RSCDS BRISTOL Secretary’s Report 2008-9
 
The season 2008-9 has been another successful one for the Bristol Branch. 
 
Membership of our branch is thriving. During the 2008-9 season RSCDS Bristol had 88 Annual Members, 8 Bristol members and 8 Life Members. The branch has supported a weekly class throughout the season with an average of 5-6 sets dancing every week.
 
 
In 2008-9 our members continued to participate in the running of the RSCDS Nationally with Peter Wright serving on the General Purposes and finances Committee and Andrew Smith on the Management Board.
 We also continued to be involved at a national level through participation in the annual Summer and Winter Schools.
 
Our weekly Thursday class continued last season to be held at the St Monica Trust’s hall which has proved to suit the club very well both for regular class use and for our dances.  The beginners group started off in the balcony area and has now moved into the Activities room. We tried a number of formats for this group last year, on occasion running it on past the break and at other times bringing the beginners in to join the main class. This year’s format will vary again.
 
The main class was predominantly taught by Peter Wright with a third of classes being led by Barbara de Winton.  The New Dancer’s group was taught by Cheryl Ayers and thanks to their concerted efforts this format proved to be successful. Our thanks go to Peter, Barbara and Cheryl for their commitment, hard work and enjoyable teaching. Also for their flexibility which has allowed this to work so well.
 
 The Monday group continued to run last year with the aim of developing a group of competent and enthusiastic dancers who could be called upon for demonstration dances. Barbara de Winton led this group. They were invited, for the third year running, to perform a display at the Bristish Legion’s Burn’s Night at Staple Hill, which was followed by them leading a session of communal dancing. They also danced at the St Monica Trust’s celebration of St Monica’s Day in August.
 
The usual events were held over the year, starting with the New Season Dance in October where the music of Strathallen was enjoyed by an enthusiastic number of dancers.
 
The Day School in November was taught by Eric Finley,  accompanied by Ian Muir. The day was a great success and culminated in a relaxed and fun evening dance to the music of Green Ginger.
 
The Burns Supper & Dance in January was another sell-out event, attended by members and partners. Joan welcomed the guests of honour to the evening and led us all in ceiledh and SC dances to the  music of Hugh Ferguson and the Dalriada Band.  The evening was a great success and enjoyed by all who attended.  The committee would like to thank the sub-committee and all those who contributed to the success of the evening.
 
The Newcomers Dance in early February, once again attracted a good number of dancers from all over the region. On this occasion, David Hall gave us a great evening of music we thoroughly enjoyed. It was particularly pleasing to welcome many new dancers to this event and friends from far and wide.
 
In March we returned to the beautiful surroundings of Haytor in Devon with a full house and a full weekend programme. Our thanks go to Mike Innes for all the hard work that he put into co-ordinating Haytor and making it such a relaxing and much enjoyed branch event.
 
Our Summer Dance in May this year was held at Emerson’s Green Village Hall, a fairly new venue for us. It proved to be a perfect space for dancing to Frank Reid’s Band which was a real treat. The evening was MC’d by Peter Wright. The committee would like to thank all the teachers, and particularly Peter for the time they spent on creating and tailoring the dance programmes. A lot of thought goes into this process and it is much appreciated.
 
The final event of the season was the Summer Fling, held in Ubley Village Hall, which followed on from the success of last year’s prototype. Dancers once again enjoyed relaxed dancing and a very superior picnic and it was much enjoyed. We hope this has now become a permanent fixture on the calendar.
 
As a Branch we endeavour to keep our members informed about events and matters of interest to us all, by means of our web site, notice board and twice yearly newsletter. The Committee would like to thank anyone who has contributed to these over the year and also encourage anyone interested in reporting on Branch or wider RSCDS concerns for our newsletter, to come forward and do so.
The committee has continued to try and work alongside Westbury Scottish Club, other RSCDS branches, and other Scottish Dance clubs to offer as many opportunities for people to dance as possible. This is an important part of our remit.
 
There are three members of the Committee retiring from their posts this year: Lynn, Graham and myself. I would like to thank them for their hard work on behalf of the Branch. Finally I would like to welcome the new members of the Committee who will be taking over from them. 
 
Thank you.
 
Ruth Illston
Secretary – RSCDS Bristo