RSCDS Cornwall Branch celebrated its 30th Anniversary with a Day of Dance at Liskeard Public Rooms on Saturday 14th May 2022.
What a day – fantastic music by Sandy Nixon and his Band from Scotland, wonderful food provided by Judith Scott and team from Something Nice of Launceston for our Evening Ball and an artistically designed celebratory cake made by Rachel Clatworthy, one of our members. All guests on the day were also given a 30th Anniversary celebratory booklet which included a short history of the Branch since its formation in 1990. This was compiled by Polly Barton
The Branch used this occasion to acknowledge the commitment to Scottish Country dancing in Cornwall and beyond by presenting 4 Branch Awards
These were given to
Les and Dawn Burden for helping to bring high quality RSCDS dance teachers and a fantastic range of musicians to Cornwall by running a Scottish Country Dance weekend in Bude every October for 24 years. As well as the great music and dance opportunities these weekends were always well attended by dancers from across the country drawn by the great location and wonderful culinary skills of Dawn.
Felicity Hooper for compiling and editing The Carswellian, our Scottish Country Dance Magazine for the South West and beyond. Felicity has kept the dancing community together and ensured we all stayed informed of up and coming events. She has done this single handily for the past 25years, producing 5 issues a year. As well as her Award from the Cornwall Branch Felicity received a bouquet of flowers and card from the RSCDS Exeter Branch
Val Dawson for her commitment to Scottish Country dancing in Cornwall. Very aptly Val received her Award in Liskeard which was the first place she danced in Cornwall and also where she started her first class more than 40 years ago. Since then Val has encouraged many people to try Scottish Country Dancing by opening groups in Newquay, Bodmin, Pelynt, St Austell and Crackington Haven.
Polly Barton who completed her full Scottish Country dancing certificate in 1989, allowing Cornwall to then apply to become a Branch in March 1990. At the time it was a requirement that to form a Branch of the RSCDS 2 qualified dance teachers were required. Since then Polly has played an active role in Branch activities serving on the committee, running the demonstration team and teaching classes.
Unfortunately Polly was unable to join us in person on the day but due to the wonders of modern technology we were able to present her Award by Zoom.
We had a wonderful day of dancing. Two dances both accompanied by the amazing sounds of Sandy Nixon and his Band – Alistair on keyboard and Ross on drums. The Band kept us on our toes all afternoon and evening. In the afternoon the tempo was nice and steady helping to keep the less experienced dancers on the floor. By the evening, Sandy did up the tempo slightly and introduced some wonderful complimentary tunes for the dances particularly when an encore was requested from the dance floor. The Public Rooms was an excellent venue for our dance. The Main Hall with stage has a good dance floor, with plenty of space to dance.
See the pictures using the links below
30th Anniversary Awards
30th Anniversary Cakes
30th Anniversary People
30th Anniversary Dances
