Sadly Missed

We would appreciate it if obituaries for inclusion in the next issue were sent from Branch or Club Secretaries.

Edna Prior, Crawley

Edna Prior and her husband, Peter, were founder members of Crawley Scottish Country Dancing Club. In September 1959 an advert appeared in the local newspaper for anyone interested in Scottish dancing. 14 people turned up including Edna and Peter, who had been dancing since 1953 in Brighton. Edna held many roles from committee member, secretary, display organiser, chairman and teacher. Originally, ladies were not allowed to MC an evening and had to share it with their husband! Edna remained committed to the club and was still dancing until her late 80s, but stopped as she became increasingly frustrated that she couldn’t remember the dances. Lee Pratt, Mid-Sussex

Lesley Shand, Fife

Lesley Forbes Shand passed away in April after a long illness. She was a member of the Society for 40 years and a dancer for over 50 years, initially in Edinburgh and then in Fife. Lesley had grace, poise and elegance which were commented on by many who knew her. She qualified as a teacher and instigated and led one adult class and two children’s classes over the past 30 years, always striving to make Scottish country dancing accessible to all. Lesley will always be remembered for the joy she imparted to her dancing friends, both as a teacher and as a partner at local dances. Her family would like the Society to know how grateful they are that Lesley’s life was so enriched by her involvement with Scottish country dancing. Lorna Sim, Kirkcaldy Branch

Marycke Visscher, Amsterdam

Trained in classical music, Marycke Visscher was a passionate and wayward fiddler, a warm personality and a strong protagonist of positive thinking. Besides being the regular musician for The Swilcan and The Hague Branch, she played for numerous events in The Netherlands and abroad, and attended many music workshops. She was on ‘The List’ to play for Summer School but somehow it never happened. She often played with the late pianist George McLennan. On one occasion she was surprised to hear him saying ‘you are jigging up your reel’. A few moments later he told her she was ‘jigging up her jig’, resulting in much laughter. When Marycke’s health declined and she struggled through the initial stages of dementia, she decided to arrange her end of life herself, to avoid ending up in a home – a decision made with much conviction. I will always remember her as one of the most enthusiastic musicians I have ever worked with, who taught me the finer points of playing for SCD and, especially, how to enjoy playing our great Scottish dance music. Edwin Werner, Delft Branch

Jean Lumsden, Adelaide

Jean Lumsden died in May, aged 88. Having emigrated from Fife in 1969, she started dancing with the Branch during the 1970s. In the early 1980s she started a class at the Workers’ Educational Association in Adelaide to gain teaching experience, and ran these classes for several years. After Jean gained her Full Certificate, she tutored, having some part in the training of all the current Adelaide Branch teachers as well as having taught many of the current dancers in Adelaide as beginners. She continued teaching until early this year. Jean held various Branch offices over the years, and her contribution to SCD in Adelaide is one of the most significant in its history. Jean was active in all things Scottish in Adelaide, including the Burns Society, Scottish Radio, the Scottish Associations of SA, and worked tirelessly to promote Scottish culture and, in particular, country dancing. She received a Branch Award in 2016. Anna Grant-Henderson, Adelaide Branch

Marion Pearson, Sheffield

Marion Pearson was an enthusiastic and extremely supportive member of Sheffield Branch from the 1980s. In 1990 she was the driving force in restarting the Sheffield Day School which she helped to run, eventually taking over the organisation of the whole day. She was also a very generous host to the numerous teachers and musicians who stayed with her. She regularly served on the Branch committee. Marion was also the Secretary of the Association of Scottish Country Dance Societies for many years. She supported many dances in the region and beyond. Marion was presented with a Branch Award for outstanding service in 2018, which she richly deserved. She will be remembered with affection and grateful thanks by her many friends all over the country. Norma Hutchinson, Sheffield Branch

Ann Prior

Ann Daphne Fiona Prior, a life member of the RSCDS, was born in North Queensferry on 18 September 1928 and died on 26 May 2020. She gained her Teaching Certificate in 1952, judged by Miss Milligan and dancing with Derek Haynes. She was instrumental in the Nottingham Club becoming the first Branch of the RSCDS in the East Midlands and taught there for many years before moving to Bridport where she helped to found the Bridport Scottish Dancers in 1995. She was still teaching and dancing with us until December 2019 and will be sorely missed. Caroline Morgan-Smith, Bridport Scottish Dancers

Kathy Warren, Nova Scotia

Kathy was our shining light, a dauntless ambassador for Scottish country dancing and a driving force behind the Nova Scotia Branch. She served as Treasurer of the Branch for many years, sharing her valuable time and consummate organizational skills to ensure the success of virtually every local event. She started dancing as a schoolgirl in Aberdeen and brought her love of dance to Canada in 1993. A stalwart member of both the Bon Accord and Thistle groups, Kathy also enthusiastically supported many of the events hosted throughout the province, making new friends wherever she went. Her Doric recitations were a delight! She will forever be remembered for her warm, generous spirit, her strong work ethic, her ubiquitous peanut butter balls, and her love of all things Scottish. Kathy’s Fascinator is a lovely jig devised in her honour, with music by Muriel Johnstone. The Branch eagerly looks forward to being able to remember Kathy through dance – something she would have loved. Lydia Hedge, Nova Scotia

Joe Murphy

Joe Murphy was born in Spennymoor, County Durham, in 1934. As a teenager, hearing Jimmy Shand playing Scottish country dance music inspired him to join a local class, beginning a lifelong passion. He gained his teaching certificate from Jean Milligan so, when Joe and his wife Alice moved to the Carlisle area in the 1960’s, he was already an enthusiastic member of the RSCDS. Over the years he served the Carlisle and Border Branch in every committee post, taught classes and attended Executive Council and often ‘stooged’ for trainee teachers. Joe and Alice befriended dancers from across the world at Summer School and on world teaching tours; many of these friends attended Branch events. Joe’s first Summer School was 1968 and he attended annually until ill health prevented him. His last years were spent in a care home in Silloth on the Solway coast. He died in April aged 86. Jane Atkins, Carlisle and Border Branch

Jim Dougal, Duns and District

Last October, Duns and District Branch lost Jim Dougal, aged 95, a teacher with infectious enthusiasm. Jim met his wife Cath, a Scottish country dancer, in Glasgow; in the mid-1980s, they moved to his home town of Eyemouth where they both taught classes. He was Chairman of Duns and District Branch from 1991 to 1996 and for many years organised a demonstration team to perform Something Scottish in Eyemouth every week during the summer, enjoyed by visitors from far and wide. The strathspey Jim Dougal of Eyemouth by Muriel Johnstone was presented to him on his 70th birthday, and he received the Branch Award in 2013. Jim married Jill several years after Cath died, and he continued to teach and dance with great enjoyment. Jim was a loyal supporter of the RSCDS and had fond memories of many years at Summer School, taking his Full Certificate there. He was also a keen sailor in his yacht Petronella and a strong Bridge player. Pat Harrower, Duns and District Branch

John Cass, Newcastle upon Tyne

‘The Festival Man’ first encountered Scottish dancing on walking holidays and decided to learn ‘these funny steps’, becoming addicted. In 1960 he joined Newcastle Branch and five years later was elected to the committee, clocking up a record unbroken 55 years of service. John gained his Teachers’ Certificate in 1968, setting up a class in Ponteland, and with enthusiasm and encouragement continued to teach until very recently. Undoubtedly his most remarkable achievement is the Newcastle Festival. From a one-off experiment in 1971, the Festival became an annual event from the mid-1980s. It now has the reputation of being the best in the country and is the highlight of many a dancer’s year. From two teams in 1984, by 2018 entries had to be capped at 50. John handed over to a sub-committee after 2014, but continued to help and advise. John was proud to receive a Branch Award in 2005 and a Society Scroll in 2010, and have two dances published in his honour. In November 2019 he was presented with the Legion d’Honneur in recognition of his part in the evacuation of Dunkirk. Rarely lost for words, John was an ardent advocate for the many benefits of Scottish country dancing. Irene Waters, Newcastle Branch

Margaret Spouse, MBE, Duns and District

Margaret (Peggy) Spouse started dancing reluctantly in 1950, three years before the Duns and District Branch was formed. Peggy was persuaded to start a class in Chirnside, having gained her Preliminary Certificate at Summer School in St Andrews in 1952. A Life Member of the RSCDS, she continued to teach classes in the Branch for the next 40 years or so, and also taught at Summer School. Peggy was a good teacher, who expected and achieved high standards of technique and social etiquette. If on occasion a musician was absent, she was well-prepared to ‘deedle’ for the class. After she stopped dancing, she still loved to go along to dances to listen and watch, and was always keen to see the children’s class prepare for their Medal Tests. Peggy was awarded the MBE for services to Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland, and was very proud to have the strathspey Peggy Spouse MBE devised for her by John Wilkinson, with the tune composed by Marian Anderson; this tune was played at her funeral. Rhona Burchick, Duns and District Branch

Catherine Marianne Gray, South Wales

Kate started SCD in her teens, becoming a life member of the RSCDS, and particularly loved how the music inspired the dance movements. Alex met her at a Branch dance in 1964 and was captivated by her smile. They started attending St Andrews Summer School in 1965 where a highlight was Miss Milligan’s classes. In 1969 they became engaged after dancing in the Younger Hall demonstrations. Having moved to South Wales, Kate started the Radyr SCD class, which she ran for 40 years, ensuring it had musicians whenever possible and encouraging new musicians and teachers. She helped with many Branch activities including establishing the South Wales Festival and the Branch Weekend. A qualified pharmacist, Kate’s other talents included music, kiltmaking and cooking. She loved hosting bands, musicians and teachers and was known and loved throughout the Scottish dancing community for her warm personality and her ability and patience as a gentle but firm teacher of SCD, ladies’ step and Highland, recognised by invitations to teach around the world. At these events she contributed to the ceilidhs – singing to her own harp accompaniment: solo puirt à beul for a Highland Dance she had taught; or as a solo dancer. Conor Farmer, South Wales Branch

Barbro Stacking, Gothenburg Branch

It is with great sadness we report that Barbro Stacking died on 26 July 2020. Barbro joined the Gothenburg Branch 35 years ago. As well as being an active and regular dancer, she was dedicated to the well-being of the members. She served many years on the Branch committee and undertook the duties of both Branch Treasurer and Committee Chairperson. Barbro also enthusiastically organised several dance weekend courses and regularly participated in courses organised by other dance groups. Nigel Nicholson, Gothenburg Branch

Bob Shakespeare, Corrieddon Scottish Country Dancers

Bob was widely known in dancing circles as both dancer and musician. He played the accordion and bagpipes for day schools and local groups and composed dance music. Dancing took him to many European countries plus numerous visits to Scotland, resulting in lifelong friendships. Strangely, Bob and wife, Wendy, never visited St Andrews. Bob’s main love was family, his second was dancing, and his third was model buses, stemming from his work in the transport industry. Bob was generous with his friendship, patient with dancing colleagues, quick-witted and caring. Kate Redshaw

Alan Rintoul

After a 3 year battle with oesophageal cancer, Alan passed away in July aged 58. He was a well-respected RSCDS teacher and demonstration dancer, who started Scottish country dancing at the age of 10, under the tutelage of his mother, Betty Rintoul, also an RSCDS teacher. Aged 14, he moved on to dance with the Strathcarron Dancers, an adult group who performed at festivals in Scotland and overseas. From there he moved to dance with the demonstration teams of Edinburgh, and later Glasgow, Branches. Alan had a distinctive style and loved to dance in huge sets with loads of movement and space to travel. Qualifying in 1995, Alan taught children, students, adults, demonstration groups and day schools. He was involved in the early days of the Alba Scottish Country Dancers demonstration teams and general classes where he met his wife, Ruth. Alan played piano with the Lothian Scottish Dance Band for 35 years. His in-depth knowledge of the music was invaluable when teaching and dancing, particularly when it came to choosing the right music for the right dance or individual step. Following in his footsteps, his daughter Rosalyn plays fiddle. His son Thomas is currently President of the University of St Andrews Celtic Society, so Alan’s kilt and sporran continue to dance on. George Meikle, Lothian Scottish Dance Band