2017-2018 Main events to look forward to –
SEPTEMBER 2017 – all classes resume!
Invitation to Belfast Benevolent Society of St Andrew 150th Anniversary Scottish Ceilidh/Supper Friday 15th September 2017.Shandon Park Golf Club 7.00 for 7.30 pm £15.00 – in aid of Autism NI
OCTOBER – Belfast City Council Ageing Positively month. We feature In the BCC brochure and hope to encourage new members through this – so are offering taster sessions in all classes for a special price of £3 during October.
NOVEMBER – our Branch’s “Bring a family member/friend for free” – bring along a friend or family member for a free session to try SCD – hopefully they will learn why we all love our classes and want to join in!
DECEMBER – our annual St Andrews Dance will take place on Saturday, 2 December 2017 at St Nicholas’ Parish Hall, Cadogan Park, Belfast when we look forward to dancing again to the David Oswald Band.
Tickets from your class representatives. £20 members; £25 non-members.
Read the thoughts of a branch member about our St Andrew’s Dance.
JANUARY 2018 – “A” class are again organising their very enjoyable Burns Evening on Saturday 27th January 2018 in Knockbreda at 7.30 p.m.
“A” class Burns Evening information
MARCH
Ballylesson Ruby Anniversary Dance, 9 March, Knockbreda Parish Church Hall. For ticket details, see Ballylesson Dance
Bloomfield Class invite you to their popular St Patrick’s Ceilidh on 19th March in St Johns Church Hall, Castlereagh Road, Belfast.
Family Ceilidh, Saturday 24 March, 11 am and 1.30 pm, Wandsworth Community Centre, Belfast
Dancing is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to exercise in a fun and sociable way. It has been shown to have many benefits for both physical and mental well-being, and can be enjoyed by young and old.
As part of the “Get Creative” festival, we are hosting a Family Ceilidh on Saturday 24 March. There will be 2 sessions, one at 11 am and another at 1.30 pm in Wandsworth Community Centre (Belmont Church Road, Belfast, BT4 3FF). Lunch will be provided for all participants.
The dances will be called by Lucy Mulholland, a local teacher with lots of experience at putting dancers of all abilities through their paces.
This will be suitable for all ages, so bring your children, and your friends, or just yourself, and get ready to clap your hands and stamp your feet and have lots of laughs.
Flat, flexible footwear recommended.
To book a place contact Alison on 07903674698.
#GetCreative
#DanceScottish
#FunFitnessFriendship
Get Creative Festival 17-25 March 2018 at various venues throughout Northern Ireland. Find out more here.
End of season parties to enjoy are listed below!
10 April – Whitehouse
12 April – Dundela (party begins at 7.30 pm)
17 April – Lisburn
21 April – ‘A’ class
Desertcreat warmly invite everyone to their afternoon Tea Dance on 14 April.
MAY – Weekend School 4th/5th May 2018. Coleraine. Teachers: John and Ruby Wilkinson. Music by Risin’ Stour and The Alastair Scott Band. Friday night Ceilidh. Saturday classes and Evening Dance.
Weekend school application form.
Weekend school Saturday evening dance programme.
Weekend school Saturday evening dance crib sheet.
Find out here what to expect at a weekend school.
SUMMER DANCES 2018
Dates for our summer dances which will be held in Knockbreda Parish Church hall starting at 8pm are:
Wednesday 6th June
Wednesday 4th July
Wednesday 8th August
PAST EVENTS
Summer dances were again well supported and great fun. They were held on 7th June ; 5th July and 9th August in Knockbreda Parish Church at 8.00 p.m.
Bloomfield Class St Patrick’s Night Ceilidh, St John’s Church of Ireland Hall, Castlereagh Road, Belfast. Monday 20th March 2017 8.00 p.m. £6. Music: Alastair Scott Ceilidh Band
Desertcreat Tea Dance Saturday 8th April 2.00 – 4.30 p.m. in Desertcreat Church Hall. Dance to the music of Alastair Scott Ceilidh band. contact: ruthclarke@gmx.co.uk
Dublin SCD Club Annual Dance 13th May 2017 Taney Parish Hall 7.30 p.m. Programme: Annual Dance 2017 Instructions for dance: perth-city-charter1
Burns Supper and Dance run by “A” class, Saturday 28th January 2017 7.30 p.m. Knockbreda Parish Church Hall, Purdy’s Lane Belfast another great evening enjoyed by all – thank you to Lucy and “AA” class.
burns-night-28-01-17-dance-cribs
70th Anniversary St Andrews Ball on Friday 2nd December in the recently refurbished Queens Hall Newtownards. Buffet supper and dancing to Marian Anderson and her Scottish Country Dance Band. 2016-12-02-70-anniversary-st-andrews-ball-crib
Grand Gala Evening on Saturday 3rd December. We are delighted to have been able to book the splendid Titanic Suite, the only 5 star venue in Northern Ireland, to mark this grand occasion with a reception, dinner and evening of entertainment and celebration. At this event we also officially launched the 70th Anniversary Belfast Branch Book of Dances and CD with music arranged and recorded by Marian and her band who provided music throughout the evening. There was also an opportunity to see some of the dances from the book being danced by local dancers.
Application form with details here appl-dec-events-2016-pp-1-2
Helens Bay class held a 70th Anniversary Harvest Supper Dance on Thursday 13th October, in St Johns Church Hall, Fort Road, Helens Bay, BT19 1LA We all had a great night celebrating our 70th Anniversary with them, with lively dancing and some great apple pies and refreshments.
Teachers classes to learn the new RSCDS Book 50 dances have been held and a very successful refresher course for all our teachers and some other experienced dancers was held on 24th September. Thanks to Lyn, Lucy and Evelyn who shared their tips and teaching techniques learned at this year’s summer school teachers’ class. Thank you also to Heather Cowan for coming over from Scotland to deliver an excellent Refresher Course which everyone enjoyed immensely, as well as being inspired and challenged to teach to the best possible standards. Everyone is rarin’ to go to continue to enjoy the new season and all the events lined up!
Summer dances were well attended each month- thank you to all our teachers who gave their summer break time to plan programmes, provide music and call dances
WEEKEND SCHOOL Friday 29/Saturday 30 April 2016 Once again this was held in beautiful Fermanagh to celebrate our 70th Anniversary with another weekend of dance in the Collegiate School, where we were made so welcome last year. The weekend commenced with a ceilidh on the Friday evening. The guest teacher for general and advanced classes on Saturday was Mervyn Short, visiting Northern Ireland for the first time. Mervyn’s teaching is in much demand across the world and at RSCDS summer schools in St Andrews. We were delighted to welcome him here and we now know why he is in such demand – excellent classes, thank you Mervyn. Evelyn Redmond kindly agreed to take the Saturday morning class for less experienced dancers giving expert tuition to help enjoy Scottish country dancing and enhance their dancing skills. Thank you too Evelyn – you coped admirably with the challenge of teaching “dancers” from zero experience upwards! On the Saturday evening there was a reception, dinner and social dance at which all dances were called. There was also some visuals kindly supplied by Patrick of the Branch’s YouTube dance through of some of the dances. Music throughout was provided by the David Oswald band, who have delighted us with their Scottish Dance music on many occasions. The Belmore Court hotel once again kindly provided special overnight rates for dancers. BELMORE COURT & MOTEL, Tempo Road, ENNISKILLEN, Co. Fermanagh, N. IRELAND, BT74 6HX. They looked after us really well and the accommodation and their hospitality was much enjoyed by many dancers. Tel: +44(0) 28 6632 6633 www.motel.co.uk Email: Info@motel.co.uk
We were pleased to welcome several new dancers from far and wide as well as friends from previous weekends to all enjoy dancing to the wonderful music of David Oswald’s band which was as ever in top form and inspired everyone to take the floor and keep on dancing! Pity it’s over – but roll on the next event!
ST PATRICK’S NIGHT CEILIDH Bloomfield Class 14th March 8.00 pm Live music – A great night of ceilidh and SCD enjoyed by all-comers! Well done Bloomfield – once again a fab fun evening.
SPRING FLING Malone Class 13th April 8.00 pm – A truly fun night of dance and delicious tea served in style. Thank you, Malone class!
ST VALENTINES DANCE – with a French theme! Tuesday 16th February – All welcome at Whitehouse class, St Johns Church Hall, Shore Road , Whitehouse Download programme – 2016.02.16 Valentines flyer Crib 2016.02.16 Whitehouse class St Valentines dance crib
CHILDREN’S DAY SCHOOL 5th March 2016. Download information : Childrens day school flyer 2016 2016 Childrens Day School info for Teachers / Parents CP4 Form for parents to complete with child’s details CP4 Childrens Day School registration form 2016 CP5 Form for parents to give consent for photographs CP5 Consent to photograph child form 2016 CP6 Form to request permission to take photographs CP6 Application to photo child form 2016 Safeguarding Policy + reporting forms: Belfast Branch RSCDS Safeguarding Policy & Procedures 2015
ANNUAL BURNS SUPPER AND DANCE Saturday 30th January 2016 at 7.30 p.m. Knockbreda Parish Church Hall, Purdys Lane, Belfast. This evening of Scottish dance and poetry of the Bard, combined with a traditional Burns supper of haggis, neeps and tatties kicked off our Branch’s year of celebrations of our 70th Anniversary. It was organised by our “A” class which is held weekly in Knockbreda on Saturday evenings. This Burns celebration evening is always enjoyed by dancers of all levels of experience and by those who have none! This year to celebrate our Anniversary with the support of partial funding from The Ulster-Scots Agency we were able to dance to the live music of Risin’ Stour – the popular local band offering great Scottish country dance music and enjoy the traditional supper, great music and entertainment and dancing. Fantastic evening to start the Anniversary celebrations!!
Download: BURNS’ SUPPER DANCE PROGRAMME Burns Supper dance crib 2016
St ANDREWS BALL 28th November 2015 St Nicholas Parish Church Hall, 1-3 Cadogan Park, Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 6HH (Hall is next to the Fire Station). another wonderful evening dancing to the music of Risin’ Stour
DOWNLOAD PROGRAMME Dance Programme 28.11.2015 St Andrew’s Ball
DOWNLOAD DANCE CRIB St Andrews Ball 28.11.2015 Dance crib inc Pele tower
WEDNESDAY 5th AUGUST 2015 at 8.00 p.m. Summer fun dance
Download Programme and crib sheet:
2015.08.05 Aug Summer Dance prog. Belfast Branch 2015.08.05 Branch dance crib
BRANCH SUMMER DANCING! Each summer we have a programme of dances – first Wednesday in each month June, July and August at 8.00 p.m. in Knockbreda Parish Church Hall, Purdy’s Lane, Belfast. Visitors are always very welcome. We are always keen to encourage new dancers to share in the fun of our dance so please do come along and join us, no matter how much experience you have of Scottish country dancing – or perhaps just because you have enjoyed a wedding ceilidh or have had no previous dancing but like the challenge of moving in time to good music! All are welcome – and if you discover you like it (as nearly everyone does) – we have classes to put you on the right tracks starting in September.
Download the July 15 dance Programme and/or crib
2015-07-01 Programme summer dance 2015-07-01 Minicrib summer dance
An excellent night was enjoyed by a good turn out of Belfast branch dancers and some visitors. Many thanks to Daphne Jones for preparing the evening’s programme, calling the dances and helping the less experienced through the dances, ably assisted in this by some of our members.
At the June dance the Branch was delighted to have dancing to the live music of Iain Carlisle and Risin’ Stour. All Branch dances are £4 for Branch members. We all enjoyed dancing to the music of Risin’ Stour, a local Scottish Country Dance Band whose great tempo and rhythm gave the dancers a real lift and along with Lucy’s encouragement all were determined to keep going right throughout the evening. Thanks to Iain Carlisle and his band and Lucy Mulholland for the excellent calling. As ever a welcome cuppa was provided ably organised and delivered by Helene and helpers.
Download June programme here 2015.06.03 June Summer Dance Belfast Branch
and the minicrib here 2015.06.03 Minicrib June Summer dance docx
Non Branch classes summer dances: Our friends in affiliated groups in Ballylesson and Comber re running their usual popular summer programme of Open Nights.
Ballylesson SCD Class will host weekly Friday evening dances 8.00- 10.00 pm starting Friday 7th May till 29th June.
Comber SCD Club Open Nights will run every Monday evening from 20 April at 8.00 pm in Andrews Memorial Hall, Comber.
Desertcreat SCD Class invites all dancers to Desertcreat Class Dances on Saturdays 20th June, and 25th July from 2.00 -4:00pm. in the Desertcreat WI Hall, cost £3. Details Ruth Clarke (855 68400, 07867305896 or email : ruthclarke@gmx.co.uk or Dorothy Eccles. All welcome
Past event programme : Desertcreat-tea-dance-june-2015
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Belfast Branch AGM, Wednesday 27 May 2015
- Dublin Scottish Country Dance Club held their annual dance on Saturday 16th May 2015 in Taney Parish Centre. Several Belfast branch members joined them and had a great evening dancing to the music of John and Judy Barnes. Dublin Secretary is Mrs Florence Halliday, email: scottish_dancing@eircom.netThe Dance Programme can be downloaded here: Programme DUBLIN 2015 and two dances written by Helen Beaney which are on the programme 40 Years Together ; Florrie’s Fancy
- EVENTS Weekend School and RSCDS Seminar – a great success by all reports! ———————————————————————————————————————————————————
Branch Weekend School and RSCDS Seminar “Getting to Know You – Better “, Enniskillen, 1-3 May 2015 This year we held our May Bank holiday weekend school from 1-3 May in a new venue in the beautiful Fermanagh lakelands area. In the afternoon prior to the weekend school starting one of our younger, newer teachers, Ruth Clarke, from County Tyrone gallantly took up the challenging task of introducing a large class of the young ladies of the school to Scottish Country Dancing, ably assisted by Evelyn Redmond, another teacher in the Branch. There was some fun and laughter and Ruth did a splendid job. THANK YOU, RUTH! Hopefully we will get more of these young people along to future classes. On the Friday evening there were over a hundred dancing at the Ceilidh, on Saturday morning classes for beginners and more advanced dancers were well attended and appreciated. Thanks go to the teachers Angela Young and Ruth Clarke for making these so interesting and enjoyable for all as well as challenging not only to the less experienced but also those who have been dancing a bit longer!. In the afternoon the optional class for very advanced dancers was thoroughly enjoyed and a good number of keen dancers rose to the challenge of mastering some more intricate dances and formations. THANK YOU ANGELA! Our feedback from the classes has been excellent. We were delighted to welcome once again as our guest teacher, Angela Young, whose skills as a dancer, teacher and musician were very much appreciated by all whom she taught. We were so pleased that she was accompanied by the talented pianist Graham Berry, her bag packer, bag carrier and charming husband! On the Saturday evening a Reception was hosted by the new Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and we were delighted to welcome the Chairman to our dinner also. Dancing to the music of David Oswald’s band with Derek Hamilton and Graham was as ever uplifting and kept us going to the very end. MC for the evening was Michael Clendinning, our immediate past chairman who kept things running smoothly along with our callers from the Branch teachers. To complete the weekend we hosted a seminar for RSCDS branches, affiliated groups and all those dancers interested in finding out more about the RSCDS and its role. There John Wilkinson was extremely informative and led some interesting discussions on the structure, functioning and role of the Society. THANKS GO TO EVERYONE who helped make this a weekend to remember.
Download the application and programme form : Application form: Weekend School 2015 (with programme). Download the social dance programme : Saturday 2nd May 2015 Social dance programme Download the social dance crib : Saturday social dance crib Day School, Roosendaal, Holland, Saturday, 28th March 2015. A number of Branch members took an Easyjet “Trip to the Netherlands” and had a great time attending this well organsied and very enjoyable event on Saturday 28th March., despite all sorts of delays for power cuts and weather, during which we saw more of Aldergrove and Schipol than planned! We have to add that Easyjet did compensate us with some coffee and sarnies to keep us going after some gallantly stood in long queues for vouchers!! It was, as promised was a fun-filled weekend, Lucy Mulholland, one of our teachers did a great job as guest teacher at Schiehallion, the Scottish Country Dance Club of Roosendaal Day school and social dance The excellent music provided by Marian Anderson and Max Kitchen was as ever uplifting and added another dimension to the whole event. All being well we all hope to be back again!
Dancers and non-dancers all enjoyed “A” Class Annual Burns Supper and Dance, Knockbreda Parish Church Hall, on Saturday 24 January 2015. This popular evening of Scottish dance and poetry of the Bard, combined with a traditional Burns supper of haggis, neeps and tatties was, as ever, very well attended. and Thanks go to Lucy for an interesting programme and calling of the dances, Mary, for the ticket administration and to all who took part and helped to make it a great success.
- St Andrews Ball, Saturday 29 November 2014, St Nicholas’ Church Hall 7 p.m.
This was another wonderful evening with super music provided by Risin’ Stour and a lovely programme of dances. During the evening the Branch presented Ruth and Ronnie with the RSCDS Branch award; Michael Clendinning with a SIlver Quaich to mark his excellent leadership as Chairman from 2011-2014 and Lucy Mulholland with a Scottish heather brooch to mark the publication of her dance “City of Belfast” in RSCDS Book48 . St Andrew’s Ball 29-11-14 Programme St Andrew’s Ball minicrib 29.11.14 Citation from Belfast Branch For Branch Award to Ruth and Ronnie Barnes RSCDS AGM, Perth, 7-9 November 2014 Belfast Branch were well represented with 19 members attending the AGM and dances. Patrick Brunskill, an AGM first-timer said: “The classes were very good, and I enjoyed putting into practice the points of finesse we’d covered in the morning during the evening dances.” At Saturday evening’s ball, Nicol McLaren’s Band had the delegates clapping and cheering for more, and were able to announce the good news of the arrival of a grand-daughter for John Campbell. Our best wishes go to all the family. TV Broadcast Belfast branch members participated in the BBC 2 NI series ‘The Gaitherin’ on 30th October.
Ralph Mclean joined the dancers and said “it was brilliant fun and great exercise”.
Summer Dance, Wednesday 13 August 2014 Ruth Clarke looked after this busy evening’s dancing, which had a great turnout from the proverbial aged 16-60+ In addition, a film crew was in attendance, carrying out some preliminary research which might culminate in a TV appearance for some of our dancers. 1 March 2014 RSCDS Belfast Branch Day School St Mark’s Church, Dundela, Holywood Road, Belfast Tutor: Angela Young Pianist: Graham Berry Evening Dance An evening dance was held at Knockbreda Parish Church Hall. Live music provided by Ian Muir and band. A crib for the country dances in the programme is available here, and was supplemented by waltzes and other ceilidh dances. 25th January 2014 “A” Class Annual Burns Night Dance and Supper [table “2” not found /]
Weekend School 3 – 4 May 2013 As in previous years Belfast Branch is hosting the popular Scottish Dancing weekend over the May Bank Holiday from 3-4 May 2013, based at Coleraine High School, Lodge Road, Coleraine BT52 1LZ The application form below provides the programme and details of how to get to the venue. Application form weekend school 2013-1 Cribsheets for Saturday Dance: Click below for the Minicrib for the Saturday Evening Dance on 4th May 2013 in Coleraine and for instructions for the dance The Jacaranda Tree devised by Betty Smith. Belfast Branch Weekend – Saturday Dance 04-05-13 MINICRIB The Jacaranda Tree Betty Smith 1986 Summer Dancing in the Belfast area Belfast Branch Summer Dances: Wednesdays 5th June, 3rd July and 7th August at 8.00 p.m. All dancers are welcome to come along and enjoy Social dancing on the first Wednesday of each month in June, July and August at 8.00 pm in Knockbreda Parish Church Hall, Purdy’s Lane, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT8 7AR Comber Scottish Country Dance Club (RSCDS Affiliated class) holds SCD Open Nights throughout April, May and June on Monday evenings at 8.00 p.m. in the Andrews Memorial Hall (except for 6th and 27th May when they are in the Presbyterian Church Hall, High Street, Comber) Ballylesson Country Dance Club (RSCDS Affiliated class) Open Nights are on Fridays throughout May and June at 8.00 p.m. in Holy Trinity Church Hall, Ballylesson Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT8 8LA The dance programme for the 2013 Burns Night held by “A” class is below Dance Programme Burns night St Andrew’s Ball 2012 : Music by Marian Anderson and her Band St Andrew’s Ball 2012 crib Autumn Day School 20th October 2012 Teacher: Margo Priestley (Edinburgh)
