Balmoral Visit Our most exciting event was in 2009 when the members of the branch travelled to Balmoral to dance for the Queen and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. ​ ​ ​ ​ We were greatly honoured when Her Majesty the Queen kindly invited us to dance for her to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the formation of our Branch. We decided to perform some dances from our 75th Anniversary Book because these dances are all devised by Banffshire Branch members and/or are inspired by a Banffshire connection. The event needed live music and Colin Dewar and his Band (who recorded our 75th Anniversary CD) were happy and able to fit us (and Her Majesty) into their crowded schedule. On Tuesday, 11th August at midday about 40 Branch members and 16 children from local schools crowded onto the coach in Keith. On arriving at Balmoral we all had our photo ID's checked (passports, driving licences, bus passes, etc.) before proceeding to the tea room where we were to perform. We received a friendly greeting from Clare Russell, the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire. The area for dancing was slightly less than we expected, so we decided to abandon the children's static display during 'We've nae Electric'. We got ready and put on our dancing shoes while the Band finished setting up and we had a quick practice of walking on and off (always more difficult than the actual dancing!) while the Band were changing out of 'just do it' tee-shirts into something slightly more suitable for the occasion. The Dancers and the Band then had a practice. After the practice, with just a few minutes to go we all stood, puffing and hearts beating, in our sets ready for Findlater Castle, waiting for Her Majesty. When she arrived (with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie), our Chairman, Gary Coull, gave a short introductory speech and the music and dancing started. Our programme: Findlater Castle Compliments to Jessie Bain The Homecoming Dance - children The Hills of Alba Gourdieburn Round Reel of Eight - children We've nae Electric The dancing and the music all went well, with nothing worse than the occasional hesitation or poorly-pointed foot (hopefully, She didn't notice!) Her Majesty and the two Princesses appeared to be very happy with our performance. Toe-tapping was observed! Mrs. Jean Mair devisor of 'Compliments to Jessie Bain' presented Her Majesty with Banffshire Branch CDs and dance books. The Royal party then spent a considerable time walking amongst us, talking with us and asking questions. Her Majesty even asked what the floor was like to dance on. (It was hard but not slippery.) We were treated to tea and biscuits and had plenty of time to chatter before piling back onto the coach to return to Keith. It was a highly successful event and, after having danced for the Queen, we are left wondering - what can we do next? .

RSCDS BANFFSHIRE PUBLICATIONS 90th Anniversary Dance book and CD - click here Children's resources - click here 75th Anniversary Dance book and CD click here

RSCDS Banffshire Branch at the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival, Portsoy, Saturday 18th June 2022 A fun day was had at the Portsoy Boat Festival when members and friends of the RSCDS Banffshire Branch got together to promote Scottish Country Dancing. Enthusiastic members of the audience joined in the dancing and enjoyed themselves. ​ Promotional leaflets for Banffshire SCD classes were given out to the audience and we had lots of positive feedback. ​ Please contact the Secretary at rscdsbanffshire@gmail.com if you want further information about classes in and around Banffshire. ​ Linda Thomas, RSCDS Banffshire Branch member called the dances and kept everyone on their toes. Thanks to Linda for organising this event. ​ ​ Audience participation in dancing Pudsey Bear, Scottish Country Dance Click here for you tube video ​ Celebrating Her Majesty the Queen's Platinum Jubilee The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – Invitation to Service of Thanksgiving The RSCDS Banffshire Branch received an invite to attend a special service of Thanksgiving from the Buchan Presbytery to mark this significant occasion. A special service was held on Sunday 29th May in St Ninian’s and Forglen Church, Turriff. Over the seventy years of her reign, HM The Queen has actively supported many charities and professional groups. These cover all areas of national life. ​ Alice Archibald and Linda Thomas, members of the RSCDS Banffshire Branch, represented the branch at the Service of Thanksgiving. ​ Alice Archibald read out the following message at the service. The message was selected by Her Majesty the Queen ​ ​ In 2011, the Queen said: “Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves - from our recklessness or our greed. ​ God sent into the world a unique person - neither a philosopher nor a general (important though they are) - but a Saviour, with the power to forgive. ​ Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships and it can reconcile divided communities. It is in forgiveness that we feel the power of God’s love.” Annual Branch Dance - Friday 12th November 2021 The Banffshire Branch Dance on 12th November was held at Keith this year, and despite the restrictions imposed by covid (limited numbers, lots of hand gelling, bring-your-own refreshments), it was a super evening. We had fantastic music to dance to thanks to Ewan Galloway and fellow musicians Shona MacFadyen on fiddle & Graham Sherrit on drums; we have enjoyed their music on pod-casts throughout lockdown, and listening to their CD ‘A the best again far Banffshire’, but wasn’t it just great to be dancing ‘live’ again. A lot of work went on behind the scenes to ensure a safe and enjoyable evening was had by all - risk assessments, devising a lovely programme of dances, the callers, organisers & donations of raffle prizes, catering for the band - a big thank you to everyone involved. Looking forward to meeting up again on the dance floor soon Happy dancing Dianna Report by Dianna Baillie, Chair of RSCDS Banffshire 2021 Ewan Galloway dance band November 2021 Ewan Galloway Scottish Dance band Annual Branch dance 12th November 2021 Annual Branch Dance 2021 Annual Branch Dance 2021 More dancing to wonderful music Ewan Galloway dance band November 2021 Ewan Galloway Scottish Dance band 1/11 Ladies of Banffshire at the Autumn Gathering 2021 I’m a paragraph. Double click me or click Edit Text, it's easy. Given that the Bells Sports Centre in Perth has capacity for over 500 dancers, the task of decorating it for the Autumn Gathering weekend is not to be undertaken lightly. However, members of Banffshire Branch have customarily performed this duty, arriving early in order to create an ambiance appropriate for the occasion, using countless yards of RSCDS tartan supplied by Headquarters. As with dancing, success is a result of teamwork and many hands working together! When thanks are extended to volunteer helpers for their efforts, "the ladies of Banffshire" always receive a mention, the presence of one or two Banffshire men invariably being overlooked, hence the title of Bob Taylor's dance. This photo shows the ladies of Banffshire looking resplendent in advance of the Saturday night ball at the 2021 Autumn Gathering. ​ Report by Alison Smith RSCDS Teacher and member of RSCDS Banffshire The Banffshrire Branch had their first outdoor 'Return to Dancing' event at the Sail Loft, Portsoy on a lovely sunny Sunday afternoon on July 25th. ​ The event was welcomed by all the dancers. The committee therefore, planned another outdoor event on 22 August 2021. Again the weather held for us Happy Dancers! Happy to chat to fellow dancers. Enjoying the sunshine Happy to be dancing once again! Gordon & Liz, Dianna & Alistair Ive got my hand gel at the ready! Gordon & Liz with visitor Jim Stott Return to dancing Sunday 25 July 2021 RSCDS Banffshire - Return to dancing, outdoor event. Chairperson and Secretary Our chair person, Dianna Baillie and Liz Bulloch ready to kick start the event. Beautiful sunshine Lots of happy dancers on the green at the Sail Loft Portsoy Return to dancing Sunday 25 July 2021 RSCDS Banffshire - Return to dancing, outdoor event. 1/12 The Sail Loft, Portsoy Sunday 25th July 2021 ​ Banffshire Branch organised an outdoor return to dancing event on the 25th of July. It took place outside the Sail Loft, Portsoy, on a beautiful sunny day. We had a fantastic afternoon of dance, starting off with a warm up session led by Anne Taylor, 3 sets of dancers then followed a super programme led by Anne McArthur and Alison Smith, easing us gently back into dancing again with a mix of familiar & old favourites (including EH37AF, Maxwell’s Rant & Mairi’s Wedding) and some newer dances (Portsoy Links and The Speyside Way from our 90th anniversaries book "A’ The Best Again Fae Banffshire"). Our Secretary and Covid Officer Liz Bulloch, ensured safety guidelines were in place and being followed. It was just wonderful to be able to meet up and dance together again. As can be seen from the photos, we couldn’t have been happier and can’t wait for the next one. ​ Article in the Scottish Dance Magazine, October 2021 issue by Chair, Dianna Baillie Liz Bulloch and Frank Thomson at The Sail Loft Portsoy Outdoor event at the Sail Loft Portsoy on Sunday 22 August 2021. The music was provided by Frank Thomson. Beautiful view from the Sail Loft, Portsoy The dancing event was held at the Sail Loft, Portsoy. A beautiful sunny day with the seascape as our backdrop More happy dancers Everyone enjoyed the day and the lovely music. Liz Bulloch and Frank Thomson at The Sail Loft Portsoy Outdoor event at the Sail Loft Portsoy on Sunday 22 August 2021. The music was provided by Frank Thomson. 1/8 Geof Nuttall with his daughters Claire and Celia at the ceremony along with Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire Andrew Simpson, Alistair Mason and Julian Watson from the Museum of Banff. Banff Museum Exhibition - display of RSCDS Banffshre archives The Branch was contacted by Alistair Mason earlier this year to advise that the family of Jean Nuttall (born and brought up in Banff) wanted to donate money to the Museum after having been shown around the museum last year by Alistair. Alistair is also a member of the Preservation and Heritage Society. Jean was a keen Scottish Country Dancer and loved everything Scottish. Anne McArthur and Alistair pulled together the exhibition using the Banffshire archives and display boards. Cabinets were purchased with the donation and a wonderful display has been put together. The opening of the display was held on Wednesday 18th. Anne McArthur along with Alistair and Pat Lemmon (family friend) the Chair of our Branch, Dianna Baillie and myself were all sent an invite to the opening. The cabinet has several drawers full of archives from photographs to newspaper articles and programmes and menus from past social functions. The Banffshire Journal has an article on the opening where you can find the full story. Alistair is a volunteer at the Museum. If you are planning a visit it would be an idea to check if Alistair is on duty. Alistair will send me his rota in due course and I will pass it on to members. Liz 17th July Summer Social at The Sail Loft, Portsoy Helvetica Light is an easy-to-read font, with tall and narrow letters, that works well on almost every site. Explore

Branch News November 2022 RSCDS Banffshire Branch annual dance The branch had a good turn out of dancers at their annual branch dance on Friday 11th November at the Fishermen's Hall, Buckie. ​ Everyone enjoyed the excellent music provided by Scott Band (4 piece band). During the evening a tribute was paid to Anne Taylor who was recently awarded the Society Scroll of Honour. ​ Thanks to all branch members who helped make the evening such a success. ​ ​ ​ Anne Taylor lives and breathes Scottish Country Dancing and has achieved notable successes over the years. Anne took to Scottish Country Dancing with energy and enthusiasm. While living in the Peterhead area and a member of the Peterhead Branch, Anne received a scholarship to undertake her teaching certificate at St Andrews in the 1990s. Thereafter, Anne taught classes in Peterhead, Longside and Ellon. After moving to the Banffshire area Anne became influential in the Banffshire Branch. She immediately became a committee member and held the office of secretary for four years. She is presently vice chairman. During her years in the Branch she was instrumental in the publication of two books of dances and two CDs to celebrate the 75th and 90th anniversaries of the Branch. These have both proved to be successful internationally. The Banffshire Branch has a history of working in schools, particularly primary schools. Anne has seen her work at Milnes Primary School, Fochabers as her 'gold star'. Her dancers have undertaken the RSCDS accreditation to gold level. They have performed at concerts, entered the dance festival and even assisted in writing a dance linked to their studies. Outwith the Branch, Anne and her husband Bob organised 15 very successful weekend schools in Fochabers and Aviemore with Ian Barbour and Sandy Nixon’s Scottish Country Dance Band. Anne is known nationally and internationally. She has been a regular at the RSCDS Summer School in St Andrews as a teacher, a very successful tutor, Depute Schools Director and most recently Schools Director. She has also been Director of Winter School. When the Society was restructured in the noughties, Anne was elected to the Education and Training Committee. She has served a further term before being elected to the role of Convenor of Education and Training from 2019 - 2022. Presently Anne is a medal test assessor, an adjudicator and was recently appointed an examiner. Society awards 2022 Society Scroll of Honour awards November 2022 Society awards 2022 Society awards 2022 1/3 Congratulations to Anne Taylor on receiving the RSCDS Scroll of Honour award at the AGM on 5th November. Anne was nominated by RSCDS Banffshire Branch for her dedication and support to the branch for many years. ​ Mo Rutherford was awarded a Scroll of Honour, nominated by Membership Services. Mo was also the Music Director for the Society for 10 years. Mo was brought up in Keith and she joined her father (Walter) Scottish Country dance band at the age of 14 years. Her Mum Betty taught the Keith SCD class. They were both awarded a joint Branch Award. ​ ​ ​ Congratulations from all at RSCDS Banffshire Another well known Banffshire branch member is Gary Coull . Gary was elected as Chair Elect at the AGM. Gary was elected as Chair Elect at the 2022 AGM. He will serve as Chair Elect for 2 years and become Chair in 2024. Being Chair Elect means Gary is a member of the Management Board of the Society and deputises for the Chair when the need arises. Gary started dancing at the age of 10 in Dufftown being taught by Jessie Stuart. Gary became a member of the RSCDS at the age of 16 and has served as Banffshire Branch's Chairman and Secretary. He was Chairman of the Branch during it's 80th anniversary when members had the pleasure of dancing for HM Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral. Gary gained his RSCDS Teaching Certificate in 2013.

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