Review: An Afternoon of Historical RSCDS Dances

A special celebration of our Dance Scottish history

Following the very successful Early Wellington Dances afternoon in 2023 to celebrate the RSCDS Centenary, the Wellington Region organised a special afternoon of Historical RSCDS Dances for intermediate dancers and above on Saturday 27 April 2024.

Close on 40 dancers from around the Region and Manawatū along with two visitors from Canberra, gathered in the St John’s Anglican Church Hall in Johnsonville, eager to try out dances not commonly done nowadays.

Wellington Region President and Johnsonville tutor Rod Downey selected and taught the dances. To add to this special afternoon, Lynne Scott and Sam Berkahn provided the music. We also welcomed Edith Campbell who had suggested having this afternoon of older dances.

Find out more about this special afternoon of dances and music in Loralee’s review

Making sure you’re on the ‘correct’ side of the set in Lady Macintosh’s Rant

See more about the history of the dances, music and formations in Rod’s notes

Click here to see the smiles in all of Loralee’s photos and download if you wish

Wellington Region Hogmanay 2023

Just under seven sets of dancers welcomed in the New Year at the 2023 Wellington Region Hogmanay at Crofton Downs School on 31 December 2023. Thanks so much to Chris Totton and Anna Verheagh for organising this significant event on the Scottish Country Dancing calendar, preparing the excellent programme and MC’ing the evening.

It was wonderful to welcome Edith Campbell who came with her daughter Fiona and her husband from Scotland, adding an international touch to this successful event.

The crowd danced the night away to lively music from Iain Matcham on fiddle and Jean Malcolm on keyboard. Thanks also to Janice Henson for representing the Region President, John Gregory as the First Foot and Joy Tracey for the photos.

See the photos in the gallery below

Wellington Region Hogmanay 2023 Photos: Joy Tracey
1001 Hogmanay 2023 Anna, Iain & Jean

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New Dancers’ Celebration 2023

At the 2023 Wellington Region New Dancers’ Celebration, more than 80 dancers, including 30 newer dancers, took to the floor on 7 October in the Wairarapa College Hall in Masterton.

Hosted by Carterton Club, with former Wellington Region President Elaine Laidlaw as MC, the evening was full of smiles and laughter as the more experienced dancers helped the newer ones enjoy the programme of relatively well-known and easier dances with a scattering of those we’ve not encountered as often.

See more about this festive celebration

Take a look at the photos in the gallery below