NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE AND DISTRICT RSCDS

 

   NEWSLETTER

 

WINTER 2010

John Cass receiving his Scroll from Dr. Alastair MacFadyen at the

Annual General Meeting of  the Society held in Perth

on the 6th November 2010

 

MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

 

Once again the dancing season is halfway through with two Balls, a Reception at the Mansion House and a Tea Party so far to celebrate the Branch Diamond Jubilee.  I have enjoyed seeing you at those functions, and hope that you have been able to get to at least one.  I was delighted, recently, to be asked to present certificates to our young people who had passed various grades of the RSCDS dancing tests, more especially when I found it was to be on the night of the fund raising dance for Pudsey Bear, and I would be able to sample the delightful biscuits again.  It was made more special for me when I discovered that three of the certificates were for the highest grade exam, and that all three dancers had attended the Highland Ball on the previous evening. Well done.  The number of youngsters at the Pudsey dance gives hope for the future and I congratulate Carol on the work and enthusiasm that she puts in with them.

Maureen joins me in wishing you all the best for the New Year.

Mike Barlow

 

R.S.C.D.S. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AT PERTH  -

5th to 7th NOVEMBER 2010

 

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 232 delegates.

 

Dr. Alastair MacFadyen was in the chair for his third AGM as President.  He presented Scrolls of Honour to the following:-

 

Malcolm Brown (York and North Humberside)

John Cass (Newcastle upon Tyne and District)

Shigeko Igarashi (Tokyo)

 

All delegates received a copy of the first Annual Review.  Further reports were presented by two Committee Convenors  -  Helen Russell, Education and Training Committee,

Bill Austin, Membership Services Committee and by

Elizabeth Foster, Executive Officer/Secretary.

 

Ruth Beattie was appointed as Chairman and John Wilkinson as Chairman Elect.

Ross Robertson was appointed as Interim Treasurer.

 

Roger Malton was elected to serve on the Membership Services Committee for

3 years.

 

524 dancers attended the Ball on the Friday evening with music provided by Neil Copland’s Band, the programme having been devised by the Belfast  Branch.  On Saturday 570 dancers enjoyed the music of Colin Dewar’s Band with the programme devised by the Duns and District Branch.

 

In addition to the Annual General Meeting there was a Saturday morning panel and discussion led by Alex Gray, Ruth Beattie and Elizabeth Foster.

Michael Nolan led two workshops on PR.  Roger Malton attended on behalf of Newcastle upon Tyne and District Branch

 

On the Sunday morning Eric Finley led a workshop on the Scotia Suite dances.  A Youth Forum, led by Youth Director Deb Lees and Youth Development Worker Sue Rhodes, also took place.  Carol Sanderson attended this on behalf of Newcastle upon Tyne and District Branch and a paper on their work and the debate which followed has been submitted to the Branch Committee for consideration.

 

Should any member wish to read a copy of the first Annual Review or the paper from the Youth Forum, please speak to either Sheila Trafford or Carol Sanderson.

 

JOHN CASS

 

‘Remember, remember’ – for some of us, and for one person in particular, the weekend beginning 5th November, 2010, will stay in the memory as being very special.  It was this weekend, at the AGM of the RSCDS in Perth, that John Cass of  Newcastle and District Branch was presented with his Scroll of Honour by the Society.

 

After a TRIP O’ER THE TWEED and THE CROSSING of the FORTH BRIDGE we arrived amongst the PERTHSHIRE HIGHLANDERS to find, John, already ensconced at THE GATHERING, not taking it NICE AND EASY as you might expect, but yet again preparing to ‘cast off’ publicity to promote CALEDONIAN COUNTRY DANCE in general, and the Newcastle Branch in particular, which he has done to great effect for many years as a Branch Committee member.

 

A former member of the demonstration team himself from 1970-2000 John organised demonstrations, taking teams to festivals and events – in A’ THE AIRTS both at home and far FROM SCOTIA’S SHORES.

 

LIFE BEGAN FORTY YEARS ago for the class at Ponteland where he not only

taught Cass’s Lasses (and lads), now fast approaching John’s geriatrics(!), to become

MERRY DANCERS, but also supported the MUSIC MAKARS’ on THE KEYS by his JOIE DE VIVRE he has encouraged the very young over the years to join THE SCOTCH CIRCLE and brought about two publications of dances for young people by young people, thus showing everyone that dancing is JUST FOR FUN.

 

His greatest TRIUMPH is of course THE NEWCASTLE FESTIVAL which he has organised (together with his wife Patricia) for the past 26 years.  THE FESTIVAL FLING has ‘progressed’ throughout this time to become an all embracing event where teams and dancers know they will AYE BE WELCOME BACK AGAIN, thanks to John’s passion, high standards, and attention to detail.

 

Congratulations John – our own GEORDIE DIAMOND!

(From an original Cass’s lass)

 

PROGRAMME UNTIL MAY 2011

 

SATURDAY 12th FEBRUARY 2011

NEWCASTLE FESTIVAL OF SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING

EMMANUEL COLLEGE, GATESHEAD

Convenor  -  John Cass

 

The 27th Annual Festival will take place on the 12th February with the competitive

Festival running from 11am to 6 p.m.  Mrs. Fiona Turnbull from Barnard Castle and

Mrs. Margo Priestley from Edinburgh will be the adjudicators.  As well as teams from

all over the UK there are teams from abroad competing.  The evening dance

commences at 8 p.m. with music by David Cunningham and his Scottish Dance Band.

 

SUNDAY 13th FEBRUARY 2011

LADIES’ STEP WORKSHOP

WESTFIELD SCHOOL, GOSFORTH

Convenor  -  John Cass

 

Please see the enclosed leaflet.  If you are unable to contact Atsuko, please contact

Dora Connolly   -  dora.connolly@blueyounder.co.uk

 

THURSDAY 24TH FEBRUARY 2011

FORMATIONS CLASS

Convenor  -  Peter Avery

 

Due to falling numbers. the Formations Class which we usually have during February

half term at South Gosforth Church Hall has been cancelled.

 

SATURDAY 5th MARCH 2011  -  DAY OF DANCE

WESTFIELD SCHOOL, GOSFORTH

Convenor  -  Peter Avery

 

The enclosed application form gives details of the Day of Dance to be held on the 5th

March.  The teachers this year are Maureen Haynes from Carnforth and David Hall

from London.  As, nationally, there is a decline in the number of dancers attending a

‘Day School’ the Committee have been looking at ways to make this more attractive

to members and new dancers.

 

SATURDAY 5TH MARCH 2011  -  SIMPLY SOCIAL

JESMOND UNITED REFORM CHURCH HALL, BURDON TERRACE

JESMOND  NE2  3AE

Live Music     Convenors  -  Carol Sanderson and Roger Hall

 

A simply social to conclude the Day of Dance which will include some of the dances

taught during the day.  Please note that this will commence at 7 p.m.

 

SATURDAY 12TH MARCH 2011

PONTELAND MEMORIAL HALL

Music by Alan Ross     Convenor  -  Marion Luscombe

Programme as follows:-

SUNDAY 13TH MARCH 2011

FAMILY DANCE  -  THE KNOTT MEMORIAL HALL

HEDDON ON THE WALL

Live Music     Convenor  -  Carol Sanderson

 

An afternoon of dancing for children, 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.

This is felt to be a way of encouraging new dancers and encouraging all ages to dance

together, please come along and give your support.  It is fun!

 

TUESDAY 5th APRIL

COFFEE MORNING

SOUTH GOSFORTH PARISH HALL

 

There were requests for more of these informal functions so a Coffee Morning has

been arranged on Tuesday 5th April from 10.30 am at South Gosforth Parish Hall

(opposite the Metro Station).  Please just turn up, no advance booking necessary

£2 per head to cover costs, collected on the day.  Put the date in your diary now!

We look forward to seeing you, please let a Committee member know if you require

transport.

 

SATURDAY 16th APRIL 2011

BRINKBURN SCHOOL, SOUTH SHIELDS

Music by Ian Thomson

Convenor  -  Jean Wright

 

Programme has yet to be confirmed.

 

RECALLING EVENTS

 

DIAMOND JUBILEE EVENTS

 

Following the huge success of our Jubilee Ball in June, when there were people

attending from all over the UK and places as far away as Finland, Canada and New

Zealand, we decided to add other functions to our calendar this year so that all members would be able to take part in the celebrations.

 

The Coffee Morning at The Mansion House in August brought approx 100 members

together and it was so good to see people who are no longer able to attend our regular functions having a good old catch up.

 

So that these folk do not feel left out during our celebration year (and for all other

members as well) we held an afternoon tea at South Gosforth Church Hall on 1st

November.  This was attended by about 50 members who also had a very enjoyable

time.  Many were meeting friends they had not seen for a long time, most of whom

have been loyal members for longer than some of us can remember, and they still

want to hear about what goes on and keep in touch.  (It would have been interesting to add some of their ages together, we would end up with several centuries’ worth of

dancing!)  For the rest of us it was good to have time to talk to each other as this is not always possible at dances or classes.  Thank you to all those willing members who provided food for the delicious tea.

Sheila Trafford

 

DANCE SCOTTISH WEEK GOES PLACES

Newcastle Branch appeared at two new venues in Dance Scottish Week this year.

We secured a slot at “Centre Stage” at National Trust Seaton Delaval and danced the

afternoon away on 19th September.  The setting was fabulous, the floor very hard and, as far as we could tell, their bats (a protected species) undisturbed in the rafters.  The symmetry of our formations was carefully checked using the aerial view from the first  floor balcony  -  and we were reliably informed passed muster. We were in competition with the Great North Run and an indifferent day weatherwise, so there were not as many visitors as we would have liked, but we did manage some audience participation.  We hope to return next year.

The following Saturday we danced on the grass in front of the Chapel at National Trust Gibside.  We augmented our sets from the Branch with visitors and had an enjoyable afternoon despite the cold wind and the recent rain.  Gibside are keen for us to make a return visit, hopefully next August when it might be a bit warmer.  On the Saturday evening there was the “Simply Social” dance at Heddon on the Wall – which once more had a wonderful atmosphere and was greatly enjoyed by everyone.

Roger Hall

 

JUST FOR FUN – DANCE SCOTTISH FOR PUDSEY

Never was there a better example of dancing ‘just for fun!’ than that seen at Dumfries

on Saturday 23rd October in aid of BBC Children in Need.  Two teams of girls from

the Hexham Abbey Dancers joined teams from all over the south-west of Scotland for an afternoon of dance - with the emphasis firmly on fun.

 

We saw penguins from Nova Scotia waddle through ‘The Penguin and the Piper’, and a very motley Wedding Party turn up for ‘Mairi’s Wedding (including several ‘ladies’, with the finest crop of facial hair that I have ever seen).  Bees, ghosts, Snow White & the 7 Dwarfs, and many more besides, all joined in the fun.

 

The girls from Hexham added to the occasion, with flags flying for the ‘Wheels around the World’, and baubles & tinsel leaving a trail on the dance floor after ‘The Christmas Tree’ got the audience in the mood for the festive season.  It really was a great afternoon of fun for dancers and audience alike.

 

Thanks must go to the organisers of the event, to the Pipe Band that greeted us on

arrival, to Gillian Stewart, to her daughter Alison, and to Louise MacDougall who

provided a splendid variety of music for the dancers.  Last, but by no means least, to

Carol Sanderson who gave our children the opportunity to find out for themselves

the fun that is Scottish Country Dancing.

Pat Fairless

 

P.S. £3,000 was raised for Children in Need

PUDSEY DANCE

On Saturday 13th November, the younger dancers in the area gathered at Heddon on the Wall to raise money for Pudsey.  With great music provided by Gillian and

Louise, the children were soon enjoying themselves.  Two teams demonstrated dances they had displayed at an event in Dumfries a few weeks previously, ably supported by ‘extras’ recruited on the day to fill in for missing friends.  The costumes worn to signify Wheels around the World and the Christmas Tree (some with fairy lights!) were splendid.

After the interval, with Pudsey Bear biscuits and homemade treats for the adults, Mike Barlow presented the Medals and Certificates to those girls who had taken their tests in the summer.  

It was good to see so many youngsters (and their parents & grandparents) having fun Scottish dancing.  As Valentina and Laura move to Reading, we hope they will

continue with their dancing.

Marion Peutherer

 

P.S.  £205 was raised for Children in Need

 

THE PUDSEY BEAR DANCE AT HEDDON ON THE WALL

On the 13th of November the RSCDS in Newcastle held their annual dance for

Children in Need.  The night was a great success and everybody (no matter their

dancing ability) came up to do at least one of the dances.

All 25 of the medal test awards where handed out by Mike Barlow.  There were a

number of children doing the introductory grade and grades 1, 2, 4 and 5.  All 25 of

the children passed the exam with an amazing 15 getting credits and 8 getting

distinctions.

The children that performed in the Pudsey dance in Dumfries did their dances (the

Christmas Tree and Wheels around the World) again in their costumes so that the rest  of the parents that did not go could see them.  The night was a great success and we look forward to the dance next year.

Alice Ritchie and family

 

SPECIAL DISCOUNT!

The Kilt Sporran Co. supplies a range of dancing-related accessories at competitive prices. As a result of setting up a link on the Branch website, members can now enjoy reduced prices.  Contact Chris Hiller for details.

 

CLASS DATES

The Branch Class terms will run from the 13th January 2011 until the17th February

2011 inclusive and from the 3rdd March 2011 until the 14th April 2011 inclusive

with no class on the 24th February.  Contact John Watson  01670 775232

for further information.

 

Ladies Step Class will recommence on the 18th January 2011.  Contact Rene Fidler 0191 2840800 or Jean Wright 0191 455937 for further information.

 

Wednesday Beginners Class will recommence on the 12th January 2011.  Contact

Deb Lees – 0191 2170496 for further information.

 

HELEN MEIKLE WHO DIED RECENTLY

Helen Meikle, Irene Atkinson and Daisy Hebron

Newcastle RSCDS AGM May 2010

 

Scottish country dancing is fun, keeps you fit and remembering what comes next is

good for the brain.  Knowing all this I was delighted to find a new evening class

starting in Ponteland when I moved there straight after my wedding.  John Cass was to teach and Robert Whitehead would play the accordion.  The first meeting was the start of 40 years of friendship with Helen.  We have danced with Helen all over the area, from the damp grass at Wallington to the elegant surroundings of the Civic Centre, and lots of halls, both village and school in between.  By the time I discovered another link between us, the Girl Guides, it was too late for her to join me in the Trefoil Guild - why?  She was dancing at classes three times each week.  She came as our guest to the guild annual dinner and any meeting she could fit in.

 

Helen has played a full and active role in our branch.  When John Cass started the

Newcastle Festival his own class had to take part and so Cass’s lasses did their bit until the Festival spread beyond the local area and we could retire.  After her 80th

birthday Helen hosted a dance each summer in her garden.  Three times the soft

refreshing rain meant a dash to Dalton Village Hall but this year the whole event

happened in the garden – on a dry but chilly mid-summer evening.

 

The final bars of Helen’s dance through life were over quickly and she leaves a gap in all the classes she attended.

Her happy smiling face will be missed by all of us.

Goodbye dear friend and dancing partner.

Maureen Barlow

 

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS

Welcome to all new members.  We really value having you with us, and hope that you will take part in all that the RSCDS and this branch can offer.

 

RSCDS HQ WEBSITE MEMBERS AREA

Earlier in the year I distributed information about accessing the Members Area of the RSCDS web site. However, I gave the wrong instructions.  My apologies.

To access the Members area for the first time you MUST have a valid e-mail address and your user name as supplied.  In the letter I sent out in August, if the last column shows an e-mail address ending in “@rscds.org” you will need to contact HQ to register your “real” e-mail address.

 

There are three steps to set up your password:-

1. Go to the Sign In box and enter your user name exactly as written.  Then click on the “Forgot your Password” button.  Enter your e-mail address and a “token” will be e-mailed to you immediately.

2. Open your e-mails. Copy (Ctrl C) the string of numbers and letters in the token.

3. Go back to the login screen. Paste (Ctrl V) the token into the appropriate box. You can now set the password to one of your choice

Any problems – please get in touch – 0191 217 0496.

 

CURRENT MEMBERSHIP

We currently have 2 honorary members, 56 adult joint members, 101 adult single members, 63 life members, 3 young members and 3 young adults, making a total of 228.  We also have 13 members who belong to the RSCDS through another branch.  Whilst the membership situation is still relatively healthy I am concerned that we are still not attracting sufficient new people into dancing and into the RSCDS.

Roger Malton

 

FACEBOOK

Facebook is an internet social networking site that is increasingly being used by Scottish Country Dancers across the world to keep in touch.  It doesn’t cost anything to subscribe but you do need internet access either through a computer or a mobile  phone.  We are running a trial of an RSCDS Newcastle “group” in Facebook.  This will give us a world-wide presence within Scottish Country Dancing and will help to advertise events such as the Highland Ball, Festival and Day School.  To find us,  search on Facebook for RSCDS and pick us out from the list.  Do join the group and add comments.  If you are not already on Facebook but would like to know more (or have safety concerns), please e-mail me at rog-deb@reel-rant.co.uk

 

MEMBERS NEWS

Belated congratulations to Robert and Jennifer Hudson (Morpeth) who celebrated

their Ruby Wedding Anniversary in October.  Sorry we did not know about it until

after the previous Newsletter had gone to print.

 

Congratulations to John and Jane Ferguson on the forthcoming occasion of their Silver Wedding on the 23rd March 2011.

 

Belated Best Wishes and Happy 80th Birthday to Robbie Webster.