CLASSES
The Society runs classes for dancers at three different levels. On Tuesday evenings the elementary / improvers class meets, on Wednesdays there is a general class open to all who want to improve their proficiency of steps and figures and on Thursdays, the class is aimed at preparing dancers for forthcoming demonstrations. All the classes are held in the lower hall of St Andrews United Reform Church, Reading from 8.00pm till 10pm
Burns Night
In January each year, the society celebrates Burns Night on the closest Wednesday to the 26th. We have a Social Dance evening with the traditional Burns Supper halfway through the evening with the Haggis having been piped.
BALL
In February each year, the Society organises a Ball in a large hall in Reading. It is decorated beautifully and a band is invited to come and play for the evening. Dinner is served half way through the programme, and should you not be sure whether you are able to come, maybe the delicious array of puddings will tempt you to the Ball.
AGM
The AGM is held each year on a Wednesday in March and is chaired by Miss Mary Nance the Elder's Representative of St Andrews United Reformed Church. All members no matter whether they usually dance on a Tuesday or Thursday evening are encouraged to come along to join the dancing before and after the AGM. As an added incentive, there is no charge! It is likely that nominations will be required for new members of the Committee. A current Committee member or a notice on the board in the hall will provide more information.
CEILIDH
The ceilidh is usually held in April each year. It is an informal evening and an ideal opportunity for both dancers and non-dancers to enjoy a night out together. So bring along all those spouses, children, friends and work colleagues who wonder what we get up to at St Andrews and it’ll be a great opportunity to show them!
The MC for the evening tailors the programme to suit the abilities of those who turn up. Interspersed between the dances will be 3 or 4 musical items for your further entertainment. In the last few years both the Elementary / Improvers class and the Demonstration team have shown us their latest skills on the dance floor.
BARBEQUE
In July, one of the Society members allows us to use their garden for a barbeque. All members and their families are invited to come and enjoy a relaxed evening of BBQing and dancing on the lawn. You will need to bring something to drink and your own food to barbecue but salads, rolls, coffee and cakes are provided by the Society. Something to sit on would also be an advantage.
AFTERNOON SCHOOL
Each year in November the Society holds an Afternoon School followed by an informal dance. We always ask a guest teacher and musician to come and teach and play for us. Sometimes they are local to Reading but on occasion they have travelled down from Scotland. It is always fun to learn new things from a different teacher and to have live music to dance to. A ploughman’s supper is provided after the school for those who stay on for the dance. The programme is made up of favourite dances along with a couple chosen by the teacher and great fun is had by all.
READING ST ANDREWS DANCERS / DEM TEAM
The demonstration team have a busy time throughout the year dancing mainly at Country Shows, Village Fetes and Festivals and Burn's Night Suppers.
If any organisation or event that you are connected with would like the team to perform for them, please phone Sara Ribbins to discuss the details.
OTHER CLUBS' EVENTS
All the local Branches and clubs around Reading hold similar events to us, so don’t forget to find out when they are and go and join in the fun.
ROYAL SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE SOCIETY SUMMER SCHOOL AT ST ANDREWS
Every year the RSCDS holds a Summer School at St Andrews University over a four-week period in July and August. It is open to all members of the RSCDS over the age of 16 and people come from all over the world to participate.
You can attend for either one or two weeks, living either in a University Hall of Residence or in accommodation around the town. A choice of classes is offered, so there should be one to suit everyone. The Introductory course is also open to non-members and concentrates on basic steps and simple dances. Other classes include Intermediate, Advanced, Very Advanced and a class for Fully Certified Teachers. Whichever class you attend, they start promptly at 9.30 and by 10.45 you are certainly ready for a cup of coffee in one of St Andrews' many coffee houses. Much refreshed, you head off to your second class of the morning, which might be more country dancing, or could be Ladies Step or Highland.
By lunchtime you are pleased for a rest! The afternoon is yours to do what you like in - walk round the ruins of the Cathedral, visit some of the charming little fishing villages along the East Neuk of Fife or simply put your feet up. In the evenings, social dancing is organised in one of the many University halls. On one evening, the dance is held in the Younger Hall, which has a wonderful sprung floor. It's amazing how your feet keep dancing to the superb music, even when they keep telling you they are tired!
If you are thinking of going you will have great fun. You need to obtain an application form from the Secretary and return it with a deposit by 1st March.
ROYAL SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE SOCIETY WINTER SCHOOL AT PITLOCHRY
Each year the RSCDS holds a Winter School, based in the Atholl Palace Hotel in Pitlochry. For six days in late February, the students attend two graded Scottish Country Dance classes every morning, optional Highland and Ceilidh classes in the afternoon and social dancing in the evening. The highlight of their stay is a dance in the spectacular Ballroom at Blair Castle, dancing to the music of one of the best dance bands in the country.
More details, including application forms, are available from the Secretary. Completed forms should be submitted to RSCDS Headquarters before 30th September.
SHOES
Need new shoes? Members of the Society have bought them from:
Munro Competition Shoes - 01444 456807 for leaflets and prices
James Senior of St Andrews - 01334 473355 / sales@jamessenior co.uk
SNDC (Scottish National Dance Company), 1 Lakeside, Earley - 0118 966 6006.
The Reel Quality Dance Supplies, 26 Limefield, Edinburgh EH17 8PF - 0131 620 3119 / sales@the-reel.co.uk / www.the-reel.co.uk