NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE AND DISTRICT RSCDS
NEWSLETTER
WINTER 2009
Deb Lees, the Society’s new Youth Director
(“see article”)
MMESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
First of all let me wish you all a Happy New Year. I hope that the weather conditions
do not curtail our dancing too much and that in our Anniversary year all functions
can go ahead as planned. The big event is the Ball to be held at The Lancastrian
Suite, Gateshead on Saturday 26th June. Maureen and I look forward to seeing as
many of you as possible at that function as we celebrate sixty successful years of
the Newcastle and District Branch.
Mike Barlow
PROGRAMME UNTIL MAY 2010
SATURDAY 13th FEBRUARY 2010
NEWCASTLE FESTIVAL OF SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING
EMMANUEL COLLEGE, GATESHEAD
Convenor - John Cass
The 26th Annual Festival will take place on the 13th February. The competitive
Festival from12 noon to 6 p.m. Mrs. Fiona Turnbull from Barnard Castle and Mrs.
Margo Priestley from Edinburgh will be the adjudicators. As well as our own Branch
teams there are teams from abroad competing. The evening dance commences at
8 p.m. with music by Marian Anderson and her Scottish Dance Band.
I would urge you to support this Festival, one of the very few in the country, which
is
seriously under threat from rising costs. The cost of the hire of Emmanuel College
is
set to rise for 2011 to in the region of £2,500 from the preset cost of £700. No,
that is
not a joke.
If you know of any company or person that would be prepared to offer sponsorship
or
if you have any ideas of how we could raise the additional £2,000 please let John
Cass know or speak to any member of the Committee.
THURSDAY 18th FEBRUARY 2010 - FORMATIONS CLASS
at Gosforth Parish Hall (opposite the Gosforth Metro)
Teacher - Peter Avery
Please let Peter (on 07900215036) or a Committee Member know if there are any
formations/special dances etc. you would like to be taught.
SATURDAY 6th MARCH 2010 - DAY SCHOOL
WESTFIELD SCHOOL, GOSFORTH
Convenor - Peter Avery
The enclosed application form gives details of the Day School to be held on the 6th
March. Please sign up and encourage any new dancers to come along.
Di and Mike Jevons from the Alnwick class give the following account of the Day
School last year:-
“It was with some trepidation that we made our way down from the wilds of
Northumberland to Gosforth for our first Day School on Saturday 21st March. It was
nice to see some friendly faces from our Alnwick class on arrival; most of whom were
in the ‘advanced’ class being experienced dancers. We were rightfully, being pretty
new to Scottish Country Dancing, in the ‘beginners’ (or was it intermediate? - we
never quite discovered). Our teacher in the morning was Ann Dix from London and
she was absolutely excellent and was ably assisted by Patricia Cass on piano, who
was
also outstanding.
Fortunately, Ann had a lot of patience (she had been a teacher, in her own words,
‘in a
former life’) and was extremely good at explaining steps and moves to us. We learned
how we should be doing the ‘pas de basque’ step and also how we should be moving
in a strathspey, and a host of other useful things including what ‘covering’ was
all
about. (Most useful if you’ve forgotten what you should be doing at a given time
and
can use your counterpart in an adjacent set as an “aide memoire”).
Before we knew where we were, we had completed several dances with a modicum of
success, and it was coffee and biscuit time and a very pleasant break it was too,
as due
to the unexpectedly warm weather we were able to take our sustenance outside.
After the break, more dances were ‘under the belt’, and hey presto it was lunchtime.
After lunch, teacher and pianist duos swapped from our class to the advanced and
vice
versa. It was then the turn of the duo of Jim Rae from Lockerbie and pianist Gillian
Stewart who both did a good job. I think our class was getting a little bit excitable
in
the afternoon, and we probably tried Jim’s patience a little as we were wanting to
talk
more than we should. However, he got us under control and we went through several
dances in detail concentrating on timing and the positioning of each couple in the
set,
and very good practice it was, too!! We realised how much easier it was to dance
when everyone in the set was in the correct relative position.
The afternoon break was once again taken in the great outdoors and before we knew
it it was time for the final session. This just flew by as we were having such a
good time.
Overall it was a most enjoyable day, and we just hope that we can remember all of
it
(or some at least!) to put it into practice at forthcoming dances.
A big ‘thank you’ is due to everyone – organisers, teachers, pianists and helpers
who worked very hard to ensure such a successful event, and we very much look forward
to the next one.”
Well the next one is coming up. The teachers this year are Atsuko Clement and
David Hall and I am sure it will be an equally good day. A short pen portrait of
each
of the teachers is given below. To ensure a place complete the application form
and
send it off as soon as possible.
Atsuko Clement was born and educated in Japan. Since 1981 she has lived
in Scotland. Atsuko has been dancing since the age of 7 and Scottish Country
Dancing since 1975. Atsuko was a member of Edinburgh demonstration team
for over 20 years and of the demonstration team in the Younger Hall during
Summer School for many years. She gained her full certificate in 1983 and has
taught Ladies Step and Country Dancing at Summer School since 1995.
Atsuko has also taught both nationally and internationally and has been a regular
teacher for the Edinburgh Branch. She has served on the Society’s Executive
Council and Summer School Committee.
David Hall was born in Manchester and raised in a family where there was plenty of
Scottish dancing and music. He started with highland dancing, competing and
demonstrating before dancing in a children’s team for country dancing. David
joined the RSCDS at 16 and has attended all the Summer Schools since. He has
taught and played at both Summer and Winter Schools, at many week-ends in the UK
and several abroad, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. David has
run a Scottish Dance Band since he was 15 and has made several CDs and been
featured on BBC Radio Scotland. The Band has made many visits abroad, mainly in
Europe but also to the USA, New Zealand and Japan. He was a member of the London
Branch Executive for 10 years and contributed as a teacher, pianist and band leader
to Branch activities. He also co-ordinated and taught the London Branch demonstration
team for five years.
SATURDAY 6th MARCH 2010
SIMPLY SOCIAL DANCE – THE KNOTT MEMORIAL HALL
HEDDON ON THE WALL
Convenors - Deb Lees and Carol Sanderson
Following the success of the Simply Social Dance after the Day School 2009 and
in response to requests from teachers of classes, another Simply Social
Dance is to be held following the 2010 Day School. Dancing will be to live music.
All dances will be recapped and walked through.
As a result of the meeting of Teachers and others the Simply Social dances are now
being built into the Branch’s annual dance programme.
SUNDAY 7th MARCH 2010
FAMILY DANCE - THE KNOTT MEMORIAL HALL
HEDDON ON THE WALL
Convenor - Carol Sanderson
An afternoon of dancing for children and their parents, grandparents and friends.
The programme is adaptable to suit the ability of all attending. There will be
a mixture of Scottish Country Dances and ceilidh dances.
SATURDAY 13th MARCH 2010 AT PONTELAND MEMORIAL HALL
Music by Alan Ross. Convenor - Marion Luscombe
Programme
The Highland Ramber
EH3 7AF
Kilkenny Castle
Across the Esk
James Gray
Neidpath Castle
The Whistling Wind
A Capital Jig
St. Columba’s Stathspey
General Stuart’s Reel
SATURDAY 24th APRIL 2010 AT BRINKBURN SCHOOL,
SOUTH SHIELDS
Music by Ian Thomson. Convenor - Jean Wright
RECALLING TWO EVENTS
DANCING FOR PUDSEY
On Sunday 15th November, Mummy, Daddy, Sam and I went to the Pudsey Dance at
Heddon on the Wall. There were lots of dances for everyone to do. Sam enjoyed
them all, even though he is only four. He even wanted to dance with his friend Joe!
Half way through we stopped for tea. There were biscuits and cakes, tea and coffee
for the adults and orange juice for the children.
Top of page
Before we started dancing again there was a raffle and a guess the name of the bear
competition. I won a prize on the raffle and Sam won Libby the Pudsey Bear. What
a
wonderful afternoon, thanks Carol and everyone else who helped to make it such fun.
Hannah Fairless (Age 6)
P.S. £135 was raised for Children in Need.
R.S.C.D.S. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AT PERTH -
6th to 8th NOVEMBER 2009
Christine Belcher, John Cass, Roger Hall, Roger Malton, Carol Sanderson, Veronica
Thomson and Jean Wright represented the Branch at the Annual General Meeting.
The meeting was attended by 253 delegates.
Dr. Alastair MacFadyen was in the chair for his second AGM as President. He
presented Scrolls of Honour to the following:-
Dorothy Hamilton from Glasgow Branch
Isabelle Macpherson from the Toronto Branch
Barbara Peel of the Membership Services Committee
and Jean Sim of the Education and Training Committee
The Secretary/Executive Officer, Elizabeth Foster, attending her first AGM taking
up office on the 1st December 2008, presented her report. Further reports were presented
by the three Committee Convenors - Helen Russell, Education and Training Committee,
Pam Gillies, Membership Services Committee and William Whyte, General Purposes and
Finance Committee.
The proposal from the Management Board that the subscription fee will in future be
a standing item on the AGM agenda was agreed. The proposal from the Board that
the basic annual subscription for the year July 2010 to June 2011 remain at £15 was
also agreed.
562 dancers attended the Ball on the Friday evening with music provided by David
Cunningham and his Band, the programme having been devised by the Pretoria Branch,
South Africa. On Saturday 570 dancers enjoyed the music of Jim Lindsay and his Band,
with the programme devised by Royal Tunbridge Wells Branch.
In addition to the Annual General Meeting, there was a Saturday morning Question
Time session which Veronica Thompson and Jean Wright attended, with questions from
the floor to a panel comprising the Chairman, Chairman Elect, Committee Convenors
and Secretary/Executive Officer.
On the Sunday morning there was a Youth Forum lead by the new Youth
Director, Deb Lees, which I attended and which I am delighted to say was also
attended by quite a number of 18-35 year olds. Deb had us all working - the year
was 2020 and there were thousands of young people dancing. Divided into groups
we had to say how we had managed to get there. “Can we?” must be the big question?
Carol Sanderson
Dancing the Weekend away
Not having been to the AGM weekend before, we “signed up” with rather mixed feelings
– the thought of sitting through a meeting of indeterminate length was
daunting. However the attractive feature of the Perth AGM weekend is the dancing
- and there is a lot of it!
Having danced the night away at the Friday evening Ball, we arrived on the Saturday
morning less than bright eyed and bushy tailed for the General Class. Sue Porter
was an inspiring teacher, making us forget our fatigue from the previous evening’s
dancing and the unforgiving nature of the Sport Centre floor. The live music gave
us
the lift we needed to get ourselves moving. Sue put us through our paces practising
steps and a range of formations, then incorporating them into some interesting dances.
The 70 or so sets of the previous evening had been worn down to a dozen or so for
the class – still a challenging task for Sue, but one she rose to. We had the opportunity
to mix with dancers we’d met on previous occasions and make new acquaintances. And
on the Saturday evening there was another dance!!
Roger and Majorie Hall
DANCING WITH THE BROWNIES
There have been three separate invitations during November/December to teach Brownies
some Scottish Country Dancing in Hexham, Sunderland and Newcastle
which proved very enjoyable. The Brownies were very enthusiastic! Each group were
taught the same dances and it is hoped that we may be able to bring them together
at some point in the future for an afternoon or early evening of dancing.
If anyone has any contacts for Brownie groups in their area, please let me know and
an approach will be made to the leader to see if they would like a teacher to go
along
for one evening.
Carol Sanderson
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
DIAMOND JUBILEE 1950-2010
SUMMER BALL - SATURDAY 26th JUNE 2010
The Newcastle and District Branch was formed in the summer of 1950 and to start
off the Diamond Jubilee year the Committee is planning to hold a Summer Ball
on Saturday 26th June 2010. The venue will be the Lancastrian Suite (formerly
known as the Federation Brewery) on Lancaster Road, Dunston. The venue has a
fully sprung floor and dancing to Colin Dewar’s Band will give everyone attending
an extra spring in their steps. The programme of dances includes many old favourites
and selected dances from earlier books published by the Branch.
The cost will be £25 per head for members and £28 for non members of the Branch.
This cost will include a two course fork buffet and a bar will be available during
the
evening. Flyers and tickets will be available at the Festival in February. Further
information can be obtained from Veronica Thomson on 01665 570807, or Sheila Trafford
on 01670 512568.
Other events are being planned to recognise the Jubilee including publication of
a new book of dances, an accompanying CD, commemorative items and other dance opportunities
which will be publicised as the year goes on – watch out for further information.
CLASS DATES
The Branch Class term will run from the 7th January 2010 until the 25th March 2010
with no class on the 18th February (half term). Contact John or Jane Ferguson 0191
5482725 for further information.
Ladies Step Class will recommence on the 12th January 2010. Contact Rene Fidler
0191 2840800 or Jean Wright 0191 4552937 for further information.
Wednesday Beginners Class will re-commence on the 13th January 2010. Contact Deb
Lees – 0191 2170496 for further information.
YOUTH DIRECTOR
In June 2009 I was appointed to the position of RSCDS Youth Director for 3
years to work alongside Jayne Brown (outgoing Youth Director) for five months
and then take up the full time post in November, after the AGM.
So what have I let myself in for?
The Youth Director is a member of the Education and Training Committee (E&T),
accountable to Helen Russell (convenor of E&T). I have been a member of this
Committee for the past 3 years so now have a fair idea of the work that it does and
also of the overall HQ function and strategy.
Youth encompasses both children and young adults up to the age of 35 in Britain
and worldwide – a very big spread! Within this there are a range of projects, systems
and initiatives that I think will keep me pretty busy including:-
The medal test system – due for review this year. Includes ensuring
trained assessors are available and a review of the syllabus.
Safeguarding (or child protection) – supporting Branches and teachers to
understand and apply good practice.
Review of the national youth workshops and demonstration team.
Supporting younger musicians and teachers to develop skills in playing
for and teaching classes (local and beyond).
Promoting SCD for younger people – e.g. increasing the number of
children’s SCD teachers, training teachers in schools to teach SCD
and involvement with University SCD groups.
The Youth Director is supported by the E&T Committee and also by two specific
posts. One is the Schools Liaison Officer (Irene Bennett) – this role is to develop
SCD in schools, specifically Scotland at present, but with the intent to apply any
learning to other regions in the future. The other is the Youth Demonstration
Team co-ordinator (Margo Priestley) who currently takes responsibility for all
Youth Team demonstrations.
In addition to all that (and probably many other unknowns as well) I am very keen
to promote sharing of good ideas as we so often ‘reinvent the wheel’ – there
are many people already doing a very good job with children and young people
and we need to share it!
Deb Lees
26th to 28th MARCH 2010
SPRING FLING
The RSCDS’s annual residential week-end for 16-35 year olds is once again returning
to Newcastle this spring. We’re sure many of you will remember the very successful
SPRING FLING 2006, also held in the North East. The format is going to be very similar:
FRIDAY:
7.30pm: Ceilidh at Blackfriars – Open to All.
Band: Real to Reel – a fantastic local Northumbrian Ceilidh Band.
SATURDAY:
Day Time: Classes at Westfield School - Open to 16-35 year olds
Morning – SCD classes (Teachers: Graham Donald and Deb Lees).
Afternoon – Northumbrian Ranting (Teachers: Deb Lees and Roger Malton), or Highland
(Teacher: David Queen)
Evening: Ball at Wallsend – Open to All.
7.00pm: Wine Reception; 7.30pm: Dancing begins
Band: Ceol na h-Alba. Dress: Formal/Highland
Programme will be available soon on Branch website
SUNDAY:
Scottish Dance Challenge plus Lunch at Blackfriars – Open to 16-35 year olds.
Tickets for the Ceilidh/Ball will be available soon at all Branch classes, and if
you know anyone aged 16-35 who would be interested in attending the whole weekend,
then direct them to www.rscds.org/springfling, or ring either one of us – numbers
below.
We would encourage you all to support this event, as we are sure it will be just
as much fun as in 2006. If you would like to be a volunteer – we needs loads for
various parts of the weekend, then again just get in touch and we will be very glad
to hear from you.
Thanks
Dora Connolly (07971 842 693) Catrina Thomson-O’Connor (07779 859 583)
Spring Fling 2010 Committee
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
Many RSCDS Branches in Britain seem to be reporting falling numbers and difficulty
in bringing younger people into Scottish Country Dancing. It was therefore extremely
gratifying to be a participant in a week-end school in the Frankfurt area of Germany
during November in which the majority of the dancers were towards the younger end
of the age spectrum (I think I was about the oldest!) – and what’s more, all dancing
at
a very high standard. Something very positive seems to be happening across in
Germany and perhaps there is something we can learn from them here in Newcastle.
Summary of our Membership - December 2009
Annual Members
Honorary Members
Junior Associates
Life Members
Long Term members (end this year)
Branch Only members (HQ through another Branch)
Young Adults 18-25
Young members (12-17)
A number of members still have subscriptions outstanding. If they decide not to
renew then the membership total will be reduced by about12.
Roger Malton
Peter Quince, former Branch Chairman
The news that Peter was to undergo a quadruple coronary artery by-pass operation
on 18th November 2009 came as a shock to all who know him and his level of fitness.
At the University Hospital in Grenoble the surgery was completely
successful and Peter received excellent care. After three weeks he was transferred
to the cardio-physio unit of the hospital, where his progress was monitored closely.
He was finally discharged on Christmas Eve. Thanks to his characteristic
determination to succeed and with the devoted support of his wife, Madeleine,
Peter is making a very good recovery and hopes to be present at the Newcastle
Festival in February 2010.
Our best wishes are extended to Peter and any other members of the Branch
who may be recovering from illness.