Marilyn Watson's retirement from Bournemouth Branch

On Saturday 24th February, Bournemouth Branch hosted a Tea Party for Marilyn Watson when approximately 50 dancers came from various corners of the South to pay tribute to Marilyn for her many years of service and dedication to teaching Scottish country dancing.    

For 26 years, from 1986 - 2012, Marilyn and Margaret (Branch Secretary) ran a children's class named the Macaulay Dancers who gained some distinction at the annual Slough Festival, winning numerous trophies over many years.   It was a real treat to have four of those dancers, Sarah Latto, Laura Brown, Helen Cleaves and Hannah Ferguson, now competent adults, come from St Albans, Exeter, London, and Reading to dance for us - they put together a fabulous display of highland, step and country dance wearing their beautiful Aboyne outfits.   They are now members of the prestigious Corryvrechan Dance Group based in Bristol that recently won the display section at the Newcastle Festival.  

There were many photographs and memorabilia on display from the Slough Festival, the children's class, Branch events and the Scottish Tattoos held in the Royal Albert Hall when many of Marilyn's teams took part and for which Marilyn choreographed the dances, a favourite being A Millennium Welcome which our more senior dancers performed. 

This was followed by a delicious tea provided by the Committee and more entertainment in the form of a poem written by one of the Branch Members, Marion Searle and The Skye Boat Song sung by the youngest member of our Branch, Edie Lin.

Marilyn was presented with flowers, cards and a Memory Book in which many dancers (including the society Chairman and Treasurer) from far and wide had contributed messages of congratulation on her commitment to teaching, tutoring, mentoring, examining and adjudicating.

It was a truly splendid afternoon and a fitting tribute to Marilyn for her years of service to the Branch and the RSCDS.

Margaret Robson, Branch Secretary for Bournemouth Branch