From the Trustees 3

Welcome to our Spring edition of Dancing Forth! We have had a full and lively dancing year so far, enjoying the return to our full-scale activities together.

At the start of our dancing year the Branch welcomed our new Chairman, David Watson, taking over from Steve Carr who had steered us so well through the difficult years of the pandemic. David will be well-known to many members – he has a long history with RSCDS Edinburgh, having been chairman first in 1993-1996, and then again in 2015-2018. Like many of us, he took a short break from dancing during the pandemic, and we are delighted that he has now returned for a third term. He is greatly enjoying meeting new and old friends on the dance floor and helping everyone to feel welcome at our classes and events.

Our classes have been continuing to re-establish themselves, and it is wonderful to see so many dancers returning at all levels. The growing number of new dancers in our Beginners classes is especially welcome as we look forward to the years ahead. If you have not yet been tempted back to the dance floor, think about joining us for the Spring term which begins in the week of 17 April. You will have a supportive and friendly welcome!

We have much to celebrate over the next couple of years. This year marks the centenary of the RSCDS, with dance events worldwide. Here in Edinburgh, the Society’ s Centenary Ball will be held in the Assembly Rooms on 25 March, with our branch organising a supporting Centenary Dance the evening before and a Concert on the day. 2024 is the centenary of the Branch itself, and we look forward to arranging another year of celebration, with dancing events offering something for everyone of whatever age or experience.

Happy Dancing!

Festive fun

Our Christmas dance was a lovely festive way to round off the year with dancing friends from far and near. The music of Stuart Anderson and his Scottish dance band –with Judith Linton (fiddle) & Kieran Johnstone (drums) –kept us all on our toes throughout the evening, supported by a welcome seasonal break for Cheery Cherry Punch and mince pies.

This was swiftly followed by our Christmas Party night. Dancers were treated to fantastic music from Peter Shand (piano) and Tim MacDonald (fiddle).

This was a great way to introduce some of our newer dancers to other members of the Branch at a very informal dance and we hope to see many more of you at future events.

These were our last dancing events of the year, celebrating the end of 2022 before looking ahead to the new centenary year of the RSCDS in 2023.

Check out pages 4 and 5 for what’s on over the next few weeks and months.

Can you spare us some time?

We are looking for two volunteers to help us.

Our Branch shop is looking for a volunteer to keep the stock and post it out to purchasers, and bring it along to some Branch events.

You don’t need any previous experience; just a bit of space to store the stock and a willingness to help.

We also need a Child Protection Co-ordinator, able to help us ensure we have safe, welcoming spaces where children and young people feel valued .

Please contact us to find out what is involved and how you can help us info@rscdsedinburgh.org

The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (Edinburgh Branch) is a charity promoting the fun, fitness and friendship of Scottish country dancing since 1924.

Website: www.rscdsedinburgh.org

YouTube: www.youtube.com/RSCDSEdinburgh

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RSCDSEdinburgh

Twitter: @dancingforth

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Email: info@rscdsedinburgh.org

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