Letters to the Editor Any opinions expressed in the letters below are personal to the writers and do not reflect the views of the RSCDS or the Management Board
Dear Editor Keeping in touch in Covid times
Dear Editor A reason to get out of bed on a Saturday
After such a challenging year I would like to acknowledge those who have gone above and beyond to keep our spirits up whilst being unable to dance. For some years I and a few other Glasgow Branch members have driven to Troon most Mondays for the Ayr Branch summer dancing programmes in May, June, July and August. We were asked if we would like to join Ayr Branch as Associate Members, for the princely sum of £1. A couple of us did, and little did we know what benefits this would afford us. Since the beginning of the Covid pandemic Wilma Brown, the Ayr Branch Secretary, has been sending out emails. For many months they were daily. Now she has the odd day off!
March 2020 was a strange month, watching lockdowns spread across Europe and eventually arrive in England. I had a couple of things on my mind as I closed my door on the real world for hopefully just a few weeks: to keep fit to give myself a fighting chance should I get the virus, and to keep as much normal activity as possible, but virtual. So, I jumped at a chance email from a friend saying this lady Kate Gentles was running ladies’ step classes online. I can’t say I knew much about it, and wasn’t sure it was really me, but went along (virtually) to try.
These have been no ordinary emails. Wilma has given them great thought and imagination. We have been engaged, entertained, educated, diverted, amused, surprised, never disappointed. Days have descriptors, for example, Sparkling Sunday, Fantastic Friday. Each email has had a theme. One for the commemoration of the day in question or simply just something diverting. Included have been a variety of YouTube clips, pics, quizzes, puzzles, links to music, places of interest, or short notes of interest as pertinent to the day’s theme. Often educational in themselves. To say nothing of some links to dances for the theme of the day. These dances are danced by a wide variety of worldwide groups, the dancers being of very mixed abilities. Some are demonstration groups and some social dancers, some not so great, but all enjoying themselves. All are interesting and inclusive, making these clips appeal to all of us from whatever level we approach dancing. Always watching perfectly performed dances can be off-putting. It is great to see so many different dancers in so many places in the UK and around the world. It reminds us of how many folks are affected by this situation, and there is always the chance of seeing someone you recognise! Those of us who sent in a limerick for National Limerick Day last year won a CD each. There is a link to a daily distraction - compiled by someone else. There is the weekly online class, and sometimes a ceilidh, and a special mention if Wilma knew it was your birthday. If she wants a day or two off now that things are easing, there is always a note to tell us when to look out for the next missive. Everything has variety to entertain us and nurture our memory of dancing and the fun we have, so that we can keep going until we return. I feel Wilma has gone above and beyond any expectation from the £1 fee in supporting the membership over such a difficult period. She has received a much-deserved RSCDS Branch Award in recognition of her conscientious efforts to keep our spirits up and to keep dancing at the forefront of our minds. There may be others who have done similar things for their own membership. Like all other dancers, I look forward to returning to dancing when we are allowed but I certainly feel that the gap has been filled and I will end up missing this regular diversion over my first coffee of the day. Thank you so much, Wilma. Margaret Tough, Glasgow
I’m so pleased I did. At the start it was both a physical and mental workout (why does every move start with B?) and the idea of ‘just moving naturally’ completely baffled my legs, so I was glad there was the option for ‘camera off’ on Zoom. The community behind the classes and the amazing bonus of getting to know people from around the world was something else I didn’t expect. As it became clear this wasn’t a short-lived event, Atsuko Clement started a step class too, giving me a good reason to get up on a Saturday morning, and a new group of people to get to know. Over time I’ve built up my dictionary of Scottish step terms in my head, my legs now feel less tied up, and I can start to enjoy the dancing, and the lovely tunes that stick with you for the whole week. We’ve even started a local (virtual) class run by Alice Stainer, which is a great confidence booster as it’s aimed at beginners but helps cement some of the moves for me. In addition to these, I must mention the amazing Wednesday online Scottish country dance classes the RSCDS have put on for us with so many different teachers. (How did they realise it was my normal dancing evening?). Dancing with ghosts is better than not dancing at all, although Scottish step has a great advantage as it is mostly danced solo. While we all want ‘normal’ back, and I’m looking forward to Scottish country dance classes with real people, I’m going to miss the community and comradeship these Scottish step classes have provided. They have been a real lifeline at times, and to all the teachers and people who have helped or just been a face to chat with, I want to say a massive thank you for everything you’ve done and all the time and dedication you’ve put into it. I look forward to meeting some of you face to face one day. Caroline Lynagh, RSCDS Oxford
Dear Editor Happiness is getting back to dancing with others Throughout the past 18 months I have tried out various ‘Covidcompatible’ activities to keep me fit and active, but I didn’t stick with any one of them for very long. There was always something missing: there was no music, and I missed the social aspect of a team sport. In the end everything simply seemed to be too boring. Who would have thought that I would consider the panic
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