CLASS DATES

 

The Branch Class terms will run from the 12th January 2012 until the 9th February

2012 inclusive and from the 23rd February 2012 until the 29th March 2012 inclusive

with no class on the 16th February.  Contact John Watson on 01670 775232 for further information.

 

Ladies Step Class will recommence on the 10th January 2012.  Contact Rene Fidler

0191 2840800 or Jean Wright 0191 455937 for further information.

 

Wednesday Beginners Class will recommence on the 11th January 2012.  Contact

Deb Lees – 0191 2170496 for further information.

 

Next Display team practice at Denton Burn Community Centre, Sunday

8th January 2012  -  2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Do come along and join us if you would like

to be involved in the displays of Scottish Country Dancing that the Branch is

asked to provide.

 

 

BRANCH PUBLICATIONS

 

Geordie Diamond CD

 

You will be pleased to hear that the long awaited CD to accompany our book

The Geordie Diamond (shown on the front cover) is now available, price £10.  It is well worth waiting for, either to dance to or just to enjoy the music.  

The book and CD combined are on offer at a reduced price of £15 either from the Branch shop or via our website www.rscds-newcastle.org.

 

FINAL FAREWELL TO IAN POWRIE

 

Ian Powrie (bandleader) died in Australia on 5th October aged 88.  A farmer who

rose to be an international Scottish music sensation in the 1950s and 1960s.

 

Most of you will have danced ‘Ian Powrie’s Farewell to Auchterarder’ many times as

it is a popular dance.  This is how it came about, along with a brief history of the band

and Ian’s musical career.

 

Born on the 5th May 1923 near Blairgowrie, Ian took up the violin at the age of five.

His father Will (also a farm worker) was an accomplished accordionist.  Young Ian

made his first 78 recording with his father at the age of 12.  He had lessons from well

known teachers/musicians of the times and when he left school at the age of 14  to be

a tractor-man, he set up his own band.  This included his father and his brother (button

accordion).  When his brother was called up for national service another local farmer

joined in, this was the now well known Jimmy Blue who was later crowned a Scottish

champion accordionist.  Success went from strength to strength as Ian surrounded the

band with great musicians.  They backed Andy Stewart on the White Heather Club

(80 live TV appearances) giving them the status of the best band in the land.  They

also toured the world,  played summer seasons in Scotland’s top theatres as well as

Balmoral Castle for Her Majesty the Queen and two famous concerts in The Royal

Albert Hall.

 

Ian never forgot his roots and in 1962 bought his own farm at West Kirkton, Auchterarder.  This was home until, following a tour of Australia in 1966, he dropped

the bombshell that he was planning to emigrate; farewell concerts were given, a final

LP recorded and the Powrie family left.  This is when the dance was written.

 

Return visits were made over the years, he made a recording with Jimmy Shand in the

1970s and travelled the 9000 miles back once again to surprise Shand when he was on

‘This is Your Life’ with Eamonn Andrews.  Ian helped to encourage many young

musicians.  He would tackle anything and loved to restore farm machinery, he also flew his own light aircraft.  Ian and his wife Leila returned and settled near Auchterarder in 1984 but at the end of his playing career in 1999 they made the decision to return to Australia to be near their children Findlay and Ailsa and their four grandchildren.

 

Ian Powrie played with Bobby Crowe’s band for two of our Highland Balls at the Civic Centre (1986 and 1988). I have the two autographed dance tickets to prove it!

Sheila Trafford

 

 

DON RAY

 

We are sad to report the death of Don Ray in November. Don started dancing at St.

George’s House, Sunderland with Doris Foster and was an original member of

Christchurch Group, Sunderland started by Bill Moore. (The group later moved to

Redby).  He became a member of Harry Picken’s highland class at Denton. Don

joined the Branch in 1968 and both he, Mary his wife and the family attended the

Alnwick weekends as well as week-ends at Gilsland, Carlisle, Leeds and Duns. He

served on the Branch Committee for six years, gaining his Teacher’s Certificate in

1983 and sharing the teaching at Sunderland Polytechnic with John Hutton and

Peggy Jermy. He also taught a few social evenings for the Sunderland Ramblers.

Don was a regular attender at Summer School in St Andrews.  Apparently, even when

he was away on business trips he always packed his dancing shoes and kilt (including

on a trip to Germany) just in case there was the opportunity to go to a class or dance.

 

He always liked dances to be correctly danced and to time and was regarded as an

elegant dancer, a real gentleman and someone who would quietly prompt people  if

they were unsure.  Don was someone who would happily get youngsters up to dance.

 

In June 1990 Don went with a group of 9 to take part in a folk festival in Warffrum,

Holland.  Other members still dancing in the branch were Pam Scott, Pui Lau, Allan

Warren and Maureen Barlow.  Sara Andrews, now living in Scotland was another of

the five ladies.  Ever the gentlemen Don and Allan walked Maureen and Pui home

each night as their billet was down a dark narrow unlit lane in the village.  It was an

interesting’ experience, ending with a strike at the French port for the homeward

journey.

 

We offer our sincere condolences to his widow Mary and to his children Susie and David.

 

 

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