St Andrew's Day ceilidhs in the Borders

ROXBURGH,SELKIRK & PEEBLES BRANCH - ST ANDREW'S DAY CEILIDHS.

The branch, in co-operation with Active Schools, organised two St Andrew's Day Ceilidhs for primary schools in the Borders. Our youth co-ordinators, Margaret Pritchard & Maureen Buckley are experienced in organising such events having successfully done so for several years.

The first one was held on 24th November in Hawick town hall.

Over 200 children from Hawick schools ,as well as Denholm and Newcastleton, attended. Ten  local volunteers from the branch went into the schools to teach the dances over a number of weeks. Some parents observed the dancing from the balcony and the children were delighted by the applause following their efforts. The branch chair Bill Murray presented the attendance certificate to each school.

Our second ceilidh was in Galashiels Academy on Tuesday 28th November.  Six primary schools from Galashiels attended along with Stow PS and Tweedbank PS who travelled by train.

Again over 200 children plus teachers attended. Ten branch volunteers visited the schools to teach six dances over a six week period. Gala were fortunate to have a live musician on the day, Sam Clelland, who has played for some of our adult classes.

There was great excitement when the fire alarm sounded and the school was evacuated – false alarm - they were soon back into the warmth and dancing.  Sets were formed quickly and this meant that each dance could be done twice, much to the delight of the enthusiastic youngsters. During a welcome break, snacks donated by Tesco reinvigorated the dancers. The big surprise was the appearance of William Williamson, RSCDS chair and his wife Linda.  William and Linda were soon involved and dancing along with the children.

Overall, two very successful events, hopefully helping to fill the void that has opened since very little Scottish country dancing appears in the primary curriculum, other than an odd Gay Gordons for a school party.

We can only hope that some of the attendees will continue Scottish Country dancing later in life and may transfer their enjoyment to parents who might come along to one of our classes to see what it is about.