey CR8 3QS to arrive by 1 April 2010. (Issue No 273 will arrive by 28 August 2010). The opinions expressed by contributors in The Reel do not necessarilyPage 1 reflect the official position of the RSCDS, nor of the Branch. ROYAL BRANCH AGM CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE SCOTTISH 6.30 for 7.30pm on 11 June 2010 As we enter our 80th Anniversary year we look The Annual General Meeting of the London forward to the full calendar of events which have COUNTRY Branch will take place in the Upper Hall of been planned for your enjoyment. I do hope that DANCE SOCIETY

SteColumba’s, Pont Street, at 7.30pm on all our members will participate in some aspect of Patron - H.M. The Queen Friday 11eJune 2010. The meeting will be the celebrations. President – Dr Alastair MacFadyen preceded with tea, by courtesy of the Vice- Our Christmas Dance on 19 December provided Chairman – Alex Gray Presidents, at 6.30pm and as usual the AGM a rousing start to the Festive season with excellent will be followed by dancing. music from Ian Muir of Prestwick and his Band, HEADQUARTERS: All members of the Branch are welcome to all the way from . The evening proved an 12 Coates Crescent, Edinburgh, EH3 7AF Tel: 0131 225 3854; Fax: 0131 225 7783, attend the AGM, which represents an ideal ideal setting for the presentation of the Branch Award to Ian and Meryl Thomson. email: [email protected]. opportunity to meet fellow members, to find www.rscds.org. out what has been achieved in the current year We had record numbers at our successful Burns’ and to contribute to the Branch’s plans and Supper and Ceilidh Dance and the joint was LONDON BRANCH thinking for the year ahead. In addition to the jumping to the music of the Frank Reid band under the guidance of MC Peter Knight. A huge thank Hon. President: formal business of the meeting, such as the Mary Stoker presentation of the accounts for approval and you to Jenny Sweeney and her many helpers for all the election of officers, the meeting will their hard work in preparing the Haggis, Neeps Hon. Vice-Presidents: consider the Branch Report for the year and Bashit Tatties, much appreciated by all. Mary Barker, Stella Booth, (which will be circulated with the next Reel You should have received your own copy of the Jenny Greene, Marie Jamieson, John Laurie, Owen Meyer, Rosemary Tilden. together with the Agenda for the meeting). Branch Anniversary Calendar with the December Any member can propose a motion for Reel courtesy of our publicity guru Michael Nolan Chairman: consideration at the meeting as long as it is so please make a note in your diary and support Jeff Robertson, received in writing by the Branch Secretary by the various events which have been arranged for 31 Alinora Avenue, Goring-by-Sea, 26 March, duly signed by both the proposer your enjoyment. In particular do make sure that West Sussex BN12 4NA and a seconder (who must also be a member). you support our May Weekend School and Tel: 01903 245718. email: [email protected] Although any subject can be raised under Any Anniversary Ball in October. Other Business, only proposals submitted in In addition to dances and events we also run Vice-Chairman: advance and appearing on the Agenda can be classes at various levels and you may wish to try Angela Young, voted on. these and even encourage friends to come along 75 Studland Road, Hanwell, If you wish to stand for election or propose with you. By attending classes you improve your London, W7 3QU email: [email protected] another member as an officer or as one of the own standard and this leads to more enjoyment at eleven ordinary member of the Committee, a dances. Hon. Secretary: written proposal, signed by the nominee, the London Branch has been at the forefront of Stewart Murray, proposer and seconder (all of whom must be Scottish Country Dancing for 80 years, breaking 139 Cottenham Park Road, members) must be submitted to the Secretary new ground and setting standards by which others London, SW20 0DW by 26 March. If necessary, the Secretary will are judged. Please join me in wishing your Branch Tel: 020 8946 3150. continued success for many years to come. email: [email protected] arrange for a postal ballot of all members via the next edition of The Reel. The officers and I hope to see you at our Anniversary events. Hon. Treasurer: members of the Committee, with the dates Jeff Robertson Simon Wales, when they joined or last rejoined the Flat 6, 86 Worcester Rd, Sutton, Committee are shown below. All current Surrey SM2 6QQ. members are eligible for re-election at the Tel: 020 8643 0952. AGM. email: [email protected] RSCDS MANAGEMENT Chairman Jeff Robertson 1999 BOARD SUB-COMMITTEES Vice Chairman Angela Young 2000 5 December 2009 saw the RSCDS Management Youth: ...... Angela Young, Elaine Davies Secretary Stewart Murray 2006 Board meet in Edinburgh, not in isolation, but with Classes: ... .Margaret Catchick, Gillian Bloomfield, Treasurer Simon Wales 2003 members of the other committees and the Coates George Potts, Marjory Reid, Margaret Shaw Gillian Bloomfield 2007, Margaret Catchick Crescent staff, for a joint training day. This Dances: ...... Jeff Robertson, Margaret Catchick, 2003, Elaine Davies 2009, James Fairbairn departure from the usual meeting format was a Margaret Shaw, Angela Young, George Potts, 2006, Wilson Nicol 2005, Michael Nolan first under the Chairmanship of Alex Gray and was Demonstrations: . .James Fairbairn, Angela Young 2007, George Potts 2009, Marjory Reid 2009, very useful. Publicity: .... .Michael Nolan, Wilson Nicol (Reel), Jerry Reinstein 2009 and Margaret Shaw The Scottish Dance world may be considered a Rita Marlow*(Reel Distribution), 2007. small one but the family is large and it was good to Meryl Thomson*(website) If you have any queries about the AGM, see familiar faces and also to meet new people; all Open-air & Picnic Dances: ...... James Fairbairn, please contact the Secretary. with a shared purpose of working together to take Jeff Robertson, Jerry Reinstein Stewart Murray the Society forward. The process of electing 80th Anniversary Events: ...... Angela Young, members at the AGM in November is an effective Margaret Catchick, Andrew Kellett*, way for committees to bring in new thinking, Michael Nolan, Rachel Wilton*, Simon Wales EDITORIAL whilst retaining continuity and experience from Membership: ...... Gaynor Curtis* Once again we emphasise those still serving their term of office. (Perhaps Bookstall: ...... Ian Anderson* the international nature of some more readers of The Reel might consider CCPR: ...... Marie Jamieson*, Simon Wales Scottish country dancing. standing for election at the 2010 AGM?) Hon Archivist: ...... Iris Anderson* We have a steady stream After learning about our responsibilities in the S E Branches: ...... Rachel Wilton* of visitors to our events in governance of the Society, the main part of the Combined Societies: ...... Jeff Robertson London and give as many training day was spent in further development of *Indicates a non-Executive Committee member. as possible the opportunity the RSCDS Strategic Plan for 2010 to 2013. This Website to write about us: Alana is a long-awaited document and has been the main www.rscdslondon.org.uk from Vancouver Island enjoyed our Christmas pre-occupation of Elizabeth Foster since her dance and has written on page 6. Going appointment as Executive Officer. The essential Objects of London Branch further afield, The Craigellachie Band along strategic issues raised by members, as individuals, To advance the education of the public in the with Branch teacher Ann Dix were major through Branches and at the AGM should be London area in traditional Scottish Country participants at the New Zealand summer addressed in the plan and when it is published Dancing, in particular by: school held over New Year in Auckland there will be a clear way to meet agreed targets for a) preserving and furthering the practice of (pagei9). In the Record Review we read of a the next three years. The Strategic Plan should be traditional Scottish Country Dances; Japanese band’s CD including a clarinettist available for members to comment upon on the b) providing or assisting in providing instruction (page 8). Why do we not have examples of Society’s website in January 2010, to be ready for in the dancing of Scottish Country Dances; that delightful instrument in bands here? It is implementation from April. c) promoting the enjoyment and appreciation of used widely in European music. Lindsey Jane Rousseau Scottish Country Dancing and Music by any Wilson Nicol suitable means.

Page 2 ANNIVERSARY FUND Email …have we really DR ELLEN I GARVIE got your address? (1920-2009) APPEAL The Garvies came to London in the 1930s from The traditional way of communicating with We want to be looking forward in our Clunie between Blairgowrie and Dunkeld. 80theAnniversary year as well as celebrating Branch members has been through this very Ellen’s father, James, became an active member our past, and we also want all our members to journal The Reel launched in December 1951 of the Branch in 1937, and was Secretary during feel that they can be involved in the events that (two months after I was born). Two hundred the difficult war years when Ellen was an mark the Branch's Anniversary. That is why we and seventy editions later it continues to be read undergraduate at UCL. She was in Glasgow for are setting up a special Anniversary Fund and and enjoyed by very many people at home and some time and danced in Miss Milligan’s classes, inviting all our members and supporters past abroad. then with Dancie Reid in Angus. The Garvie and present to contribute. The Fund will be used But the last decade brought with it an family went to Summer School in St Andrews in to establish a Schools Project with the aim of explosion of different ways to communicate, 1945 where Ellen gained her full teaching taking Scottish Country Dancing into and few of us can have escaped the clutches of certificate. more schools in the London area. email. Last year we successfully trialled the use In 1947 she moved to Reading where she spent Every year the Branch is asked to provide of email for the Chairman to send an occasional most of her working life as a taxonomist at the National Institute of Research in Dairying (now teachers to take occasional classes in London message to over 300 members – the last of schools. We cannot always accept because the disbanded). Her father, a long time Vice- which was the Christmas message. number of teachers with the necessary training President of the Branch became President in Unfortunately, our 800 member database and skills is limited, and the shortage of 1955 until his death in 1972. The following year teachers also means that we have to curb our holds email contact details of only 300 people. Ellen Garvie became one of the Vice-Presidents, ambition for pro-actively seeking opportunities One valid reason why we may not have your a post she held until her death in October last to promote Scottish Country Dancing in address is that you provided your details long year except for a short period between 1979 and schools. before email was even invented. We know that 1982 when she was President. How far the Project will extend will depend many more members have email addresses and She was never on the Committee but on on how much money we can raise. We need we’d like to add that info to our database so that occasions deputised for Bill Ireland at his funding for training teachers, ensuring that they we can reach more of our members. Wednesday class. In communication with Miss have the proper authorisations to teach children, You may think “But so and so knows my Milligan she had a letter giving London Branch providing them with materials (including email address, they write to me frequently, why permission to use the title “London Pride” for the music) and expenses, plus publicity and am I not listed?” The short answer is that unless dance None So Pretty. She retired to Skye in 1982 where she acquired the Gaelic. administration. you have actually provided it to the Subsequently she moved to Duncanstown on the To get the scheme off the ground we need Membership Secretary, we cannot presume to your support. Our Anniversary Appeal Fund Black Isle where she was dutifully visited by keep and use that information. We would in fact amongst others, Bill Ireland and Jenny Greene on will provide a legacy to a future generation of be breaking the Data Protection Law… “But their travels further north. In 1999 she published dancers and will demonstrate that after 80 years Gaynor must have my email, we’ve known each a book The Gaelic Names of Plants, Fungi and London Branch continues to look forward other for ages and she emails me.” She Animals. A more detailed autobiography towards a bright future for Scottish Country personally may know and use your email appeared in Reel 243 in 2003. Jenny Greene Dancing. Please send your Anniversary Appeal address, but she cannot assume that you are represented the Branch at the simple funeral in donation to the Branch Treasurer (address on content for it to be included in the membership Inverness on 2 November. All of her estate has page 2, column 3). If you pay sufficient UK tax, database. been left to charity. you can Gift Aid your donation, which means that we can claim the tax back. Please include a So what to do? Send your name in an email to [email protected] and we will note with your payment declaring that you pay Branch Committee sufficient UK income tax, and let the taxman take that as permission to add to the During the coming quarter, the London Branch know on your next tax return. Every little helps. membership database. Do this particularly if Committee will meet on 25 March and 29 April. Please assist us to foster interest amongst young you haven’t received either of the last two email messages from the Chairman. If in doubt please There will also be a meeting of the Convenors of people for the activity which has given many of the sub-committees on 4 March. Suggestions for send an email. Of course if you choose not to us a lifetime of pleasure! items to be discussed should be sent to the provide your email address, that’s OK too. Secretary at least two weeks before the dates of Michael Nolan the meetings. BRANDED GARMENTS Publicity Convenor A range of garments including Tee Shirts, fitted Ladies Tees, Polo Shirts and Sweatshirts WE CAN HELP YOU is available sporting the Branch logo. These CHRISTMAS REVELRY garments are offered in a range of colours and The wintry weather in the run up to Christmas AFFORD IT! The RSCDS and the London Branch offer sizes and children’s sizes are also available. didn’t seem to affect the turnout at the scholarships mostly to young people (up to Order forms are available from Christmas dance to the incredibly lifting music 25eyears) to attend RSCDS Residential Schools Jeff Robertson on tel: 01903 245718; of the Prestwick Ian Muir trio which included as a dancer or as a prospective teacher or as a or 020 7730 9633; our regular visiting fiddler Gordon Simpson. musician. In addition, any member can apply for [email protected], or from the Branch website: There were doubts about them flying here but a scholarship to attend Summer School with a www.rscdslondon.org.uk. the nail-biting was worth it! We had a visitor view to taking the RSCDS Teaching Certificate. These quality garments – now with the new from Vancouver Island who gave us greetings London Branch also has funds available to give London Logo – are modestly priced as from her club there. As usual the splendid support to any event promoting Scottish Country follows, postage and packing being charged at Dancing among young people. refreshments were eagerly awaited and the cost as appropriate:- Don’t be shy about asking for assistance. We Tee Shirts £9 tables virtually cleared by the hungry dancers are a charity and we are here to help you improve Ladies Tees £11 midst a really festive atmosphere. The your skills and enjoyment of Scottish Country Polo Shirts £15 demonstration group repeated their Polesden Dancing, and to support you in passing on your Sweatshirts £16 Lacey demonstration – much easier for them enthusiasm and knowledge to the next There are two logo styles, a discreet than the ankle deep clover of the summer and generation. If you think you might benefit from a embroidered logo on the left breast for much better appreciated with its spectacular scholarship pick up the phone or drop an email to Sweatshirts and Polo Shirts and a larger choreography in the hall at St Columba’s. any member of the Branch Committee, or you version incorporating our website address, for could start with our Secretary: Unfortunately, the icy conditions in the suburbs printing on the backs of Tee Shirts and Ladies stewart.murray @btinternet.com Tees. prevented our President, Mary Stoker and or youthcoordinator @rscdslondon.org.uk. On light garments the logo will be as above, several Vice-Presidents from attending, but the There are events happening all year round such but with a gold crown and silver lettering on Branch Award to Ian and Meryl Thomson as Spring Fling, Winter and Summer Schools. the darker garments. Please continue to introduced by Chairman Jeff Robertson was Think about it. support your Branch. presented by doyen Branch member and Reel Jeff Robertson Editor Wilson Nicol. We want to help

Page 3 BRANCH CLASSES Come to class, meet old friends, make new ones, improve your dancing and have fun!

Class Day Time Location Teacher / Musician BEGINNERS Wednesday 6.30 - 8.00 Marlborough School, Sloane Avenue, SW3 3AP Davinia Miln / Jane Ng IMPROVING YOUR SOCIAL DANCING Wednesday 8.00 - 9.30 Marlborough School, Sloane Avenue, SW3 3AP Rachel Wilton / Ian Cutts TECHNIQUE Wednesday 7.00 - 9.00 Marlborough School, Sloane Avenue, SW3 3AP Maureen Campbell / Ken Martlew GENERAL Wednesday 2.30 - 4.30 St Columba’s Church Hall, Pont Street, SW1X 0BD Jeni Rutherford DEMONSTRATION Tuesday For details contact James Fairbairn, 01865 512308 Angela Young / Sandra Smith

Term ends 17 March. The Summer term starts 21 April and runs for 5 weeks. This is followed by five general classes (details in the next Reel) Wednesday evening classes cost sixty five pounds the for ten week term (sixty pounds for Branch members). For members and non-members each half term costs thirty five pounds. The cost per session is eight pounds. Newcomers are not charged for the first class they attend. * The General class ends on 24 March, and the Summer term starts on 28 April.

DEMONSTRATION HIGHLAND CLASS Teacher David Hall FOCUS ON YOUTH TEAM Last in the series: Thursday 11 March Children’s Classes For the Branch, the team turned out to dance at 7.15 - 9.15pm The Branch Children’s Class continues the interval on each of the four open air dances St Michael & All Angels Church (Upper Hall) on Saturday mornings 27 February, at Kensington Gardens in August and Corner of The Avenue and Bath Road, W4 1TT. 13 March, 17 April, 15 May and 26 June. September; at the family day on 28 November (very close to Turnham Green Tube Station). 10.15 - 11.30am and then, at the Christmas dance on Contact Margaret Shaw on 020 7329 2847. St Columba’s Church Hall, Pont Street, 19eDecember when we repeated the display that London SW1X 0BD. we had danced in adverse circumstances at Teacher ………………….... Angela Young Polesden Lacey in June. We felt it was viewed LADIES’ STEP DANCING Musician …………...…..…. Jean Harrison to much better effect in the Lower Hall at St with Alice Stainer Newcomers are always welcome! Columba’s. on Sundays, 21 February and 16 May, Family Day – 27 March We have been in demand to provide at the Oddfellows Hall, Richmond, TW9 2RT, St Columba’s Church Hall, Pont Street, entertainment at significant birthday parties, (minutes from Richmond Station). London SW1X 0BD. including an 80th at the 20th Century Theatre in Details will be on the Branch website, or contact 11:30am - 1.00pm Children’s Class Ladbroke Grove on 5 September, a 90th at Kent Margaret Shaw, on 020 7329 2847. followed by lunch for all dancers House, Knightsbridge on 12 December (at 2.00 - 4.30pm which the birthday boy danced with gusto) and a Dance to the music of Dave Hall. joint 10th birthday party for twin girls (and SUNDAY ADVANCED Dances will include: Cumberland Reel, about 30 of their friends) at a school in Kingston TECHNIQUE CLASSES Dashing White Sergeant, The Dhoon, Espie on 22 November. This latter was quite the most Band Hall, Coram’s Fields McNabb, The Flying Scotsman, The challenging and we came away, like our hosts, 93 Guilford Street, WC1N 1DN Honeymoon, Le Papillion, Petronella, Reel tired but happy. 11.00am - 1.00pm for Jeannie, Round Reel of Eight. Everyone On 25 August at lunchtime we provided an Sunday 28 February 2010 is welcome for all or part of the day, and the entertainment at the Purley Cancer Care Day dances in the afternoon will be talked Centre. Ian Hall, down from the shores of Loch Teachers……... Philippe & Lindsey Rousseau through. Fyne on a family visit, was kind enough to play Musician …………………………. David Hall For more details please contact for us gratis, so we were able to bring a little Sunday 28 March 2010 Angela Young on 07976 353 608. unusual cheer to the centre’s staff and clients at Teacher …...... Joan Desborough Outreach no cost to their budget, largely funded by Musician …………………... Keith Anderson The Branch is often contacted to help youth donations. Nearest underground station: Russell Square. groups who would like to try their hand at On 12 September we were invited by Fèis, the Cost: £6.00. Free on-street parking available. Scottish Country Dancing and we are Gaelic music workshop and festival, to run their Local establishments available for lunch. delighted to help – from Brownies aiming to Saturday evening ceilidh in Roehampton. We Further details: Margaret Catchick 01494 772305 gain their dancer badge to schools who want arrived in time to hear performances by some of or email: [email protected]. to expand their cultural activities. Please get the superb fiddlers, accordionists and singers in touch if you feel there’s a group near you who had been teaching on the course before they whom we could help. formed into a scratch but very good-sounding band for our brief display, much appreciated by SPRING FLING Medal Tests the audience, whom we then got dancing. We A weekend of Scottish Country Dancing The Branch will be contacting teachers to were told by several people that it was quite the for 16-35 year olds in Newcastle enter their pupils for the RSCDS Medal best organised dancing in the history of Fèis and 26 - 28 March 2010 Tests and to arrange a suitable date. They they were still hard at it when we called it a night organised by RSCDS HQ. are a good way of encouraging and at 1.00am. Details from rewarding young dancers and we aim to On 24 October we made our annual visit to 12 Coates Crescent, Edinburgh, EH3 7AF make the test day as relaxed and enjoyable Cecil Sharp House for the Dance around the +44 (0)131 225 3854 [email protected] as possible. If you would like more World Festival. DatW runs over a weekend and www.rscds.org/springfling. information, or would like to enter children features continuous displays of dances from for the Medal Tests please contact Angela many different countries and in many different Young on 07976 353 608. styles. We performed for about 25 minutes and Dem team numbers have dwindled a bit for then ran an hour’s class with about one reason or another and we currently have 13 25eparticipants. women and five men who regularly attend CHILTERN CHILDREN’S On 30 November, St Andrew’s Day, we class. If you feel you are of the right standard returned to the College of North West London and are willing to commit to class and to going SCOTTISH DANCE CLUB for a lunchtime St Andrew’s party where, along out on engagements then please contact the class The Chiltern Children’s Scottish Dance Club with Highland dancer Amanda Bignell, we teacher Angela Young in the first instance. now meets on Wednesdays in Aston Clinton, showed the students what Scottish Dancing is We have as usual been well served by near Aylesbury, Bucks. There are classes in both about and got them to participate in some ceilidh musicians and I record my thanks to Rod Scottish Country Dancing and Introductory dancing. They were a little reluctant at first but Dorothy, Neil Esslemont, Dave Hall, Ian Hall, Highland Dancing with teachers Joan in the end joined in and had fun, which is what, I Roger Huth, Peter Jenkins and Sandra Smith. Desborough and Ann Robertson. All age groups hope, our pastime is primarily about. James Fairbairn ♦ are welcome from ‘wee ones’ to teenagers. Continues in next column Details from Ann on 01296 630682.

Page 4 AROUND THE BIRTH OF THE BRANCH Early references very warm memories of Mrs Law’s hospitality MrseRoss was instrumental in forming the to dancing and welcome to the activities of the London London Branch. activities in Branch. She was often a keen member of our Mrs MacLachlan was compiler of the Border London are Summer School at St Andrews.’ Dance Book published by McDougall of recorded in the As mentioned above, Mrs MacLachlan had Edinburgh and consists of dances collected Society’s presented a shield for team competition. So what mainly in the Borders by Ian C B Jamieson of Executive happened to it? Brian Harry, Chairman of the Langshaw, Galashiels. Marilyn Healy, the Committee Edinburgh Branch wrote in their Branch RSCDS archivist, who has provided a great deal Minute Book. In magazine recently a history of the Edinburgh of the RSCDS information above has found in October 1926 it Branch Chairman’s Badge of Office – it is a the Archives Mrs Y Stewart’s Christmas 1930 was agreed that trophy won by the very first mixed copy of the first Border Book of Scottish dance more Branches demonstration team of dancers from Edinburgh which was published for private circulation by be formed led by Miss Allie Anderson at a festival in the Scottish Country Dance Club (London). The where possible London on 22 December 1930. The MacLachlan introduction says that the book ‘is the joint work and the Trophy is an enamel gilt medallion in 9 carat of two notable Scots: Mrs Annie Shand (of Secretary was gold (pictured left). We have no record of the Aberdeen) and Mr Ian C B Jamieson of asked to find out festival at which it was won. It may have been a Langshaw, Galashiels. Mr Jamieson is doing if a meeting coincidence but around that time the book today for Scotland what Cecil Sharp did for could be ‘AeComplete Guide to Scottish Country Dancing’ by England..’ The title page reads: ‘Greetings to arranged in Allie Anderson and James Duthie was dedicated Others Awa’ from Elizabeth Maclachlan, London with the to Elizabeth MacLachlan and published by President St Andrew Society (London) 1928. object of forming a Branch there. McDougall in Edinburgh. At the November 1931 Maclachlan Trophy 1930. The book contains In February 1928 it was reported that ‘The SCDS Executive Council Meeting, the Council only six dances: Jessie’s Favourite, The SteAndrews Society of London had organised a regretted that it had not been brought out with Cuckoo’s Nest, The Laddies o’ Dunse, The demonstration of Country dancing at their the co-operation of the Society.’ Mason’s Apron, Merrily Danced the Quaker’s Christmas party. Miss Milligan had since So who was this lady of means? Mrs Wife, and The Rifleman. What was probably the volunteered to go to London for a week in April MacLachlan was a member of the St Andrew first ‘public’ edition was published in March to hold classes for teachers’. In August that year Society (London) and we have been fortunate 1931 and contained 23 dances. Headquarters also the minutes stated ‘Classes held by Miss Milligan through its current members, Elizabeth Bennett has a revised and enlarged edition of the Border had proved very successful and resulted in nine and Alan White, to have access to their minute Dance Book (Omnibus Edition) described as an members passing the Teacher’s Certificate.’ books for the period up to around 1930. Mrs anthology of 30 reels, strathspeys, and Scottish Up to then there had been no mention of a MacLachlan had become a life member around Country Dances, compiled by Elizabeth London Branch being formed, but in the Annual 1924 giving her address as Talbot House, 99 Maclachlan in collaboration with the Scottish Report of the Society for 1929 in the Report from SteMartins Lane. There are several references to Country Dance Society, Ayr, Scotland, paying Branches, it said ‘London Branch – 42 her funding meetings of the St Andrew Society tribute to Annie Shand and Miss Allie Anderson members. There is still no Committee for this so we must presume she was a lady of and dated March 1934. (At that time the HQ/ Branch, but a Secretary has now been secured. independent means. In April 1926 she was Office of the SCDS was the Secretary’s home in Classes were held after Christmas and were well appointed President following the resignation of Ayr). The post war reprint was entitled the attended. The SCD Club run by Mrs MacLachlan the Rt Hon Ramsay MacDonald MP because of Border Dance Book and contained 23 dances. In has also organised classes and dances during the his Parliamentary duties. She held the post until the introduction to the Border Book in 1935, Mrs last year.’ the end of 1929. In July 1927 it was reported that MacLachlan wrote ‘In August it will be seven The 1930 Annual Report of the SCDS reported Mrs MacLachlan had taken an interest in the years since I was publicly asked at St Andrews, – ‘A London Branch of the SCDS was formed Scottish Country Dance Society and paid for as President of the St Andrew Society (London), and classes were held at the Portsmouth Club in representation at its forthcoming ‘Dance to introduce the revived old Scottish dance forms the Spring of 1930…Miss Milligan held a small Conference’ (The first Summer School in all into England where they were practically Easter School and the instruction received was probability). The local St Andrews paper, The unknown. My initial efforts have borne fruit in most appreciated by those who attended… The Citizen dated 27 August that year quoted ‘Mrs the wide distribution of the first edition of this SCD Club has continued to organise classes, and MacLauchlan, the President of the St Andrew book; and I feel justified in self-congratulation in also a Summer School. Mrs MacLachlan has Society (London) was an interested visitor, and having been the indirect means of starting a presented a shield (Trophy) for team in the course of a few remarks she expressed the London branch of the Scottish Country Dance competition.’ hope that some of them would be able to pay a Society.’ As James Garvie mentioned in Reel 37, ‘The return visit to London and teach the Scots there We acknowledge the contributions in London Branch has been unfortunate in losing to perform the old dances in the same way as researching this article from Alastair its early records. The loss of the original minute they were danced in Scotland.’ After attending MacFadyen, Marilyn Healy; and from Alan book, through the untimely death of Mrs Law, that meeting, she wrote to the SCDS secretary White and Elizabeth Bennett of the St Andrew who when she died in 1940, had been Branch about the teaching of Scottish dances in London. Society (London). ♦ secretary for a number of years; and later, the The reply asked her to explain the position of her loss of another minute book which contained a own Dance Circle (The Scottish Country Dance record of the Branch’s activities during the war, Club (London)). At the St Andrew’s Day concert BRANCH BOOKSTALL are two incidents which can only be regretted… in 1927 at the Scottish Corporation Hall Mrs It is now possible to state that at the instigation MacLachlan paid the rent for the hall and had At your service of Mrs Stewart of Fasnacloich (at that time arranged a demonstration of SCD. There was a Books and CDs for Scottish Dancers Secretary of the SCDS), Mrs Ross was further demonstration at the beginning of January approached about forming a London Branch. the following year to an invited audience. This Mail order from Ian Anderson, With the assistance of the late Hon. Victoria led to the convening of a meeting in February Bruce, who became the first President, and with 1928 of the various Scottish Societies in London 104 Whitedown Lane, Alton, Miss Moorhouse as the first Treasurer, the with a view to forming a society for the teaching Hants GU34 1QR Branch was formed in 1930.’ and practice of SCD. The chairman of the Tel: 01420 84599 Mrs Ross was its first Secretary but returned to meeting moved that an independent class be email: [email protected]. Scotland soon after. Her post was taken by Mrs formed in a central position at the smallest fee Law whose death in 1940 was recorded in the possible and as soon as arrangements can be SCDS Bulletin of 1941: ‘Mrs Law gave her made. All the organisations immediately lost 10% reduction on RSCDS publications services unsparingly not only to the work of the interest and the St Andrew Society was left and recordings bought by members. London Branch but also to the general work of holding the baby. Miss Victoria Bruce, a Please state your Branch when ordering. the Society. When information was wanted in the prominent member of the St Andrew Society research work of some of the dances it was often ‘would only join if that class was a branch of the Mrs Ross who got it for us. These visits to the Scottish Country Dance Society’ at which point N.B.: The Bookstall Stocklist is British Museum must have taken a great deal of the committee of the St Andrew Society decided available on the Branch Website. time and patience but both were given gladly and to take no further action although maintaining an ungrudgingly. Many Society members will have independent interest.. It is at this point that

Page 5 Jane Austen would have enjoyed in her time. CECIL SHARP HOUSE Thanks to the Mistress of Ceremonies Diana A CHILLY NIGHT IN ANNIVERSARY Campbell, we danced a Gavotte, a Quadrille LONDON TOWN and Cotillion amongst others. Time flies when Cecil Sharp House is also celebrating its 80th There were plans – the long dress, the jacket, riding one is having so much fun and alas, the Jane Anniversary this year. From the RSCDS records on the tube, trying to look so at home with the Austin Ball finished sooner then we wanted it we know that the London Branch’s first London way of life. Mother Nature, however, so to. Secretary, Mrs Ross, was invited to the opening often surprises us. So, in order to prevent freezing Iris Ronayne ceremony in 1930. Over the intervening years ♦ around the edges, the tube clothes became warm there has been a close association with the jacket, warm slacks, warm scarf, warm gloves, English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS). while the long dress travelled in a bag. However, St The Branch participated in many of their Annual Columba’s ladies’ room couldn’t have been more extravaganzas in the Albert Hall in the 1970s and convenient and with Cinderella-like efficiency, a the regular Anglo Scottish dances in Cecil Sharp dancingly prepared person emerged. House. Its main hall is frequently used by the Second surprise – the room was packed with Branch. A recent event attracted several of our merry dancers. A crowd was expected, but the Scottish Dancers: happy hoard was unexpectedly huge, or perhaps hugely unexpected. However, the general atmosphere of frolic was certainly in proportion to Dance with Mr Darcy the number of friendly folk. The first dance was The Friends of Cecil Sharp House presented a just underway and already laughter reached out to Jane Austen Ball on Saturday, the 5 September the coat racks. Warmth was there for the asking. 2009. We were welcomed by Mr Fitzwilliam And so it continued, an evening of fun-filled Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire who was dancing and company. Welcomes were sincere and staying in the area at Netherfield with his friend connections made. The world of Scottish Country Mr Bingley. His sister Caroline and Mr and Mrs Dancing is filled with threads of contact and this Bennet from Longbourne with their five evening was no exception. Individual and general beautiful daughters Elizabeth, Jane, Lydia, Mary greetings were delivered and messages were and Catherine were also in attendance. received for friends in common. From the time Jeff It was so exciting, when we were announced at Robertson, such a gracious host, helped me gather the door (in character of course) and greeted with the Flowers of Edinburgh until the hour the coach a glass of Champagne, there was an air of arrived, it was a ball to be remembered. Thank you expectancy and everyone seemed to stand a little Stephen Webb to the many dancers who took me under their wing taller than usual. The Fortuna Trio, whose Scottish dancing friends Iris Ronayne, Amy Banner and to all who made me so welcome. The dances instruments were the flute, cor anglais and and Libby Curzon change style and put their best and demonstration, the food and the friendliness all clarinet, started off the evening dancing by foot forward at the Mr Darcy Ball combined to provide a memorable evening playing for the Grand March for which Scottish When the opportunity arises, be sure to come to Country Dancers, being suitably versatile and in British Columbia and dance with any of the disguise, joined English period dancers. Most An elderly Scottish dancer on leaving a Branch branches that are so active in our beautiful guests had gone through considerable effort to be dance at St Columba’s called 999 on her mobile province. In particular, The Comox Valley Scottish in costume and many dresses were simply to report that her car had been broken into. Country Dancers on Vancouver Island would be “They've stolen the radio, the steering-wheel, stunning. The Regency dress was admired by all the brake pedal and even the accelerator!” she delighted to return the very special welcome which during the perfectly paced procession – buckle despaired. The telephonist advised, “Stay calm. you offered to a travelling member on a crisp and shoes, high collared tailcoats, embroidered An officer is on the way.” chilly London evening. waistcoats, fobs, uniforms of the Militia, the Some time later, a constable called in. “Disregard” Best wishes to all for 2010 and thank you again. Regency line of the long flowing gowns and all. he said, “She got in the back-seat by mistake.” Alana Gowdy The evening continued with different dances (picture No.6 on page 10)

Page 6 THE DEMONSTRATION RECORD TURN OUT It couldn’t happen today – could it? I’m speaking second finger a truly deafening report. It echoed FOR BURNS’ SUPPER of the early nineteen-sixties – before most of you around the room, more loudly even than the were born. music, finally hitting the ear of Neil who looked AND CEILIDH My husband and I, both keen Scottish dancers, round; leapt two feet in the air, then came Over two hundred and forty Burns’ Night had newly arrived in the west of Scotland from towards me with both arms outstretched. dancers from all over London and around the London and were delighted to be asked by an Grasping my one hand in his two, he swung me world poured into Pont Street for one of the acquaintance to join a dance demonstration to be violently around in a circle. The first move had busiest and liveliest Scottish Country Dance given at her local church. However we were not been gracefully accomplished ! nights for a while. quite so delighted to learn that, apart from a And so it proceeded. Between sets of dances Frank Reid and his Band were in full musical quick run-through between sets of dances, there we retired to the cloakroom and frantically flow for this event at the start of our 80th was to be no rehearsal. In fact it would be true to walked through the next nightmare, Neil getting Anniversary year. The evening went with a real say that we were totally gobsmacked. We had more and more confused. At intervals the Church , skirl and birl. never even met two of the dancers and moreover co-ordinator of the evening would put a worried “I’ve lost a few pounds in weight already”, the programme contained dances with which we head around the door, asking if we were ready. said one dancer, and another “We come were totally unfamiliar. ‘Er .. just a few more minutes please .’ came the regularly and wouldn’t miss the fun of it for the Should we withdraw? Since we were new to repeated response, and the evening’s programme world – it’s a great way to make friends too.” the area this would be foolish and not the best dragged on and on, later and later. Poor The traditional haggis was piped and paraded way to make new friends; so we gritted our teeth audience! ceremoniously around the room by Bob Harman, and got down to having our own private The last dance was the Buchan Eightsome Jenny Sweeney, and Branch Chairman Jeff rehearsals, making up the four-couple set in the which I think was newly-composed at that time. Robertson, before being ‘addressed’ in true confines of our cottage living room with two My husband, who has always hated the Scots style by Branch Vice-President John chairs and four cushions. traditional Eightsome Reel, had stated from the Laurie, and one its longest serving members. As with most activities in life, experience is the beginning that he preferred not to take part in “What a fantastic night of Ceilidh dancing we best teacher. There’s nothing to beat it; there are this. Clearly Neil couldn’t and so, despite had with everyone, young and not so young quirks that only become apparent when a task is protests, he was drafted in. His partner, who we enjoying a taste of Burns and a taste of the fun undertaken, and dance is no exception! As we met on the night for the first time, didn’t Scottish Dancing can be” said Jeff Robertson. had no idea of our position in the set, nor how understand that he hadn’t even looked at the “This 80th Anniversary year is a real milestone many times each dance would be performed, we instructions and had no idea how to cope. for us, and we are looking forward to a year of had to run through every move from each At one point in this circle dance the ladies celebrations. Scottish Dancing is a great way to position, trying to analyse what would be the best make a right hand star and the men should be on have fun, make friends and to keep fit. We are way to accomplish such apparently simple tasks the outside of the circle dancing around with especially keen to ensure that people of all ages as quietly getting out of the way when one’s turn them. Over the years I retain an indelible can get a chance to enjoy Scottish Country had finished and it was necessary to slip to the impression of my husband, sprinting around Dancing”. bottom of the set, from third to fourth position. behind his partner, desperately trying to catch up Burns Night is always a popular event, and Dancers will know just what I mean – sometimes with her. He never did of course, and somehow was much enjoyed by the folks attending. We this move can be unobtrusively contained within this picture encapsulates our never-to-be- were pleased to welcome John and Janet the final bars of the dance; sometimes the couple forgotten introduction to dance demonstrations in Carswell, the well known organizers of the simply move down the outside to bottom place, Scotland in the nineteen sixties. summer ceilidhs in Linlithgow Palace. They sometimes down the middle. There are endless Some months later, in self defence, we started were members of our demonstration team before permutations but fellow dancers need to know our own demonstration group! moving north. what is to be done at any given time, if only to June McKay ♦ The function was a great success and in no avoid colourful collisions. small measure due to the hard work of the many Shortly before the appointed date a telephone people who worked to pull it off – well done! call revealed that one of the unknown men had ALLIE ANDERSON Michael Nolan ♦ dropped out (sensible creature, we thought). The Allie Anderson was born in Shetland in 1896 and (pictures on the front and centre pages) suggestion was now that we should perform with died aged 90 in 1986 in Edinburgh, having been a set of eight ladies. Despite the enormous a Scottish Country Dance enthusiast all her life. expenditure of time that we had devoted to the She went to school in Aberdeen where she was MEMBERSHIP project I suspect my husband would have taught by Cosmo Mitchell, a well known dance grasped at this solution like a drowning man. I teacher at the time. She herself started teaching Membership of the RSCDS and London however had other ideas. Firstly, the thought of dancing in Shetland at the age of 17 prior to Branch costs £19.00 per annum for UK Scottish dance without four kilted men on one going to Dunfermline College of Physical based members (£19.50 for Europe; £21.50 side of the set seemed ludicrous and, rather more Education. Once qualified she spent most of her elsewhere). There is a discount of £3 for importantly, my husband was a far sounder teaching career at James Gillespie’s High School members aged 18 to 25 and for each of two dancer that me and I knew I had to rely on his for Girls in Edinburgh. She was a founder members living at the same address. For experience to guide me through the ensuing member of the Society in 1923 and of the members aged 12-17 there is a discount of maelstrom. Edinburgh Branch in 1924. She attended the first £7.50. Current members of other Branches At least the last-minute inclusion of another Summer School in 1927 and taught there for can join London Branch for £4.00 per male, Neil, ensured that we really did need to many years. She co-authored with Mr J M Duthie annum if they live in the UK (£4.50 in walk through the entire programme, and from the A Complete Guide to Scottish Country Dancing Europe and £6.50 elsewhere). positions in which we were to perform. So on the and was involved in the compilation of the London Branch membership brings night, our nervous palpitations and sweaty hands Border Book initially circulated privately in benefits including The Reel, while Society slightly lulled, we arrived early and, intro- 1927. Allie entered teams from her school in the membership includes the bi-annual dance ductions over, got down to business. We soon Edinburgh Music Festival for both English publication, Scottish Country Dancer. discovered that although Neil looked very Country Dances and Scots Folk Dancing. For Membership applications and enquiries handsome in his , the ‘pluses’ ended there. many years she trained the Edinburgh Branch should be sent to the Membership Secretary, Perhaps he was a tap dancer! At this distance I Demonstration Team whose successful excursion Gaynor Curtis, 60 Bishops Wood, St. Johns, recall only the lows of the evening as a mixture to London in 1930 won them the McLachlan Woking GU21 3QB, tel: 01483 721989. of gloom and frenzy (if a mixture of the two is Trophy which now adorns the Edinburgh Branch possible) descended upon the eight of us. Chairman as Chain of Office. recognition of her service to Scottish Country Inexorably the moment of truth arrived. The With Mrs Florence Lesslie she devised the two Dancing and to the Cultural Heritage of Scotland, first dance contained the move ‘First lady turns dances The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and and a year later became an Honorary Vice- second man right hand’. I was first lady; Neil Prince Charles of Edinburgh, while venturing President of the Society. was second man. With a fixed grin of terror on into television she was deeply involved with An The Dance Miss Allie Anderson was devised by my face I advanced brightly towards Neil, my Edinburgh Fancy and The Kilt is my Delight. By Edinburgh teacher Mrs Mina Corson to the tune right arm outstretched. He never moved. He 1957 she asked to be relieved of teaching duties Coltbridge composed by Susan Inglis who for wasn’t even looking at me. I have never been after 33 years in service of the Branch. In 1980 many years played for the Edinburgh Branch and very adept at clicking my fingers, but on this she was presented with a special Scroll jointly for Summer Schools. occasion the combination of nerves and sweat awarded by the RSCDS and the Saltire Society in Compiled with the help of Alastair MacFadyen produced from between my right thumb and Continued in the next column from Society records. ♦

Page 7 BANDS

Inverness Branch Diamond Jubilee Collection – Colin Dewar Scottish Dance Band. 15 New Dances. 12 Scottish Country Dances devised by Mervyn Short – Green Ginger (IMTCD001) Tokyo Branch – 25th Anniversary Dances – Local musicians – , fiddle, recorder/clarinet. The Silver Spire – Sandy Nixon and his Band – A mixture of country and reel time dances (HRMCD016)

Firstly, congratulations to Inverness Branch who Tokyo Branch CD has three new dances KEN MARTLEW have produced a book of 15 new dances with devised for its 25th Anniversary, two are Solo pianist / RSCDS teacher / MC tunes specifically composed for them, four of played by the trio mentioned above and sound or Duo with BARBARA MANNING which are by Colin. A Strathspey ‘The Belles of not unlike Green Ginger! The other one is (violin/piano) St Mary’s’ by fiddler Eric Allen is worthy of a played by Piper Bill Clement. There is also a A highly-experienced, versatile combination for special mention. As ever, Colin’s Band is nice recording by the trio of Mairi’s Wedding your Day School / Dance. European languages, will travel anywhere. excellent in every respect; tempo, lift, choice of and some waltzes and marches. The CD is Enquiries: 01442 261525 [email protected]. tunes etc. Let’s give them all a mention: Colin on clearly marked ‘For Members Only’ who are lead accordion with Jack Delaney on second, Judi asked, if interested, to contact Tokyo direct by THE HIGHLANDERS Nicolson on fiddle, Dennis Morrison on piano and email [email protected] Scottish Ceilidh and Reeling band consisting of Gus Miller on drums. Sandy Nixon’s CD is great value with 23 professional musicians; includes PA sound Mervyn Short currently Chairman of BHS tracks in almost 72 minutes. It is played in system with monitors, etc. Musical line-ups: Branch is a much respected teacher and known to Sandy’s rather jaunty and immediately From 3-piece to 8-piece, with MC/Caller available whenever required. Recommended for many of our readers; Green Ginger are equally recognisable style. Good to hear some pipe Reeling, Balls and Ceilidh Events such as well known and once again come up with a plethora marches in the blend. weddings, private and corporate parties, etc. of mostly traditional tunes played in a delightful John Laurie Excellent client references. Please contact manner. Thanks again to Cas, Ian and Meryl. 020 7286 1923 Bandleader: Donald Ross, 020 8203 0626 or 020e8203 5076, e-mail: info@ LawsonRoss.co.uk. www.thehighlanders.co.uk. FIDDLERS RALLY ROUND IN 2010

KAFOOZALUM COUNTRY Can it be 24 years this January since the fiddle During the second half we enjoyed listening DANCE BAND rally tradition was begun by Alan Robertson in to a 6/8 March and a 2/4 March and sets of Music for Scottish Country Dancing anywhere, Weston Turville? – well it is, and I was at the Reels and of Waltzes. Ian also threw down a anytime. For further details and availability, please second one! Missing very few years in between I challenge to the players when he introduced the telephone Peter Jenkins on 020 8581 0359, email: have had the wonderful pleasure of listening to set of by William Marshall, onetime factor [email protected] or our Ceilidh and enjoying many great concerts of Scottish to The Dukes of Gordon, who it was said, website at www.kafoozalum.co.uk. music. My son Myles even took part one year. exclaimed ‘I don’t write music for bunglers!’ This is the second year that, what is now known Needless to say, the musicians rose to the THE FRANK REID SCOTTISH as, the Chiltern Fiddle Rally, has been performed occasion! A highlight was surely the DANCE BAND at The Swan in Wycombe. This is a large theatre enchanting slow air Farewell to Archie Ross Broadcasting band for Scottish Country Dances, and an audience of over 700 came to indulge composed by Jane Fisher (who rightly took a Reeling, Ceilidhs and Weddings. Any size of themselves. and about 85 musicians, including bow). The second guest was Clive Carey, a band from one to seven with PA to match from over 70 fiddlers played for us, ranging in age from thought provoking, but very pleasing to the ear, 100 to 2000 watts. Particularly interested in any 10 years to over 80. In this long history of the folk singer. He sang four songs, including The ideas for expansion of ceilidh market. The rally ‘musicians have come because they just Lassie I met on the Road to Dundee accompa- Granary, Park Lane, Finchampstead, enjoy playing and in that time no performer has nying himself with guitar. Wokingham, RG40 4QL,Tel/Fax: 0118 932 8983 ever been paid,’ said Ian Robertson, the organiser Ian thanked everyone calling it ‘a huge team email: [email protected]. and leader of the orchestra. Every year money effort’ and then Colin Garrett, from the from the profits and the exit collection is donated orchestra, echoed all our thoughts as he gave THE INVERCAULD SCOTTISH to a charity with just over £2000 going last year, Ian a well earned metaphorical pat on the back DANCE BAND to The Parkinson Society. for a job well done! Then a set of Reels was Scottish Dance Band for Dances, Balls, Ceilidhs This year we were treated to, rather like other followed by a stramash (a great commotion) as and Weddings in Jersey, Channel Islands and in years, a selection of musical tempos, styles, the players let their hair down with a final set the UK. Please contact Lilian Linden on composers and two guest performers all of which of traditional Eightsome tunes. It was then time Tel:e01534 789817, mobile 07829 722446. caused the two hours of listening to pass in a to say our farewells to friends until next year email: [email protected]. flash! The meeting of friends before the and take with us the memorable sounds of that www.invercauldband.com. CDs £12 each performance begins and at the interval, it is said, is special evening. We all knew that, that night it (+£1.00 p&p in UK). almost as enjoyable as the music. Ian has an easy would not be sheep that sent us off to sleep but style of compering the evening with jokes, quotes the wonderful music we had heard as we CALEDONIAN REELERS and general good humour. He is a very danced on our way into our dreams! Well established 3-piece SCD band, consisting of accomplished musician whose unassuming skill Stephen Webb ♦ accordionist, fiddler and drummer. Caller/piper shows through continually and is well placed to can also be supplied. Available for RSCDS lead this annual event. dances, ceilidhs, weddings, reeling. Anywhere, The evening’s feast began with what has anytime for your function. Please contact Derek become the signature tune composed by Ian and Chappell 01206 764232 / Mary Felgate 07866 called the Aylesbury Fiddle Rally Anniversary Shielburn Associates 757401 for further information, or email March. This was followed by a set of Jigs then, For ALL Scottish recordings – [email protected]. two Scott Skinner Slow Airs played at a tempo ‘as they should be played’ and proving to be most At bargain prices! enjoyable. Soon we were listening to our first M Scottish S 10 CDs for £100 (post free - UK) c N guest performer Pipe Major Jim McLucas playing B I Country A Dance the Scottish Small Pipes. He began with a 5/4 email: [email protected] B I March and went on to play a medley of Reels, Jigs c N M Band S and Strathspeys some fifteen tunes in total. Jim Tel: 0118 969 4135 Fax 0118 962 8968 Contact: Mike McGuinness Tel: 020 8398 6799 stood unmoving during his performance 1 Renault Road, Woodley or Tel/Fax: 020 8546 0075 (business hours) prompting a quip from Ian that ‘this disproved the theory that pipers always marched whilst playing Reading RG5 4EY in an effort to get away from their music.’ Then, Soloist: PETER JENKINS Just listen to our own label releases! Solo accordion for workshops, classes, day schools back to the ‘fiddlers’ for a set of 3/4 Retreat and ‘smaller functions’. Tel: 020 8581 0359, Marches and a stirring rendition of a Two Step http://www.shielburn.co.uk e-mail [email protected]. called Anything Doing?

Page 8 ANOTHER FIRST FOR CRAIGELLACHIE

Craigellachie became the first band in the world some alternative and exciting steps for increasing membership – so much so that some to play in 2010. The New Year kicked off with a . are faced with the problem of finding larger halls hooch at the annual New Zealand Branch The School Committee led by Andy Nicol, the or holding two class nights a week. Others have Summer School, with several sets for the 32- School Director, were very pleased that their to reconcile, in one club night weekly, the some on the floor and many more eightsome planning and preparation leading up to the event, instruction in elementary technique and simple reels, all dancing to the super music played by resulted in such a wonderful experience for all dances necessary for beginners and the more Ian, Judith and Keith. David Cordes, the first- those attending. The many helpers who were so advanced teaching for experienced dancers. Then foot along with Tama, our teenage “second-foot” generous with their time and contributions, often there is a question of music! ... most clubs boast had just been piped into the proceedings to bring behind the scenes, also played a big part in the one or two good pipers (sometimes. almost a wishes of wealth and prosperity to all, before the overall success. whole !) who play ‘extras’ to relieve party burst into life. The next New Zealand Branch Summer School the indomitable Jimmy Shand. In most cases The venue for the School was at the Akoranga is being hosted in Dunedin, in the South Island at members have generally lent record-players until Campus on the North Shore of Auckland, which the end of 2010, where dancers from all around the new clubs have become sufficiently financial became the home for the week for 250 dancers the world will be very welcome to join in the fun, to purchase their own equipment, and soft- and musicians. Parties, after the evening’s dancing, partying and socialising that is all part hearted radio technicians and amateur cabinet dancing, spontaneously commenced throughout of the NZ dancing experience. makers have been known to collaborate to the week in the common room at the student produce excellent record-players and amplifiers village. The musicians at the for a mere song (or dance – almost!) school needed very little Distance is no object in the encouragement to form Antipodes, and weekend visits are impromptu ensembles to exchanged between clubs hundreds provide music for party of miles apart (Christchurch and dancing. Some of the most Dunedin. New Plymouth and active partygoers were the 32 Cambridge. Wellington and teenagers at the school, the Christchurch). The comings and largest number attending in goings are rarely without incident, recent years. Wendy Jaeger, there have been hilarious journeys the teacher for this class as over wet, slippery hills, perilous well as Jean and Faith on the skids, leaking radiators – even music, achieved a fantastic unpremeditated immersion in hot result from this group over pools at Whakatane! Some travel in the week as was apparent strange “machines without horses” from their mass class ceilidh – rattle-trap apologies for cars, item, a highly polished grocers’ vans. etc. – but the performance of The Dream converted hearse in which some Catcher. The teenage patrons have travelled (and slept) is presence at the school was particularly ingenious. It is hoped definitely significant and that some enterprising person Andrew Douglas, one of the might set up a flight of helicopters group, even had the honour Hannah McArdle for traversing those wicked hills of being presented with the Keith Anderson, Judith Muir and Ian Muir between Wellington and Morison’s annual wooden stirring spoon Bush. Visiting dancers are billeted award for his contribution! with members of the host club, and are always — •−•−•— This year provided two music courses. In the sure of a royal welcome when they ultimately do mornings sessions on how to be a class musician, 55 years ago The Reel reported on more reach their destination. and after lunch, sessions on playing for social activities in New Zealand: It is interesting to note that Clubs approached dancing. Later in the week, the student class Until three or four years ago Scottish Country by outside organisations to provide items at local musicians had the opportunity to play for real Dancing was confined mostly to inglesides and functions have subsequently been deluged with dancing classes. The whole school was in for a Ceilidhs, but so popular has it become recently further requests to ‘put on a set or two’. Fifty special treat on the final night when the music that Societies now flourish in all the main dancers from the Wellington district gave a course played the entire programme. Ian, Judith provincial towns. The recent formation of demonstration before 700 spectators at the Scenic and Keith’s tuition and guidance paid off big Associations of Scottish Country Dance Clubs in Reserve, Petone; the Napier Club became famous time. New Zealand now has even more Wellington, Hawkes Bay, Dunedin and the overnight when they performed before Dame musicians just itching for opportunities to play Waikato districts is an encouraging and Flora Macleod at a city concert; and the Hamilton for dancing. significant step towards the ultimate aim – a New Club picnicking quietly at Matamata took a Hogmanay, already mentioned, and the Zealand Association based on the principles and gramophone and danced on the lawn amid a fast- President’s Ball were the two formal nights organisation of the RSCDS. gathering maze of fascinated onlookers. New where the dancers had the opportunity to dress Before 1953, several clubs operated in virtual Plymouth folk, dancing at Stratford, were worn up in their best ball attire to create an elegant isolation. A few enterprising people meeting at to a frazzle after dancing four eightsomes on end, atmosphere. However, once the toe-tapping Morison’s Bush (the home of Seton’s Ceilidh at the repeated and prolonged requests of a Maori music from the Craigellachie Band started, the Band) to arrange a dance which they bravely crowd whose enthusiasm grew, like a haka, to a elegance changed to excitement and enthusiasm hoped scattered clubs would attend were pitch of shouting, leaping and whoops of ecstasy, where around 30 sets were witnessed on the rewarded by a function so successful and That night Jimmy Shand must have had the floor, enjoying the occasions. enjoyable that dancers now flock there for mystic lure of the snake-charmer – the Maoris The Balmoral Band lead by Iain Mckenzie also Scottish Balls several times a year. Morison’s simply couldn’t sit still and watch: they had to provided some super dancing music and for one Bush paved the way for the first Summer School join in the gladsome steps! of their evenings, the theme was “The 60s”. at Napier, a happy and successful venture, where Besides providing colourful items at winter Many of the dancers dug deep into their dancers from both North and South Islands concerts, clubs are often requested to entertain at wardrobes and found some truly amazing outfits. derived great benefit and fun from the pooling of summer garden parties. Danced on green, flower- The decoration team transformed the sports hall knowledge of technique, dances and dress. New fringed lawns (sometimes slightly sloping so that into a psychedelic experience befitting of the friendships flourished and so impressed were the doing the Cumberland Reel uphill is a trifle hippies and protesters on the dance floor. delegates by the rewards of shared experience tricky), the girls in white frocks and sashes, The School of course did have an important that the formation or further district associations the men in the kilt, these demonstrations have educational side and the classes this year were was formally recommended as a preliminary to shown appreciative audiences something of the very fortunate to be taught by a mixture of NZ union. From the 3rd to 14th January 1955, graceful traditional dances of Scotland. The premier overseas and local teachers, including the second Summer School was held in animated faces and tapping feet of young and old Ann Dix, Maureen Haynes and Helen Russell Wellington at Wellesley College, an attractive alike, register the pleasure derived from the from the UK. Ian Russell took one of the rendezvous with the sea at its doorstep and bush- rhythmic intertwining movements and the natural optional afternoon classes on “Steps for the clad hills behind . joy of the dances. But it’s much more fun to join Eightsome” which provided the dancers with Clubs through the Dominion claim steadily the dance. ♦

Page 9 1 2

4

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION 1 Past Chairman Wilson Nicol, who presented the Award and our Chairman Jeff Robertson 3 join the Branch 2010 Award recipients website managers Ian and Meryl Thomson 2 Dave Hall and Catriona Stewart Tulloch turn in the Foursome Reel 3 Ian MacGillvray leads Rose Kreloff up the middle in The De’il amang the Tailors 4 Dancing the poussette in A Trip to the Drakensburg 5 Brian Sweeney and Gill Lumbus lead the 3-couple promenade in Miss Allie Anderson. 6 Our Editor and Valerie Strachan welcome Vancouver visitor Alana Gowdy (centre)

5 6 Page 10 7 8 10

9

ST ANDREW’S DANCE 7 A young dancer enjoys a dance with Andrew Macdonald 8 Slipping down the middle in the Cumberland Reel 9 One time Committee Member Alison Newbery, left, with friends Charlie and Mary Dickinson 11

BURNS’ SUPPER AND CEILIDH DANCE 10 Robert McPherson, Christine Bertram, Julie Mirish & Daniel Capron enjoying their Haggis Supper

11 Sheena & Frank Reid, Richard Furlong and Donald Stewart tuck in, while behind the many guests queue for their Burns’ Supper too!

12 Returning dancers Paul and Prudence Meek who first met at Pont Street in 1965

13 The Chairman adds ‘gravy’ to the haggis served by Hilary Fitzhugh and Gill Lumbus

14 Having worked flat out in the kitchen since 4.00pm the kitchen team receive the guests’ appreciative applause

12

Pictures 7, 8 and 9 on this page by Renata Stankova

7627 Remainder on both pages by Stephen Webb 13 14 Page 11 ’TWIXT SEA HORSES AND BELLY DANCERS … HUNGARIAN STYLE In his article “Dancing In Kiev”, in issue 265 of The Reel, Jim Cook mentioned his pause in Nyíregyháza, Hungary on his way home by train. He ended with the words “Perhaps one day Nyíregyháza will be on the Scottish Dance map. Watch this space.” And so it has come to be. Over to Jim.

At the key meeting, I found that the Director of times through) for contrast. The country dancing Culture and the EHFA were collaborating in their would end with The Montgomeries’ Rant (four plans for me. An optimistic timetable of classes times through) prior to the finale of Asako for Children, Adults, and elderly Adults was dancing The Village Maid. devised whereby I would teach each group five We choreographed the movements for entering times in a fortnight. However, the reality would and leaving the stage and also for positioning depend on how many people signed up of course. ourselves as a background on stage whilst Asako I also selected a wooden floored hall from the danced her solo dance. Thus we would all be on choice offered. stage for a final bow and curtsey to the audience. But the weekend before the classes would start The set danced well together and everything was the occasion of the town’s Fruit Festival boded well for the forthcoming weekend. with its procession of floats made out of fruit and From Vienna, we subsequently travelled by vegetables. So I was also asked if I could find train to Nyíregyháza, arriving the afternoon seven more dancers to appear, and dance with before the procession. We were met and me, in the procession? However it emerged that immediately received the hospitality of the it was very important that the dancers be native Director of Culture and the EHFA as we were English speakers! This precluded me from taken to the Hotel where we were drawing on the full support of the Budapest SCD accommodated, fed and watered for two nights. Club with its Hungarian membership even Procession time arrived. We walked in pairs though they all speak such good English. with nearer hands joined, periodically changing But would I find seven more native English sides with the women turning under the men’s speakers willing to travel so far? I expressed my arms so as to change sides and hands, thus doubts and obtained the concession that half relieving aching arms. We followed a float whose could be non-native English speakers if I was main feature was two large sea horses made of really stuck. I could but try as the condition walnuts. Behind us, we were followed by a seemed important to them. troupe of lady belly dancers and a two metre high But my next port of call was the aforesaid basket of vegetables! RSCDS Vienna Branch Weekend. My As expected, the procession stopped at key canvassing for support started there. Here I found locations where pre-arranged music allowed us to support from four native English speakers, David perform the planned The Piper and the Penguin. Biff Frederikson Frederikson Biff Esdaile, who dances with the Budapest SCD A co-ordinator who followed us with a radio told Club in Hungary, and also Patricia Ferguson, the music man when we were ready to start. This To recap, April 2008 found me breaking my train Ann Murray and Lea Ruscio from the Vienna worked well. journey from Kiev to London in Nyíregyháza for Branch. With me, that made five. It was a hot day and, as we approached the a night. I was wearing my kilt and, on my way to Back in London, I obtained the support of the station, an English speaker, Michael White, second dance spot, Felix had a brainwave. He Brian and Marion Pierson, and Geoff Burton. I would pop into a supermarket which we were stopped me asking if I was free that night to therefore had my set of native English speakers – speak at an English Circle. But alas I would be passing and buy us each a bottle of mineral as long as nobody became ill! But at the eleventh water. But there must have been a queue as the back on the train. I took his contact details, hour, David broke his shoulder and, at the thought about it, and proposed that next time I other seven of us very slowly formed a square set eleventh and a half hour, Patricia had to drop out willing Felix to rapidly return. Suddenly he was in Hungary I could come to the English to attend her seriously ill daughter in Scotland. Circle and perhaps run a Scottish Dance evening arrived with his pile of bottles which he heaped Obviously, native English speakers were now the on the ground and joined in just as the opening for absolute beginners for them taught in least of my concerns and the Vienna Branch English. chord played. The audience clearly liked this rallied round and found me replacement dancers added suspense. However, Michael took the idea to the town’s Felix Hamelbeck and Asako Tamaki. I could Director of Culture from whom an invitation was But at the third location, the co-ordinator was breathe again. missing. Before we had actually reached the duly issued. Would I like to teach a two week But I had a set based in two countries. What precise spot, let alone got into our square course of dancing for beginners? Initially this would we dance and how would we rehearse? formation, the music started prematurely. was for September 2008 but the notice was too At my meeting, I had been told that the Should we start on bar 17? With hindsight, short. So September 2009 was agreed. procession would stop three times when we perhaps we should. But I made the decision that At the end of April 2009, the Budapest SCD should perform a dance about two minutes long. surely someone was watching what was Club held another of their successful two yearly I decided on either Round Reel of Eight or The happening and would restart the music. But it dance weekends. The following weekend the Piper and the Penguin as possibly being dances was not to be. We stood waiting in vain as the RSCDS Vienna Branch held their 20th familiar to all. They are straightforward, and music played on. As we processed away, we Anniversary weekend. Whilst other dancers would look effective to the audience. spotted the music equipment at ground level attending both events undertook an arranged Also, at the last moment, I was asked if we behind the crowds. No wonder we had not been tourist programme to get them seamlessly from could perform a stage demonstration of 10-15 seen. C’est la vie. one event to the other, I headed east by train to minutes duration as well. After lunch in the City Hall, we then performed Nyíregyháza for five days. I had asked Michael The London contingent was happy to descend our set of dances as planned on a temporary stage to arrange a meeting for me during that week firstly on Vienna. So this is where the rehearsal with the key people so as to sort out the details was held. With the help of the Vienna Branch, in the main square, Kossuth Tér. And then we for September face to face, with a translator if who would not yet have started their new season, were free for the rest of the day. needed. I was able to arrange a dance evening in their Sunday morning found us visiting the Open Air Thus a meeting was arranged with the usual gym. I had devised and advertised a Museum at nearby Sóstógyógyfűrdő where Hungarian speaking Director of Culture and the programme for the evening some time previously buildings from various areas in Hungary had Secretary of the town’s English-Hungarian and had invited any other Branch members to been brought and reassembled. Michael White Friendship Association (EHFA), who translated. come and join us so as to turn it into a social came to escort us so that the other dancers now Furthermore I was advised that I would be the event. For simplicity, the stage presentation met the man who had started the chain of events guest of the EHFA for the whole of my stay. My dances would be chosen from this programme. which had led to them being there. accommodation was arranged for me as was a As practice time was limited our presentation After eating the packed lunches with which we programme of events! So I put my personal plans must be effective but not over complicated. had been kindly provided, it was time for the for my visit on the back burner and “went with The dance evening arrived and, after a vote, other seven dancers to return home leaving me the flow.” The Piper and the Penguin won the day as the behind for two more weeks on my own, during So I was met on arrival at the station and taken dance we would perform in the procession. For which I would be spreading the word of SCD to to the prime Hotel Central for my stay. Members the stage demonstration we agreed to start with schools and colleges and also conducting my two of the EHFA took me to lunch and dinner and Scottish Reform (five times through so as to end weeks of classes. But description of this must escorted me on visits to the town sights during with all dancers dancing in this two couple wait for the next issue of The Reel. my stay. dance), followed by 12 Coates Crescent (four Jim Cook ♦

Page 12 JAMES B. COSH Mairi Who? My first encounter with the word cosh (n. & v.t.) Ross Floyd’s article about J.B. Cosh, devisor of meant a bludgeon or the act of using the same. the dance, Mairi’s Wedding, led to a Google Some years later, as a member of a class of non- search for relevant photos. Alas, no photos of Mr believers, I was introduced into the bliss of the Cosh were found. However, I did discover this hyperbolic cosine function (typically notated: very interesting article from the Glasgow Daily cosh). Still later, I was intrigued when this Record. I once saw ‘Mairi’ (quite elderly at the single, unmodified word appeared on dance time) interviewed on telly by the beloved tenor, programmes and in dance descriptions. Sir Harry Secombe, and the article, though undated, and unauthenticated, rings true. The Who was “Cosh”? We are privileged to quote story gives a history and a personality to the from a communication from Janette McTaggart, lovely Mairi, to whose tune we love to dance. daughter of James B. Cosh: Rob Lockhart “James Bower Cosh (sometimes called Jimmy) was born in 1912 in Glasgow. He Exclusive from the Glasgow Daily Record: trained as a master baker and had bakery shops Step we gaily on we go, in various areas of Glasgow. In 1938 he married this IS Mairi’s wedding Rose Walker and they had 4 children, 3 sons and Now it’s All for Mairi’s birthday! 1 daughter. For all their married life James and She’ll still be singing at 90. Rose stayed in Struan Avenue, Giffnock, and by Stephen Houston shared many hobbies including bowling, Millions of Scots have sung Mairi’s Wedding. gardening, Scottish Country Dancing and And now, thanks to the Record, they can meet listening to music. Jimmy was a great whistler the bride herself. For one of our best-loved tunes and often said that he loved the 4S’s: Strauss, was written for Mary McNiven. And the OAP is Sousa, Sullivan & Scottish. He began dancing still stepping gaily, even though she’ll be under the direction of Miss Milligan at the NINETY tomorrow. Scots schoolkids have been Glasgow Branch of the RSCDS and it wasn’t learning the song for generations, and it’s a firm long before he, along with friends, started the favourite all over the world. Glenshee Club which was to run under his At her cottage on Islay yesterday, Mary said: “I direction from 1952-1992. The demand from its can’t believe it became so popular. But when it members for new dances initiated his first was first played to me I found it very catchy – venture into devising his own. James had a good and I still do.” mathematical brain and relished in inventing The song was originally written Gaelic – that’s new movements, sometimes intricate, and why she was “Mairi” instead of “Mary” – for the matching them up with the appropriate music. Mod of 1935. Her pal Johnny Bannerman The ideas and titles came from personal composed it and it was first played to her at the experiences, either relating to friends, occasions Old Highlanders Institute in Glasgow’s Elmbank or special places in Scotland that he loved to Street. visit. Sometimes friends were invited to the “I still have a clear recollection of that day,” family home and a set tried out his latest dance said Mary. “Johnny just said the song was for in the lounge, just to make sure the figures and me.” It was translated into English a year later, phrasing were just as he wanted. James’s first by Sir Hugh Robertson. six dances were published in 1959 and eventu- Although Mary herself was real, the wedding ally a total of twenty-two were in print. All the wasn’t. For she didn’t get hitched to Skye-born proceeds were donated either to disabled sea captain John Campbell until six years later. children’s charities or to the training of guide John died 17 years ago. Mum of two, Mary, who won a Mod gold medal for singing in 1934, will dogs for the blind. He loved corresponding with enjoy a family birthday party in Glasgow this fellow dancers all over the world who requested weekend. And it won’t be complete without the his books, mainly in Canada, Australia and New famous song. Zealand. James died in 1995 at the age of 83 and Her daughter Christine, a teacher from his family is very proud of the wonderful legacy Hyndland, Glasgow, said: “Mum still sometimes he has left to Scottish Country Dancing in sings it in Gaelic and people are always asking Scotland and world wide.” her to. I suspect she’ll sing it to celebrate her James published Glenshee Collection birthday.” 1ethrough 5, Six Scottish Country Dances, and Twenty-Two SCD and Two Others, altogether 11 First published in Set and Link June 2009 and publications. reproduced here by permission of the Toronto Still don’t feel you know James B. Cosh? He Branch. ¨ ♦ devised both Mairi’s Wedding and The Irish Rover. – Coshed again! SUBSCRIBE TO THE REEL Ross Floyd If you are not a member of the London Branch

order your copy of The Reel from Reprinted with permission from the Toronto Branch Newsletter SET & LINK.♦ Rita Marlow, 17 West Farm Close, Ashtead, Surrey KT21 2LH, tel: 01372 812821, FOR SALE e-mail: [email protected] Coomber P.A. tape recorder. Variable speed The annual cost for individual subscribers is control. With Carry Bag. £50. £4.50 if resident in the UK, £5.00 for other Portogram Audio Technica Headworn Radio European residents and £7.00 if resident Mic. System in own carry case. As new £100 elsewhere. There are special rates for bulk Tel 01425 280712. orders. Remittances in sterling please, payable to RSCDS (London Branch).

The Editor has received this reply from a grateful reader: Want to Advertise in The Reel? “Thank you for sending me a copy of Contact Jeff Robertson, Tel 020 7730 9633 or The Reel; I'll waste no time reading it.” 01903 245718. email: [email protected].

Page 13 LETTERS TECHNOLOGY MOVES ON… Hemel Hempstead Walton-on-Thames Back in 1993 The Reel Editor, Andrew Kellett, Anonymity and Live Music Singapore St Andrew’s Society was obliged to drive about 30 miles to my home Dear Wilson Dear Wilson, carrying a huge stack of assorted handwritten Stephen Webb has concluded (Reel 270) that The short article in Reel 270 on the centenary bits and pieces, (yes, there was the occasional Peter Hoult is an assumed name and has of the St Andrew Society (London) remarked back of an envelope), one or two items might challenged the author of the now notorious that this was “an unusual event for RSCDS actually be typed and any photographs were just letter to appear and be photographed. I do not Affiliated Societies and we are not aware of any that – actual photographs. Two weeks later after know whether Stephen is right about the name precedent”. lots of letters were sent back and forth, and but I would strongly defend the right to I am unsure of the intended scope of several long phone calls, about 10 pages of copy anonymity if the writer so chooses. There is a permissible precedents, but it may interest you to had been produced by the quaint process of long and honourable tradition in newspapers know that the Singapore St Andrew’s Society, typing or re-typing everything in narrow such as The Times and The Economist of which is affiliated to the RSCDS though columns then getting out the scissors and paste unsigned articles – not just letters – and of somewhat outside the London Branch catchment and laying it all out by hand. A one-time printer course the very same letters page in Reel 270 area, has in 2009 been celebrating its 175th year. friend who owned a very ancient offset-litho included letters by Have Kilt Will Travel and Details can be found on the website at printing machine then had a plate made and was Olim Saltator – two individuals who have long www.standrewssociety.org.sg. able to produce a somewhat smudgy issue, and been contributing pertinent and sometimes Colin Duncan Andrew came over a second time to collect the provocative observations to The Reel without (past Chieftain, Singapore St Andrew’s Society) final result. publishing their real names. The difference, of The next step was to employ a proper printing course, is that ‘Peter Hoult’ has left us guessing company, and that meant using professional as to whether he is using his real name or not. ARE WE GUILTY? platemakers who re-photographed everything, To him I say: do not be bullied into revealing I have a rather large bee buzzing around in my made ‘rubies’ of pictures and cut these into the yourself if you would rather not. (And I write as bonnet, and it is time to set it free. text. All this involved lots of visits around one who has been known to express Whenever SCDers get together, the topic of Watford to these various people. However, it all controversial views under my real name and finding and, much more importantly, retaining looked very good and took several days less to taken a certain amount of flak.) dancers inevitably comes up. It is relatively easy do. By this time we used a local mailing house For the avoidance of doubt – as the lawyers to find newies – through word of mouth, free for all members’ copies, and the bulk copies say – I strongly disagree with Peter Hoult’s adverts in local rags, etc – but the biggest were posted at appreciable cost. views on live music. Others have written problem I have noticed over my 14 years of After several years of this, the platemaking eloquently of the importance of live music to dancing is that of keeping them coming back. activity became redundant and The Reel was Scottish Country Dancing and I endorse their Some six years ago I undertook an advertising produced on a desktop publisher with some of the views. I would however like to point out that campaign for the Cleveland Club, and 24 newies copy being provided already typed and faxed to the comparison with American Square dancing showed up on the first class night of the year – the layout man. But Optical Character which Peter Hoult uses to support his argument just mild panic set in! We kept almost all for the Recognition was in its infancy and required clean copy to work on, so much re-typing was still is misleading. The caller has a far more active three months of the beginners class, but now necessary. Jim Cook’s spell as Editor meant role than the MC – and is paid accordingly, so only about five are still dancing. I do not know recourse to the ‘symbols’ key trying to find the to pay musicians too would be uneconomic. how to solve this dilemma, but I do know one many accented letters used in languages around Moreover, the appeal of American Square (so I way in which we all can help. This applies to all Europe, and we enjoyed visits from Jim to drop am told by experts) lies more in the complexity dancers in every club, but more particularly to off the original manuscript and collect the boxes and flow of sequences and the ability to react those most experienced dancers, including for bulk distribution (all done by train with the to creative calling than in style of movement teachers. help of Jim’s shopping trolley). What I have seen over the past couple of years (and forget footwork!). Therefore, music is less The arrival of Wilson as Editor in 2005 at some events has really irked me. I have seen important and the advantages of live over transformed the whole operation. Emailing took recorded music do not really justify the oldies and teachers (not necessarily in their own over all other methods of sending copy around additional cost. class) push and shove, scowl and glare, and even and was especially popular with myself as it A final thought: Why not make live slap down a newie’s hand that was coming up to meant everything now had to be typed by the recordings of some dances? I believe this has join a formation at the wrong time. That newie, overworked Editor in order to be emailed! Digital once or twice been done for special occasions and her friend, never ever came back to our class pictures were also emailed and are far easier to but surely there is scope for extending it? – lost forever to SCD because of an oldie’s manipulate. An intermediate company was still Classical music concerts are increasingly impatience, intolerance, or whatever other word employed for converting the final PDF file into a recorded in this way and generate extra income you wish to call that sort of rudeness. metal printing plate. The latest move has been for for the musicians, as well as encouraging Before you say ‘Oh, I would never do anything the printing company to set up its own people to attend live concerts. I have often like that to a newie,’ step out of your comfort platemaking section with the purchase of found that listening to studio recordings of zone for a few minutes, and think about how you equipment that converts a computer file direct to bands – or orchestras – is a disappointing react to a newie mucking up again! When we go printing plate, eliminating one more stage with experience compared with the excitement of a to a social, or even to our own class, do we oldies the benefits of faster, cheaper and better quality live recording from the same musicians. head straight to the head of the room so that we results. I need only click on a key and no longer Iewould willingly put up with the odd mistake can be in the top sets where we will be dancing need to leave home. or interruption from the floor – and even with other oldies, thus avoiding some of our Like the Mirror Group newspaper presses only perhaps pay a small contribution towards the inherent responsibility to foster the learning a mile across town who use the same processes recording cost, refundable if I purchased a process of newies? Do we avoid dancing in the on a recording. Are our musicians up for this? How bottom sets where we know the newies and somewhat about an experiment at carefully chosen dances? walking wounded will be positioned? larger scale Just how selfish are we becoming? Newies Julian Mason (2½ million need to be treated with kid gloves. We need to newspapers smile, and keep smiling – not let our impatience leave Bath show on our faces by glaring and scowling and Watford Sprung Floors snapping, If we touch a newie, it has to be with every night Dear Wilson gentleness and great care, and definitely with a in convoys I thoroughly agree with Jerry Reinstein. Whilst genuine smile on our faces. We all need to of huge not advocating trainers, I feel sure that someone remember back to when we started dancing, trucks) our could design and pumps with a built-in when we did not know where we had to go, or humble cushion, without being too heavy; enough to when we had to start moving. Obviously, we had 2,000 copies counteract the parquet floors prevalent in some some caring, patient partners and other couples are now halls, and most schools. in our sets, or we would not be SCDers today. produced the At present I am not dancing on solid floors due Geoff Thompson modern to a bad foot. By permission of the Queensland Branch way. Peter Harraway Newsletter, The Scottish Ramble. ♦ John Reeve Stephen Webb

Page 14 THE FUNERAL ROCKING ON THE FLASHBACK TO Our readers may have learned from the appreciation of the late Norris Haugh (in Reel ROCK REEL No 1 269) that he had a great sense of humour. Not There must be a great variety of circumstances In the heady post-war days, the Branch so long ago he attended what he thought was his and reasons which caused people to take up Committee inaugurated a formal Ball in elegant long time friend’s funeral as related to the Scottish Country Dancing. Is there anyone else surroundings to reflect our royal patronage. The ‘deceased’ man:- whose decision was a response to Spanish following is an extract from Reel No 1, showing Foreign Policy? how some things have changed, yet others still Dear Barry We were stationed in Gibraltar during the continue. I thought you might be interested to learn a time that Spain had closed the border. The long “The second Annual Ball of the London wee bit more about how I came to be going to closure caused all sorts of spare time activities Branch held in the Hyde Park Hotel on the your funeral!!! to blossom and indeed flourish, among them art evening of 4 May, 1951 brought together 240 Mark you, it was undoubtedly the very best classes, woodwork, sewing, embroidery, members and friends. As on the previous funeral I have ever attended!!! I enjoyed the language training, choirs, drama groups, a host occasion the programme consisted entirely of hymns, all of which I knew, and even of sporting activities and of course Scottish Scottish Country Dances, except for two waltzes remembered the bass parts from two of them, so Country Dancing. For an army man the first – inserted, no doubt, pour encourager les autres. I was able to have a good loud sing-along. It was terpsichorean challenge was to convert from left Considerable thought had obviously been given a very big Catholic church, and therefore lasted foot to right foot as prime mover. The group to the composition of the programme, resulting about an hour, during which my mood became was a real mix of service personnel, civil in a judicious mixture of old and new dances – steadily lighter and happier as I realised what servants, school teachers, ex-pats and locals. In well-known favourites like Petronella, had happened! As a matter of courtesy, I stayed addition to our weekly sessions we had the Circassian Circle, Hamilton House and The Dashing White Sergeant were intermingled with to the end! With hindsight, always the easiest occasional “formal” dance, and one special less common dances such as Lord Rosslyn's time to be wise, I realise that I should have been occasion was a trip to Tangiers on the Clyde- Fancy, The Camp of Pleasure and Lamb Skinnet more alerted, because the death notice was in built Mons Calpe, the Captain and Chief The Ball Sub-Committee followed last year's The Daily Telegraph and there was absolutely Engineer of which just happened to be nothing in The Times, which Freddie Hore precedent and incorporated in the programme a members. Memorable was the fact that just short description of each of the less well-known agreed was very strange when I rang to give him before the return trip, about a dozen Moroccan the [now non-] bad news. dances in order to assist the non-cognoscenti in males in huge turbans and long “dresses” stood weaving their way through the intricacies. (Tell it There seemed to be absolutely no-one present gazing at half a dozen men in , with each whom I could recognise. This made me start not in Gath. but it was not only “beginners” who group obviously puzzled by the strange attire of were glad to have a ‘Book of the Words’ to refer thinking/hoping…. the other. Cultural diversity was also to! The writer of these notes knows of at least I had much difficulty trying to match you to demonstrated at a Burns’ Supper. When I seized two pre-Ball “parties” that went on to the wee the photograph, as I do remember you from my skean dhu and brandished it aloft before sma’ ‘oors practising madly at Haughs school, but folk do change their hair styles, and I attacking the haggis, the Moroccan chef jumped o’Cromdale, The Machine Without Horses, know that Schoolboys do not always turn into back in fear. I’m still not sure what he actually General Stuart's Reel, etc., and it was not only recognisable 60+ year-olds, which is why I was said. beginners who were practising!) .... still searching among the congregation!! I was We were surprised and very pleased to The number of men wearing the kilt was sure that Bob Hiller would be there, unless he discover Orpington SCD group when we were probably greater than last year, and gave added was away, which he clearly is, as when I rang posted back to London. Little did we know that colour to an already animated scene.... Where, him to give him the GOOD news, I left a there were over 20 groups in Kent. We were save at a Scottish Country Dance, could one find message after 20 bleeps on his answerphone. I even more surprised to attend classes in such joie de vivre, such enthusiasm, élan, such fitted some of your features into the son, Henry, Warsaw and on one occasion to attend a vigour of performance that someone actually who read the lesson, but my relief was complete StiAndrew’s Night Dinner with just over 400 went through the floor? when one of the 3 clergy involved said that guests. The Ball committee feel that, no matter what “you” had been suffering from leukaemia for Now I wonder: Where is the most unlikely success may attend their efforts in the future, several years! This did not match with my place in the world that Scottish Country they cannot hope to approach more nearly than observations at that grand evening with the Dancing is enjoyed? this to “bringing the house down”! However, we “Graham Scrowston Admiration Society” or David Cullen ♦ shall look forward to our 1952 Ball (on 9 May whatever it was called, which Freddie and I with eager anticipation) ♦ thoroughly enjoyed! I do apologise if I have upset you by my assumption that the age of the deceased seemed about right! If I have, it is not the first time I have made such a mistake. I’ve just been talking to Freddie on the phone and he sends his very good wishes, and expressed his great relief at the outcome of this episode! Best wishes, Yours aye, NORRIS. With grateful thanks to Denise for permission to publish. ♦

BRANCH BADGES The Branch Badge is based on the rectangular Reel masthead logo and is available in a smart enamel and polished finish. These are modestly priced at £4.00 and are available from Jeff Robertson on 01903 245718, 020 7730 9633 or [email protected] or from Ian Anderson at the Branch Bookstall on 01420 84599 or [email protected]. Please continue to support your Branch. Jeff Robertson

Page 15 DANCE EVENTS

ABINGDON SCOTTISH BERKHAMSTED CHELTENHAM SCOTTISH SOCIETY COUNTRY DANCE CLUB STRATHSPEY AND REEL Annual Spring Dance Annual Ball CLUB Saturday 27 February 2010 Saturday, 20 March 2010 Spring Dance 7.30 - 11.30pm 7.30 - 11.30pm Saturday 22 May 2010 Pittville School, Albert Road, New Venue: 7.30 - 11.30pm Cheltenham, GL52 3JD Steventon Village Hall, Boxmoor Playhouse, Iain MacPhail and his SCD Band Steventon, Oxon OX13 6RR St John’s Road, Hemel Hempstead HP1 1NP Programme: Grand March, The Dancing Master, Ian Robertson and his Band George Meikle’s Scottish Dance Band The Reel of the Royal Scots, The Blue Mess Jacket, Programme: The Rothesay Rant, The Highland Programme: Hooper's Jig, The Ladies of Dunse, Fergus McIver, Whigmaleeries, The Duchess Tree, Rambler, The Gentleman, Napier’s Index, Ship o’ Grace, Muirland Willie, Scott Meikle, The Cooper’s Wife, A Trip to Bavaria, Culla Bay, Ramadance, The Rose of the North, Ladies of Berkeau, Inchmickery, The Minister on Hooper’s Jig, Iona Cross, Tribute to The Borders, Gothenburg’s Welcome, Lady Sophia Lindsay, the Loch, The Rothesay Rant, Rest and Be Autumn in Appin, Peat Fire Flame, Spiffin, The Jean Martin of Aberdeen, Pelorus Jack, Thankful, C'est l'amour, John of Bon Accord, Gentleman, Swiss Lassie, The Weathercock, The Jennifer’s Jig, Mr Iain Stuart Robertson, St Callum's Road, The Black Black Oil, Fugal Singing Sands, Highland Rambler. Columba’s Strathspey, The Laird of Milton’s Fergus, Huntly Castle, A Trip to Bavaria, The Tickets £13 from John Marshall, 17 Gratton Daughter, Osgood MacKenzie of Inverewe, The Byron Strathspey, Hazel Tree, White Heather Jig. Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 2BT. Moray Rant, The Starry Eyed Lassie, Admission by Programme £8.50. [email protected] Inchmickery, The Belle of Bon Accord, Mairi’s Licensed Bar – £1 corkage fee if you bring your Cheques to “Cheltenham Scottish Society” Wedding. own drinks. with SAE please. Park at the Hall, which is south of Abingdon, Bring and share supper. Raffle. easily reached from Didcot junction of A34. Details and tickets from: Mrs Janet Halse, Tickets £17, sit-down Supper included, 1 Highcroft Road, Felden, Hemel Hempstead, CHICHESTER AND DISTRICT Vegetarian if requested. Contact Doreen Pinnell, Herts HP3 0BU, tel: 01442 246381. CALEDONIAN SOCIETY Crosswinds, Dunsomer Hill, North Moreton, email: [email protected] Spring Dance Didcot OX11 9AP, 01235 511836 or www.berkhamstedreelclub.org. Saturday 17 April 2010 7.00 for 7.30 until 11.00pm Carol Gibbins 01235 527211 And don’t forget our Ball on 20 February! [email protected]. Jubilee Hall, Oving, Nr Chichester, PO20 2DN (details in the last Reel) Ken Martlew Band Programme: Hooper’s Jig, General Stuart’s Reel, MacDonald of the Isles, Inchmickery, Angus HESTON & DISTRICT CAMBERLEY REEL CLUB MacLeod, Fair Donald, The Rothesay Rant, SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION Spring Ball Fraser’s Favourite, The Bonnie Lass of Bon Spring Dance Saturday 27 March 2010 Accord, Luckenbooth Brooch, Society Piper, The Saturday 22 May 2010 7.30 - 11.30pm, Pleasure is Mine, Leith Country Dance, 7.00 - 11.00pm Emmbrook School, Anniversary Reel, Miss Milligan’s Strathspey, St Hilda’s Church Hall, Emmbrook Road, Wokingham, Quarries’ Jig, Plantation Reel, Cherrybank Stanwell Road, Ashford, Middx. TW15 3QL Berks RG41 1JP. Craigievar Scottish Dance Band Gardens, Good Hearted Glasgow, The Programme: The Irish Rover, Aird of Coigach, The Frank Reid Scottish Dance Band Montgomeries’ Rant. Extras: Lady Sophia St Margaret’s Loch, Ray Milbourne, Equilibrium, Programme: Cramond Bridge, Jennifer’s Jig, Lindsay, The Robertson Rant. Foxhill Court, The New Virginia Reel, The Pines The Gentleman, The College , Muirland Tickets £10 members, £12 guests of Pitlochry, The Haunt of the Gnomes, The Willie, The Robertson Rant, The Inimitable American Supper Sailor, Father Connelly’s Jig, The Grumpy Derek, The Ship in Full Sail, The Valentine, The (Ample parking available) Gentleman, Plantation Reel, Twa Bonnie Lassies, Flying Spur, The Montgomeries’ Rant, Ian Apply for tickets, with s.a.e., to Gerry Mason, Waverley/Fugal Fergus, Lady Sophia Lindsay, Powrie’s Farewell to Auchterarder, Shiftin’ 21 Ernest Close, Emsworth, Hants. PO10 7NW Kindred Spirits, Seton’s Ceilidh Band, The Mill Bobbins, Kilkenny Castle, The Dancing Master, Tel. 01243 371680 of Haldane, Miss Gibson’s Strathspey, Napier’s Festival Fling, Culla Bay, The Bees of email: [email protected] Index, Ian Powrie’s Farewell to Auchterarder, Maggieknockater, J. B. Milne, MacDonald of the More information will be available on our Extras: The Luckenbooth Brooch, The Peat Fire Isles, The White Heather Jig, The Irish Rover. website www.chicalesoc.co.uk. Flame. Extras: West’s Hornpipe, Pelorus Jack. Tickets £15.00/£7.50 (non-dancers & juniors) Tickets (including supper) £17, cheques payable paid for by 15th May (£16.00/£8.00 on door) to Camberley Reel Club. ARGYLL SCOTTISH including refreshments. Licensed Bar. Please order vegetarian option before DANCING GROUP Contact: Denise Smith, tel: 0208 715 9521. 23 March 2010. Dress Formal. Day School Further details and map on our website Tickets: Rhoda Finch, 20 Redcrest Gardens, Saturday 24 April 2010 www.hestonscottish.co.uk. Camberley, Surrey, GU15 2DU Edgbarrow School, tel: 01276-681820 Sandhurst Road www.camberleyreelclub.org.uk. Crowthorne, RG45 7HZ RSCDS BOURNEMOUTH BRANCH Annual Ball Teachers: ...... Paul Plummer, Saturday 17 April 2010 CAMBRIDGE SCOTTISH SOCIETY Raphaelle Orgeret, Jane Rose Musicians: ...... Robert Mackay, Dancing to Craigievar ANNUAL BALL Tickets £17 inc supper. Saturday 1 May 2010 Judith Muir, Caroline Sloan Corfe Mullen Village Hall BH21 3UA 7.00 for 7.30 till 11.30pm For further details and application forms contact: Details from Margaret Robson 01202 698138 at Long Road Sixth Form College, CB2 8PX. Gaynor Curtis, 60 Bishops Wood, St Johns, [email protected]. Danelaw Band. Woking Surrey, GU21 3QB. Tel: 01483 721989, Tickets £10 plus shared refreshments. or explore our new website at Details: www.camscotsoc.org.uk HARPENDEN SCOTTISH COUNTRY www.argyllscottishdancinggroup.org.uk. or ring Donald Wilson on 01954 210683. DANCING CLUB Annual Ball Weekend School Saturday 6 March 2010 KENT ASSOCIATION OF 1 - 3 October 2010 7.30 - 11.30pm SCOTTISH SOCIETIES Dillington House, Somerset TA19 9DT. Harpenden Public Hall, Harpenden, Herts Highland Ball. Teachers: ...... Mervyn Short & Jessie Stuart The Craigellachie Band Saturday 8 May 2010 Musician: ...... Robert Mackay 6.30 - 11.00pm Tickets £17 including supper Booking opens January 2010 The Malling School, Beech Road, Students (16-21) £10 For booking contact: Dillington House, Ilminster, East Malling, Kent, ME19 6DH. Tickets and enquiries: Somerset, TA19 9DT. Tel: 01460 258613 Dancing to Sandy Nixon Val Owens 01727 863870 For further information and brochure: Tickets £20 including supper. Programme and crib available on our website: email [email protected] Details from Helen Knell 01795872424 or www.HSCDC.org.uk. Website www.dillington.co.uk. [email protected].

Page 16 Th ere is a Eve noth nt er on p Dan age ce DANCE EVENTS (continued) 20

Club de Danse Ecossaise de MacLENNAN SCOTTISH GROUP RSCDS CAMBRIDGE AND MONTPELLIER, FRANCE 29th International Folkdance and Music Festival DISTRICT BRANCH 22nd ANNUAL BALL Weekend 28-29 May 2010 Tea Dance and OUTING Saturday 28 May Saturday 8 May 2010, 2.00 - 5.00pm Weekend of 12-13 June 2010 7.30 - 11.00 pm Chesterton Community College, CB4 3NY Strathallan Scottish Country Dance Band International Folkdance with our international Open Air Dancing Dancing, eating, drinking, more dancing and local guests including groups from Anglesey Abbey, CB25 9EJ followed by the usual jolly seaside outing with Cornwall, Sweden and Provence. Sunday 6 June 2010, 2.00 - 5.00pm even more eating and drinking. Adults £6.00, (Conc. £5.00) Children £3.00 Rendezvous with sunshine and social warmth. Annual Dance Sunday 29 May Contact: William Whyte +33 467 868 919 or Saturday 16 October 2010, 7.30 - 11.30pm 2.00 - 5.30 pm [email protected] Chesterton Community College, CB4 3NY International Folk Dance Concert Our photograph gallery plus the 2010 booking Craigievar Scottish Dance Band form is available on our website Adults £7.50, (Conc £6.00) Children £3.00 For more details, http://danseecossaisemtp.free.fr/ Venue for both events: visit www.cambridge-rscds.org or Langley Park Boys’ School ring Kate Gentles on 01480 420054. JERSEY SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE South Eden Park Road, Beckenham, WEEKEND Kent BR3 3BP Bank Holiday Weekend (Rail: Eden Park Station from Charing Cross) RSCDS OXFORDSHIRE BRANCH Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 May 2010 Licensed bar, refreshments and stalls. Open Air Summer Dance Dancing to Strathallan Family and weekend discounts available. Saturday 28 August 2010 Tickets from Jean Webb: 020 8300 0621 Saturday Ball Programme: 7.00 - 11.30pm 2.30 - 6.30pm email: [email protected] Wolfson College Lawn, Linton Road, De’il amang the tailors, The Luckenbooth website: www.msg.org.uk. Brooch, The Pleasure is Mine, Inverneill House, Oxford, OX2 6UD The Kelloholm Jig, The Wind on Loch Fyne, (indoors if wet) The Bypass, Copycat Prelude, Fair Rosamunde, Dancing to recorded music The Pump Room, Gothenburg’s Welcome, The RSCDS PARIS BRANCH Tea and Biscuits provided Valentine, Anniversary Reel, Iona Cross, 25th Anniversary Ball Summer Wooing, Beach Dancer, The Three Saturday 8 May 2010 The Annual Ball Sisters, The Reel of the Royal Scots, Pelorus in the impressive setting of the will again be held at the superb venue of Cercle National des Armées, Headington School, Oxford, OX3 7TD Jack, The Flower o’ the Quern, Swiss Lassie. 8, Place St Augustin, Paris 8eme Saturday 23 October 2010 Sunday Dance Programme: 7.00 - 11.30pm Muriel Johnstone & Keith Smith Ian Muir and The Craigellachie Band The Irish Rover, The Weathercock, Cape Town Full details and application form are available Wedding, Fair Ronny’s Reel, The Waternish Programme and ticket details in next issue. on the Paris branch website: Contact: Trisha Rawlings, tel. 01869 340830 Tangle, City of Belfast, Sueno’s Stone, The www.rscdsparis.org. Dancing Master, Balmaha, The Fairbridge Reel, email: [email protected] The Nurseryman, The Minister on the Loch, J B www.rscdsoxfordshire.org.uk. Milne, The Dream Catcher, Whigmaleeries, The REIGATE SCOTTISH COUNTRY Laird of Milton’s Daughter, The Silver Tassie, DANCE CLUB The Silver Penny Farthing, Cutty Sark, Neidpath RSCDS TUNBRIDGE WELLS BRANCH Spring Formal Dance and Buffet Castle, The Sailor. Day School Saturday 13 March 2010 Saturday 20 March 2010 Please visit the blog below for more information 7.30 - 11pm. Walthamstow Hall, Hollybush Lane, and recent updates. Reigate School, Pendleton Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 3UL £30.00 per person for two evenings incl. supper. Reigate RH2 7NT Teachers: ...... Deb Lees, Rachel Wilton, Contacts: Mrs Helen McGugan, La Pelotte, La Strathallan Angela Young Rue a Don, Grouville, Jersey, JE3 9GB. Tel./Fax Programme: Kendall’s Hornpipe, Mrs Musicians: ...... Robert Mackay, 01534 854459 or Mr Alan Nicolle, 88 La Ville MacPherson of Inveran, Rose of the North, Mrs Barbara Manning, Ken Martlew du Bocage, St Peter, JE3 7YT. Stewart’s Jig, The Reel of the Gordon Tel 01534 484375 Highlanders, Culla Bay, Quarrie’s Jig, John of Further details and application forms from: email: [email protected] Bon Accord, The Wind on Loch Fyne, Neidpath Liesje Daly, 1 Broadwater Rise, http://scottishcountrydancingjersey.blogspot.com Castle, The Bees of Maggieknockater, J B Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5UE, tel 01892 534512. Milne, MacDonald of the Isles, Pelorus Jack, email: [email protected] Black Mountain Reel, Miss Milligan’s www.rscdstunbridgewells.org.uk. ASHDOWN SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB Strathspey, The Duke of Atholl’s Reel, The Montgomeries’ Rant. Spring Dance Spring Ball Saturday 17 April 2010 Saturday 27 March 2010 Tickets £11 at the door Enquiries to Alister Reid, 0208 393 6732. 7.30 - 11.30pm 7.30 - 11.30pm Angel Centre, Angel Lane, Tonbridge, TN9 1SF Beacon Community College, North Beeches, The Strathallan Band Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 7AS RSCDS BEDFORDSHIRE BRANCH Tickets £10.50 plus a plate of food to share. Ian Muir & the Craigellachie Band Summer Ball Contact Sue Fergusson, tel: 01892 513514 or Programme: Wild Geese,, J B Milne, The Saturday 15 May 2010 email: [email protected] Cashmere Shawl, Gothenburg’s Welcome, 7.30 to 11.30pm website: rscdstunbridgewells.org.uk. Fisherman’s Reel, James Senior of St Andrews, Dame Alice Harpur School, Cardington Rd, Joie de Vivre, John of Bon Accord, Scotch Mist, Bedford MK42 0BX The Irish Rover, The Recumbent Stone, The Ian Robertson and his Band CEILIDH Bees of Maggieknockater, Miss Johnstone of Programme: Pelorous Jack, Bratach Bana, Gang Saturday 24 April 2010, 8pm till late Ardrossan, Father Connelly’s Jig, Culla Bay, the Same Gate, The Diamond Jubilee, Black Holy Ghost Parish Centre, The Royal Yacht Britannia, Band Solo, Silver Mountain Reel, Glen Clova, Napier’s Index, Ray Westbourne Road, Luton LU4 8JD. Tassie, Nottingham Lace, Equilibrium, The Blue Milbourne, Autumn in Appin, Seton’s Ceilidh 6 Bells Ceilidh Band Mess Jacket, Pelorus Jack, Mairi’s Wedding. Band, Moray Rant, Gothenburg’s Welcome, A fun evening of ceilidh dancing for young and Tickets, in advance please, £13.00 Clutha, Mrs Milne of Kinneff, The Flight of the old alike. No experience needed, just enthusiasm, (child/ spectators £6.00) including Buffet Supper Falcon, A Trip to Bavaria, The Wind on Loch because all dances will be called. Contact Michael Copeman Tel: 01892 655971 Fyne, Macleod’s Fancy, Miss Johnstone of Tickets, incl light supper: £5 (adults) email: [email protected] Ardrossan, The Bees of Maggieknockater. £1 (children 16 and under) from: Alan Burn, or between 20 February and 14 March Tickets £15.00 inc. dinner, from Alex Lawton, 79 Poynters Road, Dunstable LU5 4SQ. Mrs Chris Featherbee 01825 760401 9 Willington Rd. Cople, Beds MK44 3TH. Tel: 01582 666092 , 07763 766067 email: [email protected]. Tel: 01234 831036. email: [email protected].

Page 17 DANCE EVENTS (continued)

SCOTTISH DANCE ST ANDREW SOCIETY (LONDON) RSCDS BERKS/HANTS/ WEEKEND SCHOOL WIMBLEDON AND DISTRICT SCOTS’ SURREY BORDER BRANCH and holiday in Szeged, ASSOCIATION Branch Day School Southern Hungary Centenary Ball 13 March 2010 Friday, 21 May to Saturday 20 March 2010 Court Moor School, Monday 24 May 2010 6.30 for 7pm; carriages 11pm Fleet GU52 7RY Wimbledon High School, Mansel Rd, SW19 4AB Teachers: ...... John Wilkinson, Musicians: ...... Muriel Johnstone, Keith Smith David Hall and his Band Maureen Campbell, Teachers: ...... Eric Finley, Bill Zobel For programme, see Reel 269 Ruby Wilkinson (Beginners’ class) on Saturday and Ball on Sunday Tickets including buffet supper £27 Musicians: ...... Robert Mackay, Optional sightseeing excursions in (Spectators £18) in advance only Ken Martlew, Judith Muir Hungary and Transylvania Last order date 13 March, Teachers (Musicians): ...... Ian Muir Monday, 24 May to Monday, 31 May with Highland or evening dress preferred. Keith Anderson two nights in Budapest, 29 and 30 May 2010 All enquiries to Elizabeth Bennett on Suitable for children 14 & over Further details at: 020 8715 3564, e: [email protected]. with a minimum of Grade 4. http://szegedweekend.blogspot.com. Profits from this event will be donated to Followed at 7.00pm by an evening dance with St Raphael’s Hospice. Ian Muir, Keith Anderson and the Day School Students. SUMMER SCOTTISH DANCE Contact: hosted by Fabio Mollica with the LONDON HIGHLAND Day School & Dance: Societa di Danza of Italy CLUB Chris Brown 01252 674708 Friday 2 July 2010 Forthcoming attractions to be Musicians: Mervyn Short 07713 148192. Chiswick Town Hall, W4 4JN. held at St. Columba’s Church Hall, Pont Street, Full details in the next Reel. May Ball Enquiries to Libby Curzon at London SW1 0BD Saturday 15 May 2010 [email protected]. Emmbrook School, Wokingham RG41 1JP. Fridays: Upper Hall 7.30-10.30pm Ian Muir and the Craigellachie Band Saturdays: Lower Hall 7.00-10.30pm Contact: Shirley Ferguson 01276 501952. unless otherwise stated WEST MACS CHARITY BALL Saturday 6 March……………..……Strathallan in aid of DeafBlind Scotland Summer Open Air Dance Saturday 17 April………….……..Green Ginger Saturday 24 April 2010 Saturday 19 June 2010 Friday 23 April……...………..….Spring Ceilidh 7.30 - 11.30pm 2.00 - 4.30pm Saturday 1 May…………...………Caber Feidh Bushey Meads School, Bushey WD23 4PA South Hill Park, Bracknell RG12 7PA Saturday 5 June…………...……..Craigellachie Ian Muir and the Craigellachie Band Contact: Fiona Albinson 0118 9789181. 7.00 - 11.00pm Summer Ball Programme: Pelorus Jack, West’s Hornpipe, Details of events on website: Culla Bay, My Heather Hills, John of Bon All dances will be talked or walked through on www.rscds-bhs.org.uk. Accord, Foxhill Court, The Weathercock, Miss request, except Summer Ball. Johnstone of Ardrossan, Dagmar’s Fancy, Father For further details contact: Frank Bennett on 020 RSCDS MILTON KEYNES Connelly’s Jig, The Glenalmond Gamekeeper, 8715 3564, email [email protected], or 31st Annual Ball Alison Rose, Spiffin’, Scott Meikle, The Dream Roger Waterson on 020 8660 5017. You can also Saturday 13 March 2010, 7.30 - 11.30pm Catcher, Equilibrium, Plantation Reel, telephone our “Dial-a-Programme” service on Lovat Hall, Newport Pagnell, MacDonald of the Isles, Postie’s Jig, The 020 8763 8096 to hear our programme, or leave a Milton Keynes, MK16 0EJ. Montgomeries’ Rant, Extras: Quarries Jig, message. Everyone is welcome at all our George Meikle & The Lothian Band Anniversary Reel functions, so please come along and join us for Enquiries and tickets at £15.50 each Tickets £16, including supper, from an enjoyable evening. Please visit our website at from Jan Jones 07877 153259 Pam Crisp : 020 3078 0018. www.londonhighlandclub.co.uk for the latest ([email protected]) news and programmes of our dances. www.vcsmk.org.uk/rscdsmk.

OTHER SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE ORGANISATIONS

ABINGDON SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB Dancing most BURNS CLUB OF LONDON holds lively meetings in central CHISWICK SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING CLUB. Upper Hall at Mondays, 8.00 - 10.15pm, Sept to June at Northcourt London, usually including live music, on second Monday of St Michael’s & All Angels’ church, corner of The Avenue and Centre, Abingdon, nr Oxford. All welcome. Details/map: the month as well as a superb . Details: Jim Bath Road (turn right out of Turnham Green tube) W4. www.geocities.com/abscdc or Carol Gibbins 01235 527211. Henderson 020 8954 2586, [email protected]. Sundays from 27 Sep till 4 July with Xmas and Easter ADDLESTONE & DISTRICT SCOTTISH SOCIETY meets CAMBERLEY REEL CLUB. Dancing every Tuesday 8pm at St. breaks. Midsummer Magic open air evening dance in Wednesdays 8.15-10.15pm September to May at St Mary's Paul’s Church Hall, Church Hill, Camberley. Details from Chiswick House grounds 11 July. Beginners class at 6.00 till Church Hall, Church Road, Byfleet, KT14 7NF. Details from Rhoda Finch, 20 Redcrest Gardens, Camberley, Surrey GU15 7.10. General class 7.15 till 9.20. Advanced dancers Val Clack, 01932 845869. www.addlestonescottish.org.uk 2DU. Tel: 01276 681820. evenings with musicians twice each term. Tel 020 8743 ALDRINGTON (HOVE) SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE GROUP 9385 (afternoons only) / www.chiswickscottish.org.uk. CAMBRIDGE & DISTRICT BRANCH RSCDS. Classes for all meet every Tuesday 8.15-10.30pm, September to June. grades. Details from Tony Garrick, 29 Illingworth Way, CIRENCESTER SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB meets most Details from John Steer, 57 Hangleton Rd, Hove, E. Sussex Wednesdays 8:00 - 10:00pm September to end June at the BN3 7GH. Tel: 01273 416893. Foxton, Cambridge, CB22 6RY. Tel. 01223 510201. email: [email protected]. Bingham Hall, King Street, Cirencester. Details Mr A.E.L. BERKHAMSTED STRATHSPEY & REEL CLUB meets in Potten Bush, Lake View House, Withington, Glos. GL54 4 BN. CAMBRIDGE SCOTTISH SOCIETY ScottishCountry Dancing and End Village Hall. Social dancing: Tuesdays 8.15 September to 01242890454, [email protected] May, Sat. gardens June/July. Classes: Mondays 8pm: other events.. Dance Circle meets every Thursday 8pm from Intermediate and Advanced, Tuesdays 8.15: Beginners. Sept to June. Details www.camscotsoc.org.uk or Rachel CRAWLEY SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING CLUB meets Contact: Judy Roythorne, 1, Pine Close, North Road, Schicker 01223 364557. Thursdays 8.00 to 10.00pm September to June at Milton Mount Community Hall, Milton Mount Avenue, Pound Hill, Berkhamsted, Herts HP4 3BZ Tel. 01442 875496 CHELTENHAM BRANCH RSCDS Advanced class Mondays 7.30- Crawley. Details: Mrs Pip Graham, 57 Milton Mount Ave, Pound www.berkhamstedreelclub.org 9.30pm. General class Thursdays 7.30-9.30pm. Bettridge Hill, Crawley, W. Sussex RH10 3DP, tel: 01293 882173. BOURNEMOUTH BRANCH RSCDS meets every Friday at St. School, Cheltenham. Also a Beginners class. Details: Margaret Mark’s New Church Hall, Wallisdown Road, Talbot Village, Winterbourne, 01242 863238. CROYDON & DISTRICT BRANCH: Branch classes:- General, Bournemouth. Newcomers and Beginners 7.15-8.30pm. incl Beginners with technique Coulsdon (Fri). Advanced CHELTENHAM SCOTTISH SOCIETY. Dancing most Friday nights Improvers/Intermediate 8.45-10.15pm. Weekly children’s (Wed) Coulsdon. Other classes in the area: Beginners: 7.30 to 10.30pm from October to end May, at St Andrew’s classes. Technique class by invitation – alternate Reigate & Selsdon (Tues): Gen: Reigate (Mon); Advanced: Church Hall, Cheltenham. Details: Mrs Doreen Steele, 45 Dark Wednesdays. Details from Margaret Robson, 24 Upper Golf Reigate (Thurs.). Details: Dorothy Pearson 01737 551724, Lane, Swindon Village, Cheltenham, GL51 9RN. Tel: 01242 Links Rd, Broadstone, Dorset BH18 8BX. Tel: 01202 698138. www.rscdscroydon.org.uk 528220, [email protected]. BRIGHTON BRANCH RSCDS. Classes for beginners, EALING SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB meets Thurs. 8- CHELMSFORD: SANDON SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB intermediate and advanced, country and highland, adults and 10pm. September to May at St Andrew’s Church Centre, meets on Monday evenings 7:30-9:30pm at the Hayward children. Details from Ray on 01273 684417 or Bill on 01273 Mount Park Road, Ealing, W5. Details: Rena Stewart, 56 School, Maltese Road, Chelmsford. Beginners welcome. 731927. www.rscds-brighton.org.uk Meadvale Road, Ealing, W5 1NR, tel: 020 8998 6419. BRIGHTON & HOVE SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB meets Details from Esther Wilkinson, email: [email protected] or Thursdays 7.30-10pm at Balfour Junior School, Balfour Road, tel. 01206 240132. www.sandonscotdance.org.uk Brighton. Details from Carol Catterall, 01273 564963. continued on next page

Page 18 OTHER SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE ORGANISATIONS (continued from previous page) EPPING FOREST SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION Club night Mondays LUCY CLARK SCD CLUB meets Thursdays 8.00pm, Oldhams SEVENOAKS REEL CLUB meets every Tuesday from September (all year) 8-10 pm at Woodford Green Prep School, Glengall Hall, Great Missenden. Details: Dick Field, Stonefield House, to May, 8.00-10.00pm at Kippington Church Centre, Road, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 0BZ. Details: www.efsa. Clappins Lane, Naphill, Bucks HP14 4SL. Tel: 01494 562231 Kippington Rd, Sevenoaks. Details: Rebecca Evans, 2 Vestry org.uk or Lee Noble 020 8505 3032 [email protected]. MAIDENHEAD SCOTTISH DANCING CLUB meets every Cottages, Old Otford Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 EPSOM & DISTRICT CALEDONIAN ASSOCIATION. holds weekly Tuesday 8.00pm at St. Mary's R.C. School, Cookham Road, 5EH 01732 456382 [email protected] . adult dance classes for beginners and intermediate/advanced Maidenhead. First Tuesday in the month is Social Dancing SHENE SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE GROUP meets every levels, (September to March), including informal dances. Evening. Details: Jane Courtier, 16 Ostler Gate, Maidenhead, Wednesday from mid-September to May 8.30-10.30pm, in Details from Dorothy Pearson, 366 Chipstead Valley Road, Berks SL6 6SG, 01628 628372. o Barnes. Further info: Further info: Denise Haugh, 4 Burdett Coulsdon CR5 3BF. Tel 01737 551724 maidenheadscottishdancing.org.uk. Ave, SW20 0ST, 020 8946 8572, email FARNHAM SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING CLUB. Dancing MAIDSTONE (COBTREE) SCD GROUP meets every Wednesday [email protected].. every Tuesday at 8.00pm, September to May at the 7.30-10pm at The Grove Green Community Hall, Maidstone. SIDCUP & DISTRICT CALEDONIAN ASSOCIATION. Dancing on Memorial Hall, West Street, Farnham, Surrey. Details from Details from Jane Masters, 251 Robin Hood Lane, Blue Bell Wednesdays from 8.00-10.15pm throughout the year at Mrs Annette Owen, 47 Beauclerk Green, Winchfield, Hook, Hill, Chatham, Kent ME5 9QU. Tel. 01634 864007. Hurst Community Centre, Hurst Road, Sidcup, Kent. Details: Hants RG27 8BF. Tel: 01252 845187. MARKET HARBOROUGH SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE SOCIETY. Pauline Cameron,7 Wayne Close, Orpington, Kent BR6 9TS. FELTHAM & DISTRICT SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION meets Dancing at Fairfield Road School, Fairfield Road, Market Tel 01689 838395. Tuesdays 8.00pm, September to mid-July at the White Harborough. Tuesday 7.30-10.00pm. Details: Mrs Connie SOUTH DORSET CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. Dancing at St. House Community Centre, The Avenue, Hampton. Details Elphick, “Lazonby”, 9 Little Lunnon, Dunton Bassett, Edmund's Church Hall, Lanehouse Rocks Road, Weymouth, from Ann or Paul Brown, tel: 01784 462456 or mobile 07801 Lutterworth, Leics LE17 5JR. 01455 209446. Dorset, Wednesday, 7.30-10.00pm. Details from Miss Valerie 160643. Email: [email protected] MEDWAY AND DISTRICT CALEDONIAN ASSOCIATION. Scriven, 13 Fenway Close, Dorchester Dorset DT1 1PQ. Tel: FLEET SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE SOCIETY dance in Church Dancing Thursdays 8.00-10.15pm at St. Mary’s Island 01305 265177. Crookham Memorial Hall in Hampshire on alternate Community Centre, Chatham. Beginners welcome. Many SOUTH EAST ESSEX SCOTTISH SOCIETY. Dancing Fridays, 7.30 Saturdays from 7.30-10.30pm, September to May. Full other activities. Details: Liz Bowden, Meadow Cottage, Green to 10.30pm, St. Peter’s Church Hall, Eastbourne Grove, details from Vikki Spencer, 24 Park Hill, Church Crookham, Farm Lane, Lower Shorne, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 3HL. tel Southend (near hospital). Tuition 7.30-9.00pm. Details Mrs Fleet GU52 6PW. Tel: 01252 691922. 01474 822919. Edna Carroll, 01702 428974. GERRARDS CROSS SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB meets MEOPHAM SCD CLUB meets every Monday evening from SOUTH EAST HERTS SCDS. Classes in Hertford, Sept to May: at Memorial Centre, East Common Road, Gerrards Cross on September - June at 8.15-10.15pm at the Village Hall Inter/Adv Tues 7.45pm, Bengeo School, Hertford; Beginners Tuesdays 8 to 10pm, end of September to June. Details: Meopham. Details from Mrs Jane Whittington. 5 Coldharbour Thurs 7.30pm. Millmead School, Hertford. Demonstration Alt. [email protected] or from Mrs B MacKenzie Ross Rd. Northfleet.Kent.DA11 8AE, 01474 359018. 01494 874604. Mons 8.0pm. St John’s Hall, Hertford. Details: Chay Smith MILTON KEYNES BRANCH RSCDS. Mixed ability class 01992 442154. GREENFORD AND DISTRICT CALEDONIAN ASSOC. meet at the Mondays 8.00- 10.00pm. Bradwell Village Hall, Milton SOUTHWICK SCD CLUB meets Thursdays 8.00-10.15pm at British Legion Hall, Oldfield Lane, Greenford. Visitors Keynes. Details: Jan Jones, 52 Aintree Close, Bletchley, welcome. Tuesdays 8.00 to 10.30 p.m. Details from Mrs P. Southwick Community Centre, Southwick, W. Sussex. Milton Keynes. MK3 5LP. 01908 378730, Details: Brenda Hinton, 01273 595017. Crisp, 19 Compton Place, Watford, Herts WD19 5HF. Tel: [email protected] 0203 078 0018. SURBITON & DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. Dancing every NORTH HERTS REEL CLUB. Dancing most Wednesdays 8.00- GUILDFORD SCDC meets at Onslow Village Hall, Wilderness Rd, Thursday at 8pm. September to June at St. Mark's Church 10.00pm. from September to May at Roecroft School, Hall, Church Hill Road, Surbiton. Details: David Horwill, 32 Guildford GU2 7QR most Mondays at 8.00pm from Stotfold. Informal Saturday Dances. Details: Mrs Jennifer September to June. www.gscdc.org.uk or tel 01483 502422. Wolsey Road, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middx TW16 7TY. 01932 Warburton, 17 Victoria Road, Shefford, Beds. SG17 5AL. Tel: 784866. surbitoncaledonian.co.uk. HAMPSTEAD & DISTRICT SCOTS’ ASSOCIATION Dancing on 01462 812691. THE SCOTTISH CLANS ASSOCIATION OF LONDON meets at St. Tuesdays Sept.-June from 8.00-10.00pm in Elderkin Hall, NORTH KENT SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION. Dancing 7.45- Trinity Church, Methodist and United Reformed, 90 Hodford Columba's Church, Pont Street, London SW1, every Tuesday 10.00pm. most Wednesdays at Barnehurst Golf Club. from October to end of May for Scottish Country Dancing, Road, Golders Green, London NW11 (Entrance in Rodborough Beginners welcome. Details: Nigel Hewitt, 227 Knights Rd, Road). All welcome. Details: Miss Joan Burgess, 503A York 7.00-10.00pm. Details: Tom Symington, 020 7834 7151 or Hoo, Rochester, Kent, ME3 9JN. Tel. 01634 254451. Road, London SW18 1TF. 020 8870 6131. 020 7828 6792. ORPINGTON & DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. Dancing every HARPENDEN SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING CLUB meets THE SCOTS SOCIETY OF ST. ANDREW SLOUGH & DISTRICT Thursday 8.00-10.15pm. at Petts Wood Memorial Hall. every Tuesday at 8.00pm at Lourdes Hall, Southdown Road, meets every Wednesday (September to May) 8.00 to Beginners/Improvers Class Every Monday 8.00-10.15pm at Harpenden. Classes on Thursdays from 8.00pm. Details from 10.15pm at Trinity ERC Hall, Windsor Rd, Slough SL1 2JA. St. Pauls, Crofton Road, Orpington. Details: Pam. French, 20 Phil Bray, 25 St. Olams Close, Luton, Beds LU3 2LD. Tel: Scottish Dancing and other social events. Details from the Beaumont Road, Petts Wood, Orpington, Kent, BR5 1JN. 01582 617734. Sec: Carol Berry, tel:01628 620 072 or 01771 223 8165. 01689 873511. HARROW & DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. Classes TUNBRIDGE WELLS BRANCH RSCDS. Beginners/intermediate OXFORDSHIRE BRANCH RSCDS. Dancing on Thursdays Wednesdays 8.15-10.15pm, St.Albans Church Hall, Norwood classes on Tues 7.30-10pm and advanced classes Thurs 8- throughout the year in Oxford. Details: Patricia Rawlings, 29 Drive (off The Ridgeway), North Harrow. Details of these and 10pm at St Augustine’s School, Wilman Road, Tunbridge Frances Road, Middle Barton, Chipping Norton, Oxon OX7 other activities from Jane Forbes, 7 Buckland Rise, Pinner Wells. Details: Sue Bush, 33 St Luke’s Road, Tunbridge 7ET. Tel: 01869 340830. HA5 3QR. Tel: 020 8428 6055. www.harrowscottish.org.uk. Wells, TN4 9JH. Tel: 01892 615269, website: READING ST. ANDREW’S SCOTTISH DANCING SOCIETY. HAYES & DISTRICT SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION meets Fridays 8- www.rscdstunbridgewells.org.uk. Dancing at St. Andrew’s URC, London Road, Reading from 10pm, September to July in Hayes, Middx. Beginners and WALLINGTON, CARSHALTON & DISTRICT SCOTTISH 8.00-10.00pm. September to May, Tuesdays (elementary) experienced dancers welcome. Details: Margaret Wallace, ASSOCIATION hold weekly adult Classes for, Intermediate Tel: 020 8560 6160. and Wednesdays (general). Details: Rita Cane, 45 Beech Lane, Earley, Reading RG6 5PT. Tel: 0118 975 7507, and Advanced levels on Monday evenings. Details from Mrs HERTSMERE REEL CLUB. Monthly dances on third Saturday www.scottishdancingreading.org. Maggie Westley, 30 Stanley Road, Carshalton, Surrey SM5 (exc. Aug & Sept) 7.30-11.00pm, Tilbury Hall (URC), Darkes 4LF. Tel: +44 (0) 20 8647 9899, website: Lane, Potters Bar. Details: Mary Fouracre, 171 Dunraven RICHMOND CALEDONIAN SOCIETY meets at the Oddfellows [email protected]. www.wallingtonscottish.org.uk. Drive, Enfield, EN2 8LN. Tel: 020 8367 4201. Hall, Parkshot, Richmond, every Wednesday evening at 8.00pm from mid Sept. to end of May. For Information WATFORD & WEST HERTS SCOTTISH SOCIETY. General and HESTON & DISTRICT SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION. Thursdays 8.15 contact Marshall Christie 020 8977 5237 or Beginners/Improvers Classes at Bushey Community Centre, to 10.15pm. September to July, tuition followed by social www.richmondcaledonian.co.uk. High Street, Bushey WD23 1TT. Thursdays from 8.00- dancing. Also monthly Saturday dances and ceilidhs. All at 10.00pm. Details: Stuart Kreloff, 60, Tunnel Wood Road, SANDERSTEAD URC SCOTTISH DANCE GROUP. Dancing Tues Heston Methodist Church Hall. Details from Mrs Rosemary Watford WD17 4GE. 01923 492475, 8.00pm Sanderstead URC Hall, Sanderstead Hill, S. Croydon. Mitchell, Tel: 01784 254401. [email protected]. Details: Graeme Wood, 01883 627797 or [email protected]. JERSEY CALEDONIA SCD GROUP. Contacts: Helen McGugan, WAVERLEY SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB meets at Holy ST ANDREW SOCIETY (LONDON). Wimbledon and District La Pelotte, La Rue a Don, Grouville, Jersey JE3 9GB Tel/Fax Trinity Church Hall, Winchester, every Thursday from Sept to Scots’ Association. Dancing Tuesdays 8.00pm at Wimbledon 01534 854459; Alan Nicolle 01534 484375, the end of June, 8.00-10.00pm. Details: Mrs Pat Mumford, Community Centre, St. Georges Road, Wimbledon, SW19. [email protected]; or Brenda Gale 01534 02380 252570. 862357. See blog: www.scottishcountrydancing Details: Miss Alison Raffan, 2 Erridge Road, Merton Park, WELWYN GARDEN CITY SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB jersey.blogspot.com. London, SW19 3JB. or Elizabeth Bennett 020-8715 3564, [email protected]. www.standrewsoc london.netne.net. Dancing Wednesday 8 to 10 pm from September to June at ISLE OF THANET SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCERS meet Lemsford Hall, Lemsford Village, near Welwyn Garden ST COLUMBA’S CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, Pont Street. Scottish Wednesdays September to June at Holy Trinity & St. John’s City. All welcome. email [email protected] or Country Dancing most Mondays from Oct to May, 7.15- C. of E. Primary School, St. John’s Road, Margate. Beginners telephone Douglas Wood 01582 469928. 7.00-8.00pm. General 8.00-10.00pm. Details: Mrs Linda 10pm. Admission free except for six Band and Burns Nights’ WEMBLEY & DISTRICT SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION Mondays McRitchie, 60 Bradstow Way, Broadstairs, Kent. 01843 when a charge will be made. Beginners welcome and there 869284. is a step practice usually on the third Monday of the month. 8.00pm. Dance Class. The Church of the Ascension, The Further details: Denise Haugh 020 8879 6437. Avenue, Wembley, Middx. Details: Mrs Pam Crisp, 19 LEICESTER BRANCH RSCDS meets Thursdays, Holy Cross Compton Place, Watford. WD19 5HF. Tel: 0203 078 0018. Centre, Wellington St., Leicester. 4 classes – Beginners, ST JOHN’S’s SDC WOKINGHAM: meet every Thurs 8-10.15pm Intermediates, Social, Advanced. 7.30-8.30p.m., followed Sept to June at St. Sebastian’s Hall, Nine Mile Ride, WINCHESTER BRANCH RSCDS Classes Tuesdays 8.00- by Social dancing until 10p.m. Also Tuesdays 1.30-3.45p.m. Wokingham. All standards welcome. Sue Davis 01344 10.00pm. Club night (all abilities) Wednesday 8.00- General class at same venue. Contact: Mrs. Pamela Hood 774344, 2 Larkswood Dr, Crowthorne. Also Childrens’ Class 10.00pm. Both evenings take place at St. Peter’s School, 0016 2753886, [email protected]. Sats. 9.30 - 11.00am at the Parish Hall, Crowthorne, Deborah Oliver’s Battery Rd North, Winchester. Details: Wendy Mumford (teacher), 20 Blendon Drive, Andover, SP10 LONDON HIGHLAND CLUB meets regularly at St. Columba's, Draffin 01344 776831. 3NQ. 01264 363293, [email protected]. Pont Street, SW1. Some major functions held at other ST NINIAN’S SCOTTISH DANCERS, Luton meet every London venues. Details: adverts in The Reel or contact Frank Wednesday, September to July 8.00-10.00pm at St. Ninian’s WITHAM & DISTRICT CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. Dancing every Bennett, 12 Lingfield Road, Worcester Park, Surrey KT4 8TG. UR Church, Villa Road,Luton, Beds. Contact: Pat Hamilton, Wednesday 8.00-10.00pm. The Centre, UR Church, Witham, 020 8715 3564. Dial-a-programme service: 020 8763 8096. 01462 671156 or Sheila Harris, 01525 875060. Essex. Details from Beryl Munro, tel 01621 850838 or email: www.londonhighlandclub.co.uk [email protected] .

Page 19 Stephen Webb Hannah McArdle

Above left: Ian Robertson leads the Chiltern Fiddle Rally with guest past leader from the USA, Peter MacFarlane, playing in the front row. WATFORD & WEST HERTS

Above right: Murray Corps, Andy Nicol and Helen Russell enjoy a break at the New Zealand Summer School SCOTTISH SOCIETY in Auckland. Caledonian Ball Saturday 20th March 2010 New Venue: Allum Hall, Elstree WD6 3PJ Catherine Fraser and Duncan Smith Programme and details: See December Reel. Tickets from Jan on 07762 079083 or email [email protected].

KILTS & ALL LONDON All All Prices Kilts & Clothing for Men, Women & Children Accessories, Repairs, Alterations, New Design Footwear, Headwear, Plaids, Brooches, Sashes At our or your locations by appointment mainly in London and mail order. [email protected] www.albionhighland.com Tel: 0207 735 2255

House of Tartans HAND MADE KILTS AND OUTFITS QUICKLY Visits by appointment

89 Alexandra Road Peterborough, PE1 3DG Tel: 01733 310628 [email protected]

PETRONELLA Mail order only from 181 Bourn View Road, Netherton, Huddersfield, HD4 7JS. Telephone 01484 661196 Kilt Pins, brooches, sashes, Dancing shoes, Books. Price list on request e-mailemail: jean. [email protected]@tiscali.co.uk

Published by the RSCDS (London Branch) Printed by Cassio Graphics, tel: 01923 237088 Page 20