Scottish Country Dancing Classes 2012

Last updated 20 January 2012

For more information on any of the classes, please contact the Secretary.

Combined Beginners/Intermediate (General) Classes

Tuesday evenings, 7:30 – 9:30pm
Dates:September 13 to December 20, 2011
Note: December 20 is a joint class with the Haddenham class.
January 17 to March 27, 2012
April 17 to May 29, 2012
Venue:Cockcroft Hall, Cockcroft Place, off Clarkson Road, CB3 0HF
Teacher:Jacqui Brocker and other certified teachers will attend to take the class with basic teaching and simpler dances for beginners at the beginning of the evening through to more advanced technique and dances towards the end of the evening.
Cost:£4.00 for RSCDS members
£5.00 for non-members
Mixed ability standard, but taught as elementary / intermediate.

General Class at Haddenham

Tuesday evenings, 8:00 – 10:00pm
Dates:September 6 to December 20, 2011
Note: December 20 is a joint class with the Newnham class.
January 17 to May 29, 2012 (except April 10)
Venue:Arkenstall Village Centre, Station Road, Haddenham CB6 3XD
Teacher:Kate Gentles (RSCDS Full Cert.), Lindsey Ibbotson (RSCDS Full Cert.), Tom Ibbotson and Sheenah Adkins
Cost:£4.00 for RSCDS members
£5.00 for non-members
Contact: Ron Adkins 01353 659065 sheenah.adkins@btinternet.com

Advanced Class at Cambridge

Wednesday evenings, 8:00 – 10:00pm
Dates:October 5 to November 30, 2011
January 19 to March 16, 2012
April 27 to June 15, 2012
Venue:Wesley Church Hall, King Street, Cambridge CB1 1LG
Teacher:Kate Gentles (RSCDS Full Cert.)
Cost:£2.00 for students
£3.00 for non-students
This class is run by the Cambridge University Strathspey & Reel Club, but is recognised as the Branch Advanced Class.

Ladies' Step Dancing

Sunday afternoons, 2:30 – 5:00pm
Dates:January 29, February 19, March 18, April 29, May 27, June 24
Venue:The Centre at St Paul's, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 1JP
Teacher:Kate Gentles (RSCDS Full Cert.)
Cost:£3.00 for students
£5.00 for non-students

A bit of background on Ladies' Step

Ladies' step dancing is generally solo dancing, although some dances are written for couples or, occasionally, more dancers. It uses a number of basic steps - a few more than Scottish country dancing, although some are the same. The influence of both Scottish country dancing and ballet are clear. The dances range in difficulty, from those that need no more than three or four easy steps to those that are considerably more demanding. But that's where the challenge – and the enjoyment – lies.

It originated in Scotland in the 17th and 18th centuries. Dancing masters would travel around the country, visiting both 'the big house' and the village hall to teach step dancing. As a style of dancing, it was more or less lost (or at least dying rapidly) when, in the 1950s, Tibby Cramb was given a manuscript dated 1841 that contained a number of step dances. To say that the instructions were obscure would be putting it mildly, so Tibby set about finding people who had learned these dances and could help her interpret the instructions. Since then, it has been revived as a form of traditional dancing. Like Scottish country dancing, not only are the old dances learned, but also new ones are written – a true living tradition!

Highland Class

This is currently unsubscribed; however, if sufficient people who wish to learn come forward, then the Branch will consider scheduling classes.

A bit of background on Highland

Highland dancing is one of the oldest forms of folk dance and both modern ballet and square dancing can trace their roots back to the Highlands. Historically, Highland Dancing was one of the various ways men were tested for strength, stamina, accuracy, and agility. Indeed, dating back to the 11th or 12th century, the Highland Dances of Scotland tended to be highly athletic male celebratory dances of triumph or joy, or warrior dances performed over swords and spiked shield. However, over the centuries, the dancing style has become more refined and now shares many elements with classical ballet. Although Highland Dancing was traditionally restricted to men, today it is performed by many women too.