History
1954
The White Rock Scottish Country Dance Club
had its first meeting on September 26th 1954 with thirteen members
present. Dancing began on October 5th 1954 with Mrs. Thomas Bingham
of Vancouver as teacher being paid $5 per evening plus fare. Mrs.
R.M. Dey of New Westminster was pianist at $3 per evening plus fare.
The first members were Mr. Thomas Irwin, Mr. & Mrs. C.A. Caldwell,
Mr. & Mrs. Robson, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Stanhouse, Mr. & Mrs. H.E.
Harvey, Mr. & Mrs. R.A. Ivaney, Mr. & Mrs. S.K. Mackay, Ms Sheila
Carmichael and Mrs. J.S. Ramage, who acted as Secretary with Mrs.
Caldwell as President. Dancing was held every second week at the
White Rock Hotel Hall at a fee of $3 for six meetings.
1955
At the Annual Meeting on March 29th 1955,
Shelia Carmichael was elected to the Executive and was made an
'Honorary Member' in 1980, for 25 years faithful service; Ms.
Carmichael continued as an active dancing member until the early
1990's and although not currently an active member Ms. Carmichael
still lives in White Rock and supports the club whenever she is
able. The 'drop in fee' per evening at this time was 60 cents. Nine
dancers were selected to perform at the 1959 Burn's Night in
Cloverdale, and again at a concert given by the St. Andrews and
Caledonian Branch. At both performances they danced Dalkeith's
Strathspey and The Ninesome Reel. Membership had increased to
twenty-four.
1956
The teaching was taken over by Mrs.
Davidson, with Mrs. Wintersteen as pianist. Elsie and Jack Miller
joined the club and Elsie remained an active member till 1989 when
she was made an 'Honorary Member'. In 1957 dancing nights were
increased to weekly with no change in the fee and a special $1.50
per course fee for teenagers and a reduced drop in fee of 50 cents.
Prospective members had to be approved by the committee before their
fee was accepted. Dancing was moved to Ocean Park Community Hall and
a record player was purchased in 1958 which greatly enhanced the
dancing. Much discussion was held regarding recruitment of new
members
1959
On October 22nd the Scottish Country Dance
Society of British Columbia invited the White Rock Scottish Dance
Club to affiliate with the parent group at a fee of $10 per annum.
The invitation was accepted. In November $40 was invested by Mr. &
Mrs. Miller in records for the club as until that time records had
been loaned by the Miller's from their own collection. Twenty
records plus one long-playing record were purchased from Scotland
'the old country' for $25.
1961
It was estimated that the cost to each
person per night was 18.5 cents and the bank balance at that time
was $164.90. This was the year Miss Jean Milligan head of the Royal
Scottish Country Dance Society visited Vancouver. Several members
attended a special dance class in Vancouver and were impressed by
her method of teaching. Miss Jean Milligan and Mrs. Stewart of
Fasnacloich, Scotland had played a major part in the formation of
the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.
1962
The club subscribed to the 'Thistle'
magazine, edited by Mr. Hugh Thurston who was a member of the Royal
Scottish Country Dance Society and also of our own club until 1992.
The Thistle was published four times a year with articles of
interest to Scottish Country Dancers and also some dances were
described. A short review of the activities of the White Rock
Scottish Country Dance Club was sent to Mr. Thurston for publication
in 1963. In April 1963 a club member attended a meeting of the local
'Council of Women' which was started in 1893 by Lady Aberdeen to
raise women's issues through the Provincial, National and
International level. Any women's organization could send a
representative and it was suggested that the club's involvement in
this would be advantageous and informative. Five ladies were
appointed and the annual fee of $5 forwarded to Council.
1965
A locked cupboard was provided for the club
in the Ocean Park Community Hall so that dishes could be purchased
and stored for use by the club. Several demonstration dances were
performed for various local groups. In 1967 annual membership in the
Royal Scottish Country Dance Society was $2.25 and advertisements
for new members were placed in local newspapers and on the radio.
1970
Classes were held at Peace Arch and
District School and in 1971 in Peace Arch Elementary School where
Mr. John Allan of Vancouver was appointed to teach Scottish Country
Dancing for two successive weeks followed by two more weeks by Mrs.
Elsie Miller.
1972
The Vancouver Branch of the Royal Scottish
Country Dance Society held their 'Eighth Annual Banquet and Ball' on
February 12th and seven members of the White Rock Club attended. A
beginner class was started and this class was subsequently
integrated with the more experienced dancers. Sheena Ellis took over
as teacher in 1975 and the following year fees were increased and
the class divided into two sessions; the first session, prior to
Christmas costing $10 and the second session after Christmas $5. A
children's class was also started in 1975 with Sheena Ellis as
teacher and this proved very successful.
1973
On March 7th, Jack Miller, a long time
devoted and energetic member of the club died. He had been
instrumental in developing a love for Scottish Country Dancing into
the hearts of many people.
1974
Elsie Miller, Jack Miller's wife, continued
as teacher until the appointment of John Allan as full time teacher
in September 1974.
1980
Maureen Lyon was appointed as teacher for
adults and Mrs. Robin Leach for children. Advertising for new
members was stepped up in 1982 not only in local newspapers and
radio but also the Blaine Newspaper and Welcome Wagon, several lower
mainland newspapers, TV. Channel 10 and posters were also
distributed. Membership remained at 25 to 30 people. Elsie Miller
and Sheila Carmichael were elected 'Honorary Members' for 25 years
of faithful service to the club.
Several school gyms and cafeterias were used for classes from 1980
onwards and applications for these had to be made in good time as
several were unsuitable for the club's needs. Suitable dance shoes
were stressed to the membership and ladies were requested to wear a
dress or skirt.
1982
A demonstration group named the Heather
Belles was formed and it performed at a number of senior care
facilities, church and club functions. The practice and training of
this group is held separately from the club night.
1986
The Heather Belles demonstration group was
selected to dance at Expo '86 in Vancouver. Accompanied by Peter and
Murray Lyon on the bagpipes the Heather Belles danced on four
occasions at Expo '86 and a special dance named 'The Call of the
Pipers" was written by teacher and leader Maureen Lyon.
1987
When several men joined the group, it was
renamed the Tam o' Shanter Dancers who have since visited Scotland
in July/August 1994, 1998 and again in 2003. On these occasions they
were ambassadors from Canada and took with them greetings from the
Mayors of Surrey and White Rock. In 1994 the Lord Provost of
Edinburgh welcomed the Tam o' Shanter Dancers at an official
'Afternoon Tea'. In 1998 they were welcomed at several civic lunches
and evening functions at Kilmarnock, Ayr and Dumfries. In 2003 their
trip was highlighted by 98° F weather at Loch Lomond.
1989 to 1996
The club rented the gym at Sunnyside
Elementary School, an ideal location not only because of the
excellent wood floor for dancing, but also because it provided
kitchen and storage facilities. Having the parking lot adjacent to
the entrance made the carrying of equipment in and out simple and
easy. Due to changes in Janitorial Contract rules in 1997 class
hours were cut back from 10 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so the club decided to
relocate to the Star of the Sea Hall on Pacific Avenue in White
Rock.
1995
On April 8th, the White Rock Scottish Dance
Club celebrated its 40th Anniversary with a Grand Ball when over 150
Scottish Country Dancers from the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island
and Washington State joined them at the Gizeh Temple Hall in
Burnaby. Five years later they celebrated their 45th Anniversary
'Tartan Dance' on September 24th.
1998
Due to a minor rental cost increase and
small reduction in membership in 1998 it was decided to once again
relocate to the 'Box Gym' at Earl Marriott Secondary. While the gym
floor is suitable, there are no storage or kitchen facilities and
carrying equipment from the very busy parking lot in and out
presents a challenge. Our membership once again rebounded and is
currently between 35 and 45 with some members paying semi-annually
and others drop-in fee. Membership dues are $70 per annum or $35
semi-annual and drop-in fee is $4 per evening.
2000
In the summer of 2000 the club decided to
become a Registered British Columbia Society.
2001
The Club was very fortunate to be able to
relocate to Sullivan Hall. This community run facility on Johnston
Road at 64th Ave., has the benefits of a wooden dance floor, a
kitchen, a balcony area and a reasonable rent.
2002
For the first time in our history, in
August we entered a float in the White Rock Torchlight Parade. As
this was our first time, we took a 'simple' approach as can be seen
from the photograph at the left. A local Rotarian and friend of Past
President Douglas Brown not only loaned us his business truck but
also constructed the frame for our 'float' and drove the truck from
start to finish. A combined group of dancers from both our club and
the Tam o' Shanter Dancers followed behind the float and danced (in
2 shifts) the full length of Marine Drive (2.5K). Ahead of the float
three members proudly carried a 'new' club banner created by
Incoming President Cheryl Jorgensen.
2003
After the previous year's success in the
White Rock Torchlight Parade, we once again entered, however, this
time we took a simple approach with a classy red convertible decked
out in our banners and tartans. Well, it paid off because we won
third prize!!! The intent was that we would follow one of the pipe
bands, however, the band was a 'no show' so we ended up dancing to
our own music.
2004
In October, the Club celebrated its Golden
Jubilee with a very successful Ball at the Star of the Sea Hall in
White Rock. Music was provided by the Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra and
a plaque was presented to the Club by the Mayor of the City of White
Rock, Judy Forster.
2005
Maureen Lyon was honoured at the Spring Tea
for her 25 years of dedication as the Club Teacher. Maureen was
presented with a celtic pin. Alex Jappy provided the music for this
very popular event.
2006
The highlights of the year were the Annual
Spring Tea in May, with over 100 dancers at the Star of the Sea
Hall, and the White Rock Spirit of the Sea Torchlight Parade, in
August. For the Parade, the Club was joined by a group from the Tam
o' Shanter Dancers. A flatbed truck, duly decorated and lit with
Christmas lights, provided a dance floor for a continuous display of
Scottish Country Dancing over the entire length of the route.
2007
Mary Ross, from Victoria, provided the
music at the very successful Spring Tea. Once again the Club entered
into the White Rock Torchlight Parade, in conjunction with the Tam
o' Shanter Dancers. The group was honoured with a third place finish
in the Musical category. In September, the drop-in fee was raised to
$5.00 in order to encourage full membership. The members responded
with a record 40 signing up for term membership.
2008
The Spring Tea featured the music of John
Carmichael from Glasgow, Scotland. John provided very lively music
for the enthusiastic dancers. Isobel Beck and Janice Lowe were
crowned "Bocce Champions" at the Annual Picnic at Donna and Doug
Beattie's home. The Club teamed up with the Tam o' Shanter
Dancers to take first place in White Rock Spirit of the Sea
Torchlight Parade; on the deck of a flatbed truck, Club Members
danced the "Hang On" reel, devised by Maureen Lyon.
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