Branch details
Sutton Coldfield
| Website | rscdssuttoncoldfield.org.uk/ |
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Branch profile
SUTTON COLDFIELD BRANCH
2019 saw the 60th anniversary of Scottish dance in the town. In June 1959, four couples formed the Sutton Coldfield Scottish Country Dance Society; by 1982, membership had increased to over 80, and it became a Branch of the RSCDS. We celebrated the anniversary in style with Chris Dewhurst and his band providing the music for our Anniversary Dance.
We run weekly classes on Monday evenings September to June (not during Covid restrictions, of course), which include a separate period of basic tuition for new and less-experienced dancers. Socials are held once a month on Friday evenings, occasionally with live music, plus an annual dance, usually at Christmas, when many dancers from nearby groups join us.
For its Silver Jubilee in 1984, the Branch produced the first of three records, "Something to Celebrate", featuring George Meikle and the Lothian Band. The (then) instructor, Barry Priddey, was a prolific dance composer, with 14 books to his name, including widely-known favourites such as Flight of the Falcon and The Singing Sands; another of his, Sands of Morar, was included in RSCDS book 45. Our current instructor, Gill Jennings, continues this tradition, with several published books, and dances that have become popular at social events around the Midlands and elsewhere.
Barry also started the Sutton Coldfield Index of Scottish Country Dances in collaboration with George Meikle; after Barry's death in 1996, George continued the work with the assistance of Branch member Carol Anderson. At present the Index contains references to, and information on, more than 15000 dances.
For further information please contact the branch
2019 saw the 60th anniversary of Scottish dance in the town. In June 1959, four couples formed the Sutton Coldfield Scottish Country Dance Society; by 1982, membership had increased to over 80, and it became a Branch of the RSCDS. We celebrated the anniversary in style with Chris Dewhurst and his band providing the music for our Anniversary Dance.
We run weekly classes on Monday evenings September to June (not during Covid restrictions, of course), which include a separate period of basic tuition for new and less-experienced dancers. Socials are held once a month on Friday evenings, occasionally with live music, plus an annual dance, usually at Christmas, when many dancers from nearby groups join us.
For its Silver Jubilee in 1984, the Branch produced the first of three records, "Something to Celebrate", featuring George Meikle and the Lothian Band. The (then) instructor, Barry Priddey, was a prolific dance composer, with 14 books to his name, including widely-known favourites such as Flight of the Falcon and The Singing Sands; another of his, Sands of Morar, was included in RSCDS book 45. Our current instructor, Gill Jennings, continues this tradition, with several published books, and dances that have become popular at social events around the Midlands and elsewhere.
Barry also started the Sutton Coldfield Index of Scottish Country Dances in collaboration with George Meikle; after Barry's death in 1996, George continued the work with the assistance of Branch member Carol Anderson. At present the Index contains references to, and information on, more than 15000 dances.
For further information please contact the branch
