NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE AND DISTRICT RSCDS
NEWSLETTER
WINTER 2011
MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
Once again we are at the half way point in the dancing season! The weeks
seem to fly past. Thanks to all of you that have made our functions so far a
great success. I know that there will be fuller reports later in the newsletter, but
I feel that I must make mention of the new venues used this year. Moving the
Highland Ball to the Lancastrian Suite was a great success, and I hope that all
who attended agree with me that it is worth the small extra cost to keep it in the
programme in the future. Valley Gardens Middle School was also a success,
once we found our way in! Congratulations to the Committee for finding a
new hall with good parking and helpful staff.
A Happy New Year to all of you.
Mike Barlow President
R.S.C.D.S. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AT GLASGOW -
4th to 6th NOVEMBER 2011
This year the Branch was represented by John Cass, Jean Wright and Veronica
Thomson. As usual, the meeting was held on the Saturday afternoon and was
attended by 212 delegates representing 113 Branches around the world, with a
similar number of other Society members attending as spectators. Unfortunately,
Dr. Alastair MacFadyen was unwell and not able to attend; Ruth Beattie, Chairman
chaired the meeting in his place and presented Society Scrolls of Honour to Anne
Archdeacon (North Queensland), Jean Hamilton (Toronto), Andrew Smith (Bristol),
Moira Stacey (Gatehouse of Fleet) and Rachel Wilton (London).
The financial report showed that funds had risen over the year with a net increase in
the general fund of £62,259 – compared with £4,396 the previous year and losses in the two years before that. As a result, the Management Board proposed that there should be no increase in subscription for the year commencing 1st July 2012 – a proposal which was agreed by all delegates. The other proposal agreed was for the formation of a Youth Services Committee to focus specifically on matters relating to
children and young people. Responsibility for tests and examinations, standards and
performance, Schools, teaching and examiners to remain with Education and Training.
Elections were held for members of the Management Board, the Education
and Training Committee and Membership Services Committee. The Branch now has
a second representative on the Membership Services Committee in Alan Caig who
joins Roger Malton. Deb Lees continues as Youth Director.
Apart from the meeting, there was a formal Ball on the Friday evening attended by 488 dancers with music from The Ian Muir Sound. On the Saturday evening a less formal dance was held with 542 dancers and music from The Lothian Band. These are always inspiring with so many people eager to dance to top class bands. Ian Muir and his band played some wonderful tunes on the Friday and there was a rush to form sets for every dance announced. Those counting the sets had a long walk to get back to the top to start dancing!! The Lothian Band were also very good and we look forward to hearing them play for one of our dances next year.
During the Ball there was a demonstration of two new dances written by young people as part of a competition run by the Society in Scottish schools. One of the dancers in the team was our own Andrew Ferguson, and one of the dances was written by Abigail Brown, granddaughter of Malcolm and Helen Brown from York who are known to many Newcastle Branch members – the new generation of dancers continues to grow!! Abigail’s dance won an award as the best dance in the competition.
The atmosphere over the weekend is always very happy and enjoyable, especially the opportunity to meet people from other areas who are there for the fun of dancing.
Veronica Thomson
ALAN CAIG by Alan Caig
I started Scottish Country Dancing nearly 20 years ago at the (now defunct) Stockton
on Tees Branch, where my mother used to dance. After a few years I started going
to the group in Great Ayton on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors, and also the
Guisborough Branch. More recently I dance with the group in Darlington. Having
danced at a pretty poor level for many years, I decided I wanted to improve my personal
dancing so I joined the Newcastle Branch because it has a reputation for good instruction.
I have known David Hind and Tim Bolton-
Outside Scottish Country Dancing I am a retired family lawyer. I spent 45 years
dealing with divorce, separation, domestic violence, and arguments over houses,
money, dogs and half a cake in a tin (that’s true !!). I became a family mediator 15
years ago because I was tired of seeing lawyers create more arguments than
they solved and 5 years later I was made a mediation consultant. I was elected
President of the Institute of Legal Executives shortly before I retired having served on
the national Council for 6 years.
I enjoy mountain biking, cycling and travel. I play the piano badly. I am
Honorary Vice President of Clan Farquharson, Chieftain of Clan Caig and a
Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.
I decided to apply to join the RSCDS Membership Services Committee as I have
served on many committees over the years and I felt I had a lot of experience to offer,
and this combined with my dancing experience (not expertise !) I took the view that
I could assist HQ to take the society forwards. I am very keen on using modern
technology (something the Society is using to a very great extent and intends to
extend). The Society has great plans for the future and I look forward to playing my
part in getting those plans into fruition.
MEMBERS NEWS
Congratulations to Jen Wood on passing the first part of the Teaching Certificate.
Jen is a member of the Branch but lives in Edinburgh.
Belated Best Wishes and Happy 70th Birthday to Veronica Thomson.
Our best wishes go to Sheila Mannall who is currently in hospital. We wish her well.
PROGRAMME UNTIL MAY 2012
SATURDAY 11th FEBRUARY 2012
NEWCASTLE FESTIVAL OF SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING
EMMANUEL COLLEGE, GATESHEAD
Convenor -
The 28th Annual Festival will take place on the 11th February with the competitive
Festival running from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mr. Alex Gray from Cardiff and Mr. David
Hall from London 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 12th FEBRUARY 2012
LADIES’ STEP AND MEN’S HIGHLAND WORKSHOPS
WESTFIELD SCHOOL, GOSFORTH
Convenor -
Please see the enclosed leaflet. For further information contact Jean Wright on
0191 4552937 or jeanwright@blueyonder.co.uk
It will be Jenny Greene’s first visit to Newcastle to teach ladies’ step dancing. Jenny
who now resides in Crieff, Perthshire was a member of the London Branch for over forty years teaching all the various levels. She has regularly taught at Summer
School and is acknowledged as one of the experts in ladies’step dancing. Those
attending the class will be in for a treat.
SATURDAY 3rd MARCH 2012
CHILDREN’S WORKSHOP AND FAMILY DANCE
KNOTT MEMORIAL HALL, HEDDON ON THE WALL
Convenor -
There will be a workshop for children starting at 11 a.m. until 12.30 p.m. and then a
family dance from 1.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. when parents can join the children. The
children would be given lunch in between the two events. Louise Macdougall from
Darlington has kindly agreed to teach the children’s workshop. The event will be
open to children from the Darlington classes.
TUESDAY 6th MARCH 2012
COFFEE MORNING
SOUTH GOSFORTH CHURCH HALL
Organiser -
Dancers and non dancers are all welcome. £2 per head to cover cost of hall.
SATURDAY 10th MARCH 2012
PONTELAND MEMORIAL HALL
Music by Marian Anderson Convenor -
Programme as follows:-
The Sailor
Yan Tan Tethera
St Chads Strathspey
The Missing Turn
Flight of the Falcon
The Gentleman
The Outer Circle
The Kelloholm Jig
City of Belfast
Kangaroo Paw
Miss Johnstone of Ardrossan
Torridon Lasses
Mrs Milne of Kinneff
John of Bon Accord
Macleods Fancy
Fair Donald
Milton’s Welcome
Paisley Weavers
Tribute to the Borders
Mairi’s Wedding
SATURDAY 24th MARCH 2012 -
WESTFIELD SCHOOL, GOSFORTH
Convenor -
The enclosed application form gives details of the Day of Dance to be held on the 24th March. This year there will only be one class taught by John Wilkinson.
1959 John started dancing at primary school in Bankfoot, Perthshire
1963 Joined the Gowrie group in Perth. Danced with them for 4 years.
1967 -
1972 -
Full certificate in 1972. Taught Glasgow University club
for seven years, and served on Branch committee. Instrumental in organising the first Glasgow Govan Festival in 1977 (now known as the Spring Fling).
1982 -
and taught a number of classes from elementary through to
demonstration standard.
1995 -
levels, and has been Depute Director three times. Winter School Director in Pitlochry
in 2005 and from 2007 to 2009 was Schools Director for the RSCDS where the main responsibility
was organising Summer School. Taught the Edinburgh Branch Demonstration team and
produced and directed their Fringe show ‘Strictly Scottish’ for three years from
1998 -
2010 -
Dancing and teaching has taken John throughout the UK to day and weekend schools and has also taken him to almost every country in Europe and to Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, America and Canada.
SATURDAY 24th MARCH 2012 -
JESMOND UNITED REFORMED CHURCH HALL, BURDON TERRACE
JESMOND NE2 3AE
Music by Gillian Stewart and friends Convenors -
A simply social to conclude the Day of Dance. Please note that this will commence
at 7 p.m. Programme as follows:-
Maxwell’s Rant
Jubilee Jig
MacDonald of the Isles
The Reel of the Royal Scots
Joie de Vivre
Sugar Candie
Round Reel of Eight
Pelorus Jack
Gay Gordons
The Sailor
Miss Johnstone of Ardrossan
The Silver City
Johnny Walker
Neidpath Castle
Tribute to the Borders
Linton Ploughman
Pelorus Jack Mairi’s Wedding
SATURDAY 28th APRIL 2012
BRINKBURN SCHOOL, SOUTH SHIELDS
Music by Ian Thomson Convenor -
Programme as follows:-
The Luckenbooth Brooch
Ray Milbourne
Rita’s Ramble
The Snake Pass
Scott Meikle
The Minister on the Loch
The Alexandria Reel
Cadgers in the Canongate
Devil’s Water
The Chequered Court
Wicked Willy (Uilliam Dona)
Spiffin
Cape Town Wedding
Jig for Helen
The Recumbent Stone
Twixt Don and Dee
Gothenburg’s Welcome
J.B. Milne
The Garry Strathspey
The Hazel Tree
The Montgomeries’ Rant
Wicked Willy (Uilliam Dona)
FIRST AID TRAINING
In order to strengthen the support provided for members at dances, the Branch is
looking to recruit two volunteers to be trained in first aid. The course, delivered
by St. John Ambulance, will take place in Newcastle on Tuesday 31st January 2012
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you are interested in being trained, please contact John
Watson by e-
RECALLING EVENTS
HIGHLAND BALL
Speaking on behalf of dancers from the Stocksfield Club who attended the Highland Ball at its new venue – the Lancastrian Suite in Gateshead – Rosemary Newton said “There’s no doubt we all enjoyed it, the venue was good, there was no problem with parking and the food was excellent. Personally, I think it was good value for money especially when you consider we had a band, a full programme of dancing and supper. Where else could you expect that kind of value for money?
The organisation of the event was excellent and the staff at the Lancastrian Suite were very helpful and pleasant. What more could you want? It all added up to an excellent night out.”
PUDSEY DANCE
It was with great anticipation that we set off for the Pudsey Dance at the Knott Memorial Hall, Heddon on the Wall, and we were not to be disappointed. We had never taken part in any Scottish dancing previously but both boys had always expressed a desire to give it a go.
The first highlight was acquiring a dapper kilt as we entered the hall, making a donation to the cause.
Soon enough the dancing was under way, led by the fantastic band. All the moves were explained well by Carol and there were many willing (and patient!!) helpers only too keen to lend a hand. We soon realised that those extra layers that we had put on to stop any chill were certainly not needed. The boys threw themselves into each new dance with enormous gusto, having great fun with friends and making new ones along the way. Their favourite dance was `The Christmas Tree Dance` which we have
practised many times since. The dancing was followed by some welcome sandwiches and cakes. We had all certainly worked up a healthy appetite.
Although both boys were exhausted with their exploits, they were 'buzzing' all the way home and couldn't wait to tell daddy of all the fun they had and show off their new kilts.
A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon and something we will want to come to again soon.
Lissa Davison, Lewis (age 5) and Samuel (age 4)
P.S. £204 was raised for Children in Need and the event has resulted in two boys (not Lewis and Samuel) coming along to the children’s class in Hexham. There is also the
possibility of an after school club for dancing being established at Chollerton School.
PLAYING FOR SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING
How did I first start playing for Scottish Country Dancing? I drifted into it over a number of years. As a child I learned to play the piano but always played classical pieces and I also did some Highland dancing. Later, my mother and I went to Scottish Country Dancing classes with the Caledonian Society taught by Miss Rene Fidler. I remember trying to play the tunes from the early RSCDS books which my mother had bought and thinking I could never play for dancing as the rhythm has to be strictly kept or the dancers would fall over!
My playing for dancing began when our daughter, Alison, went to Miss Rene Fidler’s ballet classes. The then pianist, Mrs English, who had at one time been pianist in Ivy Benson’s All Girl Dance Band, wanted to do less playing as she was becoming increasingly arthritic. She gradually gave up a class at a time over a few years and as Alison progressed through the ballet classes somehow I ended up playing for them. Ballet music is a delight to play and I thoroughly enjoyed this.
Then there came a time when Mrs English gave up the Saturday children’s Scottish Country Dance class to which both our children went and I took over playing for it. This was a completely new experience for me. When I first started I had very little music, just the RSCDS books and a few other tunes. It took me a long time to get the hang of it. Gradually I began to add more tunes to my repertoire, a habit that continues today as I cannot resist buying music if I come across new books.
I was asked to play for the branch class, alternating with Mrs Patricia Cass, an arrangement that we still have today. Initially I was extremely nervous as it is such a big responsibility. I also began to play for the Caledonian Society Dancing Class at about the same time.
Playing as part of a team with others has also happened by pure chance. Seeing people dancing to your music, smiling and enjoying themselves (hopefully) is very rewarding. The building up of a rapport between dancers and musicians can be very exhilarating.
Preparing sets of tunes for dancing is extremely time – consuming. Finding tunes which flow from one to another and complement the original tune for a dance is very satisfying and makes all the effort worthwhile. The sets then have to be practised until they sit nicely under the fingers and don't trip up either the pianist or the dancers.
It has been a huge learning curve, one that is never finished, and I am very grateful to all those people who initially took the risk of asking me to play for them: Rene Fidler, the RSCDS and the Caledonian Society. I hope that I can continue to play for many years to come.
Gillian Stewart