Sadly Missed We would appreciate it if obituaries were of 150 words or less, and sent from branch or club secretaries.
Elaine Arthur, Canberra For decades, Elaine Arthur was the centre of both Canberra’s and the wider Australian SCD community. She danced in both the Canberra Branch and Belconnen groups. In 1994 Elaine obtained her teacher’s certificate. She was a kind, observant and gentle teacher, treating everyone with care and respect; mentoring trainee teachers by her quiet encouragement. She had an encyclopaedic knowledge of SCD. At socials and classes she danced with everyone, from beginners to experienced dancers. She was a friend and wonderful support to visiting teachers, examiners, dancers and musicians. She received a Branch Award for her contribution to teaching, tutoring, mentoring, and her work on various committees. Ann Parkinson and Kira Dowling, Canberra and District Branch
Edward Cornet, Leamington Spa and Stratford Upon Avon Eddie was born in Glasgow and developed a love of dancing at an early age. His real love was the pipes and he was well known in the Midlands playing for many events. He was a regular at St Andrews and often played the morning reveille to waken the dancers. He took his teaching certificate in 1985 and taught both the Leamington Spa and Stratford on Avon classes until 2018. He was a lifelong member of the Society and a much loved and respected member of the dance community. His sense of fun and dedication to the music will be sadly missed. Margaret Baker, Leamington Spa Branch
Gary Donaldson, band leader With heavy heart I write this tribute to my friend and band leader, Gary Donaldson. In January we lost one of the very best after he lost his fight with cancer at the age of 57. There are many who have memories of Gary, especially his work with demonstration and dance classes. In 2017 this was acknowledged when Gary and his wife Philippa were invited to attend the Queen’s Garden Party at Holyrood for services to music. From a musical perspective, his unique, honest interpretation was always well received. It was indeed an honour and a very special privilege to make music with Gary. Dancers and musicians alike admired Gary and his music. His choice of material was always sympathetic to the dance. Appropriate tempo and drive and enthusiasm seldom go hand in hand, but Gary got this spot on. Picture this at Younger Hall in St Andrews: from the dance floor, dancers, their pumps rhythmically match the music, smiling, full of joy and happiness, unaware that on the stage the band were wondering “what’s that noise?”. Feedback? Something vibrating in unison? No! It was Gary, whistling along to his music and having a ball. He made a great impression on his past and present band members and we will never forget that noise. Gordon Smith, drummer
John Douglas, Newcastle-upon-Tyne John first encountered SCD as a young teacher when he offered to help with a school club. Hooked, he enrolled for a class, joined the Branch and six years later had his full teachers’ certificate. He taught classes at all levels, his certificate classes renowned for good results. He danced in demonstration teams locally and at Summer School and was appointed an adjudicator. A dance in Book 41 dedicated to him was called The Music Will Tell You. Sadly, in his later years he became profoundly deaf. John was Chairman of Newcastle Branch for 20 years, having previously been on the committee for 17 years, a popular and highly respected figure.
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John’s influence extended far beyond Tyneside. He was on the Executive Council (six years on General Purposes and 15 on Finance) and a regular at Summer School, teaching there for four years. When he and Jan moved south, he was Treasurer of Berks/ Hants/Surrey Border Branch for five years. When the Society’s finances were in dire straits, he was appointed to a committee to restore solvency. He was awarded the Scroll of Honour in 1998. Irene Waters, Newcastle Branch Archivist
Valerie Frazer, St Andrews Valerie was a founder member and committee member of the Berks/Hants/Surrey Border Branch. When she and Bruce moved north, they joined St Andrews Branch where Valerie was a committee member in later years. As well as an excellent dancer, Valerie was a distinguished seamstress. When members of the branch performed The Piper and the Penguin she made all the penguins’ beaks! Valerie was always good company and phone calls were long, and full of laughter. Shirley Ferguson, Marjorie Hume, May & Jack Livingston, BHS Borders Branch
Barbara Goulden, Herefordshire Barbara was introduced to SCD when she went to Darlington High School at the age of 11. Never liking sport, it became her PE subject and the centre of her social life, and subsequently the most important focus in her multi-talented life for 73 years. As a skilled pianist, she played in a Scottish dance band, led by Bernard Dixon. On her first evening at Leeds University she met Steve, her future husband. They danced at Windermere, then with the San Francisco Branch, where they danced in the demonstration team, and in Lafayette. In Paris they were in the Branch demonstration team. Most of their friends came from the dancing community. Back in Herefordshire, Barbara was Branch Chair for several years. They danced there, and in Cheltenham and Gloucester. She was a member of the Bristol Branch for the last years of her life. Cheryl Ayers
Robert Grant, Edinburgh Bob was brought up in Findochty near Buckie, his career as an architect bringing him to Edinburgh in the late 1950s. He soon joined the Branch Demonstration team and danced in ‘An Edinburgh Fancy’. He was also part of the team who won the inaugural Cussons Golden Heather Trophy. Bob was often selected by the Society to represent Scotland abroad. Bob took his teaching certificate in the 1970s and became a very well-known, popular and charismatic teacher, teaching for a few years at St Andrews. He was also in great demand all over the world. He went on to produce and choreograph ‘Strictly Scottish’ from 1993 to 1997, a show which was part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. He devised a number of dances. He was honoured by Edinburgh Branch and made an Honorary Vice-President. Elizabeth Harry, Edinburgh Branch
Andy Jones, Ayr Local musician, Andy Jones, played for Ayr Branch’s social dancing and for the Girvan class for many years; he also played for classes for new books and similar. Some will remember him playing with Colin McKechnie’s Band for summer dancing and Branch dances many, many years ago. More recently, during lockdown, he was a familiar face on Tunes in the Hoose. Wilma Brown, Ayr Branch
