AGM & Conference Weekend

Helen McGinley describes an eventful weekend in Perth.

The first weekend in November 2013 saw me, once again, stuff my ball gown into a carry-on bag and head for Perth to join over 500 other dancers for a packed three days of fun, fitness and friendship. Friday evening’ s dance, with Croydon & District Branch’ s programme of twenty dances and music from Susan MacFadyen ’ s Band, was a great way to begin catching up with old friends and making some new ones, although because of the size of the hall there were some folk I did not see until Saturday. Saturday morning offered a choice between a class led by Maureen Haynes and played for by Susan MacFadyen and the final of the ‘Dance Music for the Future ’ competition, which was won by young Danish-based band D.u.K.The International Branch lunch was well attended and combined a meeting with food, wine and good company. This was followed by the Society AGM itself, which went on for so long I was beginning to wonder whether I’d ever find out if I’d been elected to Membership Services. Eventually it was announced that I had been, so I am very grateful to all the delegates who voted for me. A summary of the meeting is, as always, available on the website.

After a quick dinner and an even quicker change of clothes, we returned to Bell’ s Sports Centre for a Civic Reception and the Ball. The programme this evening, also twenty dances, was by Winnipeg Branch and Alastair Wood’ s Band provided the music. The atmosphere was super and even the fact that no one in our set had ever encountered one of the strathspeys did not stop us dancing our socks off all night. The five of us in the B&B together once again

ChairmanJohn Wilkinson at the AGM

Scrolls of Honour 2013

L–RRuthBeattie, Irene Bennett, KeithBark, and Noeline O’Connor

At the AGM, Scrolls of Honour were presented to Keith Bark (Toronto), Ruth Beattie (Glasgow), Irene Bennett (Membership Services Committee) and Noeline O’Connor (New Zealand) – congratulations to all. Sadly, one Scroll was unable to be presented, to Ann Dix (Berks/Hants/Surrey Border), who passed away the day before the AGM. However, Ann ’ s Scroll was delivered to her sons so that it could be displayed at her funeral service.

unwound with a bottle of wine and a chat before bed. Sunday morning began with a brief meeting for members of the committees, which was followed by a Youth Forum and a class. George Meikle played for the latter, which was taught by Janet Johnston with her usual good humour and sense of fun. I picked up some teaching tips as well as learning new dances and rediscovering La Tempête, which I hadn ’t danced since I was a student. The next Conference Weekend will be held 7–9 November 2014, again in Perth. I look forward to seeing you there.