Cheshire Branch member Don Johnson receives Branch Award

At their New Year Dance on 11th January 2025 the Cheshire Branch presented member Don Johnson with a Branch Award.

Don has been a member since the early days of the Branch, forty years ago. Don worked as a Computer Programmer and in the 1990s he began thinking about creating a database of dances and including the music.  Not being able to locate any suitable commercial management software he decided to write his own software programme to manage the music.

This was the start of what is now known in the Branch as ‘The Music Makar’.  Over the years it has been developed into the highly sophisticated system that we use today.  CDs were inputted regularly and the system was installed on to the Branch Laptop in 2009.

Music Makar is a wonderful resource for all our teachers who can select from a wide range of tunes and bands when preparing their programmes.  Don is extremely adept at using the system and is always on hand to support whoever is teaching or acting as MC at our various events.

Don and his wife Vera have shown great commitment to the Branch, attending classes and other events on a regular basis over the years.

Chairperson Anne MacDonald presenting the Branch Award to Don Johnson, with his wife Vera

Cheshire Branch Celebrates 40 years!

The Cheshire Branch was founded in 1984 by two Scottish Country Dance Teachers, Isobel and Jimmy Fyfe. To celebrate their 40th year they have published a collection of 16 Reels, Jigs and Strathspeys, all written by members of the Branch.

With a message from former RSCDS Chair William Williamson, the music was arranged and recorded by Robert Whitehead and the Danelaw Dance Band.

Books and CDs are available from Trish Reid: ‘[email protected]’