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.

Ladies’ Sashes

Dear Editor,

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!)

Walk-throughs

Dear Editor,

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

The Spring Issue

Dear Editor,

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

The Place of Scotland within the RSCDS

Dear Editor,

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

Consequences of Covid

Dear Editor,

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.

One side effect has been the ‘forced’ retirement of some of our more mature members, who would have been dancing for a few more years if not for COVID-19. This has been most unfortunate as many of these members have contributed a lot to the Society and the world of SCD. It is important, during this stressful and anxious time, that we recognise and thank those members for their work and support, without whom we would not have the joy of the SCD world. Depending on how medical solutions present themselves to deal with COVID-19 some may be able to return but others may not. It will be an important role of the Society and Branches to ensure those people are ‘included’ and not lost and to ensure ways to keep those people connected and able to contribute in any way possible. The good news appears that by the time of the Society’s centenary in 2023 we should find ourselves all back on our feet and celebrate this milestone in whatever way we can. Michael Darby, International Branch

Printed or online magazine 1

Dear Editor,

From time to time I hear it said that the Society will at some future time make a decision as to whether or not our Scottish Country Dancer magazine should be made available in electronic form. Whatever the eventual outcome, I hope there will be an option. I know this is not in the spirit of media and computer technology nowadays, but regrettably I have to admit that I did not read the electronic version of the April magazine. Quite simply, there has been a huge move towards electronic and email technology over recent years, and it is far from easy to keep track of all that arrives in the inbox. The RSCDS magazine is not quite like a 2/3 page gas, electric or household bill! The magazine runs to some 32 pages, and is a publication which is not only read once – like a daily newspaper. It is best to be enjoyed and read at leisure, and picked up from the coffee table and re-read from time to time. Only recently, I needed to refer to Jimmie Hill’s interview with Robbie Shepherd in the Autumn 2016 Issue. Without having the paper magazine, I certainly would have had a problem locating the article. This is just one such example. For most Scottish country dancers, the magazine is a very interesting and important part of their annual subscription, and I feel it is just not right to consign it to an electronic version. Bearing in mind the current lockdown during which dancers have been unable to enjoy their passion, it would be entirely wrong to add to their woes. Frank Thomson, Aberdeen Branch

Printed or online magazine 2

Dear Editor,

Most of our members prefer the paper magazine and confess to not reading the online version (except the very keen ones who have time). The paper magazine is very much appreciated, even by our younger members, who always look for pictures of places or people they know. Most people don’t read e-magazines, they just trash them right away. It’s important we keep a link with the RSCDS. Non-native speakers of English like looking at photos and they can take time to understand an article if they have it in their hands – not if it’s on a small screen. We realise this has a cost, but it only comes twice a year. We hope you will keep it up. We have asked our members to start paying only the RSCDS membership (not our local one), being uncertain of what the future will bring to social dancing in our area. We’ve explained the financial difficulties of our beloved society to our members and we are getting some response. Most of our members will support the RSCDS, even if dancing doesn’t resume in September. Let’s stay strong together in these difficult times! Raphaëlle Orgeret, Lyon Branch

Printed or online magazine 3

Dear Editor,

Firstly, I would like to say how much I enjoy Scottish Country Dancer and I thank you and the Editorial Team for all the work that goes into its production. I know that for some time there have been thoughts of whether it should continue to be produced in printed form and posted to members. I appreciate the costs involved in this, and at a time when the Coronavirus epidemic has hit the Society’s finances, this aspect may receive more emphasis than in the past. However, may I put in a plea for the retention of the printed version? It is a pleasure to receive and read the magazine. No computer screen – or even printing on good quality paper – can beat that experience. Indeed, I would go so far as to say that I would be prepared to pay an extra charge to receive the magazine by post. Perhaps this is an option which should be considered. John Gibson, Dublin Scottish Country Dance Club

Printed or online magazine 4

Dear Editor,

The San Diego Branch committee discussed our response to the brief survey request sent from RSCDS headquarters with regard to print and electronic versions of the semi-annual Scottish Country Dancer magazine. We discovered that several board members did not receive access to the pdf of the most recent edition because their spouses had received it instead. The Committee agreed that regardless of a member’s preference for a print edition, all members should have access to the online version since there is virtually no additional expense to do this. Dr. Ward Fleri, San Diego Branch

Dr Ward Flero of San Diego receiving his Branch Award

Summer Celebration

Dear Editor,

I have heard lots of various comments about the virtual Summer Celebration. Most people’s comments were good and they thought that HQ had tried hard to put on items which would suit most people. Most of it was of interest to the vast number of people who tuned in. There have been so many teachers doing virtual classes, for weeks before the Summer Celebration ones, it is quite hard to find something new to capture people’s interest. There is a limit to what one teacher can do, eg warmups and steps. Many people feel that once they have watched 3 or 4 they lose interest (apart from those who desperately want the exercise!). I have heard of only one criticism, which came from more than just a few. On the final evening after the chosen dances were recapped, instead of the diagram of the dance being on screen while the music was playing, perhaps it would have been nice to watch a set of dancers doing the dance for part of the time. Several members have told me that rather than watch various teachers doing warm-ups and steps during lock down they have looked up dances they didn’t know in the Scottish Country Dance Dictionary, learnt them from the instructions and danced along while watching a set of dancers doing the dance on video. This way they have learned a whole lot more dances and can practise their ‘step technique etc’ to the music after doing the dances a couple of times through. Just passing on a few comments I have heard. Sheila Trafford, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Branch

Success with recruiting

Dear Editor,

A year ago in this magazine I described our Vancouver Branch recruitment campaign, so I thought I would give you this update. We formed a Recruitment and Retention (R&R) committee with the mandate to grow our membership by 5% in 2019-2020. By the end of 2020 we had reached our goal! Naturally, we lost some previous dancers but we had a net increase of 13 which brought our membership total to a fabulous 248 when in previous years we had seen a gradual decline. This was tremendously encouraging. What contributed to the success?

1.Involvement of the entire dancing community:

We drew up a detailed promotional strategy with a plan and timeline showing what had to be accomplished prior to campaign rollout in August/September. This was discussed and revised following several meetings with our club presidents. This meant the club Presidents were on board and through them their club membership. As a result we had many new dancers come along with a friend or acquaintance, and others who had heard about SCD through word of mouth.

2.Dancing in the Park and an Introductory Class:

Stanley Park in Vancouver is the venue for ‘Dancing in the Park’ during July and August, the dance program and music organized by a different club each Monday evening. The music draws in large crowds, visitors and locals alike. Each evening that summer one of our organizers collected contact information from all who were interested and personally e-mailed all 100 to let them know about a free introductory class we were putting on for beginners the week after DITP ended. This was a tremendously successful class with 35 brand new people and many of our current dancers attending to help make the new people feel comfortable and to direct them to a class near each of them.

Yes, we were on a roll and preparing in 2020-2021 to continue with our various strategies to ‘get the word out’ – that dancing is good for body and mind. The unexpected happened, and the Coronavirus has shut things down since March. All is now on hold until we can dance once again. Janet Mason, Vancouver Branch

Inspiring Dance Video

Dear Editor,

The Toronto Tabla Ensemble, a charitable organization, invited the Branch to perform in a 4-minute dance video, called ‘Unexpected Guests’ as part of their new album. www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtXTFG-o7Kg The music is a fusion of bagpipe and tabla (Indian hand drums); Scottish and Indian dancers perform together. Hearing the music for the first time, we had a dilemma. Do we take our cue from the piper or concentrate on the Indian drumbeat? The pipes, of course, won. With both instruments strong and dynamic in their own right it seemed impossible they could blend, but blend they did. The result was striking and dramatic music. The white film set, huge lights shining down, was surreal. If not for the unforgiving concrete floor, it was almost magical. When dancing, there was one important thing we had to remember: smile, smile, smile for the camera! It ends on a lovely multi-cultural note. A circle forms and a young Indian drummer meets one of our young dancers in the centre. He hands her his drumsticks in a simple yet effective gesture of friendship. We have introduced ourselves to a new audience and in the process, had a great time. It’s worth watching. Sheena Gilks, Toronto Branch

Non-members

Dear Editor,

Up to an incredible 1500 dancers have been tuning in each week to our online classes. An interesting discussion arose a week or so ago – whether to admit those who are non-members. One or two felt you should only link in if a fully paid-up member, but taking a lead from the early communications from HQ most believed that if we are to grow we need to invite all who share our passion. We should remember that without the thousands of non-RSCDS members there would be very little dancing in any country of the world. The Society has no clue how many non-members there are. I understand why some members feel a bit sniffy sharing activities with those who haven’t paid. To encourage membership, some clubs grant a modest discount on dance tickets for members but all still pay the same for weekly classes. Is it that non-Society members cannot afford the annual fee or is it that they do not see the benefit of membership? Roger Brooks, Lancaster Loyne SCD Group