CoScouttnish try Dancer

No 10 APRIL 2010 RSCDS Members’ Magazine Forthcoming RSCDS Events Summer School 2010 Dates: Sunday 25 July – Sunday 22 August 2010 Location: University Hall, St Andrews Director: Margo Priestley There is still limited availability for each week, but please note that some classes will not run due to lack of demand: • there will be no Teaching Skills or Tutoring Skills classes in any week • there will be no Advanced Senior classes in any week • Beginners’ classes will run in weeks 2 and 3 only You can attend as resident or non-resident, for any one or two weeks of the four. You can get further information and book online through our website, www.rscds.org or, if you do not have internet access, you can book by calling Headquarters on 0131 225 3854 on Mondays to Fridays, between 10.00am – 4.00pm. 81st Annual General Meeting & Conference Weekend 2010 Dates: Friday 5 – Sunday 7 November 2010 Location: Bell’s Sports Centre, Hay Street, Perth • Friday night ball – Neil Copland’s Band • Saturday night dance – Colin Dewar's Band Other aspects of the weekend are still being finalised – further details and booking form will be available on the website, www.rscds.org , in April, and programmes and cribs will be downloadable from the website later in the year.

Winter School 2011 Dates to be confirmed – please look for information on the website in late May. Booking and payment will be available online through our website, www.rscds.org

Spring Fling 2011 Dates and venue to be confirmed – please look for information on the website in late May. Booking and payment will be available online through our website, www.rscds.org

2 www.rscds.org Editorial Contents

News from Coates Crescent 4 Changes and developments at Headquarters From the Chair, Management Committees and Executive Officer 5 Including key points from the RSCDS strategy 2010 – 2013 There is a bias towards history in this issue of Scottish Scottish Week 8 Dancer, with major articles by our President, Alastair MacFadyen, on A look back at 2009 and plans for this year’s event. the Hill Manuscript and our Archivist, Marilyn Healy, on the work of What will you be doing in DSW ‘10? Tom and Joan Flett. The Editorial Board makes no apology for this. Who’s Who 10 The results of the members’ survey published in issue 8 told us that AGM and Conference Weekend 2009 11 readers thought items on the history and cultural background of SCD were more interesting than any other topic covered in the magazine, News in Pictures 12 and we aim to please. There is also a sense that history is being made The Hill Manuscript 14 in these pages. Elizabeth Foster, the Society’s Executive Officer, RSCDS President, Alastair MacFadyen, brings this 18th Century writes about the RSCDS strategy which signals a new way of manuscript to life pursuing our objectives, and we learn that Scottish soldiers serving Interview with Sophie Rickebusch 16 in Afghanistan have devised a new dance. Will it become as popular Jimmie Hill talks to the Secretary of the International Branch as The of the 51st? Both remind us that Scottish dancing, like From around the world 18 everything else, moves on and, though the past may be interesting, Reports from our regional correspondents the business of the RSCDS lies in the present and in the future. A Trip to Russia 21 It is therefore a real pleasure to read about the many and varied Patrick Chamoin braves the cold to visit this vibrant outpost of SCD SCD activities taking place all over the world, and the huge efforts made by our members to attract people into Scottish country Tom and Joan Flett 22 dancing and to share their enthusiasm with new generations of RSCDS Archivist, Marilyn Healy, meets Joan Flett and hears dancers. Several contributors to the magazine highlight Dance about important research into traditional Scottish dancing. Scottish Week as an ideal opportunity for promotion, recruitment Mind your pas de basque! 24 and reminding less active members just what the RSCDS has to Tips on how to pronounce some of our most loved dances offer. Do, please, share your experiences, not just of DSW but of all Technique Doctor 25 your SCD successes, celebrations and even failures, because we can Christine Mair on reels of three learn from the past. Some branches provide us with a steady stream In my opinion 26 of information, while others never feature in the magazine. We want Gary Coull takes a turn on our soap box to hear from you all, and remember that a good quality photograph speaks a thousand words. Overheard on the web 27 Our regular column monitoring views and opinions on SCD websites Good luck and happy dancing. Reviews 28 The next issue of Scottish Country Dancer will be published in October Recent releases reviewed by RSCDS members 2010. Please send your contributions to the editor by 1 August. Day School Diary 30

Cover picture: Soldiers of The Black Watch dance The Kandahar Reel, which they devised while on active service in Afghanistan. See page 23 for the full story. Photo is Crown Copyright

Editor Contact Andrew Kellett [email protected] Editorial Board Advertising Elspeth Gray, Jimmie Hill, Linda Gaul Pat Houghton, Jean Martin [email protected]

Publisher The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society 12 Coates Crescent, Edinburgh, EH3 7AF Website Telephone E mail www.rscds.org 0131 225 3854 [email protected] Graphic Designer Its All Good The Haughs, Cromdale, Grantown on Spey, PH26 3PQ [email protected] Printer J Thomson Colour Printers Ltd 14-16 Carnoustie Place, Glasgow G5 8PB

Royal Scottish Country Dance Society - a registered Scottish Charity no. SC016085

www.rscds.org 3 News from Coates Crescent Elspeth Gray brings you up to date with developments at Headquarters. venture this year, aimed at encouraging wider participation in DSW, is a photographic competition. Between 1 April General Purposes & Finance Committee and 30 June, branches and members are William Whyte (Convenor) being asked to submit photographs of Aad Boode, Sue Duckett, Marjorie Hume, Scottish country dancers taken against Robert McColl, Colin McEwen. recognisable monuments, landmarks Shona Coyle (Secretary to the Committee) and/or symbols of their countries. We hope Membership Services Committee that this will have wide appeal and generate Pam Gillies (Convenor) entries from around the world. Marilyn Healy (Archivist) Submissions will be published on the Maureen Rutherford (Music Director) members section of the new website. Bill Austin, Helen Beaney, Anne Carter, Photographs selected for use in the Jacquie Riddell, Frank Thomson, competition will be held until Dance Sheila West. Scottish Week in September, when a Moira Thomson (Secretary to the different photograph will be published each 2009 Elections Committee) day on the home page. Children and young Results of the elections for management (Note: the Chairman and Chairman Elect people will be asked to identify where the posts at the 2009 AGM were as follows: may attend any Committee or other photograph was taken and to name the Members of Management Board meeting, without a vote) nearest RSCDS branch. 3 years – Keith Stacey, Elaine Wilde 2010 Elections Prizes will be awarded in age groups, up to 18 Convenor Elect, Education & Training years old. The photographs selected for the Committee Members are encouraged to put themselves competition will be credited and rotated on Diane Rooney forward for election to the Board or to one of the home page during the forthcoming year. the Committees. The next elections will be Convenor Elect, General Purposes & As we are looking for high resolution images, held at the AGM in November 2010. Details Finance Committee photographs should be taken on a quality of the posts that will be available and There were no nominations. digital camera – no mobile phones, please! nomination forms will be circulated to Members of General Purposes & Finance Entries should be emailed, in jpeg format, Branches and posted on the website – keep Committee marked “Photograph” in the subject line, to: an eye out for them or contact Headquarters 3 years – Colin McEwen [email protected] for more information. Members of Education & Training Committee Staffing SCD mentors 3 years – Margaret Baker, Gillian Frew, We have been delighted to welcome Moira The Traditional Arts Working Group in Andrew Nolan Thomson as a permanent member of staff. (TAWGS) which took evidence Members of Membership Services She is responsible for administration of the from, among others, our President, Dr Alastair Committee examinations and medal tests, and also MacFadyen, has called for country dancing 3 years – Frank Thomson, Sheila West Spring Fling, and has recently taken on the mentors to help safeguard Scottish role of Secretary to the Membership Services traditions. Scottish Culture Minister, Fiona Management Board and Committee. On a sadder note, however, we Hyslop, gave her support, and our Executive Committee membership for have said goodbye to Kate Lawrie, who has Officer, Liz Foster, issued a press release Nov 2009 – Nov 2010 decided to return to Australia. She has backing the Minister’s wish to find ways of Management Board worked with the Society for almost 10 years enabling individuals to pass on their skills and Alex Gray (Chairman) and will be much missed, but we wish her a expertise to a younger generation and to Ruth Beattie (Chairman Elect) very happy – and warm – retirement. Liz help them experience the fun and enjoyment Helen Russell (Convenor, E&T) Foster is taking the opportunity to review of Scottish country dancing. William Whyte (Convenor, GP&F) staffing requirements and allocation. Pam Gillies (Convenor, MS) Development Officer Elizabeth Foster (Executive Website and Database The RSCDS has obtained a grant from the Officer/Secretary) By the time members receive this magazine, Scottish Arts Council to engage a part-time Lyn Bryce, Roderick McLachlan, Isobel the new website and database should be up Development Officer to help Scottish McMillan, Lorna Ogilvie, Ross Robertson, and running. A short-term “fix” for the branches get children and young people Lindsey-Jane Rousseau, Andrew Smith, synchronisation difficulties with the online involved in Scottish country dancing. We are Keith Stacey, Elaine Wilde. database was not going to be cost-effective, delighted that Susan Rhodes has taken up Elspeth Gray (Minute Secretary) so it has in fact been redeveloped and the role. You can read about her on page 10. streamlined alongside the website. Branches Education & Training Committee will of course be given full details of how to The RSCDS would welcome donations and Helen Russell (Convenor) access your members’ data. We hope that bequests from its members. Diane Rooney (Convenor Elect) members will find the new website easier to Your gift will enable us to develop Margo Priestley (Schools Director) navigate and look forward to your feedback innovative projects to assist the Society Deb Lees (Youth Director) to help us develop it even further. worldwide and help keep Scottish country Margaret Baker, Malcolm Brown, Ann Dix, dancing a popular recreation. Graham Donald, Gillian Frew, Andrew DSW 2010 Photographic Your subscription funds today’s expend- Nolan, Sue Porter, Anne Smyth. Competition iture, your donation helps look after Craig Jackson (Secretary to the HQ is supporting a number of events in its future. Committee) Dance Scottish Week (DSW) 2010. A new

4 www.rscds.org From the Chair

by Alex Gray, Chairman

current membership structure. We are open, appropriate and possible, and fed other therefore, to continuing this debate and to ideas into the Strategic Plan 2010-13, receiving constructive and realistic ideas where members can see the concerns we from local groups, which will serve also to are addressing. The Strategic Plan will shape preserve the functions and services of the our development over the next 3 years and Society valued by the membership. We will will be used by Management Board and publish suggestions on the website to Committees to structure meetings. Issues generate discussion, and to inform a This is my third From the Chair in Scottish Working Group of Management Board Country Dancer, which means I am nearly being addressed include how overseas members become more involved in the members, who will continue to focus upon three-quarters of the way through my term this aspect of the way forward. of office. Time flies! Being Chairman has Society’s governance, and making the provided opportunities to meet members website more informative and accessible. Feedback from members clearly shows from all over the world, to realise how large Alongside the Strategic Plan, the Marketing appreciation of Board representation at the circle is of people who enjoy our form of Plan and Communications Strategy will regional conferences and we plan to hold dance and to talk with members. The support branches in promoting the Society future conferences in Scotland, England, recent Falkirk Branch weekend at Crieff and improve communication across Europe and Australia (at the Australian Hydro was a highlight, a great weekend branches, members and Headquarters. Winter School in 2010). with over 400 dancers participating in one It is easy for me to say positive things, but Two new branches have been formed in of three dancing streams, and left Kate and how do we assure members that action will Lyon and Northern Italy. Kate and I spent a me with many happy memories. follow? In her article on page 7, Liz Foster great weekend with Lyon Branch, who However, not all things that come your way (Executive Officer) describes her preparation invited us to teach at the workshop as Chairman are enjoyable. You have to be of the Strategic Plan. A determined lady, Liz celebrating their first anniversary. The prepared to face up to the challenges arising wants to see it succeed, which should ensure participants’ vibrant enthusiasm from the modern world’s rapid rate of its implementation! The real proof, however, throughout the weekend created a great change and evolution. At the regional is in the coming months. atmosphere. We wholeheartedly welcome forums held since I became Chairman I am aware also that a number of members them and the Northern Italy members to (Scotland, TAC and New Zealand) many feel the structure of the Society needs to the Society. We also enjoyed the members have taken the opportunity to change further, even though the outcome Manchester Branch 75th Anniversary Ball. inform me what is good and bad about the of the branch survey in May 2009 resulted Kate and I look forward to meeting and Society and its activities. We have in a consensus for the status quo; in dancing with members at events we will be responded with immediate action where particular, there is a range of views on the attending in the coming months. From the Management Committees

General Purposes & Finance Committee

investments are showing positive gains after investment in the new website) but certainly the steep falls suffered last year. We have had the overall total of assets will be appreciably William Whyte, very good news on the VAT front, payments larger. The Society is therefore in an enviable, Convenor now received add up to a net benefit of sound financial position. £185,000 after all the intermediaries are paid. Nothing stays the same and the role of the We are now approaching the end of our This money goes into reserves, and has GP&F Committee is no longer as relevant as it financial year and as usual the end result is enabled us to fund the website update (an was when the current management structure difficult to forecast with any precision. At the item not in the original 2009-10 budget) was agreed at the AGM in 2001 and then time of writing the inflow of subscriptions is costing some £20,000. implemented in the following year. With the better than last year (but there are still some The use of the Jean Milligan Memorial Fund to installation of an Executive Officer, the need laggard branches!) and the rate of decline in complete the musical recordings of our books for more focused, time-limited working groups membership numbers seems to have abated is close to conclusion with the recordings of and permanent expert panels, the idea of this year. It is pleasing to note that a number Books 7 and 17. This completes the set so the GP&F meeting four times a year and doing of members are taking advantage of the new mission is accomplished. what it used to do is no longer practical nor joint adult membership. The Society has been The combination of good news and not much indeed effective. The officers of the Society successful in obtaining a grant to fund a bad news means that the operational financial and the Board are working on how to adapt Development Officer for a year to undertake accounts will show a balanced outcome, plus the structure with the target of presenting a specific project (see page 10). The or minus £10,000 (disregarding the proposals at the next AGM. See you there!

www.rscds.org 5 children and young people take part Education & Training Committee confidently in all the activities of a residential school. I hope that parents, dancers and teachers all over the world will Helen Russell, schools the RSCDS is piloting a programme continue to support the recruitment of our Convenor of Continuous Professional Development next generation of dancers. for Scottish teachers. Based on models of successful practice from Aberdeen, Glasgow Frequently asked questions and Helensburgh, the Society is training a 1. “Our regular teacher has retired/left. I’ve selection of its own teachers, many of been left in charge, but I am not a teacher whom have backgrounds in education and and don’t really want to sit the I am sure that many of us who went to training, to deliver basic SCD teaching skills examinations. What help can you give me?” school in Scotland remember being taught to trainee and qualified teachers in Scottish There are many dancers who may find to dance by teachers who had attended schools. In this way it is hoped that themselves in charge of a class or club, but Jordanhill or Dunfermline College. This, of eventually we can ensure that many who do not wish to undergo the rigours of course, was part of Dr Milligan’s legacy. schools will contain an enthusiastic an examination candidate course to gain She ensured that many Physical Education member of staff competent to teach SCD. the formal RSCDS teaching qualification, teachers studied for the first part of the Any school or university wishing advice or comprising Units 1 to 5. For those people RSCDS teaching qualification during their training should email [email protected] for there now exists Unit 0. This is an outline of time at college. The result was that SCD more information. After the initial pilot, the a course in basic SCD teaching skills which was taught in every Scottish secondary intention is to make such training available can be delivered anywhere in the world. school, in many primary schools and much as widely as possible. I know that there are One of its major attractions is that it does further afield as teachers emigrated and RSCDS teachers all over the world with the not involve sitting an examination. Several started to teach dancing. skills to train others. branches already offer this type of course, Since then, the curriculum for teacher Having had the great privilege of attending so we have compiled many of their good training courses in universities and in both Australian Winter School and New ideas to make Unit 0. schools has changed significantly. The last Zealand Summer School in 2009, I was 2. “What is a mentor supposed to do?” Ask generation of teachers who were trained to most heartened by the work being done to no more…..a document containing further teach SCD has now reached retirement. So encourage young dancers in the Southern guidance and a training outline for Unit 4 that these skills are not lost from Scottish Hemisphere. It was delightful to watch mentors is now on the website. Membership Services Committee

Pam Gillies, Convenor Work has been continuing on the new book of dances to be published this year – working title “Book 46”. Our thanks go to the 91 branches that have been involved in evaluating the submissions. The final selection of dances and music has been made, and we are on track for having both book and CD ready for Summer School 2010. The new Graded Book 2 is almost ready to go to the printer, and the music has been recorded, so again we should have both book and CD ready in good time for Ladies’ Step Summer School. Mrs Tihi West taking a Ladies' Step class at St. Andrews in the 1950s. Do you recognise any of Jean Martin and a team of reviewers from the students? around the world have been working on Since the early days at the RSCDS Summer School in St. Andrews, the form of dance the compilation of Books 13-18 in A5 known as “Ladies’ Highland”, then subsequently as “Ladies’ Step”, has been nurtured by format, and that will shortly be in print. very gifted teachers and enjoyed by enthusiastic dancers, who relish the opportunity to The Committee has been looking into explore the challenge, complexity and grace of this form of dance. making a limited number of tracks available The RSCDS is in the process of collecting and publishing both the dances and the music as digital downloads; the potential for some traditional and modern step dances. With generous help from Dr Ron distributor has provided a draft contract, Nedderman, who collated and edited his late wife, Susan’s, notes, the first part of this which is being carefully reviewed, and we project came to fruition in 2009 with the publication of 15 dances and the hope to see some progress in that area very accompanying sheet music in The St Andrews Collection of Step Dances. The next part soon. Another innovation is that we are of the project will involve publishing a second book and a CD of the music for both books now selling our CDs through a record shop by Muriel Johnstone and Keith Smith. This will be an excellent resource for step dancers in Perth, Scotland – Concorde Music Shop, and step teachers and will also be a delightful listening experience. website http://www. concordemusic.com/. If you have enjoyed dancing or teaching Ladies’ Step please support the project But don’t forget that you will very soon be by buying the first volume. The St Andrews Collection of Step Dances is available able to order and pay for RSCDS goods from Headquarters. online through our own new web shop!

6 www.rscds.org RSCDS Strategic Plan 2010-13 by Elizabeth Foster, Secretary/Executive Officer

other agencies and bodies, not to say with Membership Services what is deemed to be “cool” by the younger Providing efficient and appropriate services generation at any point in time! to members is an ongoing concern. To this end, the Membership Services Committee The RSCDS Strategic Plan 2010-13 Background has been tasked with keeping in touch with In deciding upon what should be included the perceived usefulness of services being On my appointment in December 2008, I in the RSCDS strategic plan 2010-13, a was asked to develop an organisational provided by the RSCDS, and is expected to wealth of comments and views from the consult formally with the membership and “strategic plan” for 2010-13. I am a great membership was available; collated over the fan of strategic plans! branches alternately, on a two year cycle. last two years, in response to questionnaires Clearly, ideas and concerns will be A strategic plan is a tool used by managers and focus groups, and from sessions held at welcomed outside this two year framework, to describe and set targets. By carefully branch and regional conferences. but a commitment is being made to this listing what you expect to achieve over a With all this in mind, the RSCDS Board regular review of services and to taking three year period, your performance against agreed six main action areas for 2010-13: cognisance of the views expressed. With the plan can be tracked and monitored 1. Increasing public profile and awareness of the launch of the new website in the early internally and externally, as the strategic the work and role of the RSCDS; part of 2010, an improved membership plan is a public document. 2. Extending access to SCD across Scotland database, on-line events management The strategic plan offers other benefits. In and worldwide; system, shop and support for social an organisation like the RSCDS, where so 3. Continuing to work to maintain and networking sites and information exchange, much work is taken forward by volunteers, improve standards in SCD; communication should be substantially and the plan can help to ensure that energy and 4. Increasing the membership and improving noticeably improved. effort is directed towards achieving membership services; maximum impact, where the outcome is 5. Identifying opportunities to diversify The Content of the Strategic Plan greater than the sum of the parts. In RSCDS income; As indicated above, the content of the addition, for a worldwide organisation, the 6. Continuous improvement in organi- Strategic Plan was informed by members’ plan provides public accountability and the sational management and governance, views, and the RSCDS Board, Committees opportunity for improved communication including risk management. and staff team worked to develop the both within and external to the RSCDS. Action Plans on each area identified by the The RSCDS Strategic Plan for 2010-13 Board. The Summary Table below provides The Strategic Planning Process spans a relatively short period of time and, a quick guide to where the main work is To develop a strategic plan, it is usual to within that, the greatest amount of detail located with respect to each action area. begin by re-visiting the organisational aims pertains to the financial year 2010-11. You can read how the RSCDS intends to address and objectives and by looking inside the Action Area 123456 organisation for areas of strength and each of the six main action areas in detail by accessing the strategic plan on the weakness; then to look outside the Board/HQ organisation to identify challenges (eg. as RSCDS website at www.rscds.org presented by competitors) and opportunities As mentioned above, however, you should E&T for development (eg. the current upsurge of be confident that the strategic plan is a interest in all forms of dance). working tool not a tablet of stone, and does GP&F not preclude other activities happening The RSCDS exists to: alongside it. Indeed, stabilising the MS …promote and develop Scottish country membership must be addressed over a dancing worldwide for the benefit of longer period of time, whilst providing present and future generations... efficient, appropriate and cost-effective and aims to achieve its objectives by: member services is an ongoing concern. The RSCDS Strategic Plan 2010-13, along with a Marketing Plan and Communications 1. promoting and encouraging Scottish Strategy, is available on the website. The first country dancing for all ages and abilities; The RSCDS Membership formal progress report to the membership 2. providing technical support to Scottish Whilst membership can be increased only at the local level, 2010 will see a number of will be made at the AGM in November this country dancing by maintaining high year. This strategic plan signals a new, more standards of teaching, training musicians actions being taken to support branches in this endeavour; including the provision of rigorous and inclusive way of pursuing and publishing relevant supporting RSCDS objectives, with much of the work information; and improved and accessible publicity materials, a more effective media presence, initiatives spearheaded by the volunteer members of 3. supporting and widening the network of to engage more children and young people the Board and Committees. Much also RSCDS branches and other Scottish in Scottish country dancing and to increase depends upon the active engagement of dance groups who share our objectives. the local availability of teachers, and a local branches and members. Within the RSCDS we have passion, commit- commitment to supporting Dance Scottish I hope you enjoy reading about the work to ment and energy but we also have an ageing Week on a global scale. In addition, a review which the RSCDS is committed over the membership and a variable level of success will begin of the constitutional basis of the next 3-4 years. I look forward to working in attracting new and younger members. RSCDS, the Licence Agreement, and the with you and to receiving your comments, Outside the RSCDS, the environment is membership structure with worldwide which should be forwarded to challenging in terms of financial markets focus groups being encouraged to submit [email protected] with RSCDS Strategic Plan and competition for leisure activities from ideas for consideration. 2010-13 in the subject heading.

www.rscds.org 7 Dance Scottish Week by Ruth Beattie

Dance Scottish Week was introduced in representatives of other organisations to 2007 following the first Scottish Branches attend a reception at the Scottish A view from London Conference. Initially, DSW was perceived as Parliament on 17 September hosted by Branch an initiative to encourage new Richard Lochhead, the Member of the membership, but now its purpose is to Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Moray. There by Angela Young promote Scottish country dancing we had the opportunity to speak with MSPs “Why don’t we try something different for worldwide, to provide a focused week of about how SCD sits at the heart of the Dance Scottish Week?” “How about dancing activity for the enjoyment of all dancers, Scottish Parliamentary “Healthy Living” Eightsome Reels around London for to engage with other organisations and to agenda. We also watched a display by the publicity?” “We could hold a Freshers’ Week stimulate political interest. Measuring RSCDS Youth Demonstration Team event”. And so the ideas kept flowing as the increased membership worldwide is not accompanied by Mo Rutherford and Luke Branch Committee engaged in some blue easy but if every branch were to increase Brady. Among the dancers was Gary Coull, sky thinking about how to exploit DSW. membership by three or four the outcome who is also a local councillor in Keith, and Our aim has been to attract people to the would be significant. Having participated was instrumental in securing the reception. fun, sociable way of keeping fit through in DSW over the last three years I have no We hope to repeat the event this year. SCD, as well as showing that it is a family doubt that the various activities have been And now we look forward to DSW 2010. We activity. By using existing events combined enjoyable and worthwhile. have returned to our format of holding a with new ventures we have tried to cater My memory returns to the Homecoming launch event and a closing event. We are for all levels, while making sure we publicise Ball held in Edinburgh last year. It was a sell- delighted that Aberdeen Branch is hosting dancing opportunities in London as widely out and throughout the evening the the launch on Friday 17 September and Ayr as possible. Our marketing strategy is on atmosphere was happy and relaxed. We had Branch the closing dance on 24 September. the Branch website as “Dance Scottish wonderful music from David Cunningham, Details are on the website. There are Week Factsheet” (www.rscdslondon.org). and MCs who delighted everyone with their weekday events awaiting confirmation. The midweek “Open House” is the lively approach and clear re-capping. There will be another colouring competition opportunity for everyone to get dancing: Dancers joined us from the furthest corners for children and a photographic novices finding out what to do in the of the UK, from America and from Japan. To competition. Most importantly, we urge middle of the Eightsome, regular dancers celebrate the occasion a special you all to join in. Projects do not have to be trying out Ladies’ Step, fledgling dancers Homecoming cake was cut by Anne Thorn, high profile to be successful. Good luck and exploring a technique session, or parents who devised the new Homecoming Dance. best wishes for an enjoyable and stimulating bringing children to dance in family But perhaps the icing on the cake was an promotion of all we strive to achieve for groups. The evenings are very informal, invitation to our Society members and our Society. with wine and light refreshments served throughout. Committee members and Richard Lochhead MSP addressing guests in the Garden Lobby at the Scottish Parliament accompanied class regulars are there to answer by Alex Gray, RSCDS Chairman. Also visible is one of our new RSCDS banners. questions and hand out flyers, MCs call ceilidh and simple country dances, various classes perform short demonstrations and around the room are photos and posters showing our year’s activities. It’s a great way of bringing the different Branch classes together and reminding members what is on offer, and some newcomers definitely want to learn more. We have also ventured out from the centre of London to hold a ceilidh in Wimbledon. This attracted local people who were prepared to try SCD for the first time because it was happening on their doorstep. DSW has made a huge difference to the way we start our dancing year, we are looking out much more than we are looking in, and we’ll be thinking about how DSW can help us into the future, “How about dancing The Flying Scotsman next to the actual train at Kings Cross Station?”

8 www.rscds.org Dance Scottish Week 2010 Friday 17 – Saturday 25 September We depend on you! Let us together make Dance Scottish Week 2010 the biggest yet! It would be wonderful if the Society could afford to take out full-page advertisements in national newspapers worldwide. It would be great to see adverts on television, but as this is not possible the Society depends on branches and clubs worldwide to recruit new dancers and new members. Dance Scottish Week in September is our chance to promote Scottish country dancing to the general public, wherever we are in the world. If the dates do not quite fit your situation, feel free to hold your own DSW whenever you want! Make every week Dance Scottish Week! Here are some of the ideas which have worked in the past: Dancers enjoying a London Branch Open House during Dance Scottish Week. • Demonstration in different parts of your town • A free taster workshop for children Scottish Branches Conference and/or adults 6 February 2010 Dunblane • A ceilidh dance for the general public (no pumps please!) by Jimmie Hill • An interview in your local newspaper • Invite your local newspaper to a class More famous for Andy Murray than the RSCDS, Dunblane was the venue for the fifth • A dance for all the groups in your area Scottish Branches conference. Lorna Ogilvie welcomed everyone, pointing out the initiatives • A ‘bring a friend’ dance with an easy to have emerged so far from the SBC: Dance Scottish Week, Marketing Officer, Schools programme Liaison Officer, new corporate identity, Dance Scottish logo to name but five. We are helping you. Alex Gray began by reviewing recent developments and outlined challenges, followed by Liz We have new full-colour posters and leaflets Foster, who gave an enthusiastic and informative presentation of the new Strategic Plan, now available on the website for you to explaining in plain English how she saw it as a “flexible tool” rather than set in stone. She download or for you to order free from HQ. also outlined the structure of the new website. Use them to add your own local information. The afternoon focused on education and training with a presentation by Helen Russell, Tell us what you are planning. who linked future plans with specific objectives in the Strategic Plan. Jimmie Hill then Email us at HQ so that we can put your DSW concentrated on Scottish schools with proposals to train RSCDS teachers who were also events up on the website. Wherever you are, schoolteachers to run training courses for primary and secondary teachers. He then brought please make sure your group is involved. delegates up to date on proposals for Dance Scottish Week 2010. Friday 17 September in Aberdeen So what did the delegates and members think during the discussion sessions? There was The opening Scottish event is the North unanimous agreement on the need for Dance Scottish Week to continue – and with flagship East Dance, organised by Aberdeen Branch, events but not necessarily in the major cities. Recruitment of new dancers was seen as a with Colin Dewar playing in the MacRobert year-round priority with an emphasis on accepting all dancers, whatever their level of ability. Hall, Robert Gordon’s College. Tickets £10 from Lynn Wood (01224 636128) or email It was stressed that teachers of beginners classes must make learning fun. There was [email protected] overwhelming support for our high-quality magazine. Of the 44 feedback forms returned, Programme: It’s Just for Fun, General Stuart’s Reel, all wanted the conference to continue. Balmoral , The Elphinstone , Milton’s The day was altogether positive and brought to a fitting end with an overview by Jean Welcome, The Trysting Place,Tribute to the Borders, Martin who had been ‘circulating’ throughout the day. Quite dizzy she must have been! The Inimitable Derek, The Minister on the Loch, The Earl of Mansfield, The Machine without Horses, The Once again a children's colouring Dream Catcher, Inverneill House, The Nurseryman, competition was held in Gang the Same Gate, Blooms of BonAccord, The Laird of Milton’s Daughter, The Silver Tassie, conjuction with Dance Scottish Maxwell’s Rant, Follow me Home Week. Entries were submitted from all over the world and Friday 24 September in Ayr winners were selected from four The Scottish event at the end of DSW is the age categories. These were:- South West Dance, organised by Ayr Branch, 8 years - Asuka Kouketsu with Ian Muir’s band in the Concert Hall, (Saitama, Japan) Troon. Tickets £8 from Wilma Brown (01292 9 years- Molly Carter 315558) or email [email protected] (Isle of Skye) Programme: Welcome to Ayr, The Sailor, 10 years- Jenna Donovan Autumn in Appin, Ladies’ Fancy, Portnacraig, (Dunfermline) The Braes of Breadalbane, It’s Just for Fun, 11 years - Davina Foucar The Silver Tassie, General Stuart’s Reel, (Lisburn, Northern Pelorus Jack, Minard Castle, Culla Bay, Ireland) TheKelloholm Jig, Polharrow Burn, Cape Town Wedding, Todlen Hame, The Gentleman, Congratulations to everyone who Montgomeries’ Rant took part. Sadly, there is only room to show Davina's entry. Let’s all support Dance Scottish Week 2010

www.rscds.org 9 Who’s who in the RSCDS

In June 2009 I was appointed to the position of SCD groups at traditional music and dance festivals RSCDS Youth Director for three years, taking up the around the world. I am also a caller for two post in November, after the AGM. I began Scottish Northumbrian based bands and enjoy playing country dancing at Newcastle University as an 18 whistles at local music sessions. year old student – one class and I was hooked, going In the RSCDS youth encompasses children and to my first dance four days later! young adults up to age 35 worldwide – a very big I still live and work in Newcastle as a Paediatric spread – and my work as Director will include a Speech and Language Therapy service manager. I review of the medal tests, the application of good started SCD teaching at the University class, practice in child protection and helping younger obtaining my full certificate in 1987. I currently musicians and teachers to develop their skills. I will teach two weekly classes, both have younger be supported by the Education & Training dancers and musicians regularly involved. Teaching Committee and, in particular by the Schools Liaison Deb Lees at day and weekend schools is always a great Officer (Irene Bennett) and the Youth Demonstration Youth Director privilege, especially those with a youth focus, and it Team Co-ordinator (Margo Priestley). In addition I has been a challenge as well as a pleasure to lead am very keen to promote the sharing of good ideas. Development Officer by Susan Rhodes

I was delighted to be good practice in child and family services. offered a year contract I’m looking forward to hearing from all working part-time until branches about their work in engaging March 2011 as Development Officer for the young dancers and I’m keen to be a good RSCDS on a Scottish Arts Council-funded ‘spider in the web’ by sharing this Margo Priestley project. The project aims to support information across the organisation. I’m not Schools Director Scottish branches interested in engaging sure if ‘spider in the web’ translates well children and young people with SCD. If the from Dutch; it means being a good point of pilot is successful, the learning will be shared I began Scottish country dancing at contact, being a source of knowledge about primary school in Fife. I moved to across the organisation. The project is part of a wider RSCDS strategy to recruit more activities, and making connections between Edinburgh and in 1970 I decided I young dancers through Scottish schools, the various strands across the network. I’m wanted to dance again and joined with broader links to health, exercise and also keen to hear from any Scottish Edinburgh Branch. As a member of the reducing obesity. I’m really looking forward branches interested in setting up activities demonstration team I competed at to getting started and to working with for children and young people. Later in the festivals, danced in the Branch show ‘An RSCDS branches. project, I hope to be able to offer more in- Edinburgh Fancy’ and of course took depth support to several branches to help part in trips overseas. I lived in the Netherlands for 10 years on a 20 metre two-mast gaff ketch. In the 2007 them establish activities for young dancers, I gained my teaching certificate in summer holidays we sailed across to and build links with other local traditional 1977 and started going to Summer Scotland but didn’t sail back again! My dance and music initiatives. School at St Andrews, which I daughter, Emma (10), is now more Scottish I’m looking forward to starting work, getting thoroughly enjoyed. Since then I have than Dutch, and is enjoying learning in touch with branches, hearing about your taught all levels of classes for the traditional music and SCD. Husband Hans activities and having the opportunity to Branch, and I have had great pleasure doesn’t join in though, his 500 left feet meet with as many Scottish branches as teaching at many day schools at home make him a liability on the dance floor! and abroad as well as Summer School. possible in the course of the year. I’ll also As a musician and keen dancer, I am loving I am also an examiner for the RSCDS. keep all branches informed about the project being here too. I have worked privately as a via the website. Secretly, I’m hoping that the Schools are a vital part of the Society music teacher with children of all ages, and project will improve my own dancing skills. and I am committed to maintaining have played in many folk bands over the Unlike my husband, I don’t have 500 left the traditions and standards along with years. I also have a lot of experience working feet, but I still never quite get it right! I’ll be the all important social aspects of in schools, currently as volunteer in touch again soon and do feel free to dancing. In my new role as Director I ‘choirmaster’ at my daughter’s school, and contact me – a word of welcome is always hope I can encourage more people to with Oban Strings (primary schools’ nice when you start something new. experience the same pleasure and orchestra). In addition to my passion for enjoyment I have had from being part music and dance, I worked for many years PS I’ll be working mainly from home of the RSCDS family. as policy officer and researcher for various (boat!). My contact details are: non-profit and governmental organisations, Tel: 07516 355 969 researching, developing and promoting Email: [email protected]

10 www.rscds.org AGM & Conference Weekend 2009 by Helen Beaney

2008 AGM was approved with one amendment, from Leicester Branch, regarding the circumstances in which a trustee could be removed from the Board. The votes for committee members were cast and counted before the meeting started. A summary of the meeting and the Executive Officer’s report are on the website. The programme for the Saturday evening dance was prepared by Royal Tunbridge

Recipients of the RSCDS Scroll at the 2009 AGM were (left to right) Jean Sim (Education & Training Committee) Isabelle Macpherson (Toronto Branch) Barbara Peel (Membership Services Committee) and Dorothy Hamilton (Glasgow Branch). Scrolls were also presented locally to Patricia Coyle (St. Catherine's Branch) who was pictured receiving her award in the previous isssue, and to Jean Conway, Elizabeth Wilson and Geoffrey Selling. The RSCDS Conference Weekend, including members feel involved, both at branch level the 80th AGM, was held in the Bell Sports and within the Society as a whole, for Centre, Perth on 6 - 8 November 2009. The example volunteering their skills, taking part event opened with a wine reception, while a in inter-branch discussions and conferences piper managed to make himself heard above and “test-driving” new dances for Elizabeth "Bunty" Wilson (East Angus Branch) receiving the Scroll from Irene Bennett, former the sound of over 550 dancers greeting publication. Membership Services would be RSCDS Chairman. friends, some of whom they had not seen happy to receive suggestions for discussion since last year. After a warm welcome from topics and other activities for future Wells Branch and the music was by Jim the Provost of Perth, the Ball got under way. conference weekends (although the Lindsay and his Band. I have had one of his The formal dress of most of the dancers, proposal of a ceilidh to replace the Saturday CDs (not dance music) for 20 years and this swathes of RSCDS round the walls, night dance was not well received). Liz was the first time I have danced to his the programme devised by Pretoria Branch Foster has co-ordinated discussions with playing live. It was worth the wait! A similar and the music of David Cunningham (Jnr.) branches that have suffered a dramatic fall number of dancers to the previous night and his Band all combined to make a great in membership, and also with those whose enjoyed it just as much as the Ball. atmosphere. So efficient were the MCs and numbers have increased, in the hope of Sunday morning began with a meeting for line counters that there was even time to fit learning the causes. One of the features of all members of the Management Board and in an extra dance. the new website will be a members’ forum Committees. Then there was a range of where we will be able to share experiences Throughout Saturday morning and early options: a class taught by Johan MacLean, and discuss ideas. afternoon the RSCDS shop and an with music by Robert Mackay, for those assortment of branch tables did a roaring The AGM was the first at which delegates who still had energy left; a Youth Forum or trade in books, CDs and accessories. In the could represent more than one vote (up to a meeting of the International Branch. morning there was a choice of a general three), so a coloured card system was in Unfortunately, the planned Musicians’ dance class led by Sue Porter to the music place and there were three counts for each Forum had to be cancelled. Lunch was of Mo Rutherford, which about 100 dancers motion and amendment. The Management arranged, for those who had requested it, attended, or a question time session with a Board motion bringing the Constitution and and then everyone wended their way home. panel consisting of the Chairman, Chairman Rules into line with a motion passed at the I booked the same accommodation for 5 - Elect, Executive Officer and the Convenors 7 November 2010 before I left, so I look of the three Committees. forward to seeing you all again for the 81st AGM and to help Perth celebrate the 800th During this latter session, many questions anniversary of King William the Lion were asked, the vast majority of which were granting the city its charter. interlinked – the favourite topics being those hardy perennials: how do we get (and keep) more members and what do we (particularly overseas members) get for our subscription money? There were many useful contributions, from the floor as well as the panel, and my only grouse was that the five people in the row behind me saw fit to mutter to each other all the way through the session. Alex Gray emphasised that the Management Board, Committees Jean Conway (Canberra and District Branch) with and Headquarters staff welcome helpful Jack Arthur, Branch Chair, at an event in Nowra, Geoffrey Selling (Delaware Valley Branch) with his ideas on subjects such as how to make Australia to celebrate the award of her Scroll. RSCDS Scroll.

www.rscds.org 11 News in Pictures

The RSCDS is one of the sponsors of the Scottish Traditional Music Awards. In 2009 the Dancers from the Aberdeen Branch Award sponsored by the Society was presented by our President, Alastair MacFadyen, to Airyhall Children's Class performing at the the young musicians of the Caledonian Canal Ceilidh Trail. Each summer the Highland Eastgate Shopping Centre, Inverness in Council organises a series of celidhs and dances along the Caledonian Canal from Fort October 2009 as part of the Centre's Augustus to Inverness and taking in Loch Ness. It is a wonderful opportunity for young Homecoming celebrations. Later in the musicians to play for dancing and improve their skills. One of the events last summer was afternoon they danced for delegates at an a dance run by Irene Whyte (Inverness Branch). international Homecoming conference at The photograph shows the Ceilidh Trail musicians: (front row) lead musician Cameron Kellow and, the Eden Court Theatre. on guitar, student musician Alasdair Taylor; (back row) with the fiddle, student musician Euan Smilie and, with the Award, singer Rachael MacDonald and trainee lead musician and fiddler, Rachel Campbell

In Northern Ireland, the Helen’s Bay class, which is part of Belfast Branch, celebrated a golden anniversary in December. The class was started in 1959 by Jean McCadden and she has taught the class for all of those 50 years. Pupils past and present gathered for a ball in December with Iain MacPhail and his Band. They were entertained by a Long serving Nottingham Branch members at the Golden Jubilee Dance. delightful demonstration of two dances ( Ian Powrie’s Farewell to Auchterarder and Over Nottingham Branch celebrated its Golden Jubilee on 13 June 2009 when over 100 dancers the Dee; Over the Don ) by the Holywood plus George Meikle and the Lothian Band came together in a night to remember. David children’s class, which is also taught by Jean. Page, Chairman of the Branch, reports that the RSCDS continues to flourish in Nottingham Elizabeth Cameron, President of Belfast with two classes and a demonstration team, whose members play their part in publicising Branch, presented Jean ( on the right ) with a Scottish country dancing. The Branch looks forward to dancing on into its second half Branch Award to mark her contribution to century. Scottish country dancing over so many years.

12 www.rscds.org Vi Johnston, a founder member of Peterhead Branch, and a regular reader of Scottish Teachers and musicians at the RSCDS Winter School in Pitlochry, from left to right, Ann Dix, Gordon Country Dancer, celebrated her 100th Simpson(fiddle), Margo Priestley, John Johnston, Jennifer Wilson(), George Meikle(Winter School birthday recently. She remarked, "I read the Director/accordion), Sue Porter and Bill Ewan (piano). magazine from beginning to end. It keeps me in touch with what's happening in the Scottish country dance world. It also brings back happy memories of over 70 years dancing and the many friends I made over the years. I remember too Miss Milligan's classes when she came to Aberdeenshire – she definitely made sure you knew how to dance!"

Over the end of September and beginning The RSCDS commissioned a new trophy for of October the International Branch held its the National Accordion and Fiddle Club second weekend school, this time in Festival held in March at Falkirk. The Dunfermline. Around 80-90 dancers from all competition was open to solo fiddlers and over the world came together for a accordionists of any age, to promote the weekend of dancing preceded by a couple playing of Scotttish country dance music of days sightseeing. There were classes for for dancing and to encourage musicians to all levels of dancing ability taught by David work with dancers for their mutual Queen, Patrick Chamoin and Stella Fogg - enjoyment. The cup was presented to the UK, France and USA respectively – plus a winner, Susan MacFadyen, by our President, ceilidh and a dance. The IB Committee Alastair MacFadyen (no relation). The One of the RSCDS Youth Team's Year of the would like to thank Dunfermline Branch, picture shows the adjudicators, Sandy Homecoming performances was at the who co-hosted a fun weekend, at which Nixon and Mo Rutherford, with Alastair opening ceilidh for the Royal National MOD lasting friendships were forged by many MacFadyen, Susan MacFadyen and RSCDS 2009. This, the 106th MOD, was held in who were there. The next IB weekend will Chairman Elect, Ruth Beattie. Oban on 9 October. The MOD is Scotland's be in two years’ time. The photograph Photograph by Alan MacPherson. premier festival to celebrate the music and shows members of the International and culture of the Gaelic language. Dunfermline Branches enjoying a dance Photographs by Gordon Porter. with music provided by IB members, John White, Andrew Lyons, Phillippe Kocian and Andrew Knight.

Matthew and Nicole Cutler, professional dancers from that other SCD (BBC TV's ) visiting the RSCDS stand at Move It, an international dance The RSCDS Youth Demonstration Team exhibition held at Olympia performing at the MOD 2009 in Oban. in London.

www.rscds.org 13 The Dance Notebook of Frederick Hill of Alford, 1841 by Alastair MacFadyen Summer School at St Andrews and noted the successful reel classes taught by “Mr John Reid of Newtyle, Forfarshire”. Dancie John Reid, who was a regular teacher of step dancing at St Andrews until his death in 1942, was a surviving 20th century example of the old-style peripatetic dancing master, a familiar figure in many parts of Scotland from the mid 18th century. Since those early Summer Schools, many excellent teachers have been recruited to keep up this tradition of step dance teaching not only at St Andrews but also at classes and workshops organised throughout the world by RSCDS branches and groups. Like so many Society members of my vintage, at my early Summer Schools, I was privileged to receive tuition in highland step dancing from Bobby Watson of Aberdeen and from Mrs Tihi West of Elgin, both former pupils of a renowned dancer and teacher, Johnnie Pirie of Aberdeen. It was during my first visit to St Andrews in the 1950s that I first witnessed the graceful and elegant demonstration of ladies step dancing in the splendid setting of the University’s graduation hall, the Younger Hall. Amongst the dancers was Tibbie Cramb from whom, subsequently, I heard the story of the discovery of the Hill Hammersmith and the Earl of Eightsome. I have a particular memory of MS in Aberdeenshire in the late 1940s and Erroll our teacher’s announcement, at the start learned about the part it had played in her On 30 October 2010, I will be joining the of a new season of classes, that we were own enthusiastic efforts to revive a form of members and friends of RSCDS London to learn a new step dance. We were step dancing now known universally as immediately captivated by the dance as it Branch to celebrate the 80th anniversary of ‘ladies step dancing’ with its characteristic was so different from the step dances the Branch in Hammersmith Town Hall. On soft balletic style of performance. This is a learned so far. Especially appealing was its that occasion I will be very aware that I am story frequently related to RSCDS members percussive character and we practised within a short walking distance from St Paul’s who respond to the appeal of ladies step assiduously to master its single and double Church, Hammersmith, to where Daniel dancing and has been retold in a recent trebles in preparation for the closing class (a‘Taylor’) and Charlotte Louisa Hill brought RSCDS publication entitled The St Andrews display. The dance to which I refer is the now their son, Frederick, for baptism on 11 June Collection of Step Dances. This attractively very familiar solo step dance, Earl of Erroll, 1815. 25 years later, by then resident with presented and informative publication which, as I became aware much later, was contains directions for 15 dances, 6 of them his younger brother, Hugo Russell Hill, in the passed on to me and my classmates Aberdeenshire village of Clatt, Frederick Hill deriving from the Hill MS, including the Earl immediately following the teacher’s summer of Erroll, together with their musical compiled his detailed record of 74 dances. visit to the RSCDS Summer School at St accompaniments. Whilst it is agreed that This manuscript record is now regarded as Andrews where it been taught to her for the the successful revival of ladies step dancing one of the most significant pieces of first time by Mrs Tibbie Cramb of Aberdeen. is a significant aspect of the 20th century documentary evidence available for anyone history of the RSCDS and a testimony to interested in Scotland’s traditional dancing. The RSCDS and Step Dancing our Society’s encouragement of Tibbie Although unaware of it at the time, my first It is, I believe, not always sufficiently well Cramb and her many disciples, it does not encounter with this important document acknowledged and appreciated just how account fully for the historical importance occurred many years ago. much has been achieved by our Society which attaches to the Hill manuscript. I consider myself exceedingly fortunate that for Scotland’s tradition of step dancing. at an early age I was introduced by an Although primarily dedicated to its aim to Frederick Hill and His Notebook inspirational teacher, Mrs Ethel Double of promote the Scottish country dances, it has The details of Frederick Hill’s life during his Aberdeen and Carlisle, to a traditional diet not neglected other aspects of Scotland’s first 25 years are still a mystery which of Scotland’s dances. It included the country dance heritage. might yet be unravelled with further dances, the highland step dances, Highland In its presentation of the Annual Report and investigation. In the meantime, questions Fling and Sword Dance, as well as the Accounts to the SCDS AGM of 1927, the such as ‘What brought him from the south highland reels, Threesome, Foursome and Executive Council referred to the first east of England to rural Aberdeenshire?’ or

14 www.rscds.org interest to RSCDS members and while their titles might be readily recognised, their described method of performance can differ from the familiar versions of today. The notebook has been meticulously assembled with great attention being given to the setting out of the content, which in some instances is embellished with simple scroll work. The handwriting of the text is neat, well formed and legible, but despite that and the helpful musical guidance given with regard to tempos and phrasing, reconstructing the dances described can be the manuscript, prefaced by an illustrated challenging owing to the use of obsolete explanatory commentary. dance terms. Attempts at reconstruction of Inevitably, with such projects, the time the step dances and the country dances taken to reach final completion was much have been made and some of these have longer than initially anticipated. This was been adopted by the RSCDS for publication. due chiefly to the many hours which had to ‘What were his reasons for compiling his Frederick Hill has bequeathed to the present be spent ‘cleaning’ the manuscript digitally dance notebook?’ can only be matters for a unique and invaluable record of the dancing so that the best possible level of legibility speculation. Like his father, he was a tailor, repertoire of rural Aberdeenshire at the might be achieved. The Hill MS Group the trade from which he made his living for beginning of the Victorian era. While his began with a limited first printing of their the entire duration of the Scottish chapter notebook can be considered to draw book all of which was quickly sold out. A of his life. Alford, near Aberdeen, was his attention to the differences between then second and last impression is now available home for most of that time and he died and now, it, nevertheless, serves to reinforce and anyone interested in obtaining a copy there in 1903. awareness of the dancing links between the can find details at www.hillmanuscript.com In some respects, his notebook has aspects 21st and 19th centuries and is further or from Hill MS Group, c/o Dr A MacFadyen, in common with other similar 19th century supportive evidence for our claim to be Tigh na Mara, Newton, Strathlachlan, Argyll, dance manuscripts but in other regards it is practitioners of Scotland’s traditional dances. Scotland, PA27 8DB. uniquely different. It is precisely dated and The response to the publication, from all over it is apparent that it is locally focused on Publication of the Notebook the world, has been very gratifying and the Aberdeenshire. The compiler’s experience of, Convinced of the value of this document for members of the MS Group are very pleased and familiarity with, the contemporary anyone interested in any or all aspects of that they proceeded with their plan to give dances of his locality is evident throughout Scottish traditional dancing, the Hill wider publicity and easier accessibility to the the notebook. The dance content is Manuscript Group( Alastair MacFadyen, dance material recorded by Frederick Hill. For extensive, detailed and varied – country Anita Mackenzie and Alan Macpherson) was me personally, the culmination of the project dances, cotillions, quadrilles, reels - and, formed to consider ways of making it more was the realisation of a long-held ambition. unlike other contemporary manuscripts, it widely known and available. Following To see the manuscript in print finally, was just includes the instructions for the 12 high or consultations with the descendants of as satisfying as the moment of realisation, all step dances which were the inspiration for Frederick Hill, who have retained ownership those years ago, that at last I had perfected Tibbie Cramb’s pioneering work. The many and custody of their ancestor’s notebook, it the single and double trebles of the Earl country dances included are of particular was decided to publish a facsimile copy of of Erroll ! B B C C h i l d r e n i n N e e d 2 0 1 0 by Deb Lees, Youth Director I know that money is raised for Children in year. Iain Hale and Sue Petyt are the driving Need at many Scottish dance events across force behind ‘Dance Scottish for Pudsey’, a Britain. Several years ago branches partici- non-competitive festival in the afternoon pated in ‘Children Dancing for Pudsey’ followed by an evening dance to Robert for which Maureen McNeil from Glasgow Whitehead and his Band. Teams entering the wrote a dance, A Jig for Pudsey Bear, with a festival will need to dress to represent the tune composed by David Ross. Do get in The BBC Children in Need appeal raises dance they present or alternatively come as touch if you would like a copy. millions of pounds each year to make a Pudsey! The aim is to raise money for the I would love to hear about any Pudsey events positive change to the lives of disadvantaged BBC Children in Need appeal, but it will also that you have planned for 2010. I am hoping children and young people across the UK. publicise Scottish dancing on a national level. to get information on the RSCDS website so Pudsey Bear is the appeal’s mascot and he Visit the website www.dancescottish that people are aware of your event and can will be making an appearance at a Scottish forpudsey.org for more information and support it. Please contact me via dance event in Dumfries on 23 October this details of how to enter. [email protected]

www.rscds.org 15 Interview with Sophie Rickebusch Jimmie Hill interviews Sophie Rickebusch, secretary of the International Branch, and recently qualified teacher.

Sophie teaching in Poland in 2009

Why did I think you were Swiss? Scottish dancers all over the place. When my Germany quite often. It’s the only I was born and grew up in Vevey, work took me to Zurich, I joined both the opportunity you get to dance to live music Switzerland, but my father is French and my local groups. It was a great way to get an and meet some of the better-known teachers mother English. immediate social life. One of the teachers from Scotland. encouraged me to go to Summer School, Am I right that SCD appeals to younger But you are living in Edinburgh now. where I took my preliminary certificate people in Europe? Yes, I am currently working at Edinburgh under the old system, then went on to do I think that is true in Germany and France, University for three years, doing post- Unit 5 under the new one. While I was but in Switzerland the groups have been doctoral research in landscape ecology at the qualifying, I was very lucky to have a group going for longer, having grown out of church School of GeoSciences. It’s all about climate to teach in Zurich, but then I moved to social groups, but, having said that, the change and that sort of thing. Grenoble where the group already had a Lausanne group now has younger people too. When did you start Scottish country teacher. Now I am in Edinburgh where there dancing? are lots of qualified teachers! What is the appeal of SCD in Europe? I started when I was 23. My mother had How did it feel arriving in Edinburgh? It’s partly the whole Celtic/Scottish/Irish cultural thing. People see SCD as a bit exotic. learned Scottish country dancing at boarding It was a bit like Christmas! You can dance Here in Scotland SCD is definitely not seen as school in England. She had enjoyed it, so we every night of the week here – and often with exotic. People here are more attracted to salsa both went along to the local group at the live music. When I first arrived, I went out four or whatever. Quite a lot of the younger people Scots Kirk in Lausanne. When I first went or five nights a week, but I have calmed down dancing in the Scottish universities are not along, it was just a social group with no a bit and realised there is more to life! teaching of technique. When the teacher actually Scottish. They are often Europeans returned to Scotland, our new teacher was You obviously know a lot of the young over here for a year. They then go back home RSCDS qualified. Up till then I had enjoyed Europeans who dance. and get involved in SCD groups in their own the patterns and the figures, but my own Yes, I’ve been to workshops all over Europe. country. Some are English language teachers dancing started to develop with the RSCDS- When you live on the Continent, local groups who come over here for a year, then take style teaching. That’s when I started going to tend to be small and because they don’t have dancing back to their classes at home. Today workshops outside the Lausanne area. I then many events, people travel a lot to balls and in Poland you can see new groups starting up realised there was this huge community of workshops. From Zurich I used to go to in the same way as the German groups

16 www.rscds.org started some years ago. Some groups do a all our music is downloadable and CDs are a play a bigger role. The Youth Dem Team idea mixture of Scottish and Irish dancing. Quite a thing of the past, like records and tapes. could be expanded. If we think what attracts lot of dancers are mathematically-minded young people to other styles of dancing, we You are secretary of the International and they like the geometry of SCD. But there might find some ideas. For women, for Branch. are others who like the social aspect where example, Latin dancing frocks are much Yes, we’ve just had our second IB weekend, you get to dance with lots of different people more glamorous than the Scottish white this time in Dunfermline. The first was in in one night. Generally speaking, I do think ones. I think that image should be changed. Estonia, which helped the local group a lot. that the European groups like the more On the other hand, some young people are They got the chance to dance with people complicated dances. attracted by the traditional tartan image. On from different countries. Some of the the whole young men who start SCD are Do the mathematically-minded mix well younger members of the Estonian group have happy to wear a , but what women with the social dancers? since been to Spring Fling. should wear is a much more personal and That is a tricky question! I don’t like tricky question. Another thing the Society stereotypes, but I think some of the could think about is targetting the younger mathematically-minded are shyer, so they teenager. I could imagine a Summer Camp need the social dancers to ask them to dance for secondary-age people which combined – and I include myself in the former category! sport and dancing. SCD could also fit into If we were all mathematically-minded, we the kind of activity holiday I myself went on might end up sitting round the room, when I was at school. desperate to do all these complicated dances, but terrified to ask each other while the social Spring Fling defines ‘young’ as between dancers rush onto the floor and don’t care if 16 and 35. Is that realistic? they go wrong. Seriously though, I do think I know what you mean. A normal sixteen- one of the great appeals of SCD is meeting year-old would naturally socialise with other such a variety of different people. sixteen- or seventeen-year-olds – not thirty- So, am I right in thinking that many of five-year-olds, but today people study much the young European dancers are in longer than they used to so it is quite normal Higher Education? for someone to be at university in their early Yes, I think the vast majority are and I have 30s. When I was at Spring Fling for the last noticed that many of the young dancers here time at 35, I did feel the gap between the in Edinburgh are from England or Europe and twenty-year-olds and myself was getting too have come via a university background – as big – time to “retire” before I started looking have many of the young Scots. I think many like a granny! I think it is good at Spring Fling young Scots are simply not exposed to to have some older people, who have a little traditional country dancing – as opposed to more experience and might act as role ceilidh dancing. I also think that there is so models. It seems to be an age group that much on offer for young people today Sophie dancing with the RSCDS demonstration works – given the people we are attracting at team in France in 2007 compared with the older Scots who dance, present. If there were 200 people wanting to who probably started when there was much attend, then it might be an idea to split them How do you see the role of the IB? less to do in the evening. into a younger and an older age group. A lot of people who were formerly What is the attitude in Europe to our Headquarters members now have a voice. What is the perception of the RSCDS ceilidh dances? They can now become more involved in the among the young people you meet? I think we rarely do them. Some groups who Society AGM. I see one of my main roles as They see it as the main source of information specialise in complicated dances often don’t secretary to pass information quickly from and training and appreciate the way the know them or even some of the basic HQ to our members. We work mostly through Society has kept the tradition going. They are country dances – especially dances from the email so it is easy to let our members know also quite happy to debate issues of how SCD early books. You meet people who rarely do a very quickly what is happening at HQ. I think has developed on Strathspey, but most quick-time poussette, a very common figure we attract members because of that. Of recognise the contribution the RSCDS has in the traditional dances. course some new people join us when they made. Summer School, like Spring Fling, is want to attend Summer School. A lot of our very important for young people who As a younger teacher, where do you think members are from the Continent where there perhaps dance in a small group miles from the production of our music is going? are relatively few branches. One thing the IB any other dancers. They come home from St I no longer use CDs if I can plug my laptop can do is reach out to areas where there is Andrews really enthusiastic. Many will never into the sound system. I would like to be able very little SCD activity. have experienced such excellent teachers, to buy the tracks I want, rather than have to musicians, and bands and all in the space of buy a whole CD. I may only use one or two What can the RSCDS do to attract more one week. tracks from any one CD. I think more and young people? more teachers are using laptops or MP3 Spring Fling was a step in the right direction, Finally, what is your favourite strathspey players in class and, with the right software, but perhaps it should be advertised more and reel or jig? you can speed up or slow music down. I find outside the Society. I think young people I think Chequered Court would be my first this particularly useful when doing step expect more from the social side of dancing. choice for a fast one and Autumn in Appin practice. Perhaps it will not be too long before I also think the performance aspect could would be the strathspey.

www.rscds.org 17 From around the world

Our regular regional correspondents are joined in this issue by Neville Pope (Australia) and Valeria Corradin (Europe) to bring you news of SCD activities and personalities all over the globe.

Africa She had attended the weekly dancing in After a bit of a scramble, six sets were Correspondent: Terry Lynne Harris Pretoria and the Branch misses her formed by members of the audience, all very cheerful presence. keen to experience this ‘new’ style of [email protected] dancing. The walk-through went fairly Irene van Maarseveen, who was a long- Asia smoothly with instruction in both languages standing Pretoria Branch member and Correspondent: Liz Hammerton and a little assistance from members of the teacher until her move to Belfast in the [email protected] Highlanders in each set. Everyone was ready province of Mpumalanga in May 2008, The Urban Dance Workshop has become an for the ‘Reel’ thing. It was a resounding married her partner, Sid Jones, on Saturday, annual festival in Hong Kong, sponsored by success and all the participants finished 16 January 2010. A group of dancers from John Swire & Sons Ltd., the parent company breathless but elated at having executed the Pretoria drove to Belfast for the day to of Cathay Pacific. Dancers from many dance pretty much flawlessly. attend the wedding. The church service was ethnic groups and nationalities are invited followed by a garden reception. During the to demonstrate their form of dance and Australia reception, eight of the Pretoria dancers offer the public the chance to join in. Correspondent: Neville Pope surprised Irene by dancing A Highveld Wedding, which was written specially for This year, our “Pied Piper” from the HKSAR [email protected] Red Tartan enticed a good crowd Irene and Sid by Pretoria teacher, Wouter Australia in January is hot and this year of dance enthusiasts and Saturday Joubert. The music for the dance was also some of the capital cities experienced afternoon shoppers away from other dance written by Wouter and specially recorded by temperatures of 40º C and over. It’s the areas and the shopping mall. Two dances, Ken Martlew (UK musician and teacher). time for holidays so for the most part, Cumberland Reel and The Reel of the 51st, Scottish country dancing has a small SCD in South Africa had a couple of overseas were introduced by Arthur McNeill and then recession during January. Those groups who visitors: Becky Sager of Marietta, GA (USA) demonstrated by the Highlanders team. do dance throughout the year have now spent a holiday in Cape Town in November The team was made up of volunteers from found it necessary to introduce “hot and danced with the Lynfrae SCD Group and two dance groups; the Reel Club, which has weather policies”, when a temperature of Helen Houghton-Carr of Oxford (UK) been in existence for over fifty years, and over 35º C at 6 pm means there will be no danced with the Grahamstown SCD Group the fledgling Chinese group led by our very dancing that night. while on a work visit there in October. It’s first Chinese RSCDS instructor, Stephen Li. always a delight to have overseas dancers The local male dancers seemed to have Canberra Branch will be holding a special visit us. Are there RSCDS members planning inherited their from taller people but event in March to remember Barbara a trip to the Soccer World Cup? If so, this in no way impeded their ability or Monahan, who was an accomplished remember there are SCD groups dancing in enthusiasm for the dances. country dancer and served in many roles for Pretoria, Johannesburg, Midrand, Cape Town With two fully qualified instructors present, the Canberra Branch before her untimely (6 groups) and Grahamstown. Arthur being fluent in Scots and Stephen death in March last year. Her obituary The Pretoria Branch was very saddened by being fluent in Cantonese, the subsequent quoted Fred Astaire, saying “when you the death of Jenimarie Davidson, life workshop was conducted bilingually, which danced with her you stayed danced with”. member of the RSCDS and one of the was just as well as most participants spoke Tasmania will have a Day of Dance in March original members of the Pretoria Branch. very little English and even less Scots! in their midlands - an opportunity for the widely-dispersed dancers in Tasmania to dance together. Tasmania isn’t part of the Winter School cycle in Australia, but this year they have organized a Dance Tassie tour in February, touring by day (chocolate factories and restaurants!) and dancing by night. Adelaide Branch is busy planning for the 35th Australian Winter School in July. Places are still available at the time of writing. A link to Winter School information can be found on the web at http://www.rscds.org.au/ giving access to the brochure and registration form. Craigellachie will be visiting Adelaide for the School and also playing for their Annual Ball on 3 July. Come Dancers at the Urban Dance Day in Hong Kong for the Ball and stay for the School!

18 www.rscds.org G help all the little groups in Italy who love Scottish country dancing but who do not have enough support or don’t know how to get information about courses or how to get in touch with the RCSDS G organise workshops of Scottish country and Highland dancing throughout the year for all levels with qualified teachers G promote Scottish country dancing with evening dances G support people training for exams With these ideas the Northern Italy Branch aims to grow and encourage more people to enjoy Scottish county dance. If you want to get in touch with us:- The Peterborough beginners class in Canada had a record attendance this year. Scotia Shores: www.scotiashores.com Canada – East Europe [email protected] Correspondent: Keith Bark Correspondent: Valeria Corradin (HQ in Vicenza) - Valeria Corradin [email protected] [email protected] 8Cento: www.8cento.org It is with great sorrow that I write this The Northern Italy Branch is the most [email protected] report. In January, North America lost one recent addition to the RSCDS family. Two (HQ in Bologna) - Alessia Branchi of its most respected teachers, John associations, Scotia Shores and Associazione Middleton. He will be sorely missed, and a Culturale 8Cento, who had been co- Japan tribute to him appears on page 29. On a operating since 2007, came together to Correspondent: Tom Toriyama more pleasant note, December and January form the Branch. [email protected] have been busy months for the many dance The 8Cento group has been working in Ruth Beattie and Jim Rae visited us as groups. There have been numerous Bologna since 2000 on different aspects of adjudicators for dancing and piping Christmas Dances, Balls and culture, such as literature, music and respectively at the Tokyo Burns Suppers; lots of celebration and no historic dances. The group is affiliated to in October. Before and after the Games lack of enthusiasm on the dance floor. The the RSCDS and, thanks to Alessia Branchi both teachers conducted very fine classes Peterborough, Ontario group which began who built up the group, has lots of people in Tokyo and we enjoyed dances from the in the late 1940s has had its largest who enjoy dancing. Scotia Shores was Glasgow and Dumfries repertoires. Jim also beginner class ever this year, nearly founded by Valeria Corradin in 2000. It gave us a stimulating day involving doubling the total membership of the promotes Scottish and Irish dancing discussion as well as dancing. group. How we wish in the larger towns through courses, workshops, evening balls, During the first three days of New Year in and cities that we could also report competitions and demonstrations. significant growth in membership. Toronto Japan huge numbers of people visit shrines currently has four Level 1 (beginner) classes, Working together in the Northern Italy and/or temples to pray for practical utilities most of which are thriving. The challenge is Branch the two groups want to: such as family's safety, health, money, to get these new dancers involved with marriage, examinations etc. With the other Branch activities and social classes. stimulus of live music, dancers from Tokyo and Saitama Branches enjoyed themselves I am very pleased to announce that two very much and expressed their wishes for teachers in the area were recipients of the happy dancing during 2010. Our musicians Scroll of Honour this year, Isabelle enjoy playing and their efforts are MacPherson of Toronto and Pat Coyle of appreciated by our dancers! Niagara Falls (St Catharines) Branch. They are both being honoured at events in In March Tokai Branch held a 3-day The Scotia Shores demonstration team Weekend School at the city of Numazu, in their local areas. Pat received her scroll performing in Asiago, near Vicenza. at the TAC Summer School in Shawnigan Shizuoka prefecture, with visiting teacher Lake, Vancouver Island – presented by Alex Dancers at the Grand Ball in Bologna on 30 January 2010, held during a weekend workshop Gray – and Isabelle received hers at the with Helen Russell. Society AGM. TAC will be running its Summer School in Waterloo, Ontario this year from Sunday August 8 through August 15. It is always a fun event with excellent tuition provided by several experienced teachers. Full details can be found on the TAC web site www.tac- rscds.org If you are thinking of a holiday in Ontario round that time, consider adding in the TAC Summer School to your itinerary.

www.rscds.org 19 Diane Rooney. Tokyo Branch's Weekend will The progress that the young dancers make three-day workshop at Rosario, the second be held at the beginning of June with in dancing, and their enjoyment and largest city in Argentina. The dancers there teachers and musicians from Japan. Both friendships developed through JAM camps, have created a group willing to dance occasions will be reported in the next issue. were shown when over 40 JAMs registered seriously and contacted BASCDancers to The ten days from 29 April will be a most for the annual NZ Branch Summer School, learn a few challenging figures. This, of exciting period for us. In addition to tutors which this year was held in Auckland. A set course, is very complimentary to our group and candidates, more than 200 members of of Senior JAMs entertained us just before in Buenos Aires because since 2005 we’ve the three Japanese branches will be involved midnight struck at Hogmanay, performing built up relationships and we are considered as organisers, dancers, musicians, interpreters, a fiendishly complicated dance devised by to be the reference point for SCD in arrangers of venues and providers of one of their number. Argentina; we are really proud and thank refreshments at RSCDS examinations. The There were a few older dancers at the them all. Joint Japanese Committee for Examinations school too, over 260 of them from all over As usual in November we organized our has overall responsibility and since 1989 the world, converging on the Akoranga Happy Meeting. This is a dancing evening to there have been six occasions when we have campus on the North Shore. The enjoy the most popular dances of the year organised teachers' examinations. After accommodation was ideal for a summer voted by our members. On this occasion Exams 2010 we hope to see many newly school, with the village layout making it we danced quite a few dances related to the qualified teachers! easy to visit friends and to attend the odd Scottish poet Robert Burns. And we closed Tokyo Branch produced a CD to mark its 25 party. The full range of dance classes meant 2009 with a ceilidh in which we were Anniversary last year. The Branch researched there was something for every level of delighted by poetry, dancing and games - a the copyright position for all the tunes that ability and experience, and the music class really good opportunity to share some time were used and paid charges to MCPS-PRS via led by Ian and Judith Muir gave New with friends. JASRAC (Japanese Society for Rights of Zealand musicians the experience and BASC Dancers have had visitors from Authors, Composers and Publishers). The enthusiasm to play for dancing. Vermont and Paris this year. We are happy amount paid was low because the recording On New Year’s Day, after minimal sleep, a to make new friends abroad and give all was for non-commercial usage. number of brave dancers travelled north to of them a warm welcome if they happen Waipu to attend the annual Highland to come to Buenos Aires. We are now at a New Zealand Games. As well as enjoying the range of new address, a refurbished house in Correspondent: Janet Favel entertainment, food, and stalls, our dancers downtown Buenos Aires, and so if you were pleased to see well known fiddlers John are planning to come to South America, [email protected] Smith and Lynne Scott gain 1st and 3rd do pop in for some SCD and meet a bunch Tuis, wekas and pukekos (names of birds, places respectively in the fiddle competition, of good friends. For more information native to New Zealand) attended the very which was judged by Keith Anderson of the contact www.bascdancers.com.ar successful JAM (Junior Associate Craigellachie band. Membership) camp held in October 2009 Thanks and congratulations are due to Andy in Masterton, north of Wellington. 62 USA - East Coast Nicol and his team for a wonderfully young dancers from around New Zealand Correspondent: Eilean D Yates organised and very friendly summer school. took part in the weekend, along with 25 Now we’re looking forward to the next [email protected] enthusiastic adults, who were there New Zealand Branch Summer School, SCD is flourishing in our area and groups ostensibly to work hard but more likely to which is to be held in Dunedin. Maybe we’ll and branches are busy preparing for their take part in the fun. Four teachers, three see you there? annual workshops and balls. Raleigh hosted musicians, and seven committee members a Valentine Dance in February. In March the aided and abetted the activities. 39 of the South America Atlanta Branch’s annual Spring workshop young dancers took their medal tests, from Correspondent: Marcella Galve took place at Unicoi State Park in N. Bronze to Gold Bar, with a 95% success Georgia. Florida is planning a Spring Fling rate. A design for a JAM flag, created by one [email protected] at Cocoa Beach, and in April the Loch of the young dancers, was displayed for the As we mentioned in the previous issue our Norman Games will be the venue for their first time at the camp. teacher has had the honour to carry out a 17th Gala and Welcome Dance. The annual Capitol Weekend in Washington will also be held in April. 2010 promises to be an exciting year for the Thistle School of SCD which will celebrate its 30th anniversary. The week- long event takes place in July at Lees McRae College in Banner Elk in the North Carolina mountains. The school is looking forward to welcoming back Jimmie Hill from Edinburgh as one of the guest teachers. Jimmie has been on the staff twice before and his classes and enthusiasm were enjoyed by all. John Middleton had been a teacher at Thistle (with his wife J’ina) for many, many years and we were very sorry to hear about his death. He will be sadly missed. Youth dancers perform at the New Zealand Summer School

20 www.rscds.org North America - West Coast dancers and their families, and it was a in cardiac arrest. Fortunately, several medical Correspondent: Alan Twhigg success with about a dozen participants: professionals were on the dance floor and children aged 5 to 14, parents, grandmas, immediately sprang to her aid. An [email protected] and an aunt. The Branch generously ambulance was called and the Branch’s Dance groups along the West Coast are subsidizes the project, so participants pay newly purchased automatic defibrillator was doing fine. One event that deserves a only $3 per class for the whole family. The brought into use. The dancer was conscious special mention is the “1st and 25th Dinner winter session started recently and because by the time the ambulance arrived, and after Dance” hosted by the newly formed RSCDS the class is advertised more widely the class surgery and rehabilitation, she is dancing Southwest Washington State Branch and has gained a father and two daughters who again. The purchase of the AED was money the Vancouver USA Scottish Country are all new to dancing. The group hope to well spent. Dancers on April 17, 2010. It is an run a Spring session in April and May, interesting way to commemorate 25 years perhaps with a field trip to a children's of dancing as well as a new start. workshop in Vancouver. On the same theme, the Orange County The San Francisco Branch has run family Branch in southern California is sponsoring classes in recent years, one as a monthly a Silver Wedding Anniversary Ball on April adjunct to a regular adult class, and another 10. What makes this event unusual is that as a regular Friday night feature with its the anniversary is shared by three couples, own approach: the class is split up in the all dancers of long standing: Renee Boblette first part of the evening, with one teacher and Bob Patterson, Jan and Frank taking the adults and another the children. Cannonito, and Pete and Line Anderson. In the second half, the age groups combine From British Columbia comes word that the for social dancing. Victoria Branch has started a Saturday There was a potentially calamitous incident Dawn Dorsey and Bob Messner received morning family class. They ran it as a pilot at the San Francisco Branch weekend last Branch Awards at the Atlanta Branch Spring project in the Fall, publicizing it only among October, when one of the dancers collapsed Workshop Weekend. A Trip to Russia

With thanks to Patrick Chamoin, Guy Lawrence and Mikhail Smagin Moscow Branch, one of our youngest RSCDS branches, organised a weekend teaching trip last November, with country and Highland dancing classes plus an evening dance. The Jean Milligan Memorial Fund (JMMF) gave financial support to Patrick Chamoin from Paris, a well-known teacher and dancer, to make the trip. Less well-known is that Patrick speaks Russian! That came in handy when coaching the class musician who had never played Scottish music before. Having made the journey from Paris to Moscow (2,500 km) it seemed sensible for Patrick to use his time productively, so he travelled on to Yekaterinburg, in the Urals, only another 1500 km! There his usual country and Highland tuition was complemented by a historical ball, with all participants dressed in 19th Century costumes.

The Highland class in Moscow. Photograph by Mikhail Smagin. Scottish country dancing is already established in various regions of Russia, even as far as the borders with Asia. Guy Lawrence, an SCD enthusiast from England, travels regularly to that area and has encouraged its development. Scottish country dancing is now spreading throughout Russia and this tour was designed to give added impetus to that trend. In Russia dancing is an important part of the culture and as the average age of the participants in Patrick’s classes was around 25 the potential for development is high. This trip was a good example of financial aid from JMMF enabling Scottish country dancing to be promoted far and wide. A trip by Sophie Rickebusch to Poland in autumn 2009 was another example of JMMF support The historical ball in Yekaterinburg. Photograph by Fiona Grant. for “missionary” work.

21 Joan and Tom Flett by Marilyn Healy, RSCDS Archivist

dance lessons at the age of seven and at first variations in the style of dancing and, in was unenthusiastic, but when he found that particular, several versions of the Eightsome the dancing master was six feet tall and an Reel. The next year, the programme was sent ex-Pipe Major of the Scots Guards he out in advance and everyone danced exactly became hooked and danced all his life. Joan the same version of the dances. The Fletts and Tom met at primary school, went their began to ask themselves "Was dancing really separate ways in secondary school but met like this?" "Did everyone all over Scotland again at the Wembley Scottish Society in really perform their dances in exactly the London, of which his parents were founder same way?" "Did they really wear ghillie members. Tom and Joan shared an interest in shoes, which enabled them to point their Scottish dancing and both read as much as toes so beautifully?" they could about traditional dances and In 1953 they went on holiday to the Outer the occasions for dancing. They were married Hebrides and discovered that while the in 1948. islands had been visited by folk song While in London they went to Glasgow- collectors nobody had done any work on born Jack McConachie's class. Jack collecting dances there. In fact dances that McConachie’s research of the David Young had been thought to have been lost were manuscript: A Collection of the Newest known to older people on the islands. They Country Dances Performed in Scotland published an article in the journal of the dated 1740, in the Bodleian Library, Oxford, English and Song Society with was published as Scottish Country Dances the results of their research into nine of of the Eighteenth Century, in 1960. these dances. Later that year they visited Tom was a mathematician and went on to the Borders where Ion Jamieson had become a research student at Cambridge. collected dances and they found that this There he met Hugh Thurston who had also was the only part of Scotland where dances been a Ph.D. student in mathematics and had been collected in a systematic way. A whose book Scotland's Dances, probably the large number of the dances Ion Jamieson Tom Flett first in-depth study of the history of had collected were included in The Border Scottish dancing, was published in 1954. Book, compiled by Elizabeth MacLachlan Some of our members will know about the While he was at Cambridge, Tom taught and published in 1930. Some of his dances work of Joan and Tom Flett and the research two classes, the University SCD group and a were also included in the books of the then they did into traditional dancing in class in the town. 'Scottish Country Dance Society’ with the Scotland. Their first book was published in Tom was offered a lectureship at the source given as "collected in the Borders". 1964 as Traditional Dancing in Scotland, University of Liverpool and was a member of The Fletts’ first daughter, Lindsay, was born republished in 1985. Based on thorough the mathematics department there from in 1954 and thereafter during the university research, it charts the background to social 1950-1967. He also ran an exhibition team, vacations Tom made regular visits to dancing from the recollections of people in the Marlowe Scottish Dancers which had a Scotland and systematically covered the Scotland up to approximately the outbreak wide repertoire of dances, including Gaelic, mainland, the Hebrides, the Orkneys and of World War One. It is now out of print. Scottish solo dances and Westmorland clog Shetlands for about three weeks at a time Joan and Tom also wrote a series of papers dances, that Tom had collected on his travels. while Joan stayed at home and continued to on the background and development of the He was a highly regarded teacher and had a read as much as she could about the Scottish country dance for the School of remarkable ability to show not only the steps background and traditions of dancing in Scottish Studies at Edinburgh University. of a dance but the style of the tradition as Scotland. At first Tom travelled by bicycle but We have copies of Traditional Dancing in well. The Marlowe Dancers competed at the later he could get around by car. His main Scotland and the articles in the archives. Llangollen Eisteddfod, an annual international method of collecting was to try to meet Tom Flett died in 1976 at the early age of music festival in Wales, and also danced at everybody in a village or glen over the age of 52 but his systematic and carefully the International Folk Dance Festival at the 70 and get them to talk about their researched work is as relevant today as it Albert Hall, London in 1950. The RSCDS memories of the occasions when people was when first published. I went to Bulletin records that a team from Edinburgh danced - perhaps at weddings - and ask them Sheffield to meet Joan Flett to talk to her Branch danced at the same Festival. what they danced, how they danced and how about their research and she told me how Joan commented, "In 1950, we were living they were taught. He talked to old dancing they met and how they went about on Merseyside, where there were fifty one masters and to the families of old dancing collecting material for their work. Scottish societies and each year, a ball was masters. He found them very helpful in Tom's parents were Scottish - of Viking held at the old New Brighton Tower unveiling the development of traditional extraction - but moved to London for his Ballroom, where two thousand people took dancing in Scotland. Later he turned his father's work. Tom was sent to Highland the floor. The first year we went, there were attention to folk dancing in England.

22 www.rscds.org The Kandahar Reel or The Duke of Rothesay’s Kandahar Reel by Captain Andy Colquhoun

The Kandahar Reel reflects the incredible teamwork required to run and support military operations. The first half of the reel sees the team building towards the focus of the dance – a series of four person teapots (right hands across). These represent both the double rotor Chinook helicopters that brought soldiers in and out of each operation and the single rotor Black Hawks that so often extracted their casualties during the operation. The reel was first danced as a demonstration set during a ball at the Black Watch Officers Mess in December 2009 to mark the Battalion’s homecoming. It was then danced for the Duke of Rothesay when he visited the Battalion to hand out Afghanistan campaign medals in January 2010. The devisers hope that this energetic The Kandahar Reel performed for the first time in the Black Watch Officers' Mess. reel will be danced widely in recognition of RSCDS members will be famiIiar with the reflected their tour. Ideas were scribbled in the efforts of the Black Watch during story of how The Reel of the 51st Division notebooks during operations and when back summer 2009, in support of those soldiers was devised during the Second World War. in Kandahar the reel was put together over who returned with life changing injuries In 2009 the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The a couple of late evenings in their tents. and in memory of those soldiers who did Royal Regiment of Scotland, were serving in Coincidentally Major Ali Hempenstall, a not return. Kandahar, Afghanistan. Two officers, Capt. grandson of one of the men who devised The RSCDS is currently in discussions Andy Colquhoun and his cousin, Lt. Rob The Reel of the 51st, was also serving within with the devisers regarding publication of Colquhoun, decided to compose a reel that the Battalion during the summer. the dance.

During the course of writing Traditional appointed Professor of Pure Mathematics Dancing in Scotland, the Fletts conducted at the University of Sheffield where, in a correspondence with Mrs Ysobel Stewart, addition to gaining an international one of our co-founders, about her early reputation in mathematics and publishing memories of dancing and how she had research papers, he found time to write learned to dance. Following publication of four articles on The Scottish Country the book, she wrote to them Dance Its Origins and Development and congratulating them on the thoroughness The History of the Scottish Reel as a of their work expressing the view that the Dance-Form for the School of Scottish book would make “a notable contribution Studies at Edinburgh University. to Scotland”. Joan published Traditional Step-Dancing in In the mid 1960s Tom was offered a Scotland in 1996, giving the historical and visiting professorship in Seattle for one traditional background to solo dancing all year and there they renewed a friendship over Scotland and including instructions with Mary Isdale MacNab, a Highland for fifteen dances. It includes an appendix dance teacher in Vancouver and supporter on Step-Dancing in Cape Breton Island, of the emerging RSCDS branch there. They Nova Scotia, written by Frank Rhodes. It is had already met at Jack McConachie's class still in print and is available from in London, which Mrs MacNab regularly Headquarters. Copies of the Fletts’ article visited. Mrs MacNab also collected dances in the EFDSS journal and their from a wide range of Scottish traditions correspondence with Mrs Stewart are held and sources and she told Tom about the in the RSCDS Archives. We have background to her research and taught him The cover of the Fletts book shows a detail of A approached the School of Scottish Studies Highland Wedding at Blair Atholl 1780 by David some of the dances she had collected. to find out if we can make Tom’s articles Allan in the National Galleries of Scotland. In the final move of his career Tom was more widely available to our members.

www.rscds.org 23 Paddy Ba or Pas de Basque? Jimmie Hill, teacher of English and SCD, tackles the tricky area of pronunciation in Scottish country dancing.

lemonade and some with Baghdad. which has a similar vowel to ‘house’. Lady Interestingly, we all pronounce tourbillon Home, famous for her jig, has the same with a ‘y’ sound for the double ‘l’, but we pronunciation as the Prime Minister of the do not use a French ‘r’ - unless we actually same name, rhyming with ‘spume’. In From are French or really are being pretentious! Scotia’s Shores We’re Noo Awa the final In the last edition of Scottish Country Similarly, the tournée tends to have a word rhymes with ‘law’ and not with ‘spa’. Dancer a correspondent urged us to Scottish or English or American or The stress in Bedrule is on the second pronounce basqu e in pas de basque as the Australian ‘r’ rather than a French one. syllable. The Guidman of Balangigh is the French do. Having learned the paddy ba Languages borrow and adapt constantly. ‘gidman’ of ‘balangee’. Scots tend to from my Scottish Jordanhill-trained primary When quadrilles came from Paris around pronounce Fergus McIver ‘maceever’ rather teachers, this made me think about which is 1816, they were danced by the upper than ‘mackayver’, but chacun à son goût! correct. And therein lies the problem – that classes, who kept the French terminology: Bonnie Stronshiray ends ‘eera’ not ‘ayray’. word ‘correct’. When I worked abroad, chaîne des dames. It was not long, however, The Braes of Balquhidder is like ‘balwhidder’. students would ask about the ‘correct’ way before the dances were being danced by all Lochaber has the stress on the second to pronounce this or that word. For the vast social classes, who quickly resorted to syllable. The Perthshire village of Dowally in majority of words, native speakers are ladies chains! The Bob o’Dowally is pronounced ‘owly’ – agreed on how they should sound, but there One area where pronunciation is more, but like the adverbial bird.’ There is a Scottish are some grey areas. Do you say controversy not always totally, clear-cut is that of the ‘ch-as-in-loch’ in the middle of Collichur. with the stress on the first or second names of dances. I consulted a number of Clutha does have a ‘th’ sound because the syllable? All good dictionaries sanction both. Scottish friends for their views. Here are dance was not called after the Gaelic Living languages are in a constant state of some of them: name of the River Clyde, but after the development. English has evolved out of its The dance and the song are Auld Lang Syne. Clyde ferries, whose names (Clutha Nos 1 Anglo-Saxon roots, incorporating elements The auld may rhyme with bald or Ronald - 5) were themselves an anglicisation of of the Celtic languages which existed here but not with old. The sound at the beginning the Gaelic. So purists beware! In A Trip to before the Germanic peoples arrived in the of syne is ‘s’ not ‘z’. Pronounce it ‘zyne’ and Mallaig the stress falls on the first syllable 5th and 6th centuries. The Normans you take the consequences – even worse of that west coast railhead. Many Scots brought Old French in the 11th century, than pronouncing loch as lock! Just keep pronounce The White Cockade to rhyme adding thousands of their words to our practising The Sauchie Haugh, which has a with ‘lad’ rather than ‘spade’. We mustn’t stock. Since then, English has taken words Scottish ‘ch’ in the middle of Sauchie, the forget the redoubtable Mrs Cholmondeley from all over the world. Some come into Haugh rhyming with ‘haw’, or some might and her reel. She is ‘chumley’. Finally, Miss the language and are ‘anglicised’. In English argue ‘loch’. There is no dew in Adieu mon Janet Laing is a Laing – not one of the we are happy to talk about Brussels and ami – pronounced à la française. In The whisky Langs. And just to confuse Copenhagen. Nobody objects that we have Braes of Tulliemet the stress is on the first everyone outwith Scotland, a Scottish MC invented these anglicisations of perfectly syllable of Tulliemet, not the last. In The might announce the next dance as The good French and Danish words, Bruxelles Duchess of Buccleuch’s Favourite, the Floo’ers o’ Edinburgh, which just makes up and Køpenhavn, while we wait for our flight pronunciation is ‘bukloo’ with the stress on life’s rich tapestry! If you have a dance and at Milan airport home to Edimburgo. the loo. In Ca’ the Yowes tae the Knowes, are not sure how it is pronounced, please Where English uses a foreign word the first word can be ‘caw’ or ‘ca’, depending do not email the editor or me! Buttonhole unchanged, there are two approaches to its on dialect, but yowes rhymes with knowes, a Scot at a dance near you! pronunciation. When we use Spanish (Çervantes, Mallorca, paella) some people Re-published here is the letter from use the Spanish pronunciation, some anglicise it. There are many more examples the previous issue with apologies to from French (bête noire, cause célèbre, Christine for the error last time. raison d’être), where people who know how Dear Sir, to use the expressions would tend to use a French pronunciation, usually conscious As a linguist, I am frequently irritated by the that they were being slightly pretentious, use of the words “pas de bas” to describe the often to humourous effect. And this brings pas de basque, and I was particularly surprised us neatly back to pas de basque. Some SCD to find this solecism on page 24 of Scottish terms are French in origin. It is as ‘correct’ to Country Dancer 8. I can understand that non- anglicise and talk about a paddy ba, or a pas French speakers describe the step as “pas de de ba as it is to use the French pronun- basque step”, not realising that they are ciation pas de basque. The same is true for actually repeating the word “step” (pas = step) allemande. Some people pronounce it to but am I missing something when they ask me rhyme with demand; some rhyme it with to do the “stocking step” (bas = stocking)? the French monde. Some use the German Please let’s pronounce basque in full. pronunciation ‘sh’ at the beginning of Yours, Spotted recently on a SCD trip to Cyprus - the while others use the anglicised purrfect technique for a pas de puss or a pussette. ‘sk’ sound. Some rhyme promenade with Christine Evans Photograph by John Grimsey.

24 www.rscds.org Technique Doctor by Christine Mair

regular crossing offers fascinating oppor- tunities for covering. i As the dancers stand in their straight lines up and down, or across, the dance, they are not equally spaced along the track of the reel that they are about to dance. When A dances into the central position and C Covering hangs back, equal spacing is achieved and Covering is rarely mentioned in The Manual all of the dancers can then dance at the yet it has assumed considerable importance same speed throughout the remainder of as an indicator of good dancing, providing the track readjusting to their original line by enormous satisfaction to dancers and A’s slowing down and C’s accelerating to observers alike. place, unless, as Foss often arranged, the When the movements of dancers are reels flow into the next figure. matched exactly along parallel or mirrored The model allows for exact positions to be tracks, covering is achieved, ideally as a ii described for each movement in the reel. consequence of accurate phrasing. There are six key positions, each 1/3 of a In formations such as allemande, poussette, loop of the figure of eight apart. Each time promenade, rights and lefts, where detailed the dancers move though these positions instructions are included as to how the (at the end of each bar in six bar reels) they phrasing is to be managed, covering should form a diagonal line. be automatic. However, since dancers are To demonstrate this, tie three knots in a individuals with differing shapes, sizes and piece of string so that the knots are equally dancing skills, they can only be certain of spaced around a circle. Now, twist the string covering if they watch each other. to form a figure of eight. Pull the string In movements where phrasing is less clearly iii round your fingers and watch the diagonal defined and, therefore, open to line appear each time one of the knots lies interpretation, the watching element in the central position. Even better, make assumes greater importance, but should be two equally sized figures of eight with your as natural and subtle as possible, not string, lay them side by side and move the distracting from the appearance and knots carefully round, one place at a time, sociability of the dance. Looking to the right watching where the diagonal lines appear. when turning by the right, curving right or These diagonal lines are clearly visible when travelling clockwise, and to the left for the natural dancers instinctively phrase reels by opposite, is easy and unobtrusive. achieving equal spacing The illustrations show diagonals for: Natural covering occurs where movements Natural phrasing of reels of three involves do match exactly. When the phrasing of i. parallel reels (same direction – equal A moving swiftly into the reel, while C movements that do not match is altered spacing achieved after first move) hangs back, allowing A to pass in front. in order to achieve covering, the covering ii. mirror reels (half way - only one couple is contrived. First corners are A’s in the reels described, comes shoulder to shoulder at any one while second corners are C’s. So, 2nd To illustrate the difference between natural time) woman is C, who hangs back, while 2nd and contrived covering, let us consider the Man is A, who hurries in. Similarly, 3rd iii. parallel reels (opposite direction – end of covering of reels of three. woman is A, while her partner is C. In order bar 2. Remember A and C are partners) Where partners have the same roles as each to cover, an A with a C, both A and C must Using Hugh Foss’s model, covering of reels other in the reels (e.g. reels on the sidelines, alter the natural phrasing. of three is achieved by following clearly beginning with first couple facing down, This covering can be achieved, but it is defined phrasing. The model supports the second and third couples facing up, whether rather than covering concept of covering with the dancer with parallel or mirrored), natural covering occurs. contrived natural, taking precedence over accurate phrasing. the equivalent role who, in reels of three in However, in reels such as those after set to opposite directions, is not your partner! How do the B’s cover with each other, given and turn corners, partners (excluding 1st that they are travelling in opposite Covering is a worthwhile goal, and man and 1st woman, who are travelling in directions? They reflect each other’s achievable by all. It reflects accurate opposite directions), will cover with each movements, acknowledging each other as phrasing, along with, to quote The Manual, other across the dance only if they both they pass through the centre. Could A’s and “an awareness by each dancer of his/her adjust the natural phrasing of their own reel. C’s not cover in the same way i.e. first corners position in relation to that of other dancers”. Let me explain. acknowledge each other as they pass It should not be achieved, however, at the through the centre, then second corners? For convenience, we will call the dancers in expense of accurate phrasing and inclusive each reel A, B and C where A and B begin by For those who like to dig below the surface, social dancing. facing each other. the application of Hugh Foss’s theory of Happy covering!

www.rscds.org 25 In my opinion by Gary Coull

local push, hopefully we would see new dancers “springing up” all over the place. At the same time we should make sure that we are promoting Scottish country dancing the pastime and not the RSCDS the organisation. It’s the same as my earlier comments about young people and technique - get people hooked on dancing first then encourage them to join the Society. That way we may keep them longer. I fully recognise that membership is a huge issue for the Society, not just recruiting new members but also maintaining the current numbers. Obviously without a membership the Society would not be able to function practically or financially. I believe that a centralised membership would help with this problem. This is where memberships Gary dancing with Mo Rutherford, RSCDS Music Director, at the Conference weekend 2009. would be dealt with by HQ with a percentage of the fee coming back to On re-reading the interview with Sinclair that’s what we need to remember with branches. HQ would deal with renewals Barbour in Scottish Country Dancer 8 , and youngsters in particular. meaning that branches could focus their drawing on my own personal experience, I I am passionate about encouraging young efforts on recruiting new members rather have come to the conclusion that while people to take up dancing but I am just as than renewing current ones. It would also technique is a key aspect of Scottish passionate about encouraging new adults. mean that a member would get a full year’s country dancing in the RSCDS world, it is One way in which we can do both is membership whenever they join. A certainly not the be all and end all. I have through Dance Scottish Week. I feel that on centralised membership would allow us to spoken out on the need to encourage young a national and international level, and use direct debits as a method of payment, people to dance since I joined the Society particularly in Scotland, the RSCDS needs to which in other organisations usually means at the age of 16, and many people I speak to put more resources behind this initiative so that members stay longer. say exactly the same thing. However, there is a more high profile campaign aimed Quite often we get tied up in running the speaking about it and making it happen are at people who don’t know what Scottish Society and debating opinions over how two very different things. I remember being country dancing is. I realise that there may best to move the RSCDS and Scottish at the first Scottish Branches Conference be a few gasps from people outside country dancing forward. However we and during one of the break-out sessions Scotland who are reading this when I say should all remember why we dance - for the topic of how to get more young people “particularly Scotland”. However, I say it fun! Through Scottish country dancing I dancing was raised - a common discussion with good reason. While Scottish country have met some great people and enjoyed point in the RSCDS. The whole room looked dancing is done all around the globe it did opportunities I never thought I would have to me for the answer and the answer I gave originate in Scotland and has many experienced. These are really the things that them was very simple, “Make it fun.” distinctive Scottish characteristics. make Scottish country dancing such a Sinclair said in his interview, “Perhaps if I However in Scotland it has slipped behind wonderful hobby. insisted on more technique, they wouldn’t other forms of dance and many youngsters have as much fun or enthusiasm.” I accept and adults in Scotland do not know about that not concentrating on technique is Scottish country dancing. difficult to avoid. I see myself do it when I It is a sad state of affairs that we are losing Strip the teach a primary school class or a Girl Guide such a huge part of our heritage, and we troop preparing for the local dance festival. need something like Dance Scottish Week to Willow world Instead of trying to get them interested in get us back on the radar in Scotland. Dance taking up Scottish country dancing, I am Scottish Week gives us a prime opportunity record attempt drilling, “Hop, step, close, step,” into their to take Scottish country dancing to the non- heads and, “Make sure your feet close up in dancing world. Instead of organising balls RSCDS Banffshire Branch, in association third,” all just to impress an adjudicator. For and dances for those of us already in the with the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival, 10 - 14 year old dancers the intricacies of RSCDS or organising a “come and try will be attempting a world record for the technique are boring. We need to get session” we need to go out to the public. We greatest number of people dancing Strip youngsters hooked on dancing before we need to promote ourselves to everyone out the Willow simultaneously on 26 June spend loads of time on technique. Miss there and to do that we must come up with 2010 at around 5.00 p.m. on the harbour, Milligan said, “Dancing is a joyous thing and new, imaginative and out of the ordinary Portsoy, Aberdeenshire. Information at must never be so drilled and detailed as to ideas. With the Society making a big www.stripthewillow.org lose the natural gay social spirit.” I think national push and the branches making a big

26 www.rscds.org Overheard on the Web

Chris Ronald (New York) reports on two of the debates raging in cyberspace among Scottish dance enthusiasts. G Thou shalt not chide, lest thou be example, William Marshall (1748-1833) was chided – for verily, nobody hath appointed a noted composer of the “strathspey reel”, thee (of all people!) judge of thy a distinctively Scottish rhythm. These days neighbour's dancing ability or outlook on we play those tunes more slowly than was what is enjoyable. If thou must chide the case in Marshall’s day, but we still enjoy people, become a dance teacher and chide dancing to many of them: Earl of Angus and Etiquette them in thy class; at balls and socials it is Arran, for example, which is the tune for Several groups have posted guidance on an abomination. Sugar Candie. etiquette at balls and socials. Three in G Thou shalt enjoy thyself – in spite of these This is not to say there were no distinctively particular caught my eye: tedious commandments – and help others Scottish steps or formations. For example, enjoy themselves, too.” the sequence of ‘set to corners followed by G the Twin Cities Branch (http://www.rscds-twincities.org/etiquette.html), reels of three on the sides’ appears G Ian Brockbank’s ‘Grand Chain’ site The double triangle frequently in dances in Scotland, but not (http://www.scottishdance.net/scd/tips/Etiquette.html) A elsewhere in Britain. The foursome reel is G the Frankfurt SCD Club very much Scottish, too, of course. But most (http://www.frankfurt-scd-club.org/etiquette) of the formations that appear in the older RSCDS books are part of the wider British From the Twin Cities: d c heritage. What is intriguing is that several G It is customary to dance with many a b of the best known formations have been different partners throughout the evening. interpreted by the RSCDS (Miss Milligan) in If possible, try to partner at least one person unique ways that accentuate the differences with whom you have never danced before B between the RSCDS style and other British (SCD is all about meeting new people) – country dance styles. and of course, ask them their name and The Lady at A moves in the direction a where they are from. round the top Gentleman, then outside This can be illustrated with two examples. The first is double triangles. We now know G Beginners shouldn't be afraid to ask more the second Gentleman, round the third from books such as Thomas Wilson’s experienced dancers to dance. Experienced Gentleman, and returns to her situation in ‘Complete System of English Country dancers are strongly encouraged to invite the line b; at the same time the Dancing’ (1815) that this figure was actually beginners to dance, as they are often shy Gentleman at B moves in the direction c and performs the Figure on the opposite two loops danced around one’s corners. about asking more advanced dancers to partner them. side, returning to his situation in the (See www.strathspey.org/history/wilson- direction d. doubletri.png). The second is the allemande. G Notes on Helping Others: As one subscriber explained, it was a It's great if you are able to help your partner Historical Accuracy of dances movement (not a figure) of “simply turning or other dancers in the set through a dance, one ´s partner into place under the man ´s The strathspey list is blessed with several but be judicious. No one likes to be bossed arm”, taking two bars of music. This contributors knowledgeable about the around, and no one wants to be pushed. subscriber had studied the old publications history of country dancing. They are ready Don't assume that if someone makes one and added: “A matching test of RSCDS to respond when someone asks a question mistake they need you to cue them through dances resulted in the fact that more than like: how was this dance actually done in the entire dance. 95 per cent of our dances were the eighteenth century? It’s a difficult unambiguously different from the original The best way to help is through subtle question to answer as most dance publications cited in our books.” techniques like making eye-contact. instructions tended to be cryptic. No-one suggested we should change the While a few quiet verbal cues from one's An example is the descriptions of dances in way we dance, however. As one regular partner can be much appreciated, avoid the Menzies manuscript: www.strathspey.org/ subscriber put it: “Whether it is historically getting into a situation where everyone in history/menzies.html. the set is shouting out directions. accurate, and whether other styles are Thanks to research carried out by dance closer to what people danced here 150 After each dance is completed, thank your enthusiasts over the last 50 years or so, we years ago is neither here nor there to my partner and the other dancers in your set. have much more information than was enjoyment. I choose this style over the The Frankfurt SCD Club has devised a available to Miss Milligan. others on its intrinsic qualities, not because tongue-in-cheek “Ten Commandments for Thus, we now know that the vast majority I think in any way it has the best claim to Balls and Socials”. Here are three of their of the dances in the earlier RSCDS books validity or Scottishness.” Dance styles ‘commandments’: were country dances that were part of the evolve or die out, the RSCDS style has G Thou shalt not overestimate thyself when British (i.e. not specially Scottish) repertoire evolved in a certain way, and it has become asking people to dance, lest thou beest of dances. If they were included in a dance popular all over the world. And no doubt it embarrassed if the set breaketh down six book, it may be because the tune or the will continue to evolve. Can you foresee times out of eight because of thee. dance title had a Scottish connection. For the next changes?

www.rscds.org 27 Reviews

Graded and Doreen Goldring writes ”…I hope that my Social Dances 3 final selection would have met with his by Roy Goldring (Roy’s) approval and will provide enjoyable dancing for many”. The book is in keeping The Diamond with the high standard set by Roy’s previous Jubilee Collection publications. The dances and accompanying (Book and CD) music will certainly be enjoyed by many, Inverness & www.scotscores.com as they “Reel On”. District Branch Katharine Hoskyn, New Zealand www.invernessrscds.co.uk Accompanying CD by Jim Lindsay and Muriel Johnstone Colin Dewar and his Band Dance for Joy As a long-standing admirer of Roy Goldring’s As an enthusiastic fan of Colin’s music it was dances and Muriel Johnstone’s music, I CD by Reel of a pleasure to be asked to review this book approached this book and CD set with very Seven of fifteen dances and the accompanying CD high expectations. I was not disappointed. that celebrate the 60th anniversary of the This book of Roy Goldring’s dances was Branch. The sound is lively, clean and, in the published posthumously having been majority of cases, well paced with a mixture commenced by Roy and then completed by of modern and traditional tunes. The choices his widow Doreen. The book includes www.reelofseven.com of supporting tunes blend well with the dances of varying difficulty and set type. When I opened this CD and played it I originals and sustain the choreography of Dances have been grouped into , reels thought, “Oh this is different”, and it certainly the dances. Overall the dances chosen for and strathspeys, starting with the easiest in is. The band has an unusual line up of eight this project flow well, with enough twists on each group. There are dances for 2 couples, musicians who describe themselves as a standard figures to maintain the interest of 3 couples and 4 couples in 4-couple “group of friends who love to play music more experienced dancers. longwise sets, as well as dances for 5-couple together” and includes fiddles, piano and, The contents page summarising the dances sets, 3-couple sets and square sets. This uncommonly, an oboe and a cello, without an in terms of style, length and the number of variety provides something for all dance accordion in earshot. The music gets the feet repeats is particularly useful for busy groups and teachers. The graded ordering of tapping and makes you want to get up and teachers as suitable dances can be chosen the dances makes it particularly useful for “dance for joy” to the lively reels and jigs. quickly for classes. programme planning or for someone Every time I listen to the tracks I notice needing to make a rapid alteration to an The mixed ability group I teach enjoyed all something different in the harmonies and evening’s dancing. The final dance in the the dances they have tried, including the then parts of a tune get stuck in the brain and book, Branches Together (written shortly delightful, three-couple strathspey Up & you are humming them all day. I like the cello before Roy's passing), brings the collection Down Ben Nevis. This contains a traditional and the oboe, they add a new dimension. to a fitting conclusion. group of figures, nicely balanced with a twist The strathspeys grow on you the more you as the threes are the dancing couple setting As one would expect from a book of listen and the with its haunting off up the Ben! The excited chatter was an Goldring dances, the instructions are clear, melody calms you down a bit to start again. indication that the class had a great time unambiguous and well-presented. The What really comes through is that the band dancing Pat Clark’s The Telford . dances generally contain straightforward are really enjoying themselves. The cover This dance has a slightly different three- formations that have been linked in picture, with happy young people dancing in couple allemande which begins by facing interesting ways. An attribution for many the sea surf tells you everything. If I had to dances has been provided, along with the down the set and I would defy anyone to sit make a suggestion it would be with the reason that Roy wrote or associated the still when listening to this music. insert. I would have preferred to have the dance with a particular person. Interestingly tunes listed first so it is easier if you want to The strength of the tunes for Miss Irene one dance, Caerlaverock Castle, has know which particular tune is being played. Whyte’s Strathspey are a pleasure to listen previously been published in The Scotia to and drive this dance forward. I particularly Suite of Scottish Country Dances under the There are some new dances which I’m looking liked the original tune and Reith’s Clarinet by title Bruce’s Men. The lead tune differs forward to dancing, if the music is anything to J S Skinner. The music for the jigs Bellfield between the two publications, with both go by. These include Kathleen McAdam’s Scroll Park and The Diamond Celebration are nicely composed by Muriel Johnstone. (8x32J) Blue Moon Rendezvous (8x32J) and paced and provide impetus for the dances. Most of the tunes for the dances are The Magic Of Merrill (8x32R). There are also For those who want a more challenging jig, traditional or composed by Muriel quite a few new tunes to me, sprinkled Fireworks contains an interesting 16-bar Johnstone. The match between music and amongst many well known favourites. figure called Catherine Wheels which will the dances is near perfect. The music Nevertheless these new tunes have become entertain the more advanced dancer. The disk carefully reflects the phrasing of the dances, favourites in a very short space of time. finishes with a fine set of reels for the five- providing impetus or flow when needed. Some might find the music a bit too busy couple dance The River Ness. The tempi are appropriate for dancing. A for teaching, however the music is joyful In conclusion this excellent CD and book rather pedantic suggestion to anyone and just makes you want to join in and have of lively dances will provide a very useful producing a CD – the provision of track a ball. So for social nights, it is a must, unless addition to the repertoires of branches numbers beside each dance on the outside of course, you get the chance to dance to and teachers. of a CD cover facilitates track selection. Reel of Seven live. Di Rooney, Cheshire In her note at the beginning of the book Margaret Davidson, Dumfries

28 www.rscds.org Letters to the Editor

Yehudi Menuhin Dance etiquette Dear Editor, Dear Editor, Terminology I was interested to read the article in I read the letter about dance etiquette in Scottish Country Dancer 9 about the BBC Scottish Country Dancer 9 with interest. Dear Editor, television programme recording the One thing not mentioned in the letter, Nobody seems to bother about meeting between Yehudi Menuhin and my which I would like to see, is gentlemen terminology these days. The word “centre” father-in-law, Hector MacAndrew. It was escorting their partners on and off the seems to have crept into everything. the highlight of Hector’s life, and he was dance floor. It doesn’t seem to happen Miss Milligan used to say that Highland always amused by a comment made much nowadays. steps were performed in the “centre” of an towards the end of the programme. To improve dance etiquette I would suggest Eightsome Reel because the dancers were Yehudi Menuhin was sitting in the middle of that teachers and MCs at larger dances equidistant in a circle, but that we went the front row of fiddlers and was a bit have a duty to point out bad etiquette “down the middle” of a longwise set. Now apprehensive about playing the Scottish music when they see it. I am sure this would make the “centre” seems to be used for any kind of when Sandy Milne, the leader of the Banchory a big improvement. set, even “down the centre and up”. It is used Strathspey and Reel Society, and who was also Yours, in our new books and The Manual (e.g. bar 5 conducting all the societies who were there, of The Knot) even our Technique Doctor uses turned to him and announced in broad Doric: Ray Hunter (Lincoln, England) it in Scottish Country Dancer 9. “Dinna worry Mr Menuhin. There’s a lot of Will the “middle” ever come back? guid players roon about ye”. Yours, Yours, Norah Dunn (Ayrshire) Marjory MacAndrew

workshops throughout North America and Preliminary Teaching Certificate at St. beyond. He obviously left his students with Andrews. Miss Milligan appointed him as Obituaries strong feelings of appreciation and respect. the first official piper for the 7.00 a.m. John Middleton A SCD teacher colleague remembers starting reveille during the four weeks of Summer in his class as a sixteen-year-old in a mainly School. He also taught the afternoon piping John was born in adult group. She found his well-attended classes for thirty years, and his room at St. Banchory, Aberdeenshire class challenging but always great fun. In Andrews was known as “The Piper’s Cave”. and was brought up, 1998 he was a very worthy recipient of the along with three Piping, teaching, composing and dancing, Society’s Scroll of Honour. brothers, in Peterhead John travelled the world during a long and before emigrating with John was a true gentleman and a gentle busy career, including a tour of South Africa the family to Canada in 1952. He was man, with a rare sense of fun and mischief, as a dancer with the official RSCDS team. In introduced to Scottish country dancing as a never complaining or even mentioning his later years he danced for a short while in less than enthusiastic child, but it became a lifelong struggle with asthma-related Leicester. At the age of 79, he began writing lifelong passion. health problems. He will be greatly missed in the Ulster-Scots dialect, which has been by us all. likened to Burns’ Lowland Scots, and two John aided his mother in establishing a SCD volumes of his short stories were published group in London, Ontario, before his Pat Coyle, St Catharines (Ontario) Branch by the Ulster Scots Language Society. teaching profession took him to Hamilton, Ontario. Dancing there, he met and married J’ina as he studied for and passed both Pipe Major John Pamela Hood, Leicester RSCDS teacher examinations in 1961. Johnston Over a period of thirty years, John served John was born in Also sadly missed… the Teachers’ Association (Canada) in almost Northern Ireland and Carol Porter, Northern Virginia Branch, learned to play the every executive position and as candidate dancer, teacher and gracious hostess. She bagpipes as a member tutor, both locally and at TAC Summer could not stress enough the importance of of the Boys’ Brigade. School. On the TACNotes Committee, just good eye-contact. Her celebration dance will He taught at the as in his classes, questions I asked were be held in Northern Virginia on 28 August. always answered thoughtfully, kindly and in College of Piping in a way that was open for discussion. Glasgow, and was Pipe Charles “Charlie” Kennedy attended 400 – 500 people attended John’s memorial Major of the Clelan Summer School in the 1950s. A miner service, including school teachers, church Memorial Pipe Band for himself, he taught Scottish country members and dancers, some from as far forty years before dancing in the Bowhill Miners’ Institute to away as the Quebec border in the east (400 becoming Pipe Major of large classes of children, teenagers and km), from Windsor in the west (300 km) and the Leicester Seaforths. adults. In 1958 Charlie organized a dance from the United States. That, in itself, was a As a dancer he was tour of Russia from Moscow to the Black great tribute to John, who taught adult, taught by Miss Milligan Sea. This was followed by several dance children’s and candidate classes, as well as and he gained his trips to Czechoslovakia.

www.rscds.org 29 Compiled by John Sturrock. For further information about Day school diary these events please refer to branch or club websites. Issue 11 will cover day and weekend schools from November 2010. Entries for April to Dec 2010 Please send details to [email protected]

April 10 05 - 06 Clivis, Workshop, Turin, Italy 18 N W Craven Branch, Day School, Avril & David Quarrie Whittington 24 Cheltenham Branch, Day School, 10 - 13 Central Germany Branch, Cheltenham, England October 10 Mervyn Short Teachers’ Weekend, Schlüchtern, Germany Graham Donald 24 South Wales Branch, Day School, 01 - 03 Argyll Weekend, Dillington, Bridgend, Wales Graham Donald 11 - 13 Midwest Scottish Weekend, Somerset, England Beloit College (WI), USA Mervyn Short, Jessie Stuart 24 Argyll Day School, Crowthorne, Ellie Briscoe Berkshire, England Paul Plummer, 01 - 03 Saskatchewan Branch, 30th Raphaelle Orgeret, Jane Rose 12 Luxembourg SCD Club, Summer Course, Cultural Hall, Weekend, Carlyle (SK), Canada 24 Leeds Branch, Highland Day Luxembourg Simon Scott, Gordon Robinson School, Leeds, UK 02 York Branch, Day School, Catherine Livsey 18 - 20 Isle of Arran Weekend Jimmie Hill, Janet Johnston Stockton in the Forest, Yorkshire, 30 - 01/05 Portrush Branch, Weekend UK Deb Lees School, Portrush, Northern 25 - 26 Silver State Dancers, Weekend Ireland Craig Houston Workshop, Truckee (CA), USA 09 Lyon Branch, Day School, Lyon, Tim Wilson 30 - 02/05 East Lothian Branch, Weekend, France Patrick Chamoin Atholl Palace Hotel, Pitlochry, 25 - 27 Highland Mist Dancers, Work- 14 - 17 Kuckucksnest, Autumn Courses, Scotland Graeme Davie shop Weekend, St Louis (MO), USA Schluchtern, Germany 30 - 02/05 Avalon, Weekend Workshop, 30 - 04/07 Kuckucksnest Summer Course, Anika Lange, Carola Fischer Schluchtern, Germany Eric Finley Catalina Island (CA), USA 16 London Branch, Day School, 30 - 04/07 Kuckucksnest Musicians Elaine Brunken, Eric Finley, London, UK Marjorie McLaughlin Course, Schluchtern, Germany Keith Smith 22 - 24 Western Australia Branch, May 10 Weekend Workshop, Cockburn, July 10 Australia 01 Winnipeg Branch, Workshop, Winnipeg (MB), Canada 04 - 09 Thistle Summer School, Banner 29 - 31 Rechberg International Weekend, Ron Wallace, Margaret Zadworny Elk, North Carolina, USA Schwabisch Gmund, Germany Keith & Deirdre Bark, BettyLee 07 - 09 London Branch, 80th Anniversary Muriel Johnstone, Bill Zobel Barnes, Jeff Corrigan, David 29 - 31 Medicine Hat Branch, Weekend Weekend, Swanwick, Derbyshire Giliam, Jimmie Hill, Janet Walker, Graham Donald Eilean Yates Workshop, Medicine Hat, 07 - 09 Cumbrae SCD Association, 04 - 11 35th Australian Winter School, Canada Bob Anderson, Janyn Weekend, Millport, Gt Cumbrae, North Adelaide, Australia Jim Rae, Bertram, Robin Lynch Scotland Helen Frame Elinor Vandegrift, Cathy McLeod, 13 - 16 Munich Scottish Association, Barbara Hamlyn, Noriel Tarca November 10 Weekend School, nr Munich, 09 - 17 Boston Branch, Pinewoods Camp, 12 - 14 Lyon Branch, Weekend Course, Germany David Queen Cape Cod (MA), USA Lyon, France 17 - 20 Dance Course, Nyiregyhaza, Linda Gaul, Charlie Inglis, Martin Hungary Jim Cook 12 - 14 Croydon Branch, Dance Mulligan, Jennifer Stephenson, Weekend, Eastbourne, UK 21 - 22 Isle of Skye Branch, Weekend, Carolyn Buractaon Pat Davoll Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland 25 - 22/08 RSCDS Summer School, St 17 - 21 Kuckucksnest November Course, Maureen Haynes Andrews, Fife, Scotland 21 - 23 Duns and District Branch, Schluchtern, Germany Weekend, Duns, Scotland August 10 David Queen Janet Johnston, Craig Houston 08 - 15 TAC Summer School, Waterloo, 27 - 28 SCD Group Basel, St Andrews 21 - 23 New York Branch, Pawling Ontario, Canada Alex Gray, Night Course, Basle, Switzerland Weekend, Hopewell Junction Jean Dodds, Alan Twhigg, Gail (NY), USA Alex Gray, Ellie Michener, Pat Coyle, Colin Philip December 10 Briscoe, Rebecca Roman 09 - 15 Kuckucksnest Holiday Course, 27 - 04/01 Silvester Course, Gemund, 21 - 23 Stoney Lake Weekend, Lakefield Schluchtern, Germany Germany Rudi Spagele, Ute (ON), Canada Carole Skinner Carola Fischer, Martin McWilliam Pitzal, Sjoerd van Leersum 21 - 24 Scottish Dance Weekend, Szeged, 21 - 26 Dance Course, Molines in Hungary Eric Finley, Bill Zobel, 28 - 06/01 New Zealand Branch, Summer Queyras, France School, Dunedin, NZ Muriel Johnstone, Keith Smith Tess Edelmann 24 - 28 Dance Course, Nyiregyhaza, Fiona Bullivant, Lois McEwan, Hungary Jim Cook September 10 Margaret McMurtry, Trish Nicholl 10 - 12 Seattle Branch, Fort Worden Lesley Nicol, Maureen Robson, June 10 Workshop, Port Townsend (WA), Anne Smyth, David Williamson, 04 - 07 Te Awamutu SCD Club, Weekend USA Sharon Barker, Janet Katharine Hoskyn, Jim Lindsay School, Otorohanga, NZ Johnston, Gordon Robinson, Tim 05 Lyon Branch, Advanced Day Wilson SCD FESTIVALS School, Lyon, France 11 Dumfries Branch, Day School, June 10 Patrick Chamoin Dumfries, Scotland 05 Cincinnati Branch, Workshop, John Wilkinson 26 South Wales Festival, Raglan Dayton (OH), USA 17 - 19 Gothenburg Branch, Castle, Wales Elaine Brunken, Tracey Applebee International Weekend, Valand, July 10 05 Swilcan Scottish Country Sweden Dancers, ½ Day School, Utrecht, 18 Ayr Branch, Day School, Troon, 10 56th White Rose Festival, Netherlands Scotland Graham Donald Harewood, Leeds, England

30 www.rscds.org DVD Reel Scottish Dancing! Find steps, formations and dances quickly

• Demonstrates 34 popular Scottish country dances • Steps walked through and demonstrated • Shows 40 Scottish country dancing formations • Helpful commentary by Dr Alastair MacFadyen

DVD £17.99 + £1 P&P (UK) or £3 P&P (non-UK) (Cheques payable JANET WASHINGTON at to IVP) Available from: CLAIRE CHARLES DESIGNS Anita Mackenzie Devonbank House G 20 years experience Fishcross, Alloa FK10 3JE G Exclusive stockist of RSCDS tartan silk and polycotton Tel: 01259 – 724169 G 70 Clan also available Email: [email protected] Silk £30 per metre Polycotton £15 per metre Full Stock Carried. Closed Thursday & Sunday. For bespoke outfits please make an appointment Or order online at: www.scottishdancevideos.com 8 West Moulin Road, Pitlochry PH16 5AD All 6 IVP dance videos now on DVD Tel: 01796 473787

/LQOLWKJRZ6FRWFK+RS 6FRWWLVK'DQFLQJIRU$OO LQ/LQOLWKJRZ3DODFH&RXUW\DUG

EHWZHHQ(GLQEXUJK *ODVJRZ

/LYHO\ )ULHQGO\ )XQ The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society ZLWKJUHDW Perth and Perthshire Branch 6FRWWLVK%DQGV A BOOK OF

:HGQHVGD\V PERTH DANCES WK-XO\WRWK$XJXVW  RSCDS Perth and Perthshire Branch have published ‘A Book of 0L[HGSURJUDPPHRIFDOOHGGDQFHV Perth Dances’ with an accompanying CD ‘12 Perth Dances’ with LQDXQLTXHVHWWLQJ $OWHUQDWLYHYHQXHIRUEDGZHDWKHU music by James Coutts SCD Band. The dances and music have local connections, written by or for people in the Perthshire area. The book is £5.00 and CD £12, or bought together for £15.  For further information or to order please contact: ZZZVFRWFKKRSRUJXN Allana Creighton 1 Mapledene Road Scone PH2 6NX Telephone: 01738 551148 e-mail: [email protected]

www.rscds.org 31

    St Andrews Shoemakers Ltd (James Senior), Unit 3, Newark Industrial Estate, Glenrothes, Fife, KY7 4NS tel/fax: 01592 779000 tel: 0870 7542 104 fax: 0870 7542 105 email: [email protected] website: www.standrews–shoemakers.com