The Club
The Carnoustie Scottish Country Dance Club (CSCDC) is an independent club formed over 30 years ago with its own Constitution and run by a committee of dedicated volunteers. The club typically has 25-30 members who meet weekly during the Autumn, Winter and Spring seasons to enjoy Scottish Country Dance in an informal setting. The dancing, very ably led by June Smith, has an extremely varied repertoire, ranging from old favourites to new creations, from simple ones to the more complex ones. We always have a good laugh! The music is by CD player except once a month (usually the last week of the month) when we have a band night with live music.
Recaps and walk-throughs are given for all dances.
The club also organises and runs an excellent propramme of social dances throughout the year at larger venues, including a number of charity dances, and during the summer season five Summer dances. Have a look at our current programme in the Events page.
Visitors are warmly welcomed to the club nights and to the social dances. Why not come and join us
Venues
The usual venues are as follows, unless otherwise stated in dance notices.
Weekly club meetings:
The regular Club meetings are held in the Holyrood Church Hall, Holyrood Street, Carnoustie. The hall is located on the west side of the street, opposite house No. 9, approximately 50m north of Maule Street.
Social Dances:
The Philip Hall (High Steet, Carnoustie - opposite the Church of Scotland, on corner with Links Avenue)
Summer Dances:
The Beach Hall, Carnoustie Leisure Centre (Links Parade, Carnoustie, DD7 7JB)
How to join
Why not come along to a Club night and enjoy an evening informal Scottish Country Dancing in a friendly atmosphere. You can pay each time you come or you can join the Club by paying an annual subscription.
Committee 2010/11
- Office Bearers
- Chairperson: Hazel Cargill
- Vice-Chair: Monica Mattock
- Secretary/Treasurer: June Smith (Tel: 01241 854 418)
- Comittee
- Maureen Bremner
- Iver Bremner
- Brian Wardrop
- Karen Staddle
- Dorothy Ramage
History of the Club
The Club was founded in 1975 by Douglas Keiller and associates when an RSCDS teaching class was no longer available in Carnoustie. It was set-up as an independent Scottish County Dancing Club with its own constitution.
The Club first met in British Legion Hall in Park Avenue (now an Indian restaurant), but since then has used a number of other venues, including the Panmure Centre (Kinloch Street), the Brax Hotel (no longer exists), the Bruce Hotel and then the Holyrood Church Hall. Press cuttings of the period show that the Club was very active in promoting local dances and events, as well as donating substantial amounts to various charities. Of particular note is that the Carnoustie Club took over the running of the Summer Dances in 1976 (in the original Beach Hall) after the Carnoustie Town Council had to ‘chop’ the Summer Dance from their summer programme due to financial cut-backs.
The Club was very active in promoting SCD, not only in the locally the area and in nearby communities, but developed contacts with many other countries abroad. They forged a strong link, which still continues today, with the St Andrews RSCDS Summer school .
It was interesting to note that one of the well known local bands that still plays today, the Maple Leaf Band, was associated with the Club in 1977, not long after the Club was founded.
The Club has a scrap book that contains press cuttings from the inauguration of the Club up to 1985, when the Club celebrated its 10th Anniversary.
The Club has continued to prosper since then, with Club meetings being held in the Holyrood Hall.
We would be delighted if any reader who was, or still is, involved with the Club, could offer any relevant historical information or memorabilia. If so, contact the Club via the email link to the Webmaster below, or through any current Club member.
The Club would be interested in obtaining a copy of any item of interest for inclusion in the scrapbook.