Richmond Branch anniversary: Scottish dancing for 70 years

This year the Richmond Branch was delighted to celebrate its 70th anniversary. At the Spring Dance, on 9th April 2022, this was specially commemorated with anniversary cupcakes; a newly devised dance, called 'Richmond's Platinum Celebration' (see here); a speech from our president; and a toast. It is wonderful to look back at seventy years of Scottish Dancing in Richmond - here's to seventy more! 

~ Anna Smith

Richmond Branch: A History 

Scottish Country Dancing started in Richmond in 1948 with a North Yorkshire evening class. This later became an independent class with about 40 dancers.

1950s

Interest in dancing grew and on 26 March 1952 Richmond Branch was formed with both adult and children’s classes taken by Alison Stephen plus a demonstration team class which was much in demand. Attendance at the monthly socials in Richmond Town Hall could sometimes exceed 100 including dancers from Catterick Garrison, Newton Aycliffe, Darlington and Stockton.

1960s

The Baths Hall in Darlington was hired for Annual Balls with music provided by Jimmy Shand and his Band. Numbers topped 401 dancers and 380 spectators. The pool was covered with flooring for the dancing which must have been a strange sensation.

1970s

The Branch teacher during the first five years was Ina Wilson from Askrigg in Wensleydale. Classes once again were run by North Yorkshire Education authority and until 1978 when due to increased costs the Branch took over classes and also ran monthly socials and two annual Dinner Dances.

1980s

By now weekly classes were organised by the Branch in the Town Hall with Fiona Turnbull from Barnard Castle as teacher. The Branch began to organise advanced classes during the summer months, an open air dance and started a popular Annual Day School with visiting teachers. Later in this decade with the increase in children’s classes in the region, a successful Junior Branch was started and Day schools and dances took place as an encouragement for the youngsters.

1990s

Some of you will recall two events held during this decade- the Branch 40th Anniversary Dinner Dance at the Masonic Hall in Darlington and the open air dance in Richmond Castle which attracted more than 400 people from all corners of the North East and beyond. Two successful teacher training courses were also held during this period. 

2000s

Two members of Richmond Branch became deeply involved in RSCDS at HQ in Edinburgh. Richard Turnbull as Treasurer for the worldwide Society and Fiona as the first Youth Convenor who introduced many initiatives for children and young adults dancers. Both separately received the Society Scroll of Honour for their work in furthering the aims of the RSCDS. 

The Branch has taken part in the Annual Open Air event near Leeds since its inception in the 50’s, first in Becket Park and now as the White Rose Festival at Harewood School.

2010s

Finding suitable halls became more of a problem but after some peripatetic years the weekly class eventually settled at Booth Hall in Catterick Village and teachers included Fiona Turnbull, Clarice Middleton, Terry Chater and now the teaching is shared by Joy Bradshaw and Louise McDougall. Geoff and Jan (Chairman and Secretary) were presented with a joint Society Branch Award as without their ongoing commitment we might not be dancing now.

2020s

Having survived the Covid-19 pandemic it was with great relief and pleasure that the Branch held a successful Autumn Dance in 2021 and regular classes and monthly socials restarted.

~ Fiona Turnbull

(As shared at the Spring Dance, 9th April 2022)