On Saturday 11th May, after a pub lunch at the Chequers Inn on the canal at Ranby, fourteen dancers represented the Branch in the massed dances at the Association of Scottish Country Dance Societies’ 39th Annual Festival held at the Retford Oaks Academy hosted by the Derby Scottish Association and Burns Club. This year two of our dancers were joining us for the first time and they really enjoyed the four special practices we had, and the day itself.
Altogether there were around 200 dancers from the East Midlands and South Yorkshire all enjoying dancing to the music of Alan Ross and his Scottish Dance Band. The kilts, white dresses and sashes looked magnificent en masse. It was lovely to meet up with friends from other groups that we meet each year, all great fun.
There were five solo demonstration dances this year interspersed amongst the massed dance groups during the afternoon, and our Branch performed the Square Set Medley ‘The Rose of Glamis’ written by John Drewry to mark the 90th birthday of HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1990. (Glamis Castle was her childhood home). It was very well received!
Video: Roses of Glamis – ASCDS Festival 2019
In the evening, about 100+ of the most energetic dancers stayed on to a social dance, dancing to Alan Ross’s band again. It was a full-on day, and all very enjoyable. Next year is the 40th Festival, so plans are already in place to make it even more special.
Nottingham RSCDS 