Members and Dancers Page
The following are just some of the members and dancers with the RSCDS Manchester
Name - Dave Taylor
Nationality - Scottish
I was born in the 1950’s to a Scottish father and an English mother, in Perth, Scotland (not the Australian
one), and brought up in the surrounding area. After leaving school I lived and worked in both Perth and Inverness
(a really beautiful city if you ever get the chance to visit there, although it has changed a lot in the 20 years
since I was last there).
During the early 80’s I was the chairman of a Fraternal Benefits Society for a while and I attended many dances in
Scotland. The further North and East of the country the more the dances were like a ceilidh with a lot Scottish
Country dancing.
In 1986 I moved to Manchester and everything stopped as far as the dancing was concerned, although I did, and
still do, love dancing at nightclubs. Early in 2006 I attended the Manchester Branch’s Annual Ball
to assist the caretaker of the venue, although I was asked to wear my kilt etc. It was at this event that I
discovered Scottish Country Dancing and joined the classes held on Tuesdays being taught by Barbara Handley
shortly after.
It hasn’t quite taken over my life (yet), but it has brought a whole new outlook on my life and given me something
else to enjoy. It has re-ignited my interest in all things Scottish, (the Scotland football and
rugby teams mainly), and although I had a kilt I have been investing in a new outfit over the last few months. I just
wish I’d known about the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society in Manchester sooner.
I recently took over the RSCDS Manchester Branch’s website, and as part of that I’m looking for other
members and dancers to write a short report about themsleves and Scottish Country Dancing etc.
November 2006
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Name - Kath and Dave Foster
Kath was born in Manchester, and until she retired in 2006 was a librarian, first with Manchester Public Libraries and then
with Manchester Metroplitan University. She started Scottish dancing while at Keele University in the 1960's. When she
returned to Manchester after graduating, she attended Bill Stewart's RSCDS advanced class, which at the time was held at
the school on Lloyd Street, Moss Side. After a gap of a couple of years training as a librarian in Aberystwyth, she
joined Ruth Anderson's intermediate class at Manley Park Infants School.
David was born in Nottingham, and went to the Training Ship "Mercury" before becoming a Merchant Navy officer. After
10 years at sea, he got a job with the Port of Manchester as a marine pilot (on the Manchester Ship Canal), from
which he retired in 1990. In Manchester in the 1970's he decided to try Scottish dancing, and started going to Bert
Whittick's beginners' class at Manley Park Infants School.
David and Kath first met at the Manchester Scots Night in 1972, when David was stewarding and Kath was selling programmes.
They got to know each other when David "graduated" to Joan Heneghan's advanced class that autumn. They were married in
1975, and have two children, who at one stage attended Pat Roberts' RSCDS children's class in West Didsbury, and
performed at Manchester Scots Night and in the Wigan Children's Festival.
January 2007
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Helen Freer
I was born in Lincoln, but grew up near Sevenoaks, Kent. I started Scottish Country Dancing when I was about 8-10 years old
as both my parents danced (my mum told me I used to dance around the settee as a very young girl to Scottish music).
I had a break from dancing while I was studying for my 'A' levels and was at college, but once I started work in
London I was soon looking for a class and going on a regular basis but if I went to a class I often had to leave early to
catch the last train home!
18 years ago I moved up to Oldham and again was soon looking for a class. I started going to the Wednesday class in
Manchester taken by Joan Heneghan (but I had to rely on my dad for a lift). For about the last 12 years
(since I passed
my driving test) I have been able to go to more dances across the North West area and across the Penines,
as well as day,
weekend, and week schools (across the country) and also the RSCDS Winter School in Pitlochry. (I have
also been to
New Zealand dancing!)
Whilst on a dancing holiday I was persuaded to train to become a teacher of Scottish Country Dancing. I was able in 2001/02 to train
under the guidance of Alice Murphy and N.W. Craven branch and I took my preliminary level which I passed. In 2003/04 again I
trained under Alice Murphy and took and passed my Full Certificate to become a qualified Scottish Country Dancing teacher.
I continue to go classes on a Tuesday and Wednesday in Manchester but sometimes I take the class! In May 2002 I joined the
Manchester Branch committee and have served as assistant secretary as well as my current position
as ticket secretary.
I have always found Scottish Country Dancing enjoyable, fun, good exercise and a great evening out and have met lovely,
welcoming and interesting people. If I am travelling anywhere in the country I try to find if there is a class or dance
that I can go to - "HAVE SHOES WILL TRAVEL!"
March 2007
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Rob Brettle
Being of Scots extraction (my mother was Scottish) I have long been interested in all things Scots - whether supporting
the Scottish team at the Commonwealth Games, Scottish Rugby or Scottish cricket. When I was on holiday in Scotland last
year I bought my first kilt, sporran, hose etc and during a conversation with a neighbour who is also in kilts, it came
up that he attended a Scottish Country Dancing Class, and would I be interested? I went along, and it happened to be
Mary McGuire's 90th birthday evening, and so I was flung into the deep end.
Given that the last time I had done any dancing, and English Country Dancing at that, was when I was at Junior
school, I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and there have been very few classes I have missed since then. I have been to the
dances and ball arranged by the Manchester Branch of the RSCDS, and have even become a member.
John Francis in his book "From Chevin's Lee to Silver Hill" writes: "for sheer elegance, great music, enjoyment and
all round physical and mental well-being, Scottish Country Dancing takes some beating". I would certainly concur
with that. It is one of the few social activities where couples and unattached of all ages are welcome and freely mix.
It is great fun and I would recommend it to anyone, whether you are Scots or not.
February 2007
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