For the RSCDS New Zealand Branch Summer School 2023-2024, it was the turn of the Nelson/Marlborough Region to host us in Nelson—billed as the place for dancing, sun and friendship!
Catching up with old friends from around New Zealand and the world, together with making new friends, is one of the highlights of Summer School. On the first night of dancing, as the laughter and chatter echoed around the hall, I wondered what fun was in store for us at classes, evening functions and other social activities.
A Hogwarts fancy dress night set the scene for many amazing costumes, along with dances fitting the theme and lots of smiles and laughter. I managed to concoct a ‘Hedwig the Owl’ costume entirely from bits and pieces I found at home, with a mask template downloaded from the web.
Loralee dancing Slytherin House as Hedwig. Photo: Tim Cuff, Nelson Creative
Remarkably, I danced Slytherin House partnered by ‘Fluffy’, the three-headed dog (three dancers dancing as one). The rest of the set was very accommodating, particularly while dancing the Snake Pass!
Fluffy, the three-headed dog!The band—Ian Telfar, Jason Morris, Hilary Ferral and Aileen Logie—dressed up as characters from Hogwarts and played spooky, supernatural music to fit the theme, especially for Slytherin House.
At Hogmanay, it was a delight to see dancers enjoying the strathspey Feshiebridge, devised by long-time Wellington Region tutor Gary Morris. Other popular dances included the old favourite Glasgow Highlanders, and Scott Meikle with much joyful birling.
Enjoying birling in Scott Meikle!
Although morning classes cover the serious business of step practice, learning new formations and dancing together as a team, there are plenty of fun-filled moments. I enjoyed three mornings dancing with the Social Class tutored by Ann Oliver where there was an intense focus on learning about the intricacies of dances and the music, with Lynne Scott on the fiddle.
Ann wrote the dances of each day on a board as an aide-mémoire for us. Lo and behold … there were fine artists amongst us who drew cartoons representing each dance on the board! Resulting in lots of laughter and discussion as well as providing visual clues to help us remember the dances.
Our dances on Day Four of the Social Class provided plenty of inspiration for the cartoonists.
My joy of dancing is equalled by my love of our native bush and wildlife. On one afternoon excursion, a group of us went to the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary, a stunning haven for our unique biodiversity. How relaxing it was to stroll along the tracks through the bush and along Brook Stream in the fresh air; recuperation for our brains which had worked so hard at classes and evening functions, and for our sore legs.
Strolling along the tracks of the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary—a quite different activity to Scottish Country Dancing, but still providing the many benefits of fun, fitness and friendship.
Summer School ceilidhs are full of clever, entertaining items ranging from performances by musicians to recitations, to singing, along with (sometimes quite wild!) dancing. Superbly organised and MC’d by Ruth Budden, the Nelson ceilidh was no different.
Ruth was also the tutor of the Teacher Training Class, but somehow she found the time to teach some other Scottish Country Dancers some Rock and Roll moves. Well done all!
Ruth and Jenn, Su and Ian and Katherine and Andrew show off their fabulous costumes and rocking and rolling skills
At the ceilidh, a group of Wellingtonians including the 2024-2025 Summer School Organiser Ann Oliver and members of the Committee, danced Catch the Wind (devised by Romaine Butterfield) to welcome everyone to the next Summer School in Wellington. This dance ties in with the catch cry of the School—You’ll be blown away by a Wellington welcome!
Philip, Andrew, Margaret, Ann, Peter, Michele, Lee and Jeanette dancing Catch the Wind with Helen and Loralee ensuring the Wellington Summer School banner wasn’t blown away! Photo: From RSCDS New Zealand Branch video
In a nod to the ‘windy’ theme of the next Summer School in Wellington, the last dance on the Final Night was The Wind That Shakes the Barley.Watch this video from the RSCDS New Zealand Branch to see the joy of the dance. Hear the fabulous music from the band alongside musicians from the Summer School Musicians’ Class led by Lynne Scott! And hear the whoops of joy at the end!
Thanks so much to Doug Mills and Lynda Aitchison and their committee for organising the Nelson Summer School, and thanks to the tutors, musicians, MCs, gofers, makers of morning teas, drivers, photographers, videographers and others who helped make this such a fun and successful get-together.
I do recommend coming along to enjoy all the fun and friendship at the Wellington 2024-2025 Summer School. Find out more and register here
To celebrate the Centenary of the RSCDS over 130 people keen to dance and socialise filled the floor at the Lower North Island RSCDS Centenary Ball at the College Street School Hall in Palmerston North on Saturday 4 November.
The RSCDS Hawke’s Bay, Rangitikei and Wellington Regions combined to host this Tri-Region Ball to celebrate the role of the ‘fertile crescent’ from Hawke’s Bay to Whanganui through to Wellington as the well-spring of Scottish Country Dancing in New Zealand.
Morison’s Bush in the Wairarapa was the venue of the first Scottish Country Dance Balls ever held in New Zealand. The Foreword of The Morison’s Bush Collection says “For Country Dancers in the Wellington, Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay area it [Morison’s Bush] was for many years the centre of social life and dances there were not to be missed.”
The hall full of dancers at the North Island RSCDS Centenary Ball enjoying Morison’s Bush devised by Ken Shaw in 1954.
Stunning floral arrangements prepared by local dancers brightened up the entry to the hall where we were welcomed by Ian and Sue Pearson (Rangitikei Region). Inside the hall, more floral arrangements decorated the front of the stage and bunting provided by Johnsonville and Napier Clubs streamed overhead.
Portraits of the two co-founders of the RSCDS in 1923—Miss Jean Milligan and Mrs Ysobel Stewart—graced the wall behind the band.
A brace of unicorns by the stage attracted attention. How are unicorns connected to Scottish Country Dancing? The unicorn is Scotland’s national animal and represents Scotland in the British Coat of Arms. So the unicorns provided a link to our Scottish heritage.
Dancers from as far afield as Auckland, the Waikato and Invercargill, including RSCDS New Zealand Branch President Linda Glavin from Blenheim and President Elect Debbie Roxburgh from Whanganui, enjoyed the 19 dances on the programme.
Almost all New Zealand devisers who have had dances published by the RSCDS had one dance included in this programme (14 dances). The remaining five were well-known RSCDS dances including homages to Miss Jean Milligan and Mrs Ysobel Stewart.
Twenty-seven past and present tutors from the Lower North Island attended the Ball. Seventeen long-standing tutors were honoured by each briefing a dance at the occasion (the dances are noted below next to the briefer). Linda Glavin briefed Petronella. Debbie Roxburgh took on the task of overall MC’ing of the evening, including introducing each tutor.
From left: Melva Waite (The Reverend John MacFarlane), Maureen Robson (New Year Jig), Val Mitchell (Seton’s Ceilidh Band), Catherine Edwards (Balmoral Strathspey), Joy Tracey (The Meeting of the Waters), Chris Kelly (Best Set in the Hall), Catherine McCutcheon (Mildred Clancey’s Strathspey), Ann Oliver, Jeanette Watson (The Reel of the 51st), Ronni Cullen, Debbie Roxburgh (Morison’s Bush), Andrea Wells, Elaine Laidlaw (Gary Morris), Margaret Bailey-Allison (Oriel Strathspey), Philippa Pointon (A Gift from Heaven), Rod Downey (Dancing Spirit and The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh) , Diane Bradshaw (Miss Milligan’s Strathspey), Chris Totton, Elizabeth Ferguson (Mrs Stewart’s Jig), Edith Campbell (Catch the Wind), Michael Laidlaw, Dot Morgan, Elaine Lethbridge, Barbara Gill, Lyn Picone, Isabel Jackson (Pelorus Jack). (Nicole Trewavas was working in the kitchen).
Sharlene Penman (Christchurch), Anne-Marie Forsyth (Auckland) and Iain McKenzie (Queensland) with portraits of Miss Milligan and Mrs Stewart in the background.
Directed by Michael Laidlaw (Wellington Region), the Grand March was piped in by Nicole Trewavas (Rangitikei Region) who was also on the organising committee.
Piper Nicole Trewavas with a young learner from the Celtic Spirit Pipe Band (and one of the unicorns)
The front row of the Grand March included members of the organising committee—Jeanette Watson (Wellington Region), Mary Hawkes (Rangitikei Region), Michele Miller (Wellington Region), Rangitikei Region President Glenice Saunders, Wellington Region President Rod Downey and Hawke’s Bay Region President Isabel Jackson.
RSCDS Hawke’s Bay Region President Isabel Jackson, Wellington Region President Rod Downey, Rangitikei Region President Glenice Saunders, New Zealand President Linda Glavin
Following the Grand March, the dancing began with dancers filling the floor for New Year Jig.
New Year Jig devised by Maureen Robson.Oriel Strathspey devised by Ian Simmonds
A highlight of the evening was Wellington Region President Rod Downey presenting a Tribute to Edith Campbell in recognition of the generous giving of her time, teaching, creative and organisational skills to the Wellington Region over decades. Congratulations Edith and thank you for over 60 years of service to Scottish Country Dancing. See the full citation for her award
Rod Downey presenting Edith Campbell with her Wellington Region TributeGary Morris devised by Alec HayPrior to supper, Glenice, Rod and Isabel cut the celebratory RSCDS Centenary cake, to be enjoyed by all at supper.
The delicious spread (including plenty of options for the dietary-restricted) was organised and prepared by Nicole Trewavas and members of the Celtic Spirit Pipe Band as a fundraiser for the band. There was such an abundance of food, we enjoyed a second supper at the end of the evening.
After supper, dancing resumed for the second half of New Zealand devisers’ dances interspersed with old favourites.
Pelorus Jack devised by Barry SkeltonMildred Clancey’s Strathspey devised by Jennie Miller
This celebratory evening of dancing ended with the energetic The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh in memory of Her Majesty, our immediate past Patron.
Click on the arrows below the gallery to see an image for each of the 14 dances devised by New Zealanders.
New Year Jig devised by Maureen Robson
Morison’s Bush devised by Ken Shaw
The Meeting of the Waters devised by Iain Boyd
Oriel Strathspey devised by Ian Simmonds
Catch the Wind devised by Romaine Butterfield
Gary Morris devised by Alec Hay
Balmoral Strathspey devised by John Charles
Pelorus Jack devised by Barry Skelton
The Reverend John MacFarlane devised by Gary Morris
Dancing Spirit devised by Amy Luxton-Esler
Mildred Clancey’s Strathspey devised by Jennie Miller
Best Set in the Hall devised by Helen Greenwood
A Gift from Heaven devised by Norman Whitson
Seton’s Ceilidh Band devised by Bruce Fordyce
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As Rod commented at the end of the evening:
“It is not often the RSCDS has a Centenary, and I believe this has been a wonderful showcase of all the good things about Scottish Country Dancing. We have also celebrated the rich history of Scottish Country Dancing in New Zealand.”
Considerable work is needed to make sure an event like this is a success. Thanks so much to the Tri-Region committee for working together to organise this splendid celebration; the RSCDS New Zealand Branch for a grant to support the night, enabling us to have the wonderful Balmoral Band playing; Rod Downey and Iain Boyd for preparing extensive notes on the devisers and the dances selected for this evening.
Thanks also to the decorators of the hall including beautiful floral arrangements; all those who helped with the hall-set-up and packing-up; Debbie Roxburgh for MC’ing a somewhat non-standard night of dance; Michael Laidlaw for organising the Grand March; Nicole Trewavas for her piping and providing supper together with members from the Celtic Spirit Pipe Band; the briefers who entered the spirit of the occasion, especially as a number of dances were not well-known; Duncan, Mary and Alastair McDonald for equipment and technical expertise; Pat Reesby for videography; and Loralee Hyde for communications, timelines, posters, website stories and historical research, as well as her photography which provides a great record of this celebration.
And special thanks to all the dancers who supported the night, some coming a long way, but all entering the spirit to make the night a memorable occasion.
Below are stories of the devisers and dances on the programme for the Lower North Island RSCDS Centenary Ball on 4 November 2023, compiled by Iain Boyd and Rod Downey.
Almost all New Zealand devisers who have had dances published by the Society have one dance included in this programme.
Where available, photos/videos of the devisers/their dance/the subject of their dance are included (the majority of the photos/videos were taken in the Lower North Island), compiled by Loralee Hyde.
Download PDFs of the notes only (no photos or videos)
Maureen Robson is a well-known Wellington tutor who has served several roles in the Region. She has also taught nationally. New Year Jig was devised in 1995, as a means of teaching reels to a children’s class. It has been very popular in New Zealand for many years, but was not published by the RSCDS until 2017, in Book 51, which has the subtitle ‘Scottish Country Dances for Young and Less Experienced Dancers’.
The music was composed specially for Maureen by the late Peter Elmes, the first tune being Maureen Robson’s Jig. Maureen was the tutor of the Tawa Club for 38 years before retiring in November 2019. She published a collection of her dances (along with music composed by Peter Elmes) in ‘From North To South’ in 2019.
2019: At a special dance to pay tribute to Maureen Robson who retired after teaching the Tawa Club for 38 years, Maureen and Iain Boyd dance The King of Spain’s Daughter, a dance devised by Iain for Maureen. Photo: John Patterson
Morison’s Bush (3C – 40 – R) Ken Shaw Morison’s Bush
This is probably the first dance devised in New Zealand and certainly the earliest dance in this programme. Morison’s Bush was devised in 1954 and the instructions published in the same year in the first issue of ‘The New Zealand Scottish Country Dancer’. The original tune was composed by Charlie Jemmett, a leading musician in the early years of dancing in New Zealand.
Ken Shaw was President of the Whakatane Club. For many years, Morison’s Bush was for country dancers in the Wellington, Wairarapa, and Hawke’s Bay the centre of social life and dances there were not to be missed. Morison’s Bush was the site of the first Scottish Country Dance Ball in New Zealand.
Original Committee Members of the Wellington/Hawke’s Bay Association. Back Row from left: W McPherson (Vice President); H Dodd, A Douglas, Bruce Fordyce, Ken Shaw, Maurie Colbourne. Seated: Shirley Childs (Secretary-Treasurer), Marion Cunningham (first editor of the ‘NZ Dancer’), Jack Seton (President), P Lynds, Nora Sharp. Photograph taken at the second dance at Morison’s Bush. Photo: The Morison’s Bush Collection
Bruce Fordyce (Back row, fourth from the left in the above photo) devised the dance Seton’s Ceilidh Band (which is on the Ball programme) to commemorate Jack Seton (Front row, centre), who was the original President of the Wellington/Hawke’s Bay Association.
1953: The second Morison’s Bush Ball. Photo: Supplied by the Fordyce familyDancing at a Morison’s Bush Ball. Photo: Supplied by the Fordyce family
Miss Milligan’s Strathspey (3C – 32 – S) RSCDS Leaflet
What needs to be said? Miss Jean Milligan is the most famous name in the RSCDS. She was one of the two co-founders of the Society in 1923. Dr Milligan was the central force promoting Scottish Country Dancing worldwide. She made a three-week visit to New Zealand in 1974. Miss Milligan’s Strathspey was devised by an RSCDS committee and has a very nice lead tune.
1927: Co-founders of the RSCDS, Jean Milligan and Ysobel Stewart, outside University Hall, St Andrews. Photo: RSCDS Archives1962: Miss Milligan with Gary Morris (his dance The Reverend John MacFarlane is on the Ball programme). Photo: RSCDS New Zealand Archives2021: Dancing Miss Milligan’s Strathspey at Ngaio Club’s 50th Anniversary Photo: John Patterson
Mrs Stewart’s Jig (3C – 32 – J) 35/1
Mrs Ysobel Stewart of Fasnacloich was the other co-founder of the RSCDS. She had the idea of forming a group to promote our pastime and served as Secretary for 10 years before moving to South Africa, where she continued to work supporting the society. Again, Mrs Stewart’s Jig was devised by an RSCDS committee and has a strong lead tune.
1936: Ysobel Stewart (5th from the left) with a group outside University Hall, St Andrews. Photo: RSCDS Archives
The Meeting of the Waters (3C – 48 – R) Iain Boyd 53/15
Iain Boyd already had two RSCDS dances and this well-known dance was recommended by the Branch for inclusion in Book 53. Iain is a very well-known tutor in the Region and has taught classes throughout the world. Iain has many books of dances, as well as dances in various collections. They are widely danced internationally.
The Meeting of the Waters was devised to celebrate the 1964-65 New Zealand Summer School in Whanganui, the ‘River City’.
2023: Iain Boyd at the right dancing Kelburn’s Reel (The Morison’s Bush Collection) devised by long-time Wellington tutorBetty Redfearn, at the Early Wellington Dances occasion (part of the RSCDS Centenary events) in April. Photo: Loralee Hyde2023: Watch the RSCDS New Zealand Branch video of The Meeting of the Waters released with Dance 15 in RSCDS Book 53.
Oriel Strathspey (4C – 32 – S) Ian Simmonds 32/2
Ian Simmonds was the founding tutor of the Linden Club and taught there for 53 years. For many years Ian trained a demonstration team which supported nursing homes and hospitals in the local area. Peter Elmes was the long-standing musician for these demonstrations.
Oriel Strathspey was the second New Zealand devised dance accepted by the RSCDS for publication. The title refers to Peter Elmes’ home in Oriel Avenue. The demonstration practices and his Friday night classes were first held in the double garage below Peter’s home.
1990: Ian Simmonds, fourth from the left, dancing in a demonstration set at the Wellington Easter Weekend School. Other Wellington Region tutors in the set include Lynne Hudson (now Bay of Plenty), Noeline O’Connor, Iain Boyd and Margaret Bailey-Allison (now Southland).2015: Dancing Oriel Strathspey at the Johnsonville Tartan Night in September. Iain Boyd is dancing in the set at the far right. Photo: Loralee Hyde2019: Ian Simmonds (with Maureen Robson on his right) dancing Linden’s Diamond (which Ian devised for the occasion) at the Linden Club 60th Anniversary Photo: Loralee Hyde
Romaine Butterfield has four dances published by the RSCDS – the most of any New Zealand deviser. Catch the Wind is much loved worldwide. An excellent selection of tunes has been recorded by Peter Elmes, The Music Makars, and other bands. The original music (a set of ‘flirtation’ hornpipes) was included on an old recording by the late Elma Grech.
The title refers to Iain Boyd’s pursuit (for marriage) of local teacher, deviser, and later examiner, Noeline O’Connor.
Alec Hay was a highly original and prolific deviser of dances and formations, and has a dance in Book 28 For example, ‘set and link’, ‘half turn, hesitate and cast’, ‘set and shuttle’ and ‘set to corners and cast away’ (the Best Set In The Hall figure). He founded and taught at the Howick Club (Auckland) for many years.
This dance was devised for Gary Morris (tutor, deviser and examiner) and has the first occurrence of the formation now called ‘inverted double triangles’, later incorporated in the dance The Nurseryman.
1962/1963: Napier Summer School Glasgow Highlanders: Leading is Alec, son of Mrs Hay of Angus, with Nan Imrie on his right and Phyllis Gale to the left. Keekin’ over Alec’s shoulder is Douglas Jenkinson, and the man behind is Jack Seton. Margaret Laidlaw is clearly visible although her face is hidden by the arm of Phyllis. Photo: NZ Dancer 19631993: Gary Morris dancing Alec Hay’s dance Gary Morris at the 40th Anniversary of the Wellington-Hawke’s Bay Association in Napier. Photo: A History of Scottish Country Dancing in New Zealand, p151
Balmoral Strathspey (4C – 32 – S) John Charles 22/3
Balmoral Strathspey was the first dance from a Kiwi deviser adopted by the Society. Book 22 was the first book to include only modern dances. John (‘Jock’) Charles (from Kawerau, Bay of Plenty) was a Scot from Banff who arrived in New Zealand in 1953 aboard the government owned immigrant ship ‘James Cook’.
The Reel of the 51st Division was the first modern dance adopted by the RSCDS, under recommendation from Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II. Famously devised by prisoners of war.
2022: Watch Pat Reesby’s video of The Reel of the 51st Division taken on the lawn opposite Parliament Buildings on a warm summer evening of dancing (with the infamous Wellington wind blowing in the background!). At the left under the flowering pōhutukawa tree is the statue of Peter Fraser, New Zealand Prime Minister from 27 Mar 1940–13 Dec 1949.
Pelorus Jack (3C – 32 – J) Barry Skelton 41/1
Barry Skelton is another prolific New Zealand deviser with many excellent dances including Pelorus Jack from Book 45. The ‘dolphin reels’ were originally created by Barry Priddey and first used in his dance The Flight Of The Falcon.
Barry’s dance is much loved worldwide. Pelorus Jack was a famous Risso’s dolphin which once accompanied ships from Nelson to Wellington.
The Reverend John MacFarlane (4C – 32 – R) Gary Morris 37/1
Gary Morris was a tutor with the Ngaio Club in Wellington from 1983 to 1998, and became an RSCDS examiner.
The dance The Reverend John MacFarlanecommemorates the first Christian (Presbyterian) religious service held on the Petone foreshore on 23rd February 1840. John MacFarlane arrived in Wellington on the ’Bengal Merchant’ in 1840 with two shiploads of Scots. He returned to Scotland in Oct 1844 and settled at Inverary, Argyllshire.
2011: Gary Morris dancing A Ruby Squared devised by Melva Waite at Ngaio Club’s 40th Anniversary. Photo: Dame Margaret Sparrow2021: Dancing The Reverend John MacFarlane at the Ngaio Club 50th Anniversary Photo: Loralee Hyde2021: Gary Morris and Dame Margaret Sparrow (both Life Members of Ngaio Club) cutting the Ngaio 50th Anniversary cake. Photo: Loralee Hyde
Mildred Clancey’s Strathspey (4C – 32 – S) Jennie Miller A Touch of Gold
Jennie Miller is an Auckland deviser with a dance in the Society’s third Graded Book. She has devised many dances and published several collections of them. Many others have been published in the ‘Dance Devisers Day’ collections.
Mildred Clancey was secretary of the New Zealand Scottish Country Dance Society from 1956-67 and then secretary of the Branch from 1967-74, dying while in office. She arrived in New Zealand from Ireland in 1955 and taught at the Day’s Bay summer school (the second summer school) in 1956. Mildred taught at many summer schools. The inclusion of the ‘Glasgow Highlanders’ setting was suggested for the dance Mildred Clancey’s Strathspey after the deviser saw a picture of Mildred dancing this step.
1962/1963: At Napier Summer School New Zealand Scottish Country Dance Society. Seated, from left: Flora Thomson, Isa Seton, Jack Seton (N.I. Vice-president), Jean McPherson, Bill McPherson (President), Phyllis Gale (Past-president), Les Jack, Mildred Clancey (Secretary). Standing: Dr Thomson, Harry Bruce (Editor), Ed Wilkie, Bob Thomas (S.I. Vice-president), Douglas Jenkinson, Win Clancey.1967: Mildred Clancy at the right taking an Advanced Class at Nelson Labour Weekend School. Photo: Nelson Photo News2023: Watch Jeanette Watson’s video of Mildred Clancey’s Strathspey taken at Capital City Club, Wellington.
Best Set in the Hall (3C – 32 – J) Helen Greenwood 46/7
Helen Greenwood is an Auckland dancer and deviser, originally from Yorkshire. The central movement of ‘set to corners and cast away’ was first used by Alec Hay in his strathspey Peter White. Best Set in the Hall has become extremely popular both here and overseas.
Petronella is the first dance in the first book published in 1924 by the newly formed Society. Loved by children, and with a great tune, this dance was frequently ‘doubled’ with both first and second couples dancing the ‘diamond’ figure.
A Gift From Heaven (4C – 32 – S) Norman Whitson Harbour City
Norman Whitsonwas a long-time tutor of the Eastbourne Club. (Eastbourne was the site of the second Summer School in 1956 – after Napier). A Gift from Heaven was devised in the memory of his and his wife Coral’s daughter, Shona. The lead tune, The Girl with the Deep Brown Eyes, was composed and arranged for this dance by an early Wellington musician – Tom Barnes
The Harbour City, published in 1986, was the second collection of dances published by the Wellington Region, and, again, included dances from the Wellington to Whanganui crescent.
Seton’s Ceilidh Band (4C – 64 – J) Bruce Fordyce 53/12
Bruce Fordyce was a devisor and tutor from Hastings. He was one of the original committee members of the Wellington-Hawke’s Bay Association of Scottish Country Dance Clubs – the forerunner of the New Zealand Society and the New Zealand Branch. Jack Seton was the original President.
1993: Piper Bruce Fordyce leading the Grand March at the 40th Anniversary of the Wellington-Hawke’s Bay Association in Napier Photo: Supplied by the Fordyce family2002/2003: Mary and Bruce Fordyce with Loralee Hyde and Alastair Corps in the Grand March at the Christchurch Summer School President’s Ball. Photo: Supplied by Loralee Hyde
Seton’s Ceilidh Band commemorates Jack Seton whose band was based at Morison’s Bush near Greytown in the Wairarapa, New Zealand. Both Bruce and Jack were early giants of Scottish Country Dancing in New Zealand. They were the principal forces behind the early Summer Schools and the New Zealand Society.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh (3C – 40 – R) Allie Anderson / Florence Lesslie 39/7
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh was devised by Allie Anderson and Florence Lesslie in 1948 to celebrate the wedding of HRH Princess Elizabeth to HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. Miss Allie Anderson was a contemporary of Miss Milligan and a founder member of the RSCDS Edinburgh Branch. Professionally, she taught PE at James Gillespie’s High School, Edinburgh. She also co-authored A Complete Guide To Scottish Country Dancing with John Duthie.
Mrs Florence Lesslie was secretary of the Edinburgh Branch for many years. When she emigrated with her husband to New Zealand she was given special permission to examine teacher candidates by herself – the only person Miss Milligan gave this permission to. The first examinations were held at the beginning of 1965 at the end of the summer school in Whanganui. Mrs Lesslie had a significant impact on New Zealand dancing and assisted the New Zealand Society to become an RSCDS Branch. She was the first life member of the Branch.
1948: Miss Allie Anderson, John Robertson (composer of the tune The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh) and Mrs Florence D. Lesslie. Photo: RSCDS Dance Scottish Archives1968: RSCDS New Zealand Branch Council, from left standing: Doris Smith (South Canterbury), Bevin Shaw (Junior Committee Chairman), Edna Smith (Auckland), Anne Johnson (Wairarapa), Bill Jacob (Rangitikei), Peggy Hudson (Otago-Southland), Gary Morris (Wellington formerly Hastings), Mima Clanachan (Christchurch). Seated: Editor, Harry Bruce; Secretary-Treasurer, Mildred Clancey; N.I. Vice-President, Alan Russell; President, Phyllis Gale; S.I. Vice-President, Mary Ronnie; RSCDS Representative, Florence Lesslie.
This well-known dance has a great driving tune, and finishes the programme with a circle of friendship.
Amy Luxton-Esler (from Auckland) was one of the young dance devisers who submitted dances for consideration for Spring Fling 2015. The winning entries including Dancing Spirit were subsequently published by the Society in Book 50. Amy has served the New Zealand Branch as a member of the JAM (Junior Associate Members) Committee. She has also published three collections of her dances in her ‘Memories Are Made Of This’ series.
This year, 2023, is the Centenary of the founding of the RSCDS. It is also the 70th Anniversary of the formation of the Wellington-Hawke’s Bay Association in 1953. This was the first Scottish Country Dancing association in New Zealand, which later morphed into the RSCDS New Zealand Branch
See a ‘potted history’ of the Wellington-Hawke’s Bay Association and of organised Scottish Country Dancing in New Zealand from 1953-1978 in this copy of the Foreword to The Morison’s Bush Collection
In 1993, to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Wellington-Hawke’s Bay Association and the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the New Zealand Branch of the RSCDS, dancers gathered in Napier for a Jubilee Weekend from 8-10 October.
Grand March at the 40th Jubilee: Piper Bruce Fordyce. Front row from left: Nancy Baxter, Dorothy Claypole, Peg Hutchison (Wellington Region President for four years in the 1970s), Marion Cunningham, Wellington Region President Carol Smith, Hawkes Bay and East Coast Region President May Brooker, New Zealand Branch President Min Jaeger, Carine Mayhew
Below is a piece about the Jubilee celebrations from the organiser Carine Mayhew extracted from the New Zealand Scottish Country Dancer Volume 41, 1994 p17.
Happy celebrations
1993 was an important for Scottish Country Dancing in New Zealand—it was 40 years since the forming of the first Association of Scottish Country Dance CIubs.
In 1953 the Wellington-Hawkes Bay Association was formed from clubs in Wellington, Lower Hutt. Wallaceville, Hastings, and Whakatane, with affiliated clubs in Napier, Napier Boys’ High School and Paraparaumu.
Also it was the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the New Zealand Branch of the RSCDS. What better reasons could we have to celebrate? On the weekend of 8 to 10 October 1993, dancers from Hamilton to Christchurch gathered in Napier to do just that.
From the Friday night Social Get-together, arranged by Madge Laing, to the Sunday Combined Classes and final lunch everyone appeared to have a happy and enjoyable time. which was the Region‘s aim.
Some 120 dancers from 25 clubs attended. Classes were held on the Saturday with Dianne Murdoch taking the Intermediate Class and Gary Morris the Advanced Class, and on the Sunday morning each took a Combined Class. The fact that eight sets were on the floor at 9.00am to commence the first class was an indication of the enjoyment and enthusiasm.
Gary Morris dancing Alec Hay’s Gary Morris Jig from The Morison’s Bush Collection at the 40th Anniversary in Napier. Photo: A History of Scottish Country Dancing in New Zealand, p151
On the Saturday afternoon four sets of dancers from the Hawkes Bay and East Coast Region gave a display at the ‘Charity Tattoo in the Spirit of Hawkes Bay’ at McLean Park, which was organised and hosted by the Napier Caledonian Society and the Napier City Council.
The dances performed were The Reel of the Royal Scots, The Robertson Rant and the Thirty-two some Reel, which were well received.
However, the highlight was to have the special guests with us who were involved in the forming of the Wellington-Hawkes Bay Association 40 years ago.
These were Marion Cunningham of the then Wallaceville Club (now Upper Hutt), Bruce Fordyce of the Hastings Club, Nancy Baxter (founder of the Napier Club), and Jessie and Les Coe of Morison’s Bush, who arranged the first Scottish Country Dance Ball in New Zealand and hosted the ‘travellers’ at their farmhouse or the barn—wherever there was space to “put a body”!
Mary and Bruce Fordyce from Hastings with, in the front, Jessie and Les Coe and Shirley Doherty (nee Coe) from Morison’s Bush.
Maurice Colbourne, originally from the Hastings Club, was to have attended but unfortunately had to cancel at the last minute. We were delighted to have our New Zealand Branch President, Min Jaeger, with us for the weekend, and also Ian Seton from Tauranga, Jack Seton’s son.
Jack, who will be remembered by many, was the prime instigator of the original Association, and who will forget his enthusiasm and wonderful organising abilities. Alma Secker from Featherston was there too, as she was at the first Summer School which was held in Napier in 1953.
Alma Secker, Bruce Fordyce, Nancy Baxter, Ian Seton, Mary Fordyce
Our Guest Speaker at the Dinner on the Saturday night was Bruce Fordyce, who spoke vividly of those early days. May Brooker, President of the Hawkes Bay and East Coast Region, and Carol Smith, President of the Wellington Region, spoke on behalf of their respective Regions.
Bruce also piped for the Grand March, playing a tune called Dancing Years which he had composed especially for the gathering.
The evening was a happy affair, with the MC duties shared between Joy Tracey and Gary Morris, continuing the Wellington-Hawkes Bay theme. Our Anniversary cake, which was made and iced by local dancers VaI Darragh and Margaret Vas, was cut by Min after she had given a delightful speech.
Forty years may have rolled on, but the enthusiasm is still there, as commented on by our special guests. We have much for which to thank them. They introduced us to a wonderful interest and the opportunity of making lasting friendships. Long may we retain these happy associations!
Carine Mayhew 1993
Photos supplied by the Fordyce family, except where otherwise noted
Wellington-Hawke’s Bay Association 50th Anniversary Ball
in conjunction with
Wellington Region Weekend School: 25-27 April 2003
Formed in 1953, the Wellington-Hawke’s Bay Association was the first Scottish Country Dancing association in New Zealand. This association later morphed into the RSCDS New Zealand Branch
To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Wellington-Hawke’s Bay Association, dancers from around the country enjoyed an Anniversary Ball on Saturday 26 April 2003 in conjunction with a Wellington Region Anzac Weekend School at Onslow College.
With Carol Smith as convener (centre in the image below), the weekend school was promoted as:
The Place To Be in April 2003
Highlights of the 50th Anniversary Ball
A programme of well-known dances for all to enjoy
24 sets on the floor
Music from Peter Elmes((Tributes to Peter Elmes following his retirement from playing his accordion for 60 years in Wellington Region and throughout New Zealand, Harbour City Happenings, Volume 21 No. 3, December 2018)), Lynne Scott and John Smith
Floor show prepared by Ian Simmonds((Ian Simmonds retires after 52 years of teaching Linden Club, Harbour City Happenings, Volume 14, No. 2, July 2011))
The 50th Anniversary Ball Programme: Well-known dances for all to enjoy
Below is a piece about the 50th Anniversary Ball by Carol Smith, extracted from her article on the Wellington Region Anzac Weekend School published in Harbour City Happenings Vol 6, No. 3 July 2003, p4-5, with accompanying photos (photographer unknown).
“The Saturday evening function at Onslow College, the Anniversary Ball celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Wellington-Hawke’s Bay Association, was a superb night and it was a wonderful sight to see 24 sets on the floor with so little room between sets. Perhaps a little tight for dancing, but it gave a great atmosphere.”
“From the Grand March to the last dance the hall seemed to be buzzing and although a formal night was also great fun.
It was nice to be able to welcome the NZ Branch President Jenny Kuttel, the Region President Chris Kelly, along with many other Branch and Region executive members and make a special welcome to Bruce and Mary Fordyce. Bruce being the only member of the original Wellington-Hawke’s Bay committee still dancing.
The floor show prepared by Ian Simmonds was great entertainment and it was a delight to see a set of dancers enjoying themselves so much. Thank you Ian and the team for a great effort.
Peter Elmes, Lynne Scott and John Smith provided great music and it just seemed that the dancers and the band sparked off each other, responding to each others enthusiasm.
Janice Henson provided a lovely cake celebrating the 50th Anniversary. All in all a great night.”
The cutting of the cake was shared by Bruce Fordyce (one of the original committee members of the Wellington-Hawkes Bay Association), Peg Hutchison((Peg Hutchison Wellington Region President for four years in the 1970s; RSCDS New Zealand Branch President 1985-1986; RSCDS New Zealand Branch Life Member 1998)) and Gary Morris((Gary Morris Extract from Sociable Carefree Delightful A History of Scottish Country Dancing in New Zealand 1995 p150-151)) (long-time Region tutor and RSCDS examiner).
Lynne Scott, John Smith and Peter Elmes from the band are on the stage behind the group cutting the cake.
Highlights of the Anzac Weekend School: 25-27 April 2003
A digital copy of the 2003 Wellington Region Weekend School Brochure. Original printed brochure kindly supplied by Margaret Bailey-Allison
Intermediate/Elementary: Philippa Pointon, Wellington (Johnsonville Club President at the time)
New Dancers: Maureen Robson, Wellington
JAMS: Melva Waite, Wellington
Musicians
Special Guest Musician: Jennifer Foong, Sydney
Other Class Musicians: Merren Simmonds, Peter Elmes, John Smith, Gary and June Stratton
Fiddlers Class: Guest Teacher Cathy Fraser, Australia
Read about the fun of the dancing and social activities at the April 2003 Wellington Region Weekend School in this review by Ellen Bracefield (‘a weekend school novice’), Harbour City Happenings Vol 6, No. 2 May 2003, p3.
A weekend to remember!
Thank you to all those who contributed to the success of this celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Wellington-Hawke’s Bay Association and the Region Anzac Weekend School, particularly Convener Carol Smith and her committee of Eileen South, Shirley Kalogeropoulos, Ian Taylforth and John Gregory.
As Ellen said in her review of this celebration, “Anzac Weekend School in Wellington was the place to be in April 2003”.
1955: Summer Dancing in Percy Reserve, Wellington Evening Post Scottish Country Dancers at Percy Scenic Reserve, Korokoro, Lower Hutt. Evening post (Newspaper. 1865-2002) :Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post newspaper. Ref: EP/1955/2562-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22736027
Percy Scenic Reserve has a fascinating history, originally being the site of the Percy family’s mill, established in the 1840s. The family was one of the pioneer families of Petone, with Joseph Percy and (later wife) Anne Maria Welch arriving as settlers in the early 1840s.
Scene at Korokoro, circa 1860s, with Percy’s Britannia Flour Mill. Photographer unidentified. NatLib image
View from the Percy family property (later Percy Scenic Reserve) in Maungaraki, looking south down the Hutt Valley toward Petone, Somes Island and Wellington Harbour. In the left foreground is Percy’s flour mill. Photographer James Bragge, circa 1860s. NatLib image
1902: View of Lower Hutt looking due east from Percy’s Reserve. The edge of Ratanui Tennis Court is at the bottom right. Photo: Barclay Hector Upper Hutt City Library Heritage Collections
From early on, ‘the mill soon became a social hub hosting dances and events.’ Land nearby was later developed as a private garden, and in 1939 three of the Percys’ grandsons gifted the park and its special plant collections to the Crown ‘for the purposes of a scenic reserve’.
‘From the 1950s the reserve was regularly used for a variety of cultural events such as dances and performances.’ Scottish Country Dancing was one of the groups favoured by the Petone Borough Council in those years. (See Hutt City celebrations of Percy Reserve 70th anniversary)
Interestingly there is a family connection to Scottish Country Dancing through past Wellington dancer, Plimmerton Scottish Country Dance Club tutor and later Johnsonville member, Margaret Bailey (now Bailey-Allison).
Margaret tells me her 2x great-aunt was Anne Maria (Welch) Percy, wife of Joseph Percy, who was ‘the mother of all those Percys who didn’t marry, and who bequeathed the family land’. In New Zealand, you never have to look far for a family connection.
The Scottish Country Dancing connection with Percy Reserve began in the 1950s.
1955: A Scottish Country Dancing demonstration
Dancing at Percy Reserve seems to have begun with a Sunday afternoon demonstration in March 1955, at the request of the Petone Borough Council.
Fifty dancers from Wellington district took part, and the white frocks and tartan looked particularly attractive against the background of bush-clad hills. A light mist hanging round the tree-tops only increased the resemblance of the scene to thills of Home.
The NZ Scottish Country Dancer 1955, p 19
Amazingly it was performed before ‘some 700 spectators’, and followed on from a January demonstration on the lawn in the moon-lit Botanical Gardens.
The 1955 season was deemed to be ‘highly successful’ with these two public demonstrations having ‘given fresh impetus to Scottish Country Dancing in the District’. (The NZ Scottish Country Dancer 1955, pp 3,19)
1955-1956: Dancing under lights
By end of 1955, the Petone Borough Council had installed flood lights and a PA system, and offered the Reserve free to the Scottish Country Dance community to dance one evening a week throughout the summer.
Regular evening dancing started on 21 November 1955, broke for Christmas and resumed to coincide with the second New Zealand Summer School held 3-14 January 1956 at Wellesley College, Eastbourne.
On 12 January 1956 at this second summer school, the New Zealand Scottish Country Dance Society came into being, fulfilling ‘a recommendation made some 12 months earlier from the first Summer School’ [held 27 December 1954 to 7 January 1955 at the Boys’ High School, Napier]. (The NZ Scottish Country Dancer 1956, p 11)
What Jack Seton had to say
At that inaugural meeting, dancer and musician Jack Seton was elected the first President of the New Zealand Scottish Country Dance Society. He was also one of three teachers at the second Summer School, and was very excited about summer dancing at Percy Reserve.
Jack Seton MC’ing a Scottish Country Dance. Photo supplied by Ruary Laidlaw
In the Hastings Notes from Affiliated Clubs in the 1956 magazine, Jack writes enthusiastically:
Since I came to lovely New Zealand, I often wondered if I could ever capture the same thrill at a massed display [as he’d experienced at a demonstration at Holyrood Palace]. During the last Summer School, the class together with members of the Wellington and District clubs performed at Percy’s Reserve. The setting, plus the lighting which added colour to the contrast of tartan sashes and kilts against the green sward brought back the same happy feeling, a feeling which made me inwardly proud of the leaders of clubs who have brought our dances to such a high standard of perfection and a love for every member who gave of his best.
The NZ Scottish Country Dancer 1956, p 19
Percy’s becomes an institution
From the 1950s onwards summer dancing at Percy Reserve was part of the fabric of Scottish Country Dancing in Wellington. Some years were better than others weatherwise, with gatherings washed out on occasion.
In 1971 summer dancing was still going strong, with Lower Hutt Club writing:
This year we were very fortunate with the weather for all eight nights’ dancing at Percy’s Scenic Reserve. On the Hutt Club’s nights, approximately 10 sets turned out for dancing under the stars.
The NZ Scottish Country Dancer 1971, p 36
In 1972, Wellington Club reported that ‘on two of our allotted nights the grass was too wet to allow us to cavort’. But large numbers continued to enjoy dancing at Percy’s throughout the 1970s and into the 1980s.
An exciting development in the 1980s was live music at Percy’s Reserve. Peter Elmes’ notes include a dance programme for 26-1-82 at Percys Reserve and the 1984 Dancer magazine mentions live musicians playing at some of the Percy Reserve nights in 1983.
Little other mention was made in magazines during the 1980s or 1990s. Other events took priority, with summer dancing at Percy’s Reserve having become a normal part of the Wellington Scottish Country Dancing calendar.
Clubs might go into recess for the summer months, but warmer weather never seems to deter the Scottish Country Dancer. Outdoor dancing at Percy’s Reserve during January and February … keeps the fitness levels up until clubs recommence in early March.
The NZ Scottish Country Dancer 1995, p 35
The end of an era
After 1995, I can find no further mention of summer dancing at Percy Reserve in my collection of magazines, and come 1999:
In January/February, outdoor dancing was held at Riddiford Gardens in Lower Hutt – each night being hosted by a different club.
The NZ Scottish Country Dancer 2000, p 25
Summer dancing at Percy Reserve was a feature of Scottish Country Dancing in the Wellington Region for at least forty years – a mighty fine run indeed.
A personal note
Rod and I started dancing in 1991 and we have happy memories of dancing in Percy Reserve in the summer (despite being eaten alive by midges). It was a lot of fun, and we were still young, so dancing on the grass didn’t impact our feet the way it does these days.
Rod became tutor of Johnsonville in 1997 and can remember taking some nights at Percy Reserve in that role, so it would seem summer dancing was still going strong at Percy’s into the late 1990s.
Summer dancing had transferred to Riddiford Gardens in Lower Hutt by January 2000. Harbour City Happenings Vol 2 No.5 November 1999, p6
A unique experience of our Scottish Country Dancing history
A lively crowd of close to 60 dancers from clubs across the Wellington Region along with Auckland tutor Katharine Hoskyn and a visitor from the UK, gathered at St John’s Anglican Church Hall in Johnsonville on Saturday 29 April for an afternoon of trying out dances from our past.
As part of the RSCDS Centenary Events, this special occasion celebrated the role of the extended RSCDS Wellington Region as the well-spring of Scottish Country Dancing in New Zealand.
Over the afternoon, four long-time tutors from the Region—Iain Boyd, Romaine Butterfield, Edith Campbell and Elaine Laidlaw[1]—taught dances from the early days of Scottish Country Dancing in the lower North Island.
The tutors selected dances from The Morison’s Bush Collection (published in 1978 to mark the 25th Anniversary of the founding of the Wellington/Hawke’s Bay Association of Scottish Country Dance Clubs), The Harbour City Collection (published by the Wellington Region in 1986), Silver Threads (published for the RSCDS New Zealand Branch 25th Anniversary in 1993) and The Linden Collection (dances devised by Wellington Region tutor Ian Simmonds).
To set the scene, tartan bunting and historical photos decorated the walls of the hall along with posters containing brief summaries of the tutors’ contributions to Scottish Country Dancing and photos of them MC’ing noteworthy events in the Region.
Tartan bunting and historical posters and photos set the sceneThe hall at Morison’s Bush, thought to have been the Church of England Institute at Featherston Military Camp in 1916-1921. Moved to Morison’s Bush circa 1922. It burnt down on 14 Oct 1989. Photo: TH Daniell. Masterton District Council Archives
To add to this unique experience, The Cranberry Tarts—Aileen Logie and Hilary Ferral—provided music for the afternoon from the original tunes and arrangements used by Peter Elmes[2].
The Cranberry Tarts – Aileen Logie and Hilary Ferral
A sizeable number of tutors from clubs in the Region from Carterton in the Wairarapa to Waikanae on the Kāpiti Coast attended the event.
Wellington Region Tutors at the event: Iain Boyd, Melva Waite, Rod Downey, Edith Campbell, Diane Bradshaw, Romaine Butterfield, Jeanette Watson, Elaine Lethbridge, Elaine Laidlaw, Barbara Gill, Elizabeth Ferguson, Michael Laidlaw
Welcoming everyone to the occasion, event organiser Rod Downey explained the event was a celebration of the extended region as the ‘cradle of Scottish Country Dancing’ in New Zealand.[3]
He emphasised the stars of the afternoon were the old dances, with the stellar group being the well-regarded tutors.
Programme organiser Iain Boyd introduced the teacher for each dance, mentioning many of the dances have special music with arrangements by Peter Elmes.
We took to the floor for Elaine Laidlaw’s first dance, Mirth’s Welcome (The Morison’s Bush Collection), devised by her husband Michael Laidlaw[4] for Mirth Smallwood[5], a long-time tutor of Kelburn Club. Mirth went away to Rarotonga for a time and Michael took over teaching Kelburn during that period. He devised the dance for her return in June 1969, and also composed the music.
Elaine Laidlaw teaching Mirth’s Welcome (with videographer John Patterson at the rear)Dancers filled the hall for the first dance, Mirth’s Welcome
After a brief break to regain our breath, Edith Campbell taught her dance To Ane An’ A’ (The Harbour City Collection). She explained we celebrate the arrival of a new year at Hogmanay by singing the traditional Scottish song A Guid New Year (which she sang to us). She thought a celebratory dance was also needed, so devised To Ane An’ A’ as a Round-the-Room dance to encourage dancers to wish a good new year to ‘one and all’. Tom Barnes[6], a Wellington accordionist in the 1980s, arranged the music.
Edith Campbell singing us the traditional Scottish song A Guid New YearEnjoying the dance To Ane An’ A’
Iain Boyd took us through Under A Shady Tree (Silver Threads) devised by his wife, Wellington tutor Noeline O’Connor. This dance is connected to summer dancing in the past on the Puriri Lawn in Wellington Botanic Garden where a seat around a large puriri tree provided respite for the dancers from the sun. The music is traditional.
Ian Simmond’s[7]dance Percy Reserve (The Linden Collection) commemorates the many years summer dancing was held at Percy Scenic Reserve in Lower Hutt. Romaine Butterfield described how hordes of dancers met on the lawn near the duck pond on balmy summer nights. She said it was essential to “watch out for low-flying ducks” when dancing! Peter Elmes composed the tune Dancing on the Lawn.
Romaine Butterfield teaching Percy Reserve1955: Summer Dancing in Percy Reserve, Wellington Evening Post Scottish Country Dancers at Percy Scenic Reserve, Korokoro, Lower Hutt. Evening post (Newspaper. 1865-2002) :Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post newspaper. Ref: EP/1955/2562-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22736027Enjoying the dance Percy Reserve
After four energetic dances, people chatted about the programme being rather exhausting, both physically and mentally. Before tackling Govandale Reel, (a 48-bar jig!), Rod shared a brief pertinent comment from our distant past:
”It is perhaps significant that these dances, from completely different sources, all show a tendency which could be characteristic of dancing in our vigorous young country.”
1958 New Zealand Scottish Country Dancer, p6
The room erupted with laughter!
Govandale Reel (The Morison’s Bush Collection) was devised by Jim Lean, who played the records for many years at Lower Hutt Club. Edith gave us a brief history of Govan, a district on the River Clyde in Glasgow. Charlie Jemmett, a well-known accordionist from Christchurch, composed the music.
Following a well-earned break for afternoon tea, Romaine taught her dance Joy Be Wi’ You (The Morison’s Bush Collection), a 5-couple dance with marvellous traditional music. She hoped the “joy would be with us” throughout the dance. Indeed, plenty of smiles and laughter from the dancers lit up the floor.
Smiles and laughter while balancing in line in Joy Be Wi’ You
Elaine returned to the floor to teach Feshiebridge devised by long-time tutor Gary Morris[8] in Edinburgh in 1962. The beautiful Feshiebridge crosses the River Feshie in the Cairngorms, conveniently located near a distillery! Gary also composed the music which was recorded by Peter Elmes, John Smith and Lynne Scott on the Scottish Country Dancing CD Thistle Hall.
Feshiebridge in the Cairngorms. Photo: LovecairngormsLeading down the middle in Feshiebridge
Iain taught the last dance of the afternoon, Kelburn’s Reel (The Morison’s Bush Collection) devised by long-time tutor Betty Redfearn[9] for the 10th Anniversary of Kelburn Club in 1969. This cheerful and social Round-the-Room dance was a perfect ending to a superb afternoon of dancing, listening to Peter Elmes’ arrangements of tunes and socialising.
Iain Boyd teaching Kelburn’s Reel Dancing Kelburn’s Reel with Iain Boyd at the right
Considerable work is needed to make sure an event like this is a success. Thanks so much to Region President Rod Downey for organising the afternoon, Iain Boyd for organising the programme, Kristin Downey and the Johnsonville team for the hall decorations, Elaine Lethbridge for hall-setup and preparing the delicious afternoon tea, Kevin Lethbridge for hall-setup and on the door, Loralee Hyde for promotion, communications and photography, and John Patterson for videography.
Videographer John Patterson and photographer Loralee Hyde. Photo: Désirée Patterson
A special thank you to the four tutors, Iain Boyd, Romaine Butterfield, Edith Campbell and Elaine Laidlaw, for the time they took to select, research and teach their chosen dances. We very much appreciated their knowledge, expertise and insights into the Scottish Country Dancing history of our region.
Thank you also to the Cranberry Tarts, Aileen Logie and Hilary Ferral, for their marvellous playing, bringing back so many memories of Peter Elmes’ fine arrangements of tunes.
[2]Tributes to Peter Elmes following his retirement from playing his accordion for 60 years in Wellington Region and throughout New Zealand, Harbour City Happenings, Volume 21 No. 3, December 2018
[3]The Foreword of The Morison’s Bush Collection says “For Country Dancers in the Wellington, Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay area it [Morison’s Bush] was for many years the centre of social life and dances there were not to be missed.”
To celebrate the centenary of the RSCDS, The RSCDS Wellington, Hawke’s Bay and Rangitikei Regions have combined to host a Tri-Region Ball in Palmerston North.
5.30pm, Saturday 4 November 2023
College Street School Hall, Palmerston North Click here for a map to the venue Music by Balmoral Band – Anne-Marie Forsyth (Auckland), Sharlene Penman (Christchurch), Iain McKenzie (Queensland)
As well as celebrating the centenary of the RSCDS, the Ball is celebrating the role of the ‘fertile crescent’ from Hawke’s Bay to Whanganui through to Wellington.
In many ways, these three regions were the birthplace of Scottish Country Dancing in New Zealand. For instance, the first three New Zealand Summer Schools were held in these three regions.
The Lower North Island RSCDS Centenary Ball will:
Feature an international band (The Balmoral Band)
Begin at 5.30pm so people have time to commute to the Ball and return to Wellington/Hawke’s Bay/Whanganui if they wish
Have a piped Grand March
Have a celebratory catered supper
Have a programme which features dances from Kiwi devisers, and well-known Society dances
Online ticket sales are closed. For a ticket now please contact Jeanette Watson beauwat@xtra.co.nz . There may be a limited number of tickets available at the door, provided not sold out beforehand.
Story of the selected dances
Download the story of the selected dances (updated September 2023) compiled by Rod Downey and Iain Boyd. They will be expanded upon as the year progresses, after consultation with people who are even more aware of the history of Scottish Country Dancing in New Zealand.
Instructions for dances that are not well-known
Download the instructions for these dances on the programme:
Original Committee Members of the Wellington/Hawke’s Bay Association. Photo: The Morison’s Bush Collection
Bruce Fordyce (Back row, fourth from the left) devised the dance Seton’s Ceilidh Band which is on the Ball programme to commemorate Jack Seton (Front row, centre), who was the original President of the Wellington/Hawke’s Bay Association.
1.00pm-4.00pm, Saturday 29 April 2023 St John’s Anglican Church Hall, 18 Bassett Rd, JohnsonvilleClick here for a map to the venue Afternoon tea provided. Bring own water bottle. Doors open 12.30pm. Cost: $10 cash at the door.
As part of the RSCDS Centenary events, the Wellington Region has organised a very special occasion for intermediate dancers and above celebrating the role of the extended region as the well-spring of Scottish Country Dancing in New Zealand.
Iain Boyd, Romaine Butterfield, Edith Campbell and Elaine Laidlaw have chosen dances from the early days of Scottish Country Dancing in the lower North Island, based around Morison’s Bush Collection and The Harbour City Collection.
These well-regarded tutors from our region will teach the dances as part of the Society’s Centenary Celebrations.
To add to this unique experience, The Cranberry Tarts—Aileen Logie and Hilary Ferral—will provide music from the original tunes and arrangements used by Peter Elmes for both books.
Early Wellington Dances: Our Tutors for this Special Occasion
Iain Boyd
Iain has taught at classes and weekend schools in the Region and throughout New Zealand, including at New Zealand Branch Summer Schools, and across the world. Iain has many books of dances as well as dances in various collections which are widely danced internationally.
Iain has two dances published by the RSCDS: The Loch Ness Monster (2nd Graded Book) and TheTrysting Place (Book 35/6). His dance Wild Mountain Thyme is in The Morison’s Bush Collection and On the Quarter-Deck is in The Harbour City Collection.
Iain Boyd as MC at the 2007-2008 Summer School Hogmanay in Wellington. With Sharlene Penman, Lynne Scott, Iain Matcham, John Smith, Peter Elmes and Carlton Downey in the band. Photo: Loralee Hyde
Romaine Butterfield
Romaine has four dances published by the RSCDS (the most of any New Zealand deviser); Catch the Wind (Book 45/5), The Bonnie Tree (Book 46/6), The Kissing Bridge (Book 47/9) and Come What May (Book 51).
Romaine has taught at classes and weekend schools in the Region and throughout New Zealand including at New Zealand Branch Summer Schools. She was a tutor for many years at the Island Bay Club (now Capital City) and is the current tutor of Waikanae Club.
Her dance Joy Be Wi’ You is in The Morison’s Bush Collection, and Cabbages And Kings and Let’s Meet Again are in The Harbour City Collection.
Romaine Butterfield as MC at the 2020 Wellington Region New Dancers’ Celebration organised by Waikanae Club. With Jason Morris, Aileen Logie and Hilary Ferral in the band. Photo: Loralee Hyde
Edith Campbell
Edith has taught at classes and weekend schools in the Region and throughout New Zealand including at New Zealand Branch Summer Schools. After moving from the UK to New Zealand with her Wellingtonian husband Bruce, Edith taught at Wellington Club (disestablished in 2006) for 10 years from 1963. In 1978, she and Bruce started Seatoun Club. She has now tutored the club for 45 years.
Edith Campbell as MC at the 2020 Wellington Region Hogmanay in Lower Hutt. With Glenice Saunders, Mary McDonald, Moira Croad, Jason Morris, Duncan McDonald and Lynne Scott in the band. Photo: Loralee Hyde
Elaine Laidlaw
Elaine has been on the Wellington Region Committee for many years including as President from 2011- 2013. She and her husband Michael have been involved in organising a number of Wellington Region events including the Wellington Region Diamond Jubilee Ball in 2012 at Government House as well as Hogmanays and New Dancers’ Celebrations.
In 2000, Elaine and Michael started Carterton Club in the Wairarapa. She continues to teach at the club. Elaine was awarded Life Membership of the New Zealand Branch in 2022 for her extensive service to the Branch in a range of roles including President. See more in this extract from the New Zealand Scottish Country Dancer 2022 No. 69 p4
Her published dances include The Tui’s Call in the collection From North Cape To the Bluff which celebrated the 50th anniversary of the New Zealand Branch, and The ‘Halfway House’, Petone (a tribute to the Community House in Britannia Street, Petone where the Region Committee meets) in The Wellington 60th Anniversary Collection.
Elaine as MC at the 2021 Wellington Region 60th Anniversary Ball in Lower Hutt. With Ann Goodbehere, Mary McDonald, Sharlene Penman and Lynne Scott in the band. Photo: Loralee Hyde
Early Wellington Dances: Our Musicians
The Cranberry Tarts: Aileen Logie and Hilary Ferral
Aileen’s musical life started in Scotland when she was five years old. As well as learning to play the piano, guitar and accordion, she learned Scottish Country Dancing. Aileen played in various bands before moving to Wellington in 2009. Within days of arriving, long-time Wellingtonian musician Peter Elmes contacted her and encouraged her to join in his gigs. From being Peter’s ‘apprentice’, Aileen now plays in a range of band line-ups, including the duo The Cranberry Tarts with Hilary Ferral.
As a child, Hilary initially learned piano, and then added violin lessons. The violin took over and she acquired a degree in violin performance. Hilary started Scottish Country Dancing at Tawa Club. Eventually, she was asked if she was interested in playing music for dancing. Subsequently, Hilary joined Peter Elmes’ band. After Peter’s retirement in 2018, she carried on playing with Aileen on a regular basis; in 2019, they named their duo The Cranberry Tarts.
At our special occasion of Early Wellington Dances, The Cranberry Tarts will provide music from the original tunes and arrangements used by Peter Elmes for dances from The Morison’s Bush Collection and The Harbour City Collection.
This ongoing project aims to build a historical resource, and in so doing, honour all the people who’ve been a part of the Region’s history.
Those who attended the Wellington Region’s 60th Ball this year, had the opportunity to enjoy viewing some of the historical photos and videos collected and digitised by the project team and other volunteers.
There’s been an exciting development – we’ve received material from the families of two Scottish Country Dance musicians who played in the 1980s, fiddler John Foden and accordionist Tom Barnes.
Margaret Foden has shared some of her personal photos, and Sono Barnes has donated cassette tapes of Tom and John playing for various Scottish Country Dancing events. These are valuable additions to the Region’s archival collection, many thanks to both for giving us this window into our Scottish Country Dance musicians.
Wellington Scottish Country Dance musicians (from left), Roger, Tom Barnes, John Foden and Merren Simmonds at the Cambridge Queen’s Birthday Weekend School in June 1984 with Mairi-Helen Jamieson as MC
If you have material you could share with, or donate to the region’s Archives Project, or recollections of those times, please email Region committee member Philippa Pointon
Kristin Downey
Originally published in Harbour City Happenings Volume 24 No. 4, December 2021
