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Branch News November 2022

Anne Taylor Society Scroll of Honour award.jpg

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.

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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.

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Thanks to all branch members who helped make the evening such a success.

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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.

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.

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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.

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Congratulations from all at RSCDS Banffshire

Gary Coull Chair Elect RSCDS

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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