This was held in Cambridge on May 7th and was again organised by Ron Nedderman. We had a visiting teacher – Helen Russell. Helen started dancing at aged 7 and was taught by Bobby Watson. Later Lesley Martin and Tibbie Cramb taught her. She regularly teaches at Summer School and is the Director of Winter School 2007

It was a real pleasure to dance to a “live” musician. Fiddle player Keith Smith is well known for his interpretation of Scottish Country Dance music, has made several recordings and is in demand to play abroad.

We started the afternoon by learning a set of simple figures and steps put together by Helen to form a threesome dance. The steps were less well known, not too difficult for a change from the usual ones.

After a break for tea and cakes (thank you, Ron) we embarked on learning the Rowan Tree – a solo dance unearthed and deciphered from old records. Helen said we were the guinea pigs! The music used was in different rhythms and followed the usual pattern of a step to the right, chorus, then to the left and chorus. There were 6 steps in all, each very different from any dance we have done so far. There was an interesting and very unusual step in the middle too. Fourteen of us enjoyed the afternoon and look forward to the next one.

Daphne and Hilary

This will be held on Sunday 25th June in Oakley Village Hall starting at the earlier time of 7.30pm. Nigel Pilgrim will MC the dancing and his programme is as follows:-