Reports from the Chairman and Convenors 8 of Management Committees Young Dancers’

Oxford Youth Workshop participants (photo: T. Ibbotson)

Youth Workshop Oxford I really enjoyed every part of my third RSCDS youth workshop. My first, in Cambridge, really motivated me to return to Scottish dancing, while the second, in Leeds, did nothing but reinforce my enthusiasm. Last year’s workshop in Oxford continued this trend with two wonderful teachers, Raphaëlle Orgeret and Alice Stainer, supported by a pair of excellent musicians, Jeremy Hill and Chris Oxtoby. I was in the advanced class, which I really enjoy during youth workshops because new teachers will have new methods which can often help you improve, while being in the advanced class means they will really push to improve your dancing. I particularly liked an exercise done by Raphaëlle which was to dance two simple dances but only the women learned the dance beforehand and then only the men. This was an enjoyable method of teaching both men and women how to lead. After the country dancing classes we had the choice of a birling class or a ladies’ step class. I chose the birling class taught by Raphaëlle, which was extremely interesting and enjoyable. We practised not only various different methods of birling but also other ways to spice up diagonal reels of four and circles round and back. All of these I had seen at social dances but having a teacher demonstrate while you practise was very refreshing. The organisation surrounding the workshop was also excellent with a lunch of chilli with baked potatoes and apple crumble for dessert which was all delicious and plentiful. This continued after the classes had finished with dinner in a local pub, which had lovely ale, food and service. After the pub we went back to the hall for a social dance to the wonderful music by the same musicians from the workshop and a very enjoyable programme. I feel that youth workshops are a wonderful experience and should be attended by any young dancers who want to meet and dance with other young enthusiastic dancers from around the country in a very sociable atmosphere. Robert Leonard Scottish Universities Scottish Country Dance Festival 2015 Last December, it was once again the privilege of Glasgow University Scottish Dance Club (GUSCDC) to host the Scottish University Scottish Country Dance Festival (SUSCDF). Although we were besieged by heavy flooding, strong winds and almost every train to Milngavie having been cancelled, we were able to proceed with a fantastic night of dancing, unlike the previous time that we hosted the event! Perhaps in future Glasgow’s SUSCDF should come with weather hazard warnings! The night itself was a delight. We had representatives from all the major Scottish universities with almost all universities able to perform a demonstration of their own creation. The Màrtainn Skene Highland Dance Band provided us with wonderful music to dance through a challenging yet highly entertaining programme. A mix of traditional dances, such as The Glasgow Highlanders and Duke of Perth, alongside newer favourites including Monica’s Way and Follow Me Home, provided dancers with challenging figures yet the ability to have fun. GUSCDC committee did a brilliant job arranging the event. With a Harry Potter Yule Ball as the theme, they decorated the hall with posters, quotes, owls and chocolate frogs turning the Town Hall into the Great Hall and invited everyone to choose a house on arrival with an ingenious use of dance cards. Overall, the teachers and committee pulled together fantastically, ensuring that all elements of SUSCDF had been overseen and run smoothly to create a flawless evening of high-spirited dancing. Glasgow would like to say a big thank you to all of the universities who travelled down to see us and we look forward to seeing you again soon! Eilidh Hart & Carol-Ann Knox

‘Will you, won’t you, won’t you join the dance’ These words of the Mock Turtle song from Alice in Wonderland certainly didn’t apply to Bearsden primary school children on a Friday last October as there was no suggestion of the uncertainty displayed by the timorous snail in Lewis Carroll’s famous tale. In fact, Bearsden Burgh Hall was overflowing with the same enthusiasm as that of the Whiting who was so anxious to join in the Lobster Quadrille. Three hundred and fifty eager little Lobsters and Turtles from all eight Bearsden primary schools advanced and retired, reeled and jigged, to the exhilarating sound of the Màrtainn Skene Band. The 3rd Bearsden Primary Schools Scottish Country Dance Festival was officially opened by Council Leader Rhondda Geekie who commented on her surprise and delight upon arriving in the middle of a dance to see so many happy smiling faces obviously having such a great time. Rhondda went on to compliment all involved in the organisation of the event and especially the children for turning out so suitably dressed for the occasion - the hall was a sea of tartan. Physical Education is such an important part of the school curriculum, said Rhondda, and what better way than enjoying all the exercise and exhilaration involved in our traditional dancing.

The Festival is organised in conjunction with the New Kilpatrick Scottish Country Dance Club, supported financially by Glasgow Branch, whose members help out on the day and visit the various schools in advance of the festival to teach the dances. Walter Proven from Bearsden, who initiated the event and is the main driving force behind it, said that every year he is more and more impressed with the standard of dancing achieved by the children in such a short time; he hoped they would carry on enjoying the dance and maintain memories of today’s happy times. Patrick Murray

Smiles all round at the 3rd Bearsden Primary Schools Scottish Country Dance Festival (photo: Patrick Murray)

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