The Bedfordshire Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society

February 2009
Newsletter No 171

In this issue:

New Year Ceilidh
Demonstrations and classes
Travel News
February Social
Annual Ball - Danelaw - 16 May 2009

NEW YEAR CEILIDH

Tricorn

Fine Companions

For any of you who didn`t make it the Ceilidh was once again a great evening. Peter Scatterty was on top form and George kept us all dancing in perfect order. Entertainment was provided by the demo team dancing the Tricorn Reel and a ladies step dance, some piping from Andy and the Fine Companions displaying a lively Manx dance – something quite different, and thoroughly enjoyed by all the audience.

DEMONSTRATIONS

Tuesday 13th January

Wilden

We went out to Wilden to entertain an organisation called “The Women of Wilden” who turned out to be rather like a comparatively young sort of W.I. Anyway, they were very jolly and jumped up enthusiastically to join in as soon as the chance was offered. As part of the entertainment George demonstrated the construction of a traditional kilt from a large piece of tartan fabric using a couple of the ladies as models. This produced gales of giggles and was probably the highlight of the evening.

Sunday 25th January

Lilt, Rosewood Court

This visit was to sheltered housing at Rosewood Court in Wellingborough. The audience was, not surprisingly, quite elderly and unable to join in with the dancing, though some obviously would have liked to. This meant a long programme of dances broken up by some piping from Andy and a talk by Tony and George on Highland costumes, some of which were modelled by various members of the dance team. This, plus a nice cup of tea, gave us a chance to get our breath back for the last few dances.

While on the demo subject, the advanced and highland classes, which provide the demo team, are struggling along on minimal numbers. We would welcome newcomers with open arms and you don`t have to be a potential demo dancer or an expert, we would just like more people in the classes. George and Andy are very patient teachers and we all struggle with unfamiliar dances at times, so do come along and give it a try. Both classes are held at Ravensden Village Hall starting at 7.30pm, the advanced on the second Sunday of the month and the highland on the third.

TRAVEL NEWS

Dancing holidays are available this year in Prague from August 8th to 14th, Vilnius, Lithuania from May 17th to 22nd and Crieff Hydro from June 12th to 19th. Information from me or Alex.

February Social

Sunday 22nd February starting at 8.00pm

OAKLEY VILLAGE HALL

MCs Carol Usher and Joan Sawyer

Pulling Braken R The Royal Deeside Railway R
Major Ian Stewart J Last of the Lairds J
Gang the Same Gate S The Rose Garden S
Mrs Macpherson of Inveran R The Clansman R
Napier`s Index J The Laird of Milton`s Daughter J
Rose of the North S Anna Holden`s Strathspey S
Pollharrow Burn R Follow Me Home J

Extras:
Carol`s Trip Across the Sea     S
Roaring Jelly J
Saltire Society Reel R

Entrance: £1.50 Members £2 others
Link to Crib Sheet

Annual Ball


Saturday 16th May 2009
Dame Alice Harpur School, Bedford

Robert Whitehead & Danelaw

J. B. Milne R The Gentleman S
Quarries' Jig J The Fisherman's Reel R
Culla Bay S Wee Cooper of Fife J
The Plantation Reel R Wind on Loch Fyne S
Gothenburg's Welcome J Mrs Stuart Linnell R
Moray Rant S Father Connolly's Jig J
Maxwell's Rant R Cherrybank Gardens S
Seton's Ceilidh Band J Miss Johnstone of Ardrossan R
Gang the Same Gate S Molly's Mum R
Irish Rover R Ian Powrie's Farewell to Auchterarder J
Tickets: £15.00     Spectators & Children: £7.50


Web pages on the Bedfordshire Branch site:

This page was created on 6 February 2009.