From around the World
United Kingdom Dundee Branch 90th Anniversary On Monday 9 February 1925, at 4.30 pm, a meeting was held in Mathers’ Rooms, Mathers’ Hotel, Dundee, with the purpose of forming a Branch of the Scottish Country Dance Society in the city. Ninety years later to the day and hour – on 9 February 2015, at 4.30 pm – a group of Committee, teachers and guests met at the same venue (now Malmaison Hotel, Dundee) to celebrate that inaugural meeting. Mrs Stewart of Fasnacloich had been asked to address the meeting, which was chaired by Dr Alexander Kidd, the Senior Medical Officer for Dundee. Others present at the meeting were Dr Angus MacGillivray of MacGillivray (Dundee’s chief eye surgeon, and Chieftain of the Clan MacGillivray), who became first President of the Branch; Miss Nora Sharp of Balmuir (like Mrs Stewart, an enthusiastic Guider); and Miss Margaret (Meta) Dow, who taught Physical Education at Dundee Training College, and became one of the first three teachers in Dundee Branch. Meta Dow was a lively, graceful dancer, whose influence on dancing in Dundee – and on her students – cannot be overstated. On 9 February this year, we presented the manager of Malmaison with a certificate to commemorate the hotel’s part in Dundee history. I read from the original Minute of the first meeting, and we shared tea and anniversary cake (iced by our Honorary Vice-President, Helen Beat). Other events are planned for the rest of 2015, but we were glad to get together on the actual anniversary, to remember all those who had brought about the founding of the Dundee Branch.
Helen Lawrenson Archivist, Dundee Branch
Our regular correspondents and occasional reporters keep us up to date with SCD activities everywhere. We like to hear from all corners of the SCD world, so please send your reports to the correspondent for your area (email addresses below). If your area does not have a correspondent, you can write directly to Jean Martin at jean.m.martin@googlemail.com, and perhaps volunteer to become one of our correspondent team. Thanks to all contributors to this issue, and welcome to our new correspondent from Russia.
Aberdeen Festival team 1950s
Aberdeen Branch 90th Anniversary A heading in The Press and Journal, the local newspaper for the North-East of Scotland, on 17 October 1925, read ‘Country Dancing Revival – Bishop Deane and the Oldest of the Arts’. What followed was a description of the inaugural meeting of the Aberdeen Branch at the Palace Hotel the previous evening. 50 people attended with Bishop Deane presiding and Mrs Stewart of Fasnacloich explaining the main aims of the Society to an enthusiastic audience.
young people and six adult classes from beginners to demonstration level, with summer and winter socials, as well as two main dances during the year. Many active members of the Aberdeen Branch have contributed hugely to the RSCDS and to SCD in general. They include Annie Shand, Nan Main, Isobel Cramb (Tibbie), Bobby Watson, John Drewry, and Lesley Martin. Others, perhaps less well known internationally, have also helped the Branch to flourish.
Lord Glentanar became the first President of the Branch and other notable North-East folks soon joined up, including Lord and Lady Aberdeen and Charles Murray (writer of Hamewith). Miss Milligan assessed 14 teacher candidates in December and all passed. By the end of the year there were 99 members and arrangements made for two classes, each of one hour, to be held weekly.
To celebrate our 90th year, two major events are planned. On 16 October there will be a Dinner Dance in the Treetops Hotel with Frank Thomson and his band providing the music, and we hope to welcome dancers from near and far. For our own members, particularly those who may no longer be able to dance, an afternoon Tea Party on 18 October will be held in the same venue.
In 1928 an Advanced Class was instituted and by 1930 four classes were operating. Each class was extended to two hours and the cost was 1/- per member and 1/6 for non-members, not inconsiderable amounts at that time.
Jean M Martin
The Branch continued to flourish and in 1937 the Autumn School, known to us as the AGM, came to Aberdeen for the first time. It has returned on numerous occasions since.
Dr Angus MacGillivray
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The first mention of classes for young people is in 1946, and by 1952 four Branch children’s classes were held. Today the Branch runs five classes for children and
Aberdeen Festival team 2014
