A history of Maidenhead Scottish
Dancing Club in its 60th year
Maidenhead Scottish Dancing Club was formed in
1951 by a group of teachers from what was then Maidenhead County
Girls School. They met in a wooden hut at the rear of the Art
College in Marlow Road, where they were joined by staff from the
Grasslands Research Institute at Hurley. The first teacher was a
"lady from London". Alan Cameron took over from her from 1956 to
1974 Following Alan, from 1974 to 1979 the instructor was Colin
Robertson Remarkably however, the 18 years service of Alan Cameron
has been far exceeded by the irrepressible Bill Forbes who has been
doing the job since 1979!
In the earlier years the club season finished in May, but in 1988
club members voted NOT to stop dancing in the summer months but to
continue fortnightly, thus reducing the impact of weight and fitness
of having a 12 week break!
By 1964 a highland class had begun, taught by one of the staunch
members of the club, Gabrielle Nixon. The class was affiliated to
the club in its early years. In 1964 there were over 30 children
taking part in highland lessons. The class continued up to 1982,
taught by Betty Appleton and then Leslie Carder/Sutton.
During the 1960's the club had a demonstration team. In fact for a
while there were two teams, one mixed and one all ladies' They met
on Thursdays at the Elmslie School, which used to be on Castle Hill.
just below Mencap. They had their own piper, Jack Smith and three of
the dancers did Highland spots. Gabrielle Nixon also played a small
harp. The 60's dem team danced regularly at the Windsor Rose Show,
and also at weddings, fetes and festivals in the area.
In 1976, Cathy Parsons started a children's country dance class,
which boasted about 20 children. During the late eighties and early
nineties, an associated advanced class was held, taught by various
guest teachers. A beginners class also began in the 1980's run
jointly by Rowena Kelly and Steve Kelly (no relation). This class
continued to meet, with Steve Kelly in charge, in Furze Platt
Memorial Hall, into the 21st century but it folded a few years ago
because of lack of numbers. In 2004 a children's class as an after
school Scottish Dance Club was started by Joan Doughty in the school
where we presently dance each Tuesday, namely, St Mary's RC school
in Maidenhead Joan ran this class for 3 years, assisted by Sheila
Lawton and Jane Courtier. The new head of the school did not
encourage the continuation of the class so it folded
So far as we have been able to ascertain, the HIGHLAND BALL seems to
have been run by the club at least as far back as 1963. It is also
believed that this was the first and only Highland Ball held in the
Borders Branch area in the sixties and early seventies. The Ball was
held at the then new Maidenhead Town Hall However, tiered seating
was later installed which meant that the half could not accommodate
the numbers for a ball so a new venue had to be found. Since 1989 it
has been held, whenever possible, at Brigidine School in Windsor. In
the sixties the band for the ball was usually McBains followed later
by Brian Hamilton Since 1975 the band has usually been Frank Reid.
Two years ago the band was, and is to be this year for the 60th
Celebration occasion, Marian Anderson.
Ceilidhs have been a feature of the club too In the eighties there
was a spate of fancy dress Ceilidhs and before that, there were many
that included highland dancing, harp playing as well as various
other items.
Day schools were run by the club in the sixties with about 50-60
attending In the late eighties they were revived again for a few
years with up to 110 attendees. However, in both cases a lot of work
was required from club members, so when numbers attending the day
schools dwindled, they were stopped.
The Tea Dance is a relatively recent innovation as they have been
held for only 12 years or so. These dances attract people who prefer
to dance in the daytime or who no longer attend Evening Dances and
Balls The Tea Dances have been held in different venues over the
years but for the last few years now we have been successfully using
the Carnation Hall in Winkfield Row.
Over the years there have been fifteen Chairmen / ladies. Three of
the chairpersons have served twice, namely Leo Hill, and George
Flett. Our current Chairman is Rex Pearse. We notably also have had
a long serving secretary, in Diane Hoskins, who has pointed out that
even after she no longer held the position people assumed that she
was our secretary!.
In 2001 we had a most successful Golden Anniversary celebration
where many past members came to join in the celebrations and now an
event Maidenhead's 60th Anniversary
We had a very successful party to celebrate Maidenhead's 60 years.
Both former and current members enjoyed an entertaining afternoon at
Manor Green School. Members ranged from those who had danced as
teenagers in the fifties to some who have recently joined and just
started to learn to dance. As everyone arrived there were display
boards where members could search for themselves and friends in the
photographs and newspaper items.
Almost all joined in the first dance, A Highland Welcome. Our
current chairman, Rex Pearse, introduced various former members who
recalled anecdotes from their time at the Club. Then the Reading
Demonstration Team were admired as they gave a display of reels and
strathspeys.
There was more dancing for those who wished although the plan of a
dance for each decade could not be completed in the time available.
A delicious tea was supplied by current members and gave time for
everyone to chat and reminisce. All too soon it was time for Auld
Lang Syne and the journey home which varied from locally back into
Maidenhead to further afield including Wellingborough, Wincanton,
Christchurch, Cirencester and Swanage.
Jane Courtier
Maidenhead Scottish Dancing Club
