Letters to the Editor Any opinions expressed in the letters below are personal to the writers and do not reflect the views of the RSCDS or the Management Board.
Dear Editor Ladies’ Sashes In reply to the letter by Sophie Marchand of France about the wearing of ladies’ sashes. I have been a Scottish country dancer for a very long time and I have always been told the following regarding the wearing of sashes by folk from Scotland who knew what they were talking about: ladies of rank (HM the Queen, wives of dukes, earls, clan chiefs, officers etc) all wear their sashes on the left shoulder. Others wear their sashes on the right. An exception to this is if the wife is wearing her own clan sash, and not her husband’s, she wears it pinned to her right shoulder and tied with a bow on her left hip. All this is explained in Scotland through her Dances by George Emerson. I hope that this helps to clarify the vexed question of the wearing of the sash. Thanks also for the magazine Scottish Country Dancer – splendid effort that keeps in touch with us all. Betty Laverty, Launceston Caledonian Society Scottish Country Dancers, Tasmania (Editor’s Note: The matter of RSCDS ladies’ sashes was last raised at an official level in 1997 at a meeting of the Executive Council when it was noted that Miss Milligan and The Countess of Elgin, many years earlier, had advised the then Secretary, Miss Gibson, that Society policy would be that the sash should be worn on the left shoulder. The Executive Council recommended that there would be no definitive policy on sashes. The following year at the May 98 meeting a motion was passed unanimously not to bring the issue to the AGM that year. The Executive recommended that the Society should not issue any ruling on this matter, but the choice should be left to the ladies. So that seems to be it!)
Dear Editor Walk-throughs In the April 2020 issue Andy Patterson of Rotorua, New Zealand bemoaned the use of walk-throughs at social events. This attitude is why Scottish country dancing membership is becoming increasingly elderly, which in time will inevitably lead to its demise. New membership should be encouraged and attendance at social events made as friendly as possible. I watch YouTube videos of the dances before I attend a dance and download the cribs to remind myself of the moves as they are briefed, a cardinal sin from the disapproving glances by more experienced dancers. A recent ball I attended had a briefing which was delivered in a rushed, inaudible and severe manner – my crib saved me. By all means mention on a dance programme that a particular dance is for the more experienced and that gives an idea who should sit out. I often see new dancers encouraged to make up a set then disparaged for getting in a mess. This results in them deciding not to attend balls in future. At an early stage in my learning I was told that if I could not recover then I should not attend a ball. Needless to say, I never went back to
that unfriendly club. Scottish country dancers – be friendly, welcoming and make it fun for new members or watch your club die with you, but by then of course you will not care! Roger Edwards, Browns Bay, New Zealand
Dear Editor The Spring Issue Thank you, Jimmie Hill and the Editorial Team, for doing such an outstanding job on Scottish Country Dancer! Your last magazine was a great way to end your time as Editor. I say that because I thought the chosen articles, and especially the articles by Muriel Johnston and Marjorie McLaughlin, were so informative about the history of our music and dance. I would like to read more articles of the same. I was fortunate to be in Marjorie’s class at the Fort Worden Weekend where, after describing the history of this dance, she had us dance Red House as a 48-bar reel, as well as how we dance it currently. Her class certainly generated great enthusiasm as well as discussion about this dance. Donna Weidenfeller, San Francisco Branch
Dear Editor The Place of Scotland within the RSCDS I continue to be concerned about the state of dancing in Scotland and I would like to put a few points to members however or wherever you came to be Scottish dancing. 1. Scotland is different. It is the only country where SCD is indigenous. Out of a population of 5 million people everyone has heard of it and probably tried it at some point in their lives. Clearly no other country has this potential market for recruitment. Does this mean that Scotland should be treated differently within the Society? 2. The founders of the Society aimed to preserve and rejuvenate country dancing in Scotland. With only 22% of the current worldwide membership Scottish, has this aim been lost in our globalisation? 3. What is the best way forward to rejuvenate country dancing in Scotland? Is it to have a Scotland Branch within the Society? If something is not done soon, the Society will become irrelevant in Scotland, and country dancing will die out here within a generation. Or is the Society no longer interested in Scotland? I would ask all members to think about this, please. John Carswell, Linlithgow
Dear Editor Consequences of Covid Whilst COVID-19 has had quite a devastating effect on dance communities around the world it has been pleasing to see the Society and various Branches adapting with the use of modern technology to keep SCD moving along.
www.rscds.org
25
