May 2025: Gill O'Dell

Many thanks to Gill O’Dell for a challenging and most enjoyable class last week, and to Adam Brady for the musician accompaniment. Gill kept us working throughout the evening, starting gently by warming up to ‘And for the Young Ones’ then introducing a series of dances with sudden changes of direction or tempo to keep us figuratively as well as literally on our toes. The Dilemma switched between Strathspey and Jig after each 32 bars demanding focus from the dancers as they needed to remember which format was appropriate for their turn. Although all different, each dance shared the characteristic that the different 8 bar phrases tended to contain elements of more than one formation. We were back in Strathspey time for An Ilkley Gift and then we finished the evening with a jig, Twizell Bridge (referring to a high, single-arch bridge which spans the river Till shortly before it joins the Tweed near Coldstream), which involved much crossing, casting, balance in line, double triangles and reels.

 

Details of dances covered during the evening are given below. Our next class – and the final Fast Paced Social dance class of the season – is earlier in the month on Tuesday 10 June. Mervyn Short will be our guest teacher and we look forward to dancing with you then.

 

Ahead of that – don’t forget the Summer Wednesday dance, with music from Chris Oxtoby, this coming Wednesday 28 May in the Lower Hall at St Columba’s, followed by the RSCDS London AGM and End of Season dance, now also in the Lower Hall, on 14 June.

 

And for the Young Ones 4S:J32 Dejean RSCDS 51

The Invitation Dance 3/4L: J32 Goldring, Auld Friends Meet

The Dilemma 3/3L: M96 Zobel, Dancing on Air 

An Ilkley Gift 3/4L:S32 Goldring, Auld Friends Meet

Twizell Bridge 3/4L:J32 Goldring, Auld Friends Meet

 

 

April 2025: James Fairbairn 

Many thanks to James Fairbairn, accompanied by Adam Brady, for a fast and enjoyable class this week. James combined the familiar with the less frequently danced as well as featuring dances where problems often arose. Most London dancers are familiar with the strathspey espagnole, as danced in the City of Belfast,  but the quick time, as in The Hazel Tree, features on far fewer programmes (although it’s appearing a lot in London this term as it is one of the White Rose Festival dances and so included in London classes and dance programmes).

We began with 2 dances from the early 1800s, The New Rigged Ship and My Mother’s Coming In. James described James Gray as a relatively well-known dance, which often falls apart in the last 8 bars. Its central feature is similar to the Targe, and perhaps it is the differences which cause so much confusion. The class soon consolidated its existing knowledge to enjoy the dance.  The Peat Fire Flame introduced some spiral formations whilst the Maple Leaf Rant used The Spoke. It had been a fun, challenging evening and we were tiring (despite the restorative effect of shortbread at half time), which is my excuse for falling over my feet in the Glasgow Highlanders setting step.   We finished the evening with a fast favourite, Mrs Macpherson of Inveran.  Many thanks to James, and to Adam for some wonderful tunes.

Next month (20 May)  we welcome Gill O’Dell, fresh from teaching at RSCDS Spring Fling in Brighton.

 

Before then, a different sort of intellectual challenge - on 10 May, St Columba’s Church will be holding its annual quiz night. We try to enter a dancing team each year. If you are interested in being a part of this team, please do let me know.

 

New Rigged Ship 3/4L · J48 Unknown Bk 9

My Mother's Coming in 3/4L · R32 Wilson Bk 15

A Mile to Ride 3/4L · S32 Unknown Bk 26

City of Belfast 3/3L · S32 Mulholland Bk 48

James Gray 4/4L · J32 Burrows Bk 42

The Peat Fire Flame 3/4L · R40 Drewry: Bon Accord Bk

The Hazel Tree 3/4L · J32 Drewry: The Brodie Book

Maple Leaf Rant 3/4L · R40 Unknown

The Glasgow Highlanders 2/4L · S32 Unknown Bk 2

Mrs MacPherson of Inveran 3/4L · R32 Drewry: Bon Accord

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March 2025: Alice Stainer

Apologies for the delay in sending out this report of Alice Stainer’s Fast Paced Social dance class which we enjoyed on 18 March.  Alice took the theme ‘Light and shade’ which she applied to seven dances – all requiring care in changes of pace, direction, length of steps, interaction with fellow dancers, plus lots of covering opportunities.

In the Bearsden Jig, a promenade reel was immediately followed by an (amended)  Inveran  Reel and then balance regained to dance advance and retire.  The challenge in Broadford Bay was identified by its deviser, Anne Taylor (who sadly died recently) as the Chase and Turn movement (Bars 17–24) which, she noted, posed problems for many dancers. We persevered and achieved some measure of success, many of us inspired by good memories of Anne.

Up in the Air dates from 1797 and the SCDDB entry links to a poem by Allan Ramsey(1686-1758). The dance includes several changes of pace and direction, requiring some concentration to maintain personal balance/dancing poise. Laura’s Jig was fast with swift changes of direction, particularly for the dancing couple. More changes of direction, albeit at a slower pace in the Silver Strathspey which included plenty of ‘meanwhiles’ as the first couple crossed up/down/across the set whilst their fellow dancers set and danced half right hands across around them twice. Fire and Ice, whilst apparently simple,  lived up to its name with contrasting length of step in the reels, double figure of eight and allemande. We finished with a dance, recently taught by Alice at Winter School. General Stuart’s Reel.

 

Many thanks to Alice for a challenging and fun class, and to Adam for the wonderful music.  This month we welcome James Fairbairn as our guest teacher on Tuesday 22 April.

 

Bearsden Jig 3/4L · J32 McMillan:  Nine new dances, Glasgow 1985

Broadford Bay 3/4L · R32 Grant Lft 32

Up in the Air 3/4L · S32 Boag Bk 20

Laura's Jig 3/4L · J32 Brown:  Dunnington Collection Vol 2

The Silver Strathspey 3/4L · S32 Stacey Bk 44

Fire and Ice 2/4L · J32 Collier: A Golden Collection

General Stuart's Reel 3/4L · R32 Menzies Bk 10

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February 2025: Joan Desborough

Many thanks to Joan Desborough, accompanied by Adam,  for a fabulous, exacting, and fun class this week.

Precision, awareness of other and looking up and ahead rather than studying the floor were all key expectations from the evening. Our first dance, The Red Arrows, gave a clear indication of the level of precision expected from us as the various turns and reels mandated strict attention to timing and to our fellow dancers.. We then moved on to strathspey and revised Highland Schottische stetting step, aided greatly by the mirrored wall of the dance studio. This was in preparation for a Highland Schottische Poussette as part of The Trysting Place.

City Lights, a jig from book 52, included an Allemande Turn. Then Joan invited dancers to vote in favour or against dancing a Foursome Reel. This was a popular suggestion and an energetic few minutes ensued, after which a biscuit break was well learned and appreciated.

 

The Tattie Bogle prompted some questions as to what a Tattie Bogle might be – answer, a scarecrow! As we had 14 dancers, we danced this in a 7 couple set.  The Lammermuir Hills began with a strathspey poussette and finished with a Knot, both movements giving scope for good covering and positioning within the set.  We finished the evening with Mrs Macpherson of Inveran, again in a 7 couple set (which demanded extra concentration to remember in which set you were participating at any given time).

 

The next class will be on 18 March when Alice Stainer will be our teacher.

 

The Red Arrows 3/4L · R32 Stacey 2017

The Trysting Place 2/4L · S32 Boyd Bk 35

City Lights 3/4L · J32 Scott Bk 52

Foursome Reel 2c · M64 Bk 3

The Tattie Bogle 3/4L · J32 Haynes: Carnforth Collection 1

The Lammermuir Hills 2/4L · S32 Goldring: Auld Friends Meet

Mrs Macpherson of Inveran 3/4L · R32 Drewry: Bon Accord

 

That’s it for now. See you next month!

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January 2025: Sam Schad

A lively and demanding first fast paced social dance class of 2025 as Sam Schad nudged us out of any post-Christmas complacency with The Doonhammer Delight as warm up. This required significantly more concentration than most round the room dances and set the pace for a most enjoyable programme of dances, most of which paid tribute to Robert Burns in this week of Burns’ related activities. We welcomed Andrew and Katherine Uren, visiting from New Zealand, as well as Niambh Macdonald, joining the Maria Fidelis class for the first time.

 

The Burns Hornpipe got the blood racing as women chased round the dance in 8 bars whilst the men turned their backs, folded their arms, and tapped their feet impatiently. Then it was the men’s turn to chase around, although the women were required to do little more than to ‘look demure’ whilst standing (more challenging for some of us than others).

 

Twa Roguish Een is a Burns Night staple, with lots of opportunity to catch a partner’s eye whilst dancing. The next dance, a strathspey in a square set, A Toast to the Ladies, echoed the traditional Burns Supper ‘Toast to the Lassies’ in its name and included a Highland Schottische Balance in Line as well as double Ladies Chain.

 

Burns famously worked as an exciseman and the next dance, also a square set but this time a jig, The De’el’s Awa’ Wi’ the Exciseman, was accompanied by the traditional tune “The Deil’s awa’ wi’ the Exciseman”. The Rose Garden, a 3x32 bar strathspey, reminded us of Burns’ famous song ‘a Red, Red Rose’ and his words were in our heads as we enjoyed this stately dance.  We ended the evening with the lively reel, The Whitret Reel. A whitret (or futret) is a Scots term for a weasel and, appropriately enough, the dance included Weasel Reels as well as a modified chain progression (the second and third couples starting from the midline rather than the sides and thus making a full turn before picking up first couple, or turning it the centre. 

 

Many thanks to Sam for launching our 2025 Fast Paced Social dance classes in such style, and to Adam for the fabulous music.  Next month Joan Desborough will be our teacher on the, slightly earlier in the month date of, 11 February.

• The Doonhamer Delight 2RR · R32 Shankland Bk 50

• Burns' Hornpipe 4/4L · R32 Unknown Bk 27

• Twa Roguish Een 3/4L · J40 Drewry: Rondel Book of Scottish Country Dancing

• A Toast to the Ladies 4S · S96 Dodds: Piping Shrike Collection

• The De'el's awa' Wi' the Exciseman 4S · J48 Mitchell: Whetherly Book 1

• The Rose Garden 3/4L · S32 Schad

• The Whitret Reel 3/4L · R32 Schad

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December2024: Dave Hall

Many thanks to Dave Hall for a great final fast paced social dance class of 2024, and of course to Adam for his wonderful accompaniment. I’m sorry I was unable to join in the enjoyment of the class (but am pleased to report that Willie is recovering well and looking forward to getting back to dancing asap). Thanks also to Steve and to Murrough who took on the class admin in my absence.

 

A couple of reminders:

• the RSCDS London Christmas dance takes place tomorrow, 14 December at St Columba’s Pont Street with music from the Craigellachie Band. Tickets available online or on the door.

• Information about our new Festival Class is now live on the RSCDS London website – read more about how you can join us in Leeds at the White Rose Festival July 2025

 

Dances covered in Dave’s fast paced class are listed below. Our next class will be on Tuesday 21 January when the guest teacher will be Sam Shad.

 

• Tweedside – 3/4 time, 6 or 12 bar phrases, 36 bars

• The Valley over the Hill - Set and link for 3 (8*32R)

• Ptarmigan - Triangle set (3*40S)  Drewry

• #ILoveNice - corners pass and turn (8*32J)

• The Unfortunate Acronym - lots of things (8*32S) set and rotate, helix, Inveran Reels and Tournee

• La Ville Lumiere - Dolphin corners pass and turn, poussette. (4*32R)

 

Best wishes for a Happy Christmas and a joyful, dance filled 2025.

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November 2024: Kate Gentles

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Belated thanks to Kate Gentles for a fabulous fast paced social dance class in November. She started us off relatively gently with Trip to Gatlinburg which, although it required a good turn of sped, was relatively straightforward. We moved on t o the Hunter’s Drift, a reel featuring a modified corner pass and turn, then Ruby Wilkinson’s Farewell to the Crenshaws. This required a lot of focus as the 1st and 4th couple danced interlocking reels of 4 with the corner position whilst the 2s and 3s danced reels of 4 across. It was a lot more complicated to describe and to walk than it actually was to dance, and we got there satisfactorily eventually!  It wasn’t helped by the evening being interrupted by an intermittent fire alarm.

 

The next dance, Reuben Butler, required a lot of foot coordination as we worked to master the Waltz Poussette, and left many of us vowing to practice in the kitchen until we succeeded.  It wasn’t just the dancers who were challenged in Cairn Edward, a Hugh Foss dance written in 6 bar phrases. Apparently the first tune is challenging to play, and it gets worse thereafter.  We were treated to the rare sight of Adam frowning in concentration as he played – a memorable occasion!

We had just 5 minutes left and enjoyed a non-demanding Domino Five to close the evening.

 

Many thanks to Kate and to Adam for a most enjoyable class. Our December class will be on the slightly earlier than usual date of 10 December. Dave Hall will be our teacher this month with Adam again on keyboard.

 

Trip to Gatlinburg 3/4L · J32 Tang, 1994

The Hunter’s Drift 3/4L · R32 Knooihuizen 2012

Ruby Wilkinson’s Farewell to Cranshaws 4/4L · S32 Brown Bk 52

Reuben Butler 3/4L · J32 Unknown; Sir Walter Scott, The Heart of Midlothian 

Cairn Edward 3/4L · J24 Foss; Galloway Album

Domino Five 5pS · R32 Haynes: A Second Book of Graded Scottish Country Dances 

 

 

October 2024: Andrew Nolan

 

Many thanks to Andrew Nolan who gave us an energetic and highly enjoyable session, accompanied by Adam Brady on keyboard. Andrew led us through a series of slightly different formations, an upside down (mirrored) allemande, a 3 couple espagnole, a 4 couple poussette, variations on reels and more.  Dance details linked below.

 

Next month we will be joined by Kate Gentles on 19 November.  Before that, do come along to the Autumn Wednesday dance tomorrow evening, 30 October, 7-10pm, at St Columba’s Lower Hall. Great music from Chris Oxtoby, MCs Judith Jones and Jim Cook, and an excellent programme of dances to suit all.   Details here.

• The Auld Alliance  4/4L · R32     RSCDS 23

• The Tallship "Glenlee"    3/4L · S32  Bootland Glasgow 100th

• Loch Fitty jig 3/4L · J32  Austin. Dunfermline Collection

• The Maid of the Mill  3/4L · J40  RSCDS 21

• Jim Dougal of Eyemouth  3/3L · S32  Johnstone, Blackadder Collection

• The Castle Keep  4S · R32  Wharton, Richmond Anniversary

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September 2024: Jeremy Hill

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We had a great start to the new season with a vigorous and most enjoyable class from Jeremy Hill, accompanied by Adam Brady.  Noting that many of the  dances included novel variations on standard formations, Jeremy began with the Newby Circle which, unusually for an around the room dance, had different moves for first and second couples. The Brisk Young Lad, a five-couple dance,  demanded a degree of briskness from all as the initial reel of 4 was danced around the stationary 3rd couple.

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The class numbers enforced an amendment to “Two up, Two down”, resulting in one set dancing “Two up, One down”  (perhaps a reflection on the modern housing market). Inspired by Pat Batt’s poem ‘The Ladies Man’,  which paid tribute to the  “two-sex Scottish Dancers who have to dance on either side of the set”, this dance reversed ends after each iteration. The poem, plus link to the dance, and Pat’s other poems may be found on the London Branch website.

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“Oh , whistle and I’ll come tae ye my Lad” was, confusingly, was not accompanied by the traditional song but by “Borowlaski's Fancy”. It began by both first and third couple crossing righthand into a mirror reel of three and then crossing back for a second reel (leading to a little confusion, initially as to who was dancing as what sex but all well resolved by the end of the dance).

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“Minard Castle” required a bit of googling to advise the class that it is located on the northwest shore of Loch Fyne near the road from Inveraray to Lochgilphead. The next dance, The Saltire Medley, had an unusual formation beginning in a square set with a lady at each corner and two men, back to back in the middle. The dance began with  “Hazel Tree corners”  and ended with “Mairi's Wedding Reels”  in Strathspey time, with the reel time variation of all four ladies joining in for double diagonal reels of 4 at the end, The evening ended with “The Penny Whistle”, devised by Ann Dix for Frank and Kathy Reid.

 

Thanks to all who came this month. Our next class will be on Tuesday 15 October and the teacher will be Andrew Nolan.

 

Meanwhile our NEW SEASON TEA DANCE  is this coming Saturday 21 September 2-5pm in the assembly hall at Maria Fidelis School, NW1 1LY. Join us for great music from Ian Robertson and his band – plus cake!

 

• The Newby Circle2RR · R32 Haynes

• Brisk Young Lad 5/5L · J48 Drewry

• Two up, Two Down 4/4L · S32 Haynes

• Oh, Whistle and I'll come tae ye my Lad 3/4L · J32 RSDCDS Book 24

• Minard Castle 3/4L · R40 RSCDS Book 22

• Saltire Medley 4w+2m · M96 Haynes

• The Penny Whistle 2/4L · J32 Dix

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