Chair Chat
This is the first appearance of Chair Chat in the Leeds Branch Update. I am delighted to have this opportunity to drop into your inbox and share with you my thoughts on our busy programme of events.
Let me start by thanking all of you who made it through pretty dreadful weather on the evening of the February Branch Dance. When I walked into St Chad's just after 6.30, I was so relieved to see Alan Ross already on the stage and checking his equipment. On a night when none of us would have looked forward to driving down the M74, Alan's comment was, "I just took it steady". I rather think the art of understatement is something Scotland and Yorkshire have in common. Catherine Livsey's programme went down a treat and gave Alan a host of good tunes to play. Thank you to Catherine for her tribute to Maureen Haynes in the choice of Miss Stevenson's Fancy (Stevenson being Maureen's maiden name) and of Jennifer's Itchy Fingers, another Derek Haynes' dance.
What do you think of our dance start time of 7.00? The committee made the decision to start earlier based on poor numbers towards the end of dances and in response to comments from dancers. Now we want to find out what you think. A committee member will come round during the interval at the March Branch Dance to ask your opinion. Lest there be any confusion, all branch dances start at 7.00 until further notice.
The Musicians' Workshop, led by Ian Muir (Craigellachie) provided three practical sessions on good technique and style for playing for Scottish country dancing. Although we all appreciate musicians who play with the drive and lift that make us forget our tingling feet, few of us see the hard work that goes into creating that very special style of music we all love. The only dancers that got to eavesdrop on this year's Musicians' Workshop were the team providing the famous lunch. Thank you to Evelyn and Mairi for organising the catering team. Next year Heather Foote will again be organising a Musicians' Day where we will all get to hear the results at the evening dance. Thank you, Heather - I love the surprise of not knowing how large the band will be or what instruments it will include.
The next Family Ceilidh is on 7 March and I know some of you will already have it circled on the family calendar. On previous occasions the presence of Scottish country dancers on the floor has helped to make the dancing go with a swing. So, if you are free from 6.30 on 7 March, why not come along and join in the fun?
Keep reading for details of more events for your diary ...
Marion
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Tribute to Maureen Haynes - Sunday afternoon 17th May 2020
Kendal Town Hall from 2.00 to 5.30pm - Dancing to the Ian Muir Trio
( Full Details and Booking Form)
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It is expected that this charity event will be fully booked as the numbers dancing are going to be limited to10 sets due to the size of the hall. So early booking is advised.
There will be no walks-through but, with the exception of Luck to Loyne, all dances will be recapped in full.
Members of Maureen's family will be there and they have requested that surplus funds and the raffle proceeds be donated to the charity, Vasculitis UK.
Tickets by post from Trevor Clarke, 3 Tram Lane, Kirkby Lonsdale, Carnforth, Lancs LA6 2BQ and please make sure you enclose an SAE with your cheque so that he can send you a programme.
Any queries email Trevor
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Other News
Have you looked at the branch website recently? There is now a calendar there, to help to plan your diaries. All forthcoming dates are there well into 2022.
For the techies among you, you can link directly to this calendar or sync it with you own calendar.
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FUTURE OF LEEDS SCOTTISH DANCE CLUB
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Alan Fox, the Club President, has asked me to share this letter with you all. Let's get our dancing shoes on and give the Club all our support for its remaining dances.
To Members and Friends of Leeds SCDC.
I am writing this to update you on the future of the Club, reiterating what was said at the AGM last September.
The Cub has been operating for nearly 70 years but, since its heyday, has been in a steady decline for many years. This is due to the inexorable reduction in numbers attending dances and the consequent financial losses.
Over the last six years the average attendance has been around 30, which is about the lower limit of viability in terms of enjoyment. This has resulted in annual losses of around £1000 leaving our capital as of August 2019 at c£2800. The writing has been on the wall for some time now and, as Treasurer, I have alluded to the situation at the last three AGMs.
At our committee meeting last summer we discussed the situation and decided that, if we could hold the attendance figures at about four sets, we could continue operating for a further two years ie to the end of the 2020/2021 dancing year. This was put to our members at the AGM in September and they accepted the sad but inevitable outcome.
We have therefore decided to continue offering a full programme of dances at St Chad's for this and the next dancing year in the hope of maintaining an attendance level that will provide viable and enjoyable dances.
We have sufficient reserves to take us up to June 2021 when we plan to go out in a blaze of glory with a grand final dance. We should be able to fund this from our remaining resources and we will invite all our local friends and retired members to join us to celebrate our 70 years of dancing.
The Committee would very much appreciate your support in making our last two years of dancing successful.
Good Dancing!
Alan Fox
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Summer School 2020, 19th July - 16th August
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Hurry! Hurry! Early bird discount (10%) offer extended until 6th March! Musicians and juniors have special weeks which include them! A fantastic venue and the superb teaching is a real treat.
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There are usually a few Leeds members at one week or another, so why not go with a friend? Or a very special holiday with a dancing grandchild? I can vouch for the latter!
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Family Ceilidhs and Dances
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Need a lift? Do ask a Committee member to arrange a lift to events if required.
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Workshops and Day Schools
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The next event is the
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The programme for the day and the evening have now been published and we hope to see you all there. The music is Susan Macfadyen and her band. Add the date to your diary if it is not already there (11th July 2020)
Further details are on our festival website or sign up to our festival mailing list. |
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40th Anniversary ASCDS Festival & Evening Dance
is being held on the 9th May at the Retford Oakes Academy, Retford.
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Representatives
Don't forget to give the Committee your comments and suggestions for classes, dances or improvements in the way things are run via your class representatives, who are:
The next committee meeting is on Sunday 5th April. Send us your suggestions.
Your Newsletter needs you!
Please share your dancing stories, memories and wishes. Articles from Branch members or friends are eagerly sought for the Leeds Branch Dancers' Newsletter - next edition will be May 2020. Offerings to Irene Dracup, preferably by email, by mid April.
Volunteers still needed (7th March - Ceilidh and 21st March - Branch Dance)!
If you did not sign up on the tea rota at the last dance but would still be willing to help, please let Elisabeth Pugh know. Help is needed to prepare the refreshments before dancing starts, to help serve during the interval and to clear up. The dishwashers at St Chad's and Trinity, mean there is very little washing up to do. A reduced price ticket for the dance compensates you for the loss of a couple or so dances.
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- Great Ayton SCD Dance on Saturday 14th March 2020 at 7.30 at Gt Ayton Parochial Hall, TS9 6AA
Music: George Meikle and Lothian Band
Tickets from Joan Noble 01642 710069
Further information
- Geneva Workshop and Spring Dance Saturday 28th March 2020
Workshop Music: Philippe Kocian Tutor: Sophie Marchand
Evening Dance Music: Muriel Johnstone & Ian Robertson
Further information
- Richmond Branch Spring Dance on Saturday 18th April at the Clarke Hall, Richmond School.
Music: Marian Anderson and her band.
Further information and crib
Tickets from Jan Robinson
- Harrogate Saltire Spring Dance on Saturday 25th April at St John's C of E Junior School, Stockwell Rd, Knaresborough HG5 0JN
Music: George Meikle and his Band
Further information and crib
- Spring Fling and Fringes - Two Cities: St Petersburg (1st - 3rd May) & Toronto (15th - 17th May)
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I hope to see you all soon, at class, at a dance or ceilidh.
Best Wishes
Evelyn
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