From the Chair

William Williamson

…share any new ideas for everyone’s benefit.

Enthusiasm, determination, sell-outs, fun, friendship, and new ideas are all words to describe what I am witnessing during this centenary year of the Royal Scottish Country Society. I hope that in 2023 we will continue to look ahead with the same optimism and vision that our founders had in 1923.

The Centenary Ball in Edinburgh in March was a very special occasion and the many other events organised locally and nationally have been a real joy to attend. It seems I have cut more cakes than King Charles this year! I also had the great pleasure of visiting the 90th Summer School in St Andrews where over 600 dancers, a large increase in numbers, met over four weeks to enjoy dancing, music and friendship. Gary Coull, Chair Elect, attended the Teachers Association of Canada’s 50th Summer School and the Winter School in Australia. Gary and I have been heartened by the sheer determination and enthusiasm that we have seen from members and staff across the organisation, with all keen to see Scottish country dancing and the RSCDS flourish into the future.

Following the worldwide Covid pandemic, we are proving to be a resilient organisation. Many branches and groups are reporting increased numbers in beginners’ classes and new ideas for additional social events such as ceilidhs, tea dances and joint activities are being organised. I hope that you will share any new ideas for everyone’s benefit.

I do not need to tell you that the world is a very different place from 1923, or even 1993, when dancing and communication was very much at a local level. Now with modern means of transport and communication, dancers are meeting regularly online or indeed in person whenever and wherever they wish to across the world. Although we are a global organisation, it is at the local, weekly class or dance that we are going to build the future for Scottish country dancing, and I want to express my sincere thanks to you all for the dedicated work you are doing in your local branch, group or in our office to ensure we build an organisation that will continue to be successful in the years to come. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Fiona Grant for her dedicated work as editor of the magazine and to welcome Marjorie McLaughlin to this role.

The great city of Glasgow, where it all began, is ready to welcome home the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society in November for the Autumn Gathering, and I hope to meet and dance with many of you then. The motto of Glasgow is ‘Let Glasgow Flourish’. Let us share this sentiment!