Records of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society: Aberdeen Branch

The records comprise;

Minutes (1925-1950, 1952-1962, 1965-1980, 1980-1989, 1989-1996);

Newsletters (1972-1996);

Financial records (1949-1970, 1976-1979);

Register of payments for classes (1969-1972); and

Insurance correspondence (1948 and 1955).

In 1925, Aberdeen became the fifth branch of the Scottish Country Dance Society, following the establishment of branches in Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth in 1923.

The first meeting of the Aberdeen Branch was held on 16 October 1925 at Aberdeen's Palace Hotel. Presiding over the inaugural meeting was leading church figure Bishop Deane who remarked that whilst he did not condemn 'modern dancing', he was concerned it might overshadow many of the dances which had been 'inherited from the past'.

The aims of the Society were agreed at the meeting: the preservation of country dances as danced in Scotland and the publication of descriptions of country dances with diagrams and music in simple form. The core role of the Society was to provide members with the opportunity to dance in organised classes, regardless of level or ability.

By 1933, Aberdeen had the largest membership of all the branches and, although temporarily hindered during the war years, it continued to attract new members and organised classes for dancers of all abilities in various locations throughout the city.

The Aberdeen branch marked its 70th anniversary in February 1996 with a sherry reception at the Tree Tops Hotel, Aberdeen.

Open

Open for consultation at Old Aberdeen House, open Mon-Wed 9:30-12:30 and 13:30-16:30. It is advisable to make an appointment

Please see the Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire Archives catalogue at https://archives.aberdeencity.gov.uk/CalmView/. Catalogue is also printed to item level in Old Aberdeen House and Town House searchrooms.

Sent to Sip May 2005.

A number of bank pass books were not deemed to be of significant long-term value to the archives and were not retained - Siobhan Convery 2002

The minutes and newsletters from 1997 to the present day have been retained by the Society Secretary for administrative purposes with a view to deposit at a future date.