Cheltenham's Tartan Dance

The Tartan Dance held in Cheltenham’s Pittville Pump Room has been a popular fixture in the dancing calendar for over 30 years.  Fiona Knee tells us all about it.

This summer we came together on the 6th June, exactly 80 years since the allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy. As a fitting tribute to the bravery and sacrifices made during that original D-Day, the Reel of the 51st Division was added to the programme. Dancing first the modern four couple version and then, as it was first danced, as five couple; with all men (and all ladies) sets. The dance was devised by Jimmy Atkinson and fellow officers of the 51st Highland Division while prisoners of war in Laufen Castle near Salzburg. Scottish dancing was introduced to improve morale amongst the homesick Scottish prisoners captured during the early months of the war. Scottish Country Dancing really is good for the soul and can lift spirits even in the darkest days!

It was a delight to see the Pump Room floor filled with over a hundred Scottish Country Dancers and hear the wonderful music of Chris Oxtoby fill the air. These afternoon Tea Dances were started in the early 1990s by a group of friends who had the vision of using Cheltenham’s grand Pittville Pump Room as a venue for an informal afternoon Scottish Country Tea Dance. We were delighted that Barry Steele, one of the three founder organisers joined us to soak up the special atmosphere.  

With falling numbers these dances were in danger of coming to an end in 2022 but with input from RSCDS Cheltenham and financial support of the Philip Ratcliffe Legacy (Philip was a loyal supporter of these dances) they continued as a quarterly event. Alas, with ever escalating costs, this was the last Tartan Dance for the immediate future. The dedication of Derek Latham our MC and programme devisor and his wife Pam, who have barely missed a dance over its 30 year history, was acknowledged with small gifts.  

Hopefully, a way of keeping the Tartan Dance going as an occasional event can be found.

On with the dance!