Centenary celebrations around the world - part one

Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield Branches and Knowle Scottish Country Dance Club

To honour the Centenary of the Society, a Celebration Ball was held at Fentham Hall, Hampton-in-Arden on Saturday 22nd April 23.  The Ball was jointly organised by a sub-committee, led by Elizabeth Cooper, from Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield Branches and Knowle Scottish Country Dance Club who were all also marking significant anniversaries.  Birmingham Branch marked its 75th anniversary, Knowle its 50th and Sutton Coldfield its 40th. 

We were delighted to welcome Helen Russell, Past Chairman of the Society, and her husband Ian, to join us at the ball where she delivered a lovely message from the Chairman.  The evening was sold out at an early stage with nearly 100 dancers attending from the West Midlands, Leamington Spa, Cheltenham, Bristol, Milton Keynes, Nottingham and beyond.  We were particularly pleased that Betty Norris, one of the founders of Knowle SCDC, was also able to be there.   

The celebrations began with a two-course supper provided by members, followed by a lively programme of dances, some of which were devised by teachers of the three groups.   The fantastic music of Alasdair Macleod and his Scottish Dance Band, featuring Alasdair and Colin Dewar on accordion, Gillian Stevenson on fiddle and Gordon Smith on drums, greatly enhanced the pleasure of the dancers but we were glad to stop for a short interval to partake of the celebratory cupcakes baked and decorated by another member.    A very enjoyable evening was had by all.  

It is so good to see that Scottish Country Dancing, which was enjoyed by the late Queen, continues to be a vibrant activity in the West Midlands and neighbouring counties and we are grateful to all those who founded the three groups and those who continue to organise and teach such a pleasurable, sociable activity.  

RSCDS Cheshire Branch

On Saturday, 22nd April, members from the RSCDS Cheshire Branch, Nantwich & District Scottish Society and Northwich & District Scots Society joined forces to celebrate the Centenary of the RSCDS at the 3rd Cheshire Wyche Ball, held in Sandbach Town Hall.

The name ‘Wyche’ reflects the unique geographic nature of the area – Wyche being a term used to denote the presence of Brine Springs in an area and both Nantwich and Northwich are associated with the extraction of salt from such springs. The name of our Joint Ball was coined when the three societies first agreed on a joint function, with each Society taking turns to organise the event.

To mark the introduction of this venture Liz Bruynooghe (Branch member and member of Nantwich & District Scottish Society) wrote a dance, ‘The Wyches of Cheshire’, a triangular set dance to recognise the three societies and, later, Frank Thomson wrote the lead tune for this dance, which is danced at each Wyche Ball.

This year, being the Centenary Year of the RSCDS, we invited the Society Chairman, William Williamson and his wife, Linda, to join us and we were delighted to have their company for the evening.  The Grand March was led by William and RSCDS Chairperson, Anne MacDonald, along with Christine Grove, President of Nantwich and the Northwich President, Denise Morrison. Susan MacFadyen and her Band provided us with fantastic music and many of the dances on the Programme were associated with the founders and leading figures who have shaped the Society over the years.

RSCDS Dumfries Branch

RSCDS Dumfries Branch held their Centenary Tea Dance on Sunday 30th April. It was a real joy for RSCDS Chair William Williamson to spend the afternoon in the company of his home branch.

The Centenary Tea Dance was greatly enjoyed by over seventy members who tucked into a wonderful afternoon tea box! Music was provided by Ian and Willie McRobert from Moffat, who had built many local tunes into the dance sets, with the dances recapped by branch teachers.

There was a very special surprise for William when the members presented him with a bottle of Tullibardine malt whisky with a specially created label!

Roxburgh, Selkirk & Peebles Branch

Over 60 dancers attended the picnic dance held in honour of the establishment of the society 100 years ago. Local dancers were joined by visitors from as far afield as Stirling, Eyemouth and Newcastle area. The celebratory cake kindly donated by Alex Dalgetty & Sons, was cut by Marion Stirling.

Marion started dancing in Galashiels in 1956, and then joined the local branch and the society in 1957. Since then she has been a loyal member of the branch and society and is currently a member of two classes and secretary of one.