From Banff to Norway
Anne McArthur writes about an initiative to promote SCD among the children of Banffshire that produced some surprising results. RSCDS (Banffshire Branch) likes to push back its boundaries. In 2004, the Branch published its first book of dances to commemorate its 75th anniversary. In 2006, it launched its successful CD A’ the best fae Banffshire to complement the book. In 2008 the Branch turned its attention to teaching in local primary schools. In partnership with Active Primary Schools, the Branch prepared a proposal to teach dancing to primary pupils in the Banff Primary Schools Network – 8 schools, 56 classes, children aged 5-12. Funding was secured from the local Community Development Group and Banffshire Branch provided the teachers. The project was implemented between January and June 2008. Every child: primary one-primary seven had the opportunity of four 45 minute sessions of dancing. Some children loved the experience, their eyes lit up, their smiles told it all while a few tolerated it with hands in their pockets and shoulders slouched. Primaries one–three skipped and slip stepped their way through The Flying Scotsman, Virginia Reel, A Reel for Jeannie and of course Prince of Orange. There was a lot of enthusiasm and plenty of energy among the children. They listened well, aided and abetted by teachers and auxiliaries. Primaries four and five were gems. They made a real attempt at the steps, the formations and the dances. Be it Gay Gordons, Strip the Willow or The Flying Scotsman, there was a great relationship between the dancers, the music and the teachers. In one school those in wheel chairs were pushed around the room to the music and joined in with some of the dances. Yes, it is possible. Some of the primary sixes and sevens were really excited and anxious to learn, but some didn't want to dance. And then there were the challenges. Some classes liked to choose their own
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Portsoy Primary School dancers on stage at the Skude Festival in Norway. partner, other classes didn’t and had to be lined up to take pot luck. Occasionally boys would only dance with boys and girls with girls with never the twain meeting. Hands? You might hold sleeves; you might hold wrists; you might even link arms; you might just dance round each other but you just don’t hold hands. Pupils’ attire caused issues. Black gym shoes with velcro don’t really work, they open and trip you up.
Sightseeing in Skudeneshavn. Trainers make you sound like an elephant. Fashionable long trousers that trail on the ground make you slip. Oh for a pair of pumps and a skirt or shorts. The next step was to organise continuous professional development sessions for teachers and support staff. The evaluations were positive although the participants said the dance teacher didn’t give them enough rests.
The Scottish Traditional Boat Festival in Portsoy, Banffshire, now in its seventeenth year, has music and dance as a key feature. This year the children involved in the project were invited to bring along a parent or grandparent to a family ceilidh, where the adults were invited to participate with the children in country and ceilidh dancing. A happy afternoon was had by all. The ‘icing on the cake’ came out of the blue when the organisers of the Skude Festival in Norway invited a team of dancers to perform at their annual festival in Skudeneshavn in July. There was strong competition from the six/seven class at Portsoy Primary School for the team places. Funding was provided by the Banff and Buchan Arts Forum, Banffshire Branch and local businesses, including Soy Kilts who provided matching tartan skirts. The children did some fundraising themselves. Dressed in Oakleigh tartan skirts and black t-shirts the girls danced a selection of Scottish country and ceilidh dances at different venues over the three day festival. They gave an improptu performance for local television, and on another occasion guided some Norwegian children through The Flying Scotsman, Virginia Reel and Prince of Orange with some mouth music from the dance teacher. The whole project has been fruitful. The feedback has been very positive. Children want to continue dancing, teachers and auxiliaries are asking about classes. There is life in one of your oldest Branches yet as it nears its 80th anniversary.
