The Archive

Alan Macpherson reports on recent acquisitions to the archive

The Society’s archive at Coates Crescent has undergone a major upgrade during the last year made possible by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The progress of the project has been reported regularly and there has been a heightened interest in the work of the archive from members. The bulk of the archive catalogue is now available online but members should know that it is a work in progress and like ‘painting the Forth Bridge’ it will never be truly complete as donations and deposits are happening all the time. These new items have to be examined, recorded and catalogued and this, of course, all takes time, and so by the time one acquisition has been completed there is always another batch occupying the “to do” shelves. As an example of this, I have noted some of the more substantial accessions from the last year on which we are currently working. William Hamilton Legacy comprising the late Bill Hamilton’s large collection of recorded music and several very detailed photo diaries which record Society activities abroad during the 1950s-60s. Dr. Alastair MacFadyen Legacy including diaries of teaching and examination tours, 1983 – 1993; research notes, correspondence and other material relating to the Lowe family; Francis Peacock, James Grahamsley-Atkinson; Thomas Murphy’s MS (1890) and W F Gilles. This includes various correspondence relating to ‘Dance With Your Soul’. Barry Priddey comprising 75 volumes of dance descriptions taking up some five metres of shelf space.. Morningside SCD Club has deposited their records covering a period of about 50 years. Other, smaller donations include a substantial number of gramophone records of Scottish music donated by various members; A shawl knitted by Miss Milligan; oral histories gathered as part of the Archive Development Project and a video Interview in 2014 with Dr A MacFadyen. I hope that, with the increased awareness of the archive through the development project, the membership will appreciate that the archive is more than just a room for file storage but very much a working part of the Society’s structure.”

N. I. & Scottish Seminar

At the Belfast Branch weekend and seminar in May, John Wilkinson, immediate past Chairman, Craig Houston of the Management Board and Helen McGinley of the Membership Services Committee led a question and answer session. They found that there was a great deal of confusion about what the Society does and how it functions. For example, many of those present were unaware that: a) branches were autonomous local associations b) most conceded that the current licence agreement is in need of review; c) many were unaware of the roles of The

Management Board and Committees; d) as a result of c), few knew that there were vacancies on the Management

Board and most committees. Craig and Helen gave detailed accounts of the work of the Board and the Membership Services Committee and both stressed the need for members to come forward to fill vacancies. Everyone present was asked to examine their own skill set and to consider whether this could be of benefit to the Society. The biggest confusion, however, surrounded an almost mythical understanding of the former Executive Council with a view that it had provided a better means of communication with the Branches and Branches have since lost the ability to be involved. There was also a suggestion that the decision to move to a Management Board was a somewhat arbitrary decision if not ‘on a whim’. Nothing could be further from the truth. The decision to recast the structure was the result of long discussions arising from changes in Scottish legislation and, in particular, the creation of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). As a result of those discussions, it became clear that our ‘Branches’ did not meet the technical definition of a Branch and if we continued down that route we would be required to produce combined accounts incorporating all of the branches, the tax position would be horrendous with different not for profit rules in many countries and all UK Branches and HQ would be liable for VAT on their combined revenues with resulting quarterly returns. That had to be avoided and, on legal advice, paid for largely personally by our President, Lord Mansfield, the current system of a Board and Committees was introduced with the relationship between Local Associations defined in Licence Agreements. The term ‘Branch’ was retained as an acceptable historical anomaly and the Branches continue to have a significant say in the Society through their AGM delegates.’ An explanation was then provided regarding the recent decision to become a company limited by guarantee (CLG). Most were not aware of the unlimited liability of Charity Trustees and did not appreciate fully what this could entail. That having been made clear, there was unanimous support for CLG. This led to a discussion of proxy voting with some believing that this could see branches having a greater feeling of being in control of the decision making process - a return to the perceived glory days of the Executive Council. In summary, this was an enlightening session for most and it was felt that many more members would benefit from an explanation of the history and reasons for where we are and how we are. Compiled from reports, Editor