In The Beginning…
In the beginning…
Despite an objective to build the Society by forming more branches, the branch encountered a certain amount of opposition when it sent in its initial application.
Further research over the years discovered that this was a result of two different causes - the first was Leeds Branch saying they did not support our application (this might have been because we hadn’t notified them, but nobody at that time had suggested we needed to do so! — We were new to this process.)
The second was the Society Chairman who had some small knowledge of the Yorkshire area, and decided that “Humberside” was many miles from York.
Being a fairly brash young man, who was used to dealing with awkward people during my working life, I was more than happy to phone him, and point out that with new local boundary changes, Humberside started in Stamford Bridge, only a few miles from the outskirts of York.
They also suggested that we start by forming an Affiliated York group, which would have gone down very well with the existing Affiliated Group (The York Scottish Country Dance Club), who had already expressed their views by saying that they didn’t think there was a need for a branch!
In the end we sent them a hand-drawn map of the area, showing how long it took to travel from York to Scarborough, Bridlington, Driffield, Hull and Leeds, and pointing out that Driffield was virtually the centre of our proposed branch area. Having gained their grudging permission, we booked a hall in Pocklington, advertised in the local press, devised a programme, laid on some refreshments, and waited to see what would happen.
We finished up with sufficient “volunteers” to form a committee, and the branch was up and running, with the next meeting in March to be held in Driffield to approve the draft Constitution - Not bad for the time before emails, and the internet.
The members of the various groups in the area were very enthusiastic and supportive, and it wasn’t long before we had a membership of over 100. We started by running monthly dances, moving them around the area so that travelling was not always a problem (sound familiar? )
One of the proposals that was included in the draft constitution was a revolutionary suggestion that the committee decided amongst themselves who would be the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer (In most organisations the members made these decisions at their AGM) Nowadays many organisations have adopted our approach, and it no longer seems revolutionary.
Our Mission
Our Mission is to encourage and support all forms of Scottish Dancing, and to liaise between the various groups of Scottish dancers within, and in proximity to, the York and North Humberside Area.
Maintain the standards set by the Society, by providing classes to provide instruction in the dancing of Scottish Dances, organising social functions, and providing special classes related to Scottish dancing or instruction of the same.
seek out actively new dancers, and to promote Scottish Dancing within the areas by means of displays and other similar activities.
Encourage a social spirit of friendliness and enjoyment within the members of the branch.
