11 January 2021 – Update on Branch activities due to current circumstances

Coronavirus Update – all events and classes cancelled until late 2021
Although we had hoped to resume dancing in early 2021 the impact of the new COVID variants and the resultant lockdown means that we cannot realistically plan indoor events and classes until much later in the year.

It’s beginning to look unlikely that classes will resume before September. Whilst we have plans for a ‘big bang’ return to dancing with classes and the new season dance, this will be dependent upon the success of the vaccination programme.  Meanwhile we will continue to offer online events and will keep members up to date with news via the eUpdate, Website and The Reel

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Spring from Home – Virtual Event

Stop Press: The Branch is sad to learn of the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh. To mark our respect, the Spring From Home event will now commence with a minute’s silence at 5pm

In place of the previously scheduled Combined Societies dance on 10 April 2021, we had an online ‘Spring from Home’ event, a joint venture from the London Highland Club, St Columba’s Dancers and London Branch.

As for the London Branch Burns Night at Home, ‘Spring from Home’ featured music, dance, poetry, quizzes, competitions and plenty of online chat.

Items included some vintage dances as well as music from Ian and Meryl Thomson and from Craigellachie. Jim Cook provided a spring themed quiz and there was poetry from Valerie Strachan and Willie Lawrence, history from Rachel Wilton and Meryl Thomson, a song from Frances Bright, and, perhaps most important of all, dance recaps from Pat Davoll, Peter Forrow and Murrough Landon to make sure that we all had the chance to dance.

To see the videos which were part of the online event, go to the Spring from Home playlist on our YouTube channel
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Reel 314 is available to read online

Reel 315 is soon to arrive for members and subscribers. Reel 314 is now available to read online.

Consider subscribing to our quarterly magazine or become a Branch member and receive The Reel as part of your membership. The magazine features reports on Branch activities and events and has a wide range of articles on Scottish country dance and music. There is usually a dance corner page which often features a new dance. We welcome letters to the editor or perhaps you might like to contribute an article to the magazine.

More information on The Reel

 

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Burns online 2021 – video available

The Branch held a virtual Burns event from 5pm on Sunday 24 January.  The evening featured vintage videos from ceilidhs past plus music, poetry and all the traditional Burns features, including the Address to a Haggis, the Immortal Memory, Toast to the Lassies and the Lassies’ Response.

Watch a recording of the event on the Branch’s YouTube channel

 

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The Donald Collection Archive

The Scottish Dance Archives website was run by Bob and Mamie Donald for many years. Having decided to retire, they kindly asked if RSCDS London Branch would provide a place for the website archives within the London Branch website which we are pleased to do.

The information on the website includes a list of the items in the Donald Collection and an index of the over 1800 dances available in the collection, which is held at the Central Library in Edinburgh. Instructions for 250 of the dances are available on this website as PDF files.

The Donald Collection Archive can be accessed under the Archives entry on the main menu.

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RSCDS London Branch

The Branch runs classes and dances in Scottish Country Dancing for beginners and experienced dancers. We have several classes and dances for young people too. If you would like be on our mailing list or have a question about Scottish Country Dancing in London please contact the Publicity coordinator using our contact form.

NEXT DANCE EVENT – SPRING FROM HOME (ONLINE EVENT)

London Branch Classes
Beginners and Improvers Class Wednesdays  7 – 9pm London SW10 0AY
Technique Class for Intermediate and Advanced Dancers Wednesdays  7 – 9pm London SW10 0AY
Summer General Class Wednesdays 7 – 9pm London SW10 0AY
Mixed Ability Class Wednesdays  2.30 – 4.30pm London SW1X 0BD
Richmond Beginner’s and Improvers Class * see updates on page for class venue Wednesdays 7.30 – 10pm Richmond TW9 1DH
Families in London Dance Scottish Selected Saturdays Clapham SW11 1EQ
Technique Class for advanced and very advanced dancers Selected Sundays 11.30am – 1.30pm WC1N 1DN
Upcoming Dances TBA
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90th Anniversary Tea Dance

This took place on Sunday March 1 2020 at London Scottish Regimental Headquarters, 95 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2DX

An Afternoon Tea Dance with entertainment items. Music provided by Ian Robertson and his Scottish Dance Band.

Dances: The Machine without Horses, City of Belfast, General Stuart’s Reel, Ladies’ Fancy, The Lea Rig, None so Pretty, A London Celebration, Circle Waltz, The Duke of Atholl’s Reel, The Dream Catcher, Flowers of Edinburgh, Hamilton House, Monymusk, The Reel of the 51st Division.
Over 130 dancers and invited guests enjoyed a fun afternoon of dancing and socialising with a splendid tea of sandwiches and cakes. There were several entertainment items including a recitation, highland dance displays, musical items and singing.
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