Sadly Missed We would appreciate it if obituaries for inclusion in the next issue were sent from branch or club secretaries.
Sheila Barnes, Somerset
spent her final days in a care home.
Somerset Branch President, Sheila Barnes, died peacefully in August. Sheila and her husband Harold started the Somerset Branch more than 30 years ago and were joint recipients of the RSCDS Scroll. Their contribution to Scottish dancing in Somerset and previously in Bedford was wonderful. Sheila had not been teaching or dancing for some years but was always very interested in everything the Branch was doing. We will always be grateful for Sheila’s dedication, teaching, friendship and support.
Christine Traynor, Glasgow Branch
Elizabeth Beckinsale, Somerset Branch
Ethel Carlyle, Ayr Ethel first joined Ayr Branch Committee in the late 1960s. She held many roles: teaching children’s classes for many years: as Subscription Secretary, Branch Secretary and dancing in demonstration teams, later organising these teams for local events and trips abroad. Ethel became Honorary President of Ayr Branch in 2007. Throughout her dancing life, she supported local dances, day schools, weekend schools, Summer School, holidays and trips abroad. Ethel was always a wonderful ambassador for the Branch and promoted its best interests throughout her long association with it. Wilma Brown, Ayr Branch Secretary
Alexander Leslie Cumming, Canberra Les lived his life to the full, never shying away from a challenge, and with an insatiable sense of adventure. As a young man he lived in Hopeman, Scotland, near Madelina MacPherson whom he married in Frankston, Victoria, in 1962. They later moved to Canberra where their three children were born. Dancing was in his blood; his graceful movements and light-as-air step were evident in his every move. Les was one of ‘Miss Milligan’s Boys’ and toured with the International Team to South Africa and across Europe, promoting Scottish country dancing and winning worldwide acclaim. In 1996, he was presented with the Society Scroll. Shortly after being appointed an RSCDS Examiner, Les helped set up training sessions for would-be tutors, giving encouragement and correction in a gentle manner whenever necessary. Les’ generosity and his warmth and joy colour all our memories. Madelina, Scott and Doreen Cumming, Canberra and Keith and Morag Napier, Sydney, Australia.
Pam Gillies, Glasgow Pam and I met at a dance class as children and remained friends. She was always a busy person, working in the NHS, dancing, leading Girl Guides, baking and decorating celebration cakes, and looking after her husband Angus, two large dogs, and a garden. Pam taught a Branch class, danced in the demonstration team and was a member of the committee. She became Social Convener, Vice-Chairman then Chairman 1995-98. In 1998 Glasgow hosted the 75th Anniversary of the RSCDS. Pam was deeply involved in all the arrangements yet still found time to devise The Glasgow Anniversary Jig for the Branch Book that year. She was a weel-kent and friendly face at Branch functions and at Summer School and also served on the Membership Services Committee. Sadly Pam developed Alzheimer’s and
Bill Hamilton, Edinburgh Bill was involved in Scottish country dancing most of his adult life and was well known in Edinburgh and the surrounding area. He was a member of several clubs including the Atholl and Trinity, serving on the committees in various roles. He formed the Thistle SCD Club in 1961 and he, along with his wife Helen, whom he met there, and members of the club, ran the New Year Dance from 1976, raising over £34,000 for charity. Along with a few other dancers he was a member of a committee which lobbied and saved SCD in Princes Street Gardens after Edinburgh Council decided no longer to hold the event. Bill devised many dances, but he will be best remembered for the jig Ian Powrie’s Farewell to Auchterarder to the music composed by his long-time friend John McGregor. Bill did not enjoy the best of health during the last few years of his life but that did not stop him keeping up to date with his two main hobbies - SCD and speedway. Margaret Harris, West Lothian Branch Chairman
Jean (MacLellan) Hamilton, Toronto In 1966 Jean and Gordon Hamilton emigrated to Toronto and began a lifelong association with SCD. Jean danced with Bob Blackie’s Lothian Dancers, participating over many years in the Toronto Festival of Culture. She danced throughout Canada and the U.S.A. and frequently attended St Andrews Summer School. Jean, a kindergarten teacher by profession, received her Full Certificate at TAC in 1980. She taught the Erin Mills Class from 1980 until 2020, Toronto Branch technique classes at several levels and a demonstration team for over 20 years, as well as workshops in Ontario and beyond. She was particularly encouraging to beginners, emphasizing that this was social dancing, and everyone should go home feeling they had had fun! Jean served on the Toronto Teachers Panel and on Branch sub-committees. She was a founder member of the West End Workshop committee and involved in the West Toronto Ball. She was instrumental in organising local New Year’s Eve Balls as well as participating in mass dance events at the Toronto Skydome and the Canadian National Exhibition. In 2008 Jean and Gordon were awarded the Branch Award and in 2011 Jean received the Society Scroll of Honour. Deirdre MacCuish Bark, Toronto Association
Brian G Harry, Edinburgh Brian was introduced to Scottish country dancing at primary school in Ayrshire. On returning to the UK from Cyprus to join the wines and spirits trade, he joined dance groups in Buckinghamshire and London. He attended Summer School for many years, taking his teaching certificate there in 1974 and becoming one of the youngest RSCDS teachers at that time, travelling around the world. Brian moved back to Scotland in the late 80s and danced for many years in the Edinburgh Branch demonstration team where he met his wife, Elizabeth. He taught many levels including demonstration teams and examination classes, but his favourite was the beginners’ class. Brian served for many years on the Executive Council and General Purposes
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